How do you dress in layers for a race?

[KelNottAt]

I hate hate hate cold weather. In fact the possibility of temps in the 40s before the WDW race is almost (but not quite) enough to make me quit.

But, assuming I have the will to face it, how should I dress? Yes, layers I know. But how?

And which layer is my runner's number pinned to?

I read that clothing articles discarded on the route will be donated to charity. Fine, that's nice. But, some people seem to be able to hand-off their layers to family members they see. Are there good or bad locations for this? My kids might be the only "fans" I have at the race. I'll need to give them easy and specific instructions on how to catch Mom's sweats and jackets.

Anybody have advice? Thanks.

 

[solotraveler]

I'll try my best to field this one....

First, you pin your race number on the bottom most layer you will not be shedding. Two caveats: First, you will need to show your number to get into your corral, so don't make it impossible to get to; and Second, any pictures of you taken on the course will be sorted by your race number, so if it can't be seen in the picture they are much more difficult to locate online.

As for handoff locations, since you are doing the half they are somewhat more limited due to the lack of available transport away from the parks and resorts. My concern with suggesting some place like that is the possibility of your family not being on the front rows cheering you on, making it difficult to make the handoff. Other folks will have more advice on this, I'm sure. It may just be best to head to the thrift store before heading to WDW and picking up some stuff you don't mind donating.

The temps at the full start last year were in the 30s, so the throwaway jacket I picked up at the Expo helped a LOT keeping me warm in the corrals. I was suprised how quickly I got warm after the start, though-- so you may end up nice and warm just a couple miles in.

Hope that helps some!
Kevin

 

[wtpclc]

I'll add a little:

My 2 bottom layers wer a long-sleeved shirt and a short-sleeved shirt. I actually put pins on bother for easier transfer. Still not the best, but I wanted my # to show for pics.

While you should not depend on being able to hand off, I was able to at mile 4 and MK. At mile 4, it was our disposables, so no big if we didn't see them. At MK, it was my long sleeve shirt. I would have tied it around my waist if I did not see them. You need to be on teh right side of teh road at mile 4 and I was just very lucky. So, while you can try to plan it, do not depend on it. We just got K-mart sweats, disposable jacket (which we saved and will use this year) and our LS shirts could have been worn around the waist.

 

[littlegreydonkey]

I hate cold too - sooooo,I arrived at the start wearing my running singlet and my lightweight running jacket which I can tie round my waist. That was what was staying with me throughout the race. My number was pinned to this. On top of that lot, I had an old T-shirt which I ripped the sleeves from and cut slits at the bottom - this means you can rip it off without undressing just before the start. On top of that I had an old zip up fleece, which no longer zipped so I didn't mind losing it - and if I remember rightly, another cardigan too!!!. I also bought a disposable jacket and gloves at the expo. I lost the T Shirt and fleece just before the start, I think the cardi went before I left the holding area, and shed the disoposable jacket about 3 miles in.

On the bottom I'd bought a cheap pair of fleecy men's track suit bottoms which I cut the elastic bottoms off so I could remove them without too much trouble. I ran in them until I stopped for a bathroom break just before the Magic Kingdom, my legs were a bit chilly for about another mile but then it all warmed up.

This may sound extreme, but the time before I'd had to sit at the start in a couple of pool towels as I'd not planned for the cold - and there was no way I was freezing again. Oh, and I also bring an old pillow on holiday with me (for the motels we stay in before AKL) and that came to the holding area with me too. I was lovely and warm, sitting on my pillow, reading the paper, eating my cereal with a bowl and spoon - I must have looked like I was on a picnic. Helen

 

[chimera]

I believed I whined most about the cold last year...and probably wore the most layers. Anyone see Christmas story when they dress up Ralphie's little brother in his snowsuit?

I wore a long-sleeved Tshirt, my short-sleeved WISH shirt, a long-sleeved running shirt, a fleece zippered jacket, gloves, two scarves, long spandex racing pants, sweatpants and one of my millionaire hats. By the end of the race I was down to one pair of pants and the 3 shirts (seriously). I also brought 2 additional sweatshirts and a blanket. I ended up giving one of the sweatshirts to a lady from Connecticut wearing shorts and a long-sleeved shirt who didn't expect it to be so cold

I tossed all my clothes along the sides as I disrobed. And I pinned my race number to my fuel belt so I wouldn't have to keep moving it around and it would be visible the entire time.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I tossed all my clothes along the sides as I disrobed. And I pinned my race number to my fuel belt so I wouldn't have to keep moving it around and it would be visible the entire time.

I did the same. It worked great and I am greatful that is was mentioned b4 we all left.

I planned all year and kept clothes aside for the day to toss. I took the advice about making it easy to remove clothing with shoes on and such. So, I cut slits up the sides. The other suggestion was to cut those slits or more and hold them together with duct tape. That is easy to take off as you progress along the route. I think I ended up wrapping one jacket around my waist and was ok with that.

At dinner one of our table mates suggested something I will probably do next time. Buy cheap long socks, cut out the toes and use them as "sleeves" toss as you need.

 

[TiffJ]

Ahh, this thread is brining back memories....

This is something to definately be prepared for. We didnt expect it to get that cold & my mom had not been used to training in the cold so it really caught her off guard & made her very cranky before the race. I had been used to wogging in 35-40* temps plus I was so excited to be there I just didnt care We both wore our LS race shirt, gloves, 2 pr pants & I had a big fleece sweatshirt I wore while waiting at the start that I put in my bag. I shed the gloves at about mile 4 & the top layer of pants I had planned on tossing but I saw my scream team & handed them off to them.

The moral of the story: when in FL in Jan be prepared for ANY TYPE of weather. I think in 2005 they were burning up

 

[rKyDeX]

I started out the marathon morning with a lot of layers on. In fact, it was so cold when I stepped out of the motorhome, I grabbed an old blanket and wrapped it around me. That was my best idea.

Prior to moving to the corrals, I was feeling warm enough, so I started taking off layers. I eventually was down to a long sleeve compression shirt, a Mickey t-shirt with my race number pinned to it and my running shorts over compression shorts. I also had on cotton gloves, a ski cap and of course the old blanket. All the other items were bagged and checked in.

Once I made way to the corral and had to start waiting, I started getting cold and questioned why I decided to drop off my extra layers. Eventually I sat down in my corral and wrapped the blanket around me tightly and that kept my teth from chattering.

I carried the blanket with me for the first mile and then pitched it aside. I wore the gloves until the 10 mile mark and then pocketed them. Everything else was worn until the end.

I would reccommend pinning your race number to your "lightest weight" shirt (as long as its large enough to fit over your other layers), and keep it as your top layer. Just remove it, pull off the layer below and replace it.

I'll definitely have a blanket on hand at the start if the temp is below 60.
Besides, it made me feel like a Super Hero when it flowed behind me like a cape.

Good luck

 

[Calcio]

Hello Kelly and All

The key point to remember is the body is really good at generating heat during exercise, so the goal is to be sufficiently warm before the race and be able to quickly peel layers as necessary when your body gets hot, which should be in a couple of miles, max.

If the weather is "good" for running at the 6 a.m. start at Disney, perhaps 40-45 degrees, then your warmth layer should be something for the corrals only, which can be taken off just before the start, and then you can run in your race clothes. In 2004 at Disney this was the case, and my race layers were a thin underarmor closest to the skin and a coolmax top over this, with the race number pinned here. For warmth I had on cheapie cotton sweats, tops and bottoms, which were peeled just before the race and tossed to the side.

For this years starts, however, it was COLD!. I worried about the cotton sweat toss leaving me cold for the first couple of miles before the engines got fired up. The best $7 I ever spent was at the trade show, paper tops and bottoms. I had on the underarmor closest to the skin again, and the cool max top next, with the number, then the paper sweats, then a cotton top. The cotton top came off before the start, as did the paper bottoms, then the paper top was peeled at mile 2.5 and placed (delicately) on a trash can in EPCOT.

Once your are running and hot, it should take very little to keep you warm. The problem is after you finish on a cold day. They give you the aluminium foils, but they don't do much if any good if it's cold and windy (like 2006). You really need to get inside soon, otherwise you can really feel it.

And . . . you may get 2005 weather, when it was HOT, over 60 at the 6 a.m. start, and over 70 by 8 a.m. In that case be sure to have your summer light stuff, otherwise you'll baste.

Good luck.

Craig

 

[KelNottAt]

Thanks everyone.
Guess I better head to Goodwill over the next few months.

 

[mrsR123]

I'm definitely hitting Goodwill. We trained in really cold weather up here in Illinois all the while saying "it won't be cold in Florida!" Well, it was in the mid 30's with a wind-chill efect in the corrals and a freeze warning for the greater resort.

I'm taking a blanket to toss this year in addition to a sweatshirt. ONce we were moving, though, I was down to my drimax long sleeve and LLS singlet within the first couple of miles. I kept my gloves, though. AFter all the training we'd been through, I couldn't bear to pitch them!

 

[karamat]

A couple of other ideas for waiting in the corrals (tried and true, or seen at Nov. NYC and Jan. Houston)...

Painter's coveralls (from Home Depot, etc.) They are made from the tyvek(?) material that the disposable shells sold at expos are made from. They typically come in one-size-fits-all with a zippered front and are great to wear before the race starts.

Sleeping Bag - just a cheap one from Wal-Mart

Long bathrobe - another thing to look for at Goodwill

Socks in place of gloves (less expense involved = easier to discard)

Tammy

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Thank you! They are great ideas.

 

[ddoll]

I love the socks for your hands idea. But the best thing my friends provided at the start of the race was giant trash bags: the big dark heavy ones. They really keep your body heat inside and keep the cold out. You just tear a hole out of the top for your head. They were prefect. I saw a lot of people wearing them. And of course, you have no trouble tossing a trash bag away! I tossed mine as soon as we got to the start line.

And a word of caution: one of our friends suffered a sprained ankle at last years' race from someone ahead of him thoughtlessly dropping his jacket on the ground. So please: be very careful about tossing them way off to the side, way out of the runner's path.

 

[escape]

So, all of you guys are saying that it ain't pretty at the beginning of the race, is that right?

 

[KelNottAt]

OK, here are some stupid questions:

What kind of bra goes under a compression shirt? Any sports bra, or should it be a specific fabric? Is a bra even necessary?

Compression shorts... Are they ever worn alone? That is, without running shorts on top? Two pairs just sound awfully binding and I can't see the running shorts providing much warmth.

Compression tights... Are these ever worn alone? What type of underwear?

What's a singlet? Is it like a sport tank with built-in shelf bra? http://www.underarmour.com/ProductDetail.cfm?site_id=2&dept_id=2&coll_id=114&pf_id=1001115 If it's not like the UA example, where do I buy one? What are they made of? Will I need a bra?

Sorry to be so stupid. I just don't know what to wear. I'm really having a problem with chafing where my (cotton) sports bra (almost) touches my arm pits. Solving that is my first objective. Then I'll work on warmth for WDW HM.

TIA,

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Goodwill or any thrift store is your friend!!!!

I pin my number on the lowest expected layer for racing (based on my training and what I wore on my longest training day).

Then I build myself up to look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow man with el cheapo leftovers from good will (or elsewhere).

For my peeling layers, I will modify by slitting down by the shoe and duct taping (so that I can get the darn clothes over my foot).

Lastly--bring warm weather racing attire and cold weather.

2 years ago, I didn't use one item that I picked up to keep warm. Okay--I used one just so I could actually use a piece. Start temps were in the 60s. Nice and toasty for a January morn at 4am.

Last year--I bundled up in everything AND bought those white windbreaker outfit things at expo. Hubby and I were a bit chilly waiting to get to the line up area. I did peel layer at the start. I KEPT the paper jacket and found myself taking it off, putting it on, taking it off, putting it on again throughout the race. There were some windy spots.

And I didn't have enough aftewards. I was cooooold. (I'm a cooooold person!)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

OK, here are some stupid questions:

What kind of bra goes under a compression shirt? Any sports bra, or should it be a specific fabric? Is a bra even necessary?

Compression shorts... Are they ever worn alone? That is, without running shorts on top? Two pairs just sound awfully binding and I can't see the running shorts providing much warmth.

Compression tights... Are these ever worn alone? What type of underwear?

What's a singlet? Is it like a sport tank with built-in shelf bra? http://www.underarmour.com/ProductDetail.cfm?site_id=2&dept_id=2&coll_id=114&pf_id=1001115 If it's not like the UA example, where do I buy one? What are they made of? Will I need a bra?

Sorry to be so stupid. I just don't know what to wear. I'm really having a problem with chafing where my (cotton) sports bra (almost) touches my arm pits. Solving that is my first objective. Then I'll work on warmth for WDW HM.

TIA,

I singlet is a "tank top" loose fitting shirt usually made of wicking material. You must provide your own support .

Compression tights I believe are special running tights. Good for cold weather running--not soo good if race day temps get above your comfort level to wear the tights.

Compression shirts are similar I suppose--but most anything I would still wear my own sports bra underneath. I'm just too blessed upstairs to trust the built-in bras and stay away from those things. Someone less blessed (or more perky ) may have better luck. After nursing two babes and cooking the third...my poor ladies need all the help they can get.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Kelley--for the chafing...it is inevitable even with the best planned outfit...I get chafing at distances in excess of 16 miles or so in the bra area (discovered it on my 20 mile day. EEK!!!).

Blanking on the name of the product (checked my racing drawer and couldn't locate it)...but you can get a product that you place in areas that chafe just so they won't. Mine came in a grey container and looks like a stick of deoderant. I get it at the running store.

 

[Maherae]

Body Glide is what you are trying to think of. Works for me!!