The Running Thread - 2016

[Dis5150]

I plan to start doing this 4 weeks out. It helps. Run uncomfortably hot by layering up and you acclimatize as if you are running in Florida temps.

Maybe I should just keep running in the fleece lined tights then.

 

[JulieODC]

QOTD: Good question, since it's been snowing all morning here in MA! Layers are key -- so far the lowest I've encountered this year has been in the 30s, and I had no problems with leggings, a short sleeve and long sleeve layered on top, with a hat and gloves. I do have a lightweight fleece to add on and fleece-lined leggings for especially cold days to come, and maybe a neck warmer.

It was raining pretty hard last week on one of my run days, and I went down to try the treadmill -- lasted about 45sec before deciding to suck it up and run in the rain! Our treadmill is pretty bad though -- cheap buy on Craigslist, fine for walking and watching the tv -- but I cannot see myself running long distances on it. If worse comes to worse and we have a super snowy winter, I might need to get a short-term gym membership to get access to a better quality treadmill.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Also, I was going to write, I need to bring tissues for my nose when it gets cold, but the fine folks over on my journal have urged me to learn to snot rocket

My wife gets mad at me if I do that, so I carry a runner's version of a hankie on cold days. I buy the single ply cotton diapers, cut them in half and put a seam along the cut edge. I then have a multi-purpose rag that I can tuck into my waist band on every run. When it is hot, I use it as a sweat rag. When it is cold, I use it to blow my nose. I wear contacts when running, so a cold wind = watery eyes = runny nose every time.

 

[camaker]

I just use my sleeve for tissues.

Man I am looking at vests and I thought they would not be that expensive because I mean, they don't even have sleeves, that's like a third of the jacket missing right there! But some of these cost way more than my good jacket did!

The running gloves I use have patches of soft fleece on the back so they can be used as nose wipes comfortably.

 

[opusone]

How does this work in really cold weather? Does the GPS still work when covered by layers of sleeves? You have to pull back your sleeves to see things like intervals or heart rate?

I haven't had a problem with it losing GPS with a sleeve or two over it. In general, though, I would say the sleeve typically stays slightly bunched up on the arm-side of the watch, so I can look down without pulling the sleeve back to see. Since I have a glove on the wrist-side, there isn't much skin showing when it is really cold. On occasion, my sleeve definitely will slip back over the watch, but again, GPS still stays locked-on. I rarely go outside for a run if it's less than 10-15°F, so about two layers of long sleeves is max for me.

 

[preciouspups]

QOTD: Some much colder weather is forecasted to make a run into the deep south in the coming days. What type of gear do you use to stay warm on those colder than normal days?

I go inside! The track I run doesn't have trees to block the wind and it gets really cold out there. I get cold easily and that makes me prone to injury so I stay on the treadmill and watch the news while I run.

But when it starts to get chilly, I have a long sleeved half zip that has pockets and thumbholes. It is also light enough to wrap around my waist when I warm up. And I have gloves that have the special pads on them and I can use them with my iphone. I also have a handknit wool earwarmer.

I just use my sleeve for tissues.

Man I am looking at vests and I thought they would not be that expensive because I mean, they don't even have sleeves, that's like a third of the jacket missing right there! But some of these cost way more than my good jacket did!

Check Costco. They have some down vests and lightweight jackets for pretty cheap right now.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

...but the fine folks over on my journal have urged me to learn to snot rocket

Finally, a forum topic on my field of expertise!

 

[Miranda]

I haven't had any problems losing GPS underneath my clothes, and I usually do like opusone and have my sleeve pushed back a little so I can see the watch. The only problem there is that my wrist definitely gets very cold if it's too cold out, and I can't feel the vibration alerts anymore for my intervals.

 

[Z-Knight]

Seriously, treadmills are the worst.

Disagree

 

[PrincessV]

Question, any tips on not starting too fast on long training runs? Got my 20 in today and I really tried to start slow but I didn't really? After mile 15 I had no problems slowing down to the pace I wanted the whole time, but I did fade a bit 18-20. Thanks.

I'm naturally a fast finisher (read: slow starter!), but I still have to watch myself if I'm feeling especially fresh and ready to go at the beginning of a really long run, so I'll skip a run interval every 1/2 mile until I'm halfway through the distance. For someone who doesn't do run-walk intervals, maybe just a 30-45 second walk every 1/2 mile?

Roll Tide! Skin those Gators!

~sigh~ That was a rough one and I'll admit that I stopped watching halfway through the 3rd quarter. Part of me wants to throw a Jan Brady-like tantrum and yell "All I ever hear about is Bama, Bama, Bama!" but I'll do my SEC duty and throw my support... Roll Tide!

QOTD: Some much colder weather is forecasted to make a run into the deep south in the coming days. What type of gear do you use to stay warm on those colder than normal days?

WHERE?!?! Because it's 87 here right now, lol! Hang on, lemme look at the forecast...

Okay, looks like we're getting one cold day on Friday: high of 60, low of 45, so I'll assume 45 for Sat morning's run. That would put me in full-length running tights, short sleeve shirt under a thermal long sleeve shirt (I'll lose the long sleeves if the sun is strong and it warms during the run), ear band, hat, knit gloves, neck gaiter. That's usually as cold as I ever have to deal with. For the Frozen 5K of 2015, when it was in the 30s with wind chill in the 20s, I added a down parka to all of the above and comfortably ran the whole race in it.

 

[Ariel484]

Slight tangent ahead...and I realize that this is just my opinion and not everyone will agree. Apologizes for the "me me me" of this post. Just some thoughts.

When it comes to running in less-than-ideal weather, I use the treadmill as a total last resort - it has to be crazy cold (like single digits), lightning, icy, etc. for me to go inside. Because what if there are less-than-ideal conditions on race day? Then what do you do when the treadmill isn't an option anymore?

For me, I NEED to know that I can run in less-than-perfect conditions. Relating this to Disney races...because while Disney is super magical and all that, they can't control the weather just yet...

- In 2010, most of us know that it snowed/sleeted during Marathon Weekend - snow/sleet in Florida. What if you had never done a run in snow/sleet? You'd panic, right? That's what training is for - you need to know that you can handle those conditions. Running is mental enough without adding in the pressure of running a loooong race in conditions you have never experienced before.
- Or how about Splash & Dash (Wine & Dine 2014)? Almost 13.1 miles of steady rain. I had run in the rain before, and while it wasn't what I would prefer, I knew I could do it because I HAD done it before - there were times during training where it was raining, and sometimes I'd avoid those days, but there were other times when I DID do training runs out in the rain. So the race was fine...I wish I'd had a hat with me, but overall, not a big deal.
- Or how about 2015 Marathon Weekend when we had a wind chill warning - temps in the 30s like we're discussing right now? Again, I knew I could do it, knew what kind of clothes to wear, because I had done it before, and it was fine.

I don't understand how you get this kind of valuable (in my mind) experience by going to a treadmill at the first sign of less-than-perfect weather, or by doing ALL runs on a treadmill - similar to how a treadmill doesn't prepare you for having to keep pace on your own (without the help of a machine), or running on a not-soft distance, or slight changes in elevation (unless you use the incline, I guess), or wind resistance, etc. If you're training for a road race, you need to know that you can run on the road and that your body can handle it - no matter the weather. Yes it sucks to run in crappy weather, but if you don't do it, how will you know that you can when you HAVE to do it (i.e. on race day)?

End tangent, and apologies for the novel.

EDIT: Not talking about potentially unsafe conditions or if someone is not physically able to run in super cold weather.

 

[Ariel484]

^^ related: this is why it's good to be an over-packer sometimes.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Slight tangent ahead...and I realize that this is just my opinion and not everyone will agree. Apologizes for the "me me me" of this post. Just some thoughts.

When it comes to running in less-than-ideal weather, I use the treadmill as a total last resort - it has to be crazy cold (like single digits), lightning, icy, etc. for me to go inside. Because what if there are less-than-ideal conditions on race day? Then what do you do when the treadmill isn't an option anymore?

For me, I NEED to know that I can run in less-than-perfect conditions. Relating this to Disney races...because while Disney is super magical and all that, they can't control the weather just yet...

- In 2010, most of us know that it snowed/sleeted during Marathon Weekend - snow/sleet in Florida. What if you had never done a run in snow/sleet? You'd panic, right? That's what training is for - you need to know that you can handle those conditions. Running is mental enough without adding in the pressure of running a loooong race in conditions you have never experienced before.
- Or how about Splash & Dash (Wine & Dine 2014)? Almost 13.1 miles of steady rain. I had run in the rain before, and while it wasn't what I would prefer, I knew I could do it because I HAD done it before - there were times during training where it was raining, and sometimes I'd avoid those days, but there were other times when I DID do training runs out in the rain. So the race was fine...I wish I'd had a hat with me, but overall, not a big deal.
- Or how about 2015 Marathon Weekend when we had a wind chill warning - temps in the 30s like we're discussing right now? Again, I knew I could do it, knew what kind of clothes to wear, because I had done it before, and it was fine.

I don't understand how you get this kind of valuable (in my mind) experience by going to a treadmill at the first sign of less-than-perfect weather, or by doing ALL runs on a treadmill - similar to how a treadmill doesn't prepare you for having to keep pace on your own (without the help of a machine), or running on a not-soft distance, or slight changes in elevation (unless you use the incline, I guess), or wind resistance, etc. If you're training for a road race, you need to know that you can run on the road and that your body can handle it - no matter the weather. Yes it sucks to run in crappy weather, but if you don't do it, how will you know that you can when you HAVE to do it (i.e. on race day)?

End tangent, and apologies for the novel.

A very good post, and I agree completely! Train in almost everything because race day can be almost anything.

 

[PrincessV]

- In 2010, most of us know that it snowed/sleeted during Marathon Weekend - snow/sleet in Florida. What if you had never done a run in snow/sleet? You'd panic, right? That's what training is for - you need to know that you can handle those conditions. Running is mental enough without adding in the pressure of running a loooong race in conditions you have never experienced before.

I live in fear of a 2010-repeat every winter! Since I have no way to train for that, and I have Raynaud's Syndrome, I honestly don't know if I'd race in those conditions. But FL running has prepared me for pretty much anything else, lol!

~~~~

Speaking of... I ran 2/5/11/20 this past weekend. The 2 was on the treadmill thanks to lightning in the area. 5 was outside in cool, damp air. 11 was chilly and with a gnarly, cold wind out of the north. 20... was HOT, humid, and sunny. Okay, not summer-hot, but a start temp of 68, warming to 80+ by the end. So yeah - it can truly be a little of everything down here!

 

[Ariel484]

I live in fear of a 2010-repeat every winter! Since I have no way to train for that, and I have Raynaud's Syndrome, I honestly don't know if I'd race in those conditions. But FL running has prepared me for pretty much anything else, lol!

Yeah, I guess I should say - if you're physically able. And while I know I could handle 2010-like conditions, I am perfectly okay with that NOT happening. Please and thank you!!

Speaking of... I ran 2/5/11/20 this past weekend. The 2 was on the treadmill thanks to lightning in the area. 5 was outside in cool, damp air. 11 was chilly and with a gnarly, cold wind out of the north. 20... was HOT, humid, and sunny. Okay, not summer-hot, but a start temp of 68, warming to 80+ by the end. So yeah - it can truly be a little of everything down here!

Wow - crazy weather!! Great job on your runs!

 

[roxymama]

Slight tangent ahead...and I realize that this is just my opinion and not everyone will agree. Apologizes for the "me me me" of this post. Just some thoughts.

When it comes to running in less-than-ideal weather, I use the treadmill as a total last resort - it has to be crazy cold (like single digits), lightning, icy, etc. for me to go inside. Because what if there are less-than-ideal conditions on race day? Then what do you do when the treadmill isn't an option anymore?

For me, I NEED to know that I can run in less-than-perfect conditions. Relating this to Disney races...because while Disney is super magical and all that, they can't control the weather just yet...

- In 2010, most of us know that it snowed/sleeted during Marathon Weekend - snow/sleet in Florida. What if you had never done a run in snow/sleet? You'd panic, right? That's what training is for - you need to know that you can handle those conditions. Running is mental enough without adding in the pressure of running a loooong race in conditions you have never experienced before.
- Or how about Splash & Dash (Wine & Dine 2014)? Almost 13.1 miles of steady rain. I had run in the rain before, and while it wasn't what I would prefer, I knew I could do it because I HAD done it before - there were times during training where it was raining, and sometimes I'd avoid those days, but there were other times when I DID do training runs out in the rain. So the race was fine...I wish I'd had a hat with me, but overall, not a big deal.
- Or how about 2015 Marathon Weekend when we had a wind chill warning - temps in the 30s like we're discussing right now? Again, I knew I could do it, knew what kind of clothes to wear, because I had done it before, and it was fine.

I don't understand how you get this kind of valuable (in my mind) experience by going to a treadmill at the first sign of less-than-perfect weather, or by doing ALL runs on a treadmill - similar to how a treadmill doesn't prepare you for having to keep pace on your own (without the help of a machine), or running on a not-soft distance, or slight changes in elevation (unless you use the incline, I guess), or wind resistance, etc. If you're training for a road race, you need to know that you can run on the road and that your body can handle it - no matter the weather. Yes it sucks to run in crappy weather, but if you don't do it, how will you know that you can when you HAVE to do it (i.e. on race day)?

End tangent, and apologies for the novel.

Good post! Agree! It's the same reason I made sure to run on the sunny side of the street a bunch this summer instead of just trying to find the shade all the time. Felt a little masochistic at the time, but I was just trying to prepare my body for an aspect of racing that I hate (sunny heat) but can't control on the course.

I will say, that my particular "run outside' area is very urban/high traffic and unfortunately...no matter how clear the roads are...winter weather equals scary drivers. And so sometimes it's not the actual weather that keeps me indoors on the treadmill...it's the drivers out there that scare the bejesus out of me. We have less space to run on the street because of all the snowplow build up...and cars park on the roads still just outside the snow piles, so there's just less room for me as a runner to work with. I love when everything melts a bit or is cleared.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

ATTQOTD: I hate, hate, hate winter running. (by winter I mean below 25 degrees). I also get bored on the treadmill, so basically running in the winter is tough for me. I agree that if you have a race coming up, it is good to train in any scenario that you might be presented with! I didn't know the type of things that would greatly help my comfort level when running in the rain until I did it. (#1 is a baseball cap and running jacket that doesn't soak up all of the water). I need some suggestions though from people that run in the cold: My biggest problem after dressing appropriately for the low temps (long sleeved tech shirt, running jacket, beanie, gloves, running tights) is my butt! It gets so frozen and numb! Has anyone figured out a solution to this (maybe some type of thick biker shorts underneath the running tights?) I wouldn't want more than one layer of tights b/c I feel like it would constrict my range of motion.

 

[cavepig]

Cold weather gear = layers, layers, layers. Like others depends on if the wind is crazy, suns out, etc., but I'll go out in everything as long as there's a road and plows/cars aren't going to smash me. I don't like it always & some days I may cut short, but sometimes having frozen eyelashes is a great experience, right?!?! haha!

Freezing rain is hard or frozen slush on the ground cause the feet get cold and that's the worst as they just keep getting number & number, I haven't found a way to protect feet from freezing yet.

I start with tights, then add shorts, then wind pants over that depending on temp/wind & thickness of wind pants change to if colder/windier.
For my top it's tech long sleeve & jacket, but once it's colder I'll add more shirts.
My head is just an ear band, then a neck thing if it's colder, but then once it's like 20 degrees I'll add the fleece balaclava (nothing like looking totally creepy running in that)
Hands are mittens, the type with flip tops, so if my hands get a little warm, it's easy to let them air out for a bit.

I run where there's not a lot of wind block, so one way I'll be a little toasty but then turning into the wind will be awful. It's hard to judge what to wear sometimes, but I would rather be too warm then freezing, which I've done before.

Oh & I wipe my nose on my mittens (that get washed after). I have multiple pairs at least. But gross I know

need some suggestions though from people that run in the cold: My biggest problem after dressing appropriately for the low temps (long sleeved tech shirt, running jacket, beanie, gloves, running tights) is my butt! It gets so frozen and numb! Has anyone figured out a solution to this (maybe some type of thick biker shorts underneath the running tights?) I wouldn't want more than one layer of tights b/c I feel like it would constrict my range of motion.

Yeah, my butt & thighs get the coldest & I get worried i'll get hurt. I just layer up, with tights, thick cotton shorts, wind pants. I have been known to use those heat packs for hunters and tape them to my butt when I had piriformis syndrome bad last winter. THe extra layers suck, but I can still run, my motion isn't constricted cause nothing is tight but the tights, there are a lot of waist bands but it's doable and better than frozen and pulling a muscle in the cold

 

[Chaitali]

I don't have many cold weather tips. If it's below 30, I'll generally take it inside to the treadmill too. I have fleece lined running tights I'll wear for runs where it is in the 30s with a running jacket, gloves and an ear band. I might add extra a buff as well since I have a hard time breathing in cold, dry air sometimes and the buff helps with that.

I ran my goal half marathon this past weekend, the Race 13.1 Baltimore. The temps were in the mid to high 30s, sunny, but windy. It was an inaugural race but I really enjoyed it. It was really well organized, a pretty course by the water for a big part of it, and I finished in 2:50:48 so a 6 minute PR I would definitely recommend this one to people if they do it again next year.

 

[Dis5150]

I have been known to use those heat packs for hunters

I was considering wearing one of those on my lower back as it is constantly sore and I'm afraid I will hurt it when I get too cold.