What do you wear to a race?

[NeverlandClub23]

I'm running my first half marathon in November. I haven't a clue what to really wear outside running at that time of the year (as I normally run on the treadmill during the winter but I will be running outside this year up until the race to get used to it). It can be anywhere from 30 degrees to 65 degrees usually here in November (but I'm planning for starting being cold as I'm ALWAYS cold). I wanted to find some clothing options on sale to buy now instead of waiting until the last minute. What should I get? I was thinking one of those moisture wicking long sleeve shirts and shorts (as I know I'll be warm after a few minutes of running). Any ideas, tips, or suggestions? Also, if you suggest moisture wicking clothing any particular brand you recommend (it seems like Under Armour doesn't get very good reviews). Thanks Wishers! You guys are always the best!

 

[corinnak]

Hello and congratulations on training for your first half marathon!

I have found the gear guide on Runnersworld.com to be a helpful starting place. You can choose the temp and conditions and it gives you an idea of what to wear

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/whattowear/0,,s6-240-325-330-0-0-0-0-0,00.html

They are a lot more into vests than I am, but other than that, I have found them to be pretty good!

I tend to like to feel cooler when I'm running so I wear shorts pretty late into the season. When it gets under about 40, I start thinking it's time for the tights! I don't really enjoy the long sleeve shirts as much, but I know that many do. I tend to wear short sleeves with a light running jacket over it.

My best advice if it's going to be cold is to get yourself a fleece headband (some like hats) to keep your ears warm and a pair of cheapy gloves. If you're going to be cold beforehad but warm as the race goes on, trash bags or space blankets are good to keep you warm while you're waiting. At WDW's races, we wear old sweatclothes that can be shed before the race starts.

Hope this gives you a start, anyhow, thinking about what to wear. I love running outside when the temps are cooler!

 

[syko]

I love UA tops, I have both heat and cold ones.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I pretty much follow the idea of moisture wicking and layers. For an event I recommend, layers that can be tossed. Usually they will pick up those and donate them. For training, I will either tie the layer around my waist or run past my car and toss in there. I have found the link provided by Corinna very helpful. I hope it helps you.

As far as brand, I don't know what to offer. Some things feel comfy and do the trick and others will rub the wrong way and irritate.

As you are waiting for the event the plastic ponchos are great to block wind, you can get some at Target and dollar stores I'm told, blankets or space blankets or the toss away clothes as already recommended.

I guess what I'm saying is it may be trial and error for you. Everyone is different. If you haven't had the experience, layers, layers.

 

[FireDancer]

With such a large gap weather wise it will be hard to determine what to wear until closer to race time. I kind of like winter running and as long as the wind chill is not below 0 I run outside even in winter, I just can not stand the treadmill. Even on training runs anything above 40 is shorts weather and a short sleeve shirt for me. A half that is above 40 will have me take my shirt off after about 5. I am pretty good at getting up to temperature and not wearing a shirt makes me feel a lot cooler. 30's is usually a long sleeve running shirt (something wicking) and wind pants. I have a hind and brooks jacket and a brooks wind shell for if it gets colder and I may start in a running hat or band that covers the ears if it is cold. It really depends on how far and fast I am going and also if it is the beginning or end of winter. What seems cold in November doesn't seem so bad in February. Specific brands are hard because what works for me might not work for you, plus a lot of brands have different fits for men and women. I would recommend going to a local running store to see what they have. Most of my wicking shirts are shirts I have gotten at races, so they are all brands.

Of course everyone is different so just because all that works for me doesn't mean it will work for you. Here are a couple of guidelines for longer races in cold weather.

First and most important...avoid cotton. It just absorbs sweat and you will end up wet and cold. This includes socks.

You want to be a little cold at the start, you will warm up after a couple of miles.

If you don't want to shed a layer and lose it or get stuck carrying it around with you wearing a garbage bag is a low cost, low tech, and very efficient way to start a race or wait in the corral. Just cut a head out for the head and wear it until the race starts. They are keep the warmth in while you are just standing and you will feel a refreshing burst of cool air on our running body when you shed it. Some people shed it right at the start and some after about a mile so they build up some warmth.

Something none clothing related also to keep in mind is to stretch and do some short warm up jogging to get the muscles loose. It is a lot easier to pull a muscle if they are cold, I have had to learn this lesson the hard way.

Good luck and congratulations on your first half. I'm curious, which half are you doing?

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Thanks everyone for the great advice/tips/suggestions! I checked out the RunnersWorld link and it was so informative! Thank you!

I think it will just be trial and error (like you all said) but I'm so nervous already (which is what has kept me from achieving this goal the three previous years I said I was going to do it; but I've never trained for it [like I am now] and I've never actually signed up [like I just did]). I don't know any runners personally and my schedule is always such a mess that it's impossible for me to join a running group (which I like the kind of "lonely with your thoughts" feeling that running provides) so I know it's just my fear of the unknown and once I get there I'll be fine. So I'm trying to take care of the little things now cause I know I'll be a mess the couple of weeks before the race (Marathoning for Mortals is such a great book that has really helped calm my nerves a lot; which I also picked up thanks to the very informative people here on the WISH board). It's also really helped me think about having a strategy (other than just running the whole thing) and how to prepare.

FireDancer, I'm running the McDonald's half in Richmond, VA on November 14th. Thanks for all of your great advice! (Oh, and on other posts I've read of yours [not just on the Wish board] you always give such great, honest advice/opinions).

 

[timmac]

I second all of the advice about layers, etc. I'd also add that it's "ok" if you outermost layer is a cheaper cotton sweatshirt, since you'll likely toss it a few minutes after the race starts.

Which leads me to another important suggestion... pin your bib to your thigh instead of your chest, that way you can toss shirts/jackets without having the race number be an issue.

 

[FireDancer]

FireDancer, I'm running the McDonald's half in Richmond, VA on November 14th. Thanks for all of your great advice! (Oh, and on other posts I've read of yours [not just on the Wish board] you always give such great, honest advice/opinions).

They had a booth for that race at the RnR half in VA Beach. Thanks for the compliment, I try to be honest with all my posts, sometimes to my detriment flame wise. I always looked at being too honest the same was as being too rich, kind of hard to imagine (however I would rather the later instead of the former )

 

[SAHDad]

I second all of the advice about layers, etc. I'd also add that it's "ok" if you outermost layer is a cheaper cotton sweatshirt, since you'll likely toss it a few minutes after the race starts.

Which leads me to another important suggestion... pin your bib to your thigh instead of your chest, that way you can toss shirts/jackets without having the race number be an issue.

I made a mistake along those lines once (and at a Disney race, too!) I wasn't quite awake when I got dressed, so I put the toss shirt on under my race shirt. Pinned the bib to the race shirt. . . and the toss shirt. When I got too warm (about 2 miles into the race), I basically had to take both shirts off, and struggled with the whole thing for a few minutes (while running, because I didn't want to slow down) until I got it straightened out.

For cool weather, I stay in shorts and short sleeves until it is under 40. If it's sunny, and I am not going more than 4-5 miles, it is not unheard of for me to head out the door in shorts, short sleeves, gloves and winter hat when it is below freezing. The first mile or so is cold, but after that, it's not uncomfortable.

But that's me. I'm a cold weather runner, and anything over 70 is uncomfortable at best. You need to experiment to figure out what is best for you. Just remember that you should feel cool (but not cold) before the race begins. You'll warm up once you get moving, and if you are in layers, you can shed them as needed (well, up to a point anyway).