Winter Running - How to dress??

Hello all,

I am a newbie to running. It feels great! I run in the mornings when it is was cooler for the Summer months now as Winter approaches it is getting quite cold. I have been running only a short time, since March of this year, and want to continue throughout the winter. I prefer the outside and it fits with my schedule since a gym or fitness center is too far away.

I live on the east coast in Maryland. What do you all recommend for winter jogging dress? I seen the bicycle pants and high tech gear but did not want to spend a fortune. I currently dress in layers with sweat pants, T-shirt under a long sleeve but thin knit pullover with a standard sweat suit pullover and cap. Is that appropriate? I am cold when I start but feel nice and toasty when done. I am dealing with 40 - 50 degree morning temps but expect a harsh winter on the east coast.

thanks for the advice,

Craig

p.s. I was running daily in the morning but had to cut down to every other day for awhile. Plan to go back to daily in March '01

Did you ask at rec.running?

I would suggest looking at a vest with a knit back to handle the windchill while allowing heat to escape out the back. Layers with a hat are very good. When cross country skiing, not running but similar, at say -19 windchill I can actually get so warm that I am in my t-shirt after awhile if the trees are blocking the wind.

Also, I have dry socks, etc at my car for a better ride back home.

Sling Skate

Thanks for the response. I did post in rec.running as well.

Sounds pretty good. You may want to get some kind of waterproof or wind proof pants and jacket to wear over the rest of it when the weather gets colder.

Sounds like you're doing it about right, then.

Brace yourself!

Run Naked ))))

Hi Craig,

Must haves: Coolmax type t-shirts (short & long sleeve), running gloves, long sleeve Polartec type fleece pullover (half or quarter zip), Running tights or 'not-so-tights' (you can get by with regular sweat pants if you don't perspire much on your legs), Coolmax type toboggan

I've made it through many winters with nothing but traditional windpants, long sleeve t-shirts, a light fleece for those extra cold days, gloves (or socks), and a decent hat.

No need to spend a fortune, although the more expensive fabrics and such may feel better and be lighter.

-jeff

Hat and glooves help immensely with temperature fluctuations. You can easily take them on and off. The head is a like a radiator with a third of the blood flow going through it. (In fact some biologists think a co-factor for large human brains was to facilitate running.)

Before you buy.

Sounds excessive for that temp. At that temp., even early in the a.m., I'd wear shorts & probably a short-sleeved shirt, and maybe some gloves; that's all. I know an older guy who wears nothing but shorts (no shirt) until the temp. gets, I'd guess, into the high 30s F. One winter day a while back, I saw him at the track running with the temp at 28 degrees F wearing shorts and a thin short-sleeved T-shirt. I said, 'you've got to be cold,' he said, 'not really.'

I also live in Maryland and have never had to wear more than a fairly light sweatshirt and sweatpants even on the coldest nights. The pants aren't really necessary except on the very coldest nights but sometimes I'll wear them anyway to avoid getting chilled in the early part of the workout. I wear a hooded sweatshirt when it's really cold and breezy because I can put it up or down as needed and it keeps my neck warm even when it's down. I wear a ski band to cover my ears and gardening gloves for my hands. I find that it's very easy to overdress, which results in being uncomfortably hot once the workout gets underway.

Steve,

What is a Coolmax type toboggan? A sled? or hat?