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Sunday, January 7, 2018

Winter Running Hacks for 2018


I take great pleasure in beating Momma N at her own (twisted) game called "Winter."

How about you? Do you face her head-on, armed and ready, or do you prefer to stay inside?

Living in Iowa, it's a given the winters are gonna be chilly. In fact, the winters in Iowa can be downright brutal. But, there's a small clause to my running this time of year...I do not like 'Milly (she's my treadmill) and she does not like me.


So, what's a gal to do? Simple answer...I head outside.
#truth  #busted  #sorrynotsorry
To make the frigid temps a bit more bearable, one needs to learn to layer one's running gear. You will see temperature charts all over the place, indicating what to wear or how many layers are optimal. In all honesty, I have found it's really a matter of personal preference. Some of us get warmer faster than others and some of us need more layers.

None the less, I have come up with some Winter Running Hacks that have worked for me. I have to confess, these little hacks have given me a certain (subtle) guilty pleasure because most cost nothing but a little creativity and forethought.

Here you go:

*Consider layering a fleece headband UNDER a stocking hat.  A hat will keep you warm, but sometimes if the wind is blowing, a little extra something underneath will make it that much warmer.
Can you see the headband hiding underneath the hat?
*Wearing arm warmers between the layers on your arms works wonders. Usually, my base layer is pretty fitted (and is fleece-lined). A second layer over that adds more warmth, but sneaking in an additional layer (via an arm warmer, BETWEEN the layers) really ups the toasty-ness. I have several pairs of "real" arm warmers. but actually my favorite hack is to wear a pair of cut-off knee-high stockings instead, especially in the winter.
You can find inexpensive stockings at discount stores like Target or Walmart
*Sunglasses are not just for summer. When there's a layer of snow on the ground, a bright sunshiny day can almost be blinding. Even on a cloudy, grey day, sunglasses are ideal for keeping the cold air and wind buffered from your eyes. I have extremely dry skin and very sensitive eyes....so any eye irritation results in tears flowing down my face. When the temps are cold, those tears feel like ice water. Brrrr. Personally, I'm in no hurry for developing more wrinkles, so keeping my eyes covered is a no-brainer.
Also, wearing the glasses OVER your headband or hat will keep your ears covered better
*How about layering light-weight tights (or basic leggings) over fleece-lined running tights? Who doesn't like a little extra color or a funky pattern? Walmart has tons of cheap leggings for less than $5.00...which I would not wear anywhere in public (or even on their own, because they're not really warm). Layering them over "real" running tights works just fine for me, thank you very much.
Remember my obnoxious Christmas "tights?" They actually were inexpensive leggings layered over actual running tights!
*Keep your phone warm, too! My phone's battery doesn't have a lot of mojo on really cold days, but when I place the phone in a fleece mitten or glove and cradle it in the palm of my hand (under my curled up fingers), it has a lot more protection from the cold. Besides, I cannot stand feeling it bounce in my pocket and it's a hassle trying to dig it out from under my layers if I have it in a belt.
Stash your phone in a warm & toasty glove or mitten
*Last of all, indulging in a warm drink when you finish makes it all worthwhile. How's that for a (non)guilty pleasure?

What do you think? Any of these Winter Running Hacks sound easy enough to try?


By the way...are you following me on social media? You can find me at these various platforms:
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**I'm  linking up with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run. We're chatting about guilty pleasures, courtesy of running. Join the conversation!

**I'm also linking this with Debbie and Rachel and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner.

**And, I'm also linking up with Nicole and Annmarie for the Wild Wednesday Workout




48 comments:

  1. I am definitely a nice weather runner (thanks SoCal for indulging me) but I also never run without my sunglasses. Even on gray days, I always have them on. I like that they keep everything out of my eyes and also allow me to avoid eye contact.

    I'm mad impressed at your layering skills and will keep these in mind if I ever have to run anywhere colder.

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    1. I wear sunglasses more often than not as well. I love the "avoid eye contact" comment...so true!

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  2. Ive been wearing a headband under my hat and its helped alot! Ive also been layering my tights with either a second pair or tights, a pair of compression shorts, or my compression socks. I find that my butt gets cold so the extra shorts helps, otherwise a long tank that I tuck into my tights.

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    1. I have always layered tights on really cold days...but this year, when I found those Christmas leggings, well, I had to add those to the rotation LOL

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  3. Sunglasses really help on windy days as well so your eyes don't sting.

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    1. My eyes are so sensitive! Thankfully, I've never needed contacts. If I ever need prescription glasses...well, it WILL be glasses I have to go with.

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  4. Could not agree more that sunglasses may be even more important in winter than they are in summer. Typically I keep my phone close to my body for warmth to keep it alive but I'll have to try your trick. I like to wear a pair of looser "wind pants" over fleece lined tights. Not only do they break the wind but also trap a pocket of warm air between the pants and my tights.

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    1. I don't take my phone on every run, but when I do I usually have it my hand. I don't like having it in a pocket or belt, and the arm bands are not practical for me (especially under all my layers LOL). I have not tried wind pants...I'm usually warm enough without them, but I bet they make a big difference!

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  5. I like those hand and toe warmers but they can get quite hot. The toe warmers I put under my insoles so they aren't right on my foot. Keeps my feet nice and toasty. I don't do sunglasses but I put vaseline on my exposed skin to protect it and hold in the heat.

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    1. I've never used hand warmers....I agree, they are almost too warm LOL I have used Aquaphor (similar to Vaseline) on my cheeks, too.

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  6. I do like the idea of a headband under a beanie -- I'm constantly pulling down my beanies!

    My phone is usually in a pocket against me, and that keeps it a bit warmer.

    I do agree about the sunglasses, but sometimes it's too cold & they just fog up, even the non-fog ones, which is annoying.

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    1. The sunglasses are tricky if I have anything over my mouth...they do get a little foggy (and sometimes, frosty!).

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  7. I cannot lie - Momma N got the best of me last week but I'm determined to run outside all this week since I was on the treadmill all last week!

    I also use a headband under my hat - it helps keep my head warmer and I like the anti slip.
    I wear sunglasses all year round!

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  8. Layers are the key. One thing I've learned to love in Colorado is the vest. My upper half gets colder faster than my legs, and a vest is a great way to keep the torso warm, and yet my arms don't feel restricted.

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    1. I'm a vest gal, too. Although, I had to wear an actual jacket a few times during my streak.

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  9. I've put my tightest layers in the dryer for a few minutes before a run to keep me nice and toasty for the first portion of my run. I also like to wear my compression socks over my running tights (although most of my running tights have zippers at the bottom and the socks rub against the zipper, the zipper chafes my skin...which means my shower later involves a lot of screaming). It's been extra cold here in Boston lately, and I avoid the treadmill at all costs, so I would rather bundle up than be bored AF. Great tips! - Kim K.

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    1. That's a great idea to put the tightest layers in the dryer! I agree...I'd rather brave the outdoor elements than go stir crazy "running in place" on the mill LOL

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  10. Glad I'm not the only one who wears arm warmers over a shirt! Although I wore mine as the outer layer, so I looked a little goofy. Warm & goofy > cold & cute.

    Strangely, my phone has never died from the cold. I guess my body heat keeps it warm enough!

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    1. Well, these "arm warmers (socks)" are thick and bulky enough they wouldn't work under my base layer. But they're fine in between the tight base layer and the looser top layer ;-)

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  11. Oh man I wish I would have read this LAST week! I just ran 3 of the 4 races at WDW in waaaay cooler than planned temps! It was nowhere near snow-cold... but definitely colder than expected! These are great tips!!!

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    1. I was surprised at how cold it got in Florida! There parts in the south that have more snow than we do in Iowa...it's crazy!

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  12. I'm in Iowa too! I only have one hack - I have a warm, snuggly pair of knee-high socks that I wear when it gets super cold. But I pretty much have a formula for when I wear a specific combination of clothes - until it is so cold I refuse. I think much of it is in my head - I think my big huge fleece hat is warmer so it is! One thing that bugs me more the older I get is cold toes. So I asked my mom for runshield Kinvaras for Christmas and they are the bomb. My tootsies can never get too warm and the other day when it was 15 degrees, my toes were toasty!

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    1. I have found, even if I follow my own "formulas" for cold weather dressing, it's always evolving. If it stays cold (like it has for the past three weeks), my body acclimates to it and what used to feel cold is not as cold anymore. Then when it warms up...it's like an entire new learning curve LOL

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  13. I never would have thought of layering cheap leggings over my running tights! That's pretty brilliant! I struggle with sunglasses when I run because I'm a sweaty betty and they just fog up, plus they never sit right and they're just a pain to me. But, I know I haven't tried all the brands so maybe there is a pair out there for me. What kind do you wear? My eyes tear up pretty badly in the cold, too.

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    1. My sunglasses are pretty cheap (in the $20-$30 range)...I have a hard time investing in an expensive pair that may wind up getting dropped or sat on LOL Have you tried wearing them "over" a headband/hat (like I have pictured above)? I have found trying to wear them "under" a stocking hat/headband makes them sit weird on me. You can actually find inexpensive "reflective" sunglasses at convenience stores, believe it or not.

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  14. Totally agree about the sunglasses. While we have very cold and snowy days here, we also get a lot of sun during the winter. Having it reflect off the snow can be tough on my eyes.

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    1. My eyes burn a lot in the cold air, especially if it's windy. I got to have some protection over them.

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  15. I didn't like the MN winters, so I moved to Las Vegas. LOL

    These are really awesome hacks, though!

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    1. Thanks! I hate being cooped up inside, so I gotta get outside and I gotta stay warm ;-)

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  16. I'm all about the layered skirts and tights when it's cold out, but if it's so cold I need extra on my head (where I regularly overheat), I'm running inside LOL.

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    1. Well...not sure if my head overheats LOL, but sometimes I can feel the wind blowing through my hats. It's windy in Iowa!

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  17. I love the arm warmer hack - will definitely use it in the future!

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    1. ha ha...the arm warmer hack first debuted a few years ago when I need extra warmth for a race. I was wearing a tank and shorts, but the first couple miles were gonna be cold. I wore the cut-off stockings with the intent of discarding them along the race course...but wound up keeping them on the entire race. Now, I also use them in the winter as well.

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  18. I started doing the headband under the hat last week and it really made such a huge difference. Hope you are enjoying your warmer temps this week!

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    1. Well, unfortunately, our warm weather is about to nose-dive in the next 12 hours.....but it was great while it lasted!

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  19. Good hacks... I may need to use a few this weekend!

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  20. Phone in a glove! Genius. My phone is always the first thing to go in the cold haha.

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  21. Layering is what it's all about! And I feel like your closet would be a blast to find some layers in :-)

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  22. These are some great tips. My hands and feet get cold quickly when I'm outside so I'll do hand warmers too.

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  23. These are great hacks. If it's single digits I usually wear fleece lined tights and wind pants over. That helps keep me warm for dayz. And hand warmers. I hold onto those when it's really cold. I'm sad I can't run but I have to admit, I'm not really jealous of running outside right now. This is by far my least favorite running weather.

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  24. I loved all these tips! I’m definitely going to try the cut off stocking tip first!!

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  25. Great tips. I am happy that I dont have to deal with cold weather mostly...these past week has been rough in the 30's but we are back to our normal temps and I am happy now.

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  26. I can't go anywhere without my sunglasses. It's brighter here, even in winter, and my eyes are just so sensitive to light, even on a cloudy day.

    I am all about the layers and the hand warmers. We don't get cold like you do, but when the temperatures drop, it's rough for all of us.

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  27. What a great idea to wear your arm warmers between layers! I can't believe I haven't ever thought to try that. Going to pass this post along to the hubby too since he's been doing a lot of very cold early morning runs.

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  28. Layers and sunglasses! SO KEY! I actually prefer winter running to running in the summer :P

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