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Monday, April 27, 2020

Spring Transitioning Tips for the Runner



Okay, at the risk of totally jinxing the recent nice weather, I'm gonna say it...

Spring temps are (finally) here!

In Iowa, that does not mean a smooth (or quick) transition to Summer. Although the threat of snow is sequestered in the lower single-digit percentages, the temps are still gonna be roller coaster-like. There's also gonna be cold rain on occasion. And, rest assured, there will be plenty of wind.

Ugh. What's a runner to do?

Answer: Go with what Momma N serves up, but here's a few Spring transitioning tips you can consider...


First off, there's your head. Chances are, it's a bit too warm for winter hats, or even a fleece headband. It may be too windy for a cap to stay put. But what if you still want a little "something" over your ears? Consider a "summer" headband, but pull it down over your ears. It will not give you a lot of warmth, but just enough cover to give your ears a bit of a wind barrier.

Then there's your neck. Many of us have an ample supple of mock-turtlenecks. Those work great for neck coverage, but if you get a little over-heated, you're stuck with that around your neck for the duration unless you lose the whole shirt/jacket. My preferred option is a buff. A buff is especially handy right now, given our awareness of masking. You can leave the buff around your neck, and quickly pull it over your mouth and nose if need be. If your neck gets too warm, the buff can also do double-duty as a headband and still be accessible for masking.

My arms are probably my most high-maintenance body part when it comes to staying warm. My favorite gear combo, for tricky temps, is a tank top with arm warmers (instead of a long-sleeved top). The advantage to wearing a tank (or even a short-sleeved top) with arm warmers is the convenience of taking off (or rolling down) the arm warmers if one overheats. After all, if you're wearing a long-sleeved top...again, your're stuck with the entire top. Even hiking up the sleeves, above one's elbows, is no guarantee those sleeves will stay put (mine never do, just saying). Seriously, whoever invented arm warmers was on to something big!

How about the legs? Some mornings (and entire days, for that matter) may require full tights, but you probably can put the fleece-lined ones in storage. Often times, though, the temps are too warm for full tights, but not quite warm enough for completely bare legs. Alas, there are options aplenty:

First, there's the standard capri-length tights. These are often my preference if it's really windy. My lower legs don't seem to mind the cold wind as much as my thighs. Here's a hint...if you're a size medium or smaller, you may be able to fit into a girls size XL (and will save a few dollars on the price).

If the temps are moderate (cool, but not uncomfortable...with mild/no wind), I'll usually be in shorts. I find, in this instance, if I'm covering my lower legs, my thighs can withstand most anything. This is when I'll pull on a pair of compression sleeves (or full socks). What can I say? They not only feel good, but they also make me feel #badass.

Not everyone is a fan of compression, though. If you fall into that category, have you ever thought of taking an inexpensive pair knee socks and cutting off the foot portion? That will enable you to wear your favorite running sock AND still have part of your legs covered (You're welcome).

And, a bonus hack? Those cut-off knee socks make great arm warmers, and will probably be warmer than actual arm sleeves, for a fraction of the price (You're welcome again).



 Anyways, those are a few hacks that work for me. I didn't list any specific temperatures because we all have different comfort zones when it comes to the weather. What feels cold to me usually will feel much warmer to someone else. Remember, I'm one of very few runners who actually prefer the heat of summer (#totaltruth).

Does it feel like Spring has officially arrived in your area? Does your weather keep you guessing on what to wear for running? Do you have any favorite transitional hacks to share? 

I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up
I'm also linking with Debbie,  RachelDeborahLisaSandra and Jenn for the Runners' Roundup



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40 comments:

  1. Great tips. I don't have a lot of "in between" running clothes, so this is the time of year when I start to make runfession worthy choices to make it between laundry days. I have to give our weather props for not being too awful this spring, no big storms just a few days of endless wind.

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    1. Precipitation-wise, our spring hasn't been too painful (though there were those two recent heavy snowfalls). The wind has been absolutely out of control, though. I don't ever remember the wind being so frickin' unrelenting. Ever. But, the temps are rising and we are getting more sunshine than clouds, so onward!

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  2. I never thought of buying a girl's XL size and saving the dollars! What a genius idea! Plus the socks as arm sleeves - Kim, you are full of great ideas!
    Our weather has been very agreable over the last few weeks, but too dry. Now, fortunately, it has started raining. Being in the rain this morning actually felt good!

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    1. I got the idea for girls XL clothing when our kids were young. I spotted a cute denim skort (back when they were the thing LOL) when we were at Target one day. At first, thought it was a women's item on the wrong wrack, but it looked like it would fit me. The rest is history ;-)

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  3. We're still going back & forth & will be for a while yet. Our last hard freeze day is Mother's Day, after all!

    The buff can also help hold down the hat on those super windy days. :)

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  4. Great tips! The Spring weather here has been cooler than usual. I do have wide hair bands that I can pull forward over my ears on those not quite warm enough days. My hands are the other part that tends to get cold.

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    1. I forgot to mention my hands...they fluctuate. I do a lot of the "gloves on-gloves off" game when I'm running.

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  5. I never really thought about all this, lol! What I need is some kind of clothing that blocks the wind...

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    1. You and me both! The wind has been absolutely brutal this Spring.

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  6. I get sick of winter real quick. We are very similar. If it's cool I add my DIY arm sleeves and I wear compression sleeves with my skirts (rather than capris and tights.)

    One day it feels like spring and then there's snow the next day....

    Can't wait to be WARM!!

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    1. It was 77F yesterday, and it felt heavenly! Today is a different story...low 60's with all kinds of crazy wind.

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  7. Oh those are great hacks - I may need to get some XL girl tights to save a few bucks! I have one pair of arm sleeves but I'm pretty sure I've only run in them once or twice...I should revisit them especially in this transitional season where I'm trying to decide whether to wear short or long sleeves.

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    1. I didn't mention, there will be a slight length issue. I don't know how tall you are; I'm 5'9, so girls tights are capri-length on me by default. I don't mind, it's worth it for the price savings ;-)

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  8. Going back and forth with temps here still. I generally go straight from long sleeves to tanks. I have arm warmers but rarely use them why I don't know. I guess this is the perfect time of the year to pull them out. Thanks for the reminder!

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    1. I think you turned me on to wearing the arm sleeves for bike riding. They work great for that...more flexibility than long sleeves (which pull from the shoulder seams).

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  9. Great ideas! It hasn't really warmed up here yet. At least the wind seems to have died down! Most of my runs lately have been in the low 40s, which is fine, but chillier than I would expect for this time of year.

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    1. Our weather has been warming up for the most part...but we've had wind. Like, daily wind!

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  10. Wow! I love your compression sleeve/cut off knee socks tips, Kim. Perfect for unpredictable spring weather! I am a big fan of buffs too. I must have accumulated about 10 of them from races giving them away. I now use them to go grocery shopping, since we are required to wear a mask.

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  11. I am a fan of arm warmers and compression socks. I sometimes run with a neck gaiter too. I am looking forward to warmer temps here in NH and no snow!

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    1. I'm hopeful our snow is history for the next seven (or more) months ;-)

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  12. Momma N hasn't been very forthcoming with spring-like weather here yet. Unless of course one enjoys lots of rain and raw days. I've raced in arm sleeves a few times but I rarely ever train n them.

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    1. Thankfully, we haven't had an abundance of rain...yet. Just wind.

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  13. OMG those socks are adorable!! I love them!

    Spring running is the most confusing weather and dressing ever. I'm constantly questioning my outfit choices!

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  14. It's been raining here for the past two days and it looks like it won't stop any time soon so yeah, spring has sprung. But April showers bring May flowers, right? I hate being cold, so I usually over-dress for my runs.

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    1. I hate being cold, too. I'd rather be too warm than too cold.

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  15. Okay, I'm wearing a buff now because of masking. My neck get so hot! I need to know how to use it as a headband and a mask without covering my eyes. Because I have no imagination I guess. :-)

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    1. Well, I should have clarified...the buff as a headband would need to be moved all the way down (away from one's hair) to act like a mask. At least having it on your head (until needed for masking) would free up your neck ;-)

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  16. I think we have different perspectives on spring weather! It’s probably warm enough for shorts, but I’m to chicken to start out with bare legs yet!

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    1. And I'm so eager for warm weather, I might be in denial that it's still cold LOL

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  17. Here, In Italy, it's full spring: warm and sunny. I run with a t-shirt, short pants and compression socks.
    This is not my favourite season to run, I have problems with some seasonal allergies. However in spring the landscapes are wonderful: the country is green, the plants are blooming and the birds are everywhere (unfortunately the pidgeons too).

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    1. As much as the weather is unpredictable, the return of life (to the trees, grass, and flowers, etc.) is beautiful. Sorry for your allergies. I used to have horrible allergies, but endured several years of weekly allergy shots and that cured the problem.

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  18. I love those tie-dye sleeves!!!!

    We have actually been having spring weather here, which is unheard of. I had to wear long sleeves a couple of times this week (with shorts of course).

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    1. I'm trying to wear shorts as much as possible now...I'm so ready for summer!

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  19. My various collection of buffs are getting a lot of use recently, lol. I use them for running and walking. The other day I actually pulled the buff over my ears because it was very windy.

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    1. One advantage to using the buff as a headband is that it will be fairly thick (from all the "layers" of it.

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  20. I live in South Carolina. Forget spring, summer is already here, haha! We've already been running in 80+ degree temps. It's always a tough adjustment adapting to the heat!

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  21. Mother Nature cannot make up her mind here. We had gorgeous weather this past weekend and now it got "cold" again today. :-( I like the idea of wearing a tank top with arm warmers. I usually wear a thin jacket but tend to overheard so I end up tying it around my waist. I love wearing in short and sometimes also wear compression socks. I am very late in responding. Thanks for linking up with us!

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