5 Spring - to - Summer Transition Hacks

What happens when Spring is practically a no-show, and it immediately feels like summer?

Well, if Momma N ain't gonna give you a transition period, you simply have to make do on your own. Even if the daytime temps suddenly feel like mid-July, it still may be chilly in the morning or early evening.

What to do? Too cool for bare arms, but too hot for fleece? And, that wind!

Here's a few things to try:

Capri tights can be your best friend.
They're not full tights, so your legs won't be over-heating. They're longer than shorts, so you'll still get some warmth. Easy-peasy.

Consider trying compression sleeves.
Go ahead and breakout the shorts, but put something on your lower legs, and you probably won't feel that initial chill in the air. No compression sleeves in your arsenal? Buy a few pairs of cheap knee highs from your local discount store (which are probably all on clearance for next to nothing) and cut off the feet.

Keep the arms covered.
The same goes for your arms...if your arms feel warm, chances are your entire body will, too. Fortunately, arm sleeves are a convenient way to "fake" a long-sleeved shirt, but with the option to lose the sleeves if you get too warm. I actually prefer to wear a tank top with arm sleeves (instead of an actual long-sleeved shirt) because I don't like the underarm "bulk" I usually notice with shirts. Similar to the calf sleeves, the same trick can be applied if you don't already have some fancy arm sleeves...knee socks (with the feet cut off) will work nicely, and can be slid off if you get too warm.

What about the ears?
It's probably going to feel too warm for a fleece headband, but if you have any summer-season headbands, now is the time to dig them out of the vault. Even though the fabric (usually made of moisture-wicking material) isn't thick, if you slide the headband over your ears, it will give you just enough cover if there's a chill in the air. You can always slide it back, behind your ears, if it feels too warm after the first mile or two.

A windbreaker to the rescue.
Even though a simple windbreaker doesn't add much warmth, it will block a great deal of the wind. Time and again, my trusty light-as-nothing windbreaker gets stripped and tied around my waist after the first couple of miles, but it serves a valuable purpose if the temps feel chilly when I first leave the house.

So, there you have it... a few quick and easy transitional hacks that have worked like magic for me.

Keep in mind, we all have different comfort levels when it comes to the temperatures outside. Depending on the length of your run (or any outdoor activity), you may be able to tolerate the chill in the air for that first mile...or if it's an especially windy morning/evening, an extra layer may give you peace of mind. Personally, I'd rather err on the side of warmth (and peel off an extra layer) than be too cold from the git go.

What are your temps doing? Spring-like or full-on summer? Any transitional hacks you'd add?

**I'm  linking up with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run. 

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