Monday, May 7, 2018

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.

36 comments:

  1. I never owned a super thin windbreaker until we got one as swag in Utah last June. I freaking love that thing!

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    1. My pink windbreaker was purchased on clearance at Walmart...for maybe $10 (??), and it gets worn all the time because not only is it pretty, but it's the perfect layer for iffy weather ;-)

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  2. Love the idea of cutting the feet out of knee highs to use for sleeves. What a great hack! I am ready for some hot, sweaty running. Love running in the summertime!

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  3. I can't imagine paying for arm sleeves! Usually I like to trash them mid race, so the sock thing has worked well for me over the years!

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    1. I have a few pairs of "real" arm sleeves, but they all have been bought at expos at discounted prices. But, I do wear them frequently, even in the winter as an extra layer. That said, I still get more mileage out of the cut-off socks because they're thicker LOL

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  4. Now we're getting a mixture of spring/summer days. Even some humidity. But the birds are singing, the trees are blooming, and so are the bulbs. I feel a lot more energized!

    I do have a tendency to overdress because I hate being cold, but sometimes I get it right. :)

    Of course Skirt Sports bolero is a beautiful thing. :)

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    1. I have seen those boleros, and they look like a spot-on creation!

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  5. We definitely had the shortest spring ever here. Now it's just hot and feels like summer already! Great tips!! :)

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    1. It's been pretty warm here for the past 10 days or so...but still chilly in the early mornings. Mind you, "spring chilly" is MUCH more tolerable than "winter freezing," though.

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  6. the arm sleeves are great this time of the year. Why do I always forget to take them out?

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    1. I just love my arm sleeves...I guess if you're not used to wearing them, it would be easy to forget about them. I wear my through the winter, though, as an extra layer, so I always have them within "arm's reach" (see what I did there?) ;-)

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  7. Layers are key. We've jumped from winter to late spring just like that, and I need to adjust to the warmer temps. I like vests too for early morning runs, before the sun is really up. My arms can be fine, but my torso stays chilly without a tight layer.

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    1. I wear my vests all winter, so I'm pretty happy to pack them away for awhile. I'm kind of the opposite, although I always need a tight layer for my core, it's my arms that get the coldest if they're not covered.

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  8. It's definitely summer temps here. It's a bit cooler in the morning but I can't run till after 3pm and it's usually the hottest part of the day then..lol

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    1. This morning was the warmest "early morning run" I've had in a long time...it was mid-60's and humid...and felt so much like summer ;-)

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  9. A light weight windbreaker is key! I also have the bolero from Skirt Sports and that is pretty awesome as well.

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  10. We are getting waves of both summer and spring. Which I’m totally ok with because I love summer.

    I just like to make sure that in any weather I’m running in, I’m dressing as if it were about 10 degrees warmer. It usually only takes a couple minutes to warm up when your running.

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    1. The 10-degree rule is usually pretty accurate, though if it's windy or rainy, it throws me off....

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  11. These are some great tips, especially since we really did seem to skip spring this year!

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    1. Yes, Iowa has not played nice with the weather this year.

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  12. Nothing to add actually - all great tips! I really don't wear shorts anyway until it's REALLY hot out, I just happen to love my capris and don't really overheat in them. The sock trick I learned a while ago, but AFTER I already invested in compression socks and arm warmers hahaha! oh well!

    right now it's quite warm - I actually got a bit of sun Sunday (didn't apply my SPF correctly!), but you will still likely find me in my compression socks and capris :) I haven't had to use my super lightweight wind breaker yet, but it will cool down again in the next few days... #typicaldutchweather

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    1. truth be told, I bought some cheap socks (and cut off the feet), but I have not been able to make myself toss them. I had planned on tossing them at a race, but wound up keeping them on because I never warmed up...and I like the pattern on them LOL

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  13. It definitely warmed up here quick all the sudden! Somehow I always go from running in layers to just running in a tank lol. I don't mind being cold to start though ...I despise being too hot!

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    1. I am always paranoid I'll be too cold...so I tend to overdress. One time, I looked like a bag lady at the finish line because I had my jacket and arm sleeves tied around (and looped through) my fuel belt.#awkward

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  14. Love arm sleeves and capris. I go with capris as I find shorts tend to cause chaffing in the humidity. I'm enjoying this cooler weather for running while it lasts.

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    1. I go back and forth with capris...I prefer shorts in the heat, but I definitely love getting out of the full tights when the snow finally stops falling ;-)

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  15. It's been pretty much full on summer and spring got completely skipped over here! Great transition hacks!

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  16. I love using arm sleeves, but I'm always so hot when I run that I can bear the chill at the start!

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  17. I want to see a video of your closet! You have the best wardrobe. Great tips!

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  18. Great tips. Clothes are sometimes tough to get down, and I do struggle keeping my ears and extremities warm enough in these in between seasons (Raynaud's). Usually, I can get away with shorts, a long sleeve shirt, gloves and something over my ears, and i'm good to go.

    Hope you get some spring soon. Our weather is coolish right now. Hot during the day but still in the 60s in the early morning. Hopefully the pollen chills out soon.

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  19. I usually just wear a long sleeve top and tie it around my waist when I get warm enough. Not that it will be a problem for a while around here! I did just get some arm sleeves in my latest stride box that I want to try. They also have sun protection and are designed to be cool in the heat, but would also keep your arms warm when you start out.

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  20. I love arm warmers, though I usually end up rolling them down so I just have weird thick wrist warmers. I definitely err on the side of too cold because I heat up so much when I run.

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  21. I think I've worn my arm sleeves ONCE and that was on my bike. We skipped over spring altogether. :-/

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  22. I was just stocking up on capris today...as I waltz in with another bag and my husband thinks to himself "Didn't she just buy leggings on Amazon 3 hours ago?

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