A lot of runners sing the praises of fall because they welcome the cooler temps for their runs.
Myself? Not so much.
Don't get me wrong; I do enjoy fall and the cooler temps can be pleasant. The cooler temps, though, can also be unpredictable and extreme (ummm, low-40's in the morning, high-70's in the afternoon, thank you very much).
Let's not forget the shorter days also throw in another nuance...limited daylight. My early morning runs (and occasional walks and bike rides) are now in 100% darkness. I'm still getting them done, but the change of seasons dictates I change a few habits for the time-being.
We all need a few tricks and creative solutions now and then, right? Coping strategies, if you will. Alas, I'll share a few of my favorite fall (running) hacks (and you can thank me later).
Here's the top five:
***Arm warmers
It's no secret I LOVE my arm warmers.They can be used in SO many temperature-related circumstances as a substitute for a long-sleeved shirt (but with the convenience/comfort of a tank or short-sleeved top when you slide them off). I have worn them for the first few miles of a race and then shed them after I felt warmed up. I have worn them under a jacket for an extra layer of warmth on my arms. I also have worn them with a tank top and kept them on for the duration of a run (or a race) because they are every bit as warm as a long-sleeved top (but don't have the "underarm bulk"). Side note...you can also make your own by cutting the feet off of funky-patterned knee socks!
It's also a widely documented fact that I wear a lot of headbands, both in the warm weather and when it's cold. Granted, my winter headbands are usually made of fleece and would be pretty uncomfortable in the heat of summer, and my summer headbands are not exactly "thermal." But in the fall, when the temps are starting to feel a bit cool, the lighter weight headbands are perfect for covering my ears without adding too much bulk or warmth. On occasion, I also have layered the "summer" headbands over the fleece ones for a little more "fashion flair" when it's been cold. Did you know you could do that? The possibilities are endless....
***A reflective safety vest
Since a lot of my miles are now happening in the dark, high visibility is key. I have a Vizi-Belt (a fuel belt of sorts that lights up) and I usually have a light source with me (usually my Knuckle Lights), but sometimes it's annoying having so many accessories. I spotted a box of my son's stuff (from a previous summer job), and in the pile was a safety vest. Talk about an "a-ha moment." The vest is a light-weight mesh fabric with numerous reflective strips and it easily fits over anything I'm wearing. I've also worn it in the winter, layered over a puffer vest (more tips for running in the dark hours HERE).
Since a lot of my miles are now happening in the dark, high visibility is key. I have a Vizi-Belt (a fuel belt of sorts that lights up) and I usually have a light source with me (usually my Knuckle Lights), but sometimes it's annoying having so many accessories. I spotted a box of my son's stuff (from a previous summer job), and in the pile was a safety vest. Talk about an "a-ha moment." The vest is a light-weight mesh fabric with numerous reflective strips and it easily fits over anything I'm wearing. I've also worn it in the winter, layered over a puffer vest (more tips for running in the dark hours HERE).
***See and be seen
With the dwindling daylight, it's a smart strategy to be visible. In addition to a reflective wear, there are numerous options to consider, such as light-up arm bands (these are battery-powered and work like slap bracelets). Also, I love my Knuckle Lights because they are so easy to carry and give off awesome light.
***The magic of calf sleeves
Sometimes, full tights are just too warm (especially when it isn't yet winter), but your legs still need some coverage. Even though calf sleeves are meant for compression, they also can add a layer of warmth on a cool morning. Or, if you're not a fan of compression, you can take an inexpensive pair of knee-highs and cut off the feet...and pair the cut-off knee socks with your favorite pair of running socks. Truth be told, a few years ago, I bought a cheap pair of knee highs and cut off the feet, intending to wear them on my arms and toss them a few miles into a race....but I wound up keeping them on the entire race and have since used them several times on my arms AND on my legs.
As much as I hate seeing summer come to an end, I refuse to retreat into a (warm) corner and stay inside when the temps turn cool. These are a few tips and tricks I have utilized in coping with the cool (though not yet cold) conditions of fall.
Are you excited for fall weather? Do any of these look like something you might try? Any fall-transitional tips of your own?
Are you excited for fall weather? Do any of these look like something you might try? Any fall-transitional tips of your own?
***Some of the text and images first appeared in a previous post, Favorite Fall (running) Hacks
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I must do arm sleeves this year. I have some with thumb holes, not sure if that would make my hands too hot, though. I like the autumn coolness, though it was a bit of a shock to go from shorts and t-shirt to leggings and a fleece-lined long-sleeve top for my early morning run this week.
ReplyDeleteI totally love my arm sleeves! I wish I had the patent on them LOL
DeleteSee now 40 degrees sounds like pure running perfection to me. I really don't start struggling with cold until it's below the freezing mark. I am sad to see the daylight go though. Our winters are too long!
ReplyDeleteTruth be told, I don't mind 40-degree temps for running, I just don't like them happening with no warning LOL They will feel like a heat wave in a few months ;-)
DeleteRunning in the 40's and 50's are my dream temps. I warm up pretty quickly. These are great ideas for early morning runners who don't have the sun to warm them. I used to wear arm sleeves but now have trouble figuring out which temp to wear them in.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the cooler temps, but I think it's just a tad bit too early for them yet. I want my summer to last a bit longer because our winters are so l-o-n-g in Iowa.
DeleteI don't mind the cooler temperatures at all but I hate the diminishing day light. That really makes it hard to fit things in around work hours.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. The diminishing daylight is a bummer....
DeleteI love the looks of the Nox Gear vest. I love the glow! I also love arm sleeves so you can peel them off when you get hot.
ReplyDeleteArm sleeves are simply the best running accessory, in my opinion. They are so versatile and practical.
DeleteI hate the dark! Right now, I would take a little coolness but that means winter is on its way, so maybe not! It was 70 degrees this morning at 5:45 when I headed out the door. In the absolute dark. Yuck! I really struggled last winter and am trying to figure out how I handle this one. I know it is mental. At the end if the day, it became easier just to hop on the treadmill but that isn't the answer as my doggies get left out. I have knuckle lights but they give me a slight headache so I need to try another "light my way" option. Maybe moving to Costa Rica is the answer...
ReplyDeleteI don't love the dark, but I have learned to go with it. I avoid the treadmill as much as possible, so running in the dark (before work) is my best option. It's been real summer-like this week in Iowa...no complaints ;-)
DeleteI always struggle with how many layers to wear. Start off cold before the run so layer up and then overheating after 10 minutes or so.
ReplyDeleteThe layers are so tricky! And, it's such an individual thing, so there's no formula that is fool-proof LOL
DeleteYay! I love arm warmers too! I'm sad about the limited daylight though. :[ A reminder that winter is coming!
ReplyDeleteI"m also sad about the daylight getting less and less...trust me, I am in NO hurry for winter.
DeleteThese are great tips I will have to implement in about November...Lol
ReplyDeleteHouston needs to get on board with the fall temps SOON!
It's been cold, but this past week has been like July with the heat/humidity. I'm not in a big hurry for fall, because winter is usually fast on its tail...
DeleteI unfortunately caught a pretty bad cold with the change in weather, but I'm looking forward to having cooler temps to work out in outdoors! I'm not typically an outdoor runner in the summer but I'll probably start incorporating some outdoor runs in the fall. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI definitely love summer but Fall sure does make running easier. That vest is a good idea, although I would never be able to run that early while it is still dark. -M
ReplyDeleteI've tried arm sleeves & I don't know why, just not a fan. I used to run in compression sleeves for my legs, but the gap between the ankle and sock always bothered me, yet I couldn't find compression socks that didn't squish my toes -- until I did!
ReplyDeleteI will often run in knee high compression socks and a skirt in the fall. It works great!
I've seen the NoxGear vests more often this fall than any other dusk. They're awesome but also freakishly cool
ReplyDeleteTeam fall forever, but really I'd take fall temps with summer sunlight hours