I originally posted this January of 2011 but I decided to repost it today as a Christmas hint list. If you are looking for the perfect gift for the runner in your life, anything on this list would do the trick.
For years I hated winter. I hated it so much that I began to hate fall because I knew winter was soon to follow. Somewhere along the way I discovered the truth of the matter. I hated winter because I was not respecting the temperatures. I was going out without gloves or hat, often without coat and complaining about the cold.
Five years ago this month, we went skiing on a brutally cold weekend and I finally broke down and bought all of the gear I would need – mittens, long underwear, the greatest hat I have ever owned (not pretty but so very warm) and a fleece neck warmer.
That afternoon, as I made my way up the chairlift, feeling the wind whipping around me, I found myself thinking about how beautiful the mountain looked in the snow, how nice it was that the kids were having a great time and even about what we would eat for dinner. What I didn’t think about was how cold and miserable I was. I was toasty warm and actually enjoying a winter day. It was in that moment that I changed my outlook on winter.
The winter dressing lesson translated to my daily life. I started adding long underwear on the colder days of winter so I could walk the dogs comfortably. I never leave the house without gloves or mittens and my cool-dude hat. And instead of sitting inside brooding all winter long, I spend my winter days outside, enjoying the differences that winter brings to the landscape.
Best of all, learning to dress properly has made winter running so much more pleasant. Instead of being forced inside and having to run on the treadmill on a daily basis, I have learned to buy proper winter running gear.
As I was finishing my long run yesterday in twenty degree temperatures running straight into a 17 mile an hour wind I thought of the difference my favorite winter running gear has made and wondered how many others still hate winter. How many people avoid winter running because it is just too uncomfortable? And I decided it was time to share my favorite running gear. The items that have made all the difference.
A good base layer makes all the difference. This Nike Short sleeve shirt keeps my core warm on the coldest winter days.
I originally bought windbreaking tights for cycling and thought they might be too warm for running. But on a day like Sunday when the gusts are up to 20 miles an hour these tights are make all the difference.
My husband bought me this top for Christmas and it is definitely one of my favorite tops ever. There is a hood that also acts as a neck warmer and best of all there is a hole in the back of the hood for my ponytail and a pocket on the side for my ipod.
This is not the jacket I wear but it is the same weight - very lightweight. The one I wear is a Nike that is falling apart at the seams after 15 years of running in it. But once you find a piece of running clothing you love, it is hard to let it go.
I love mittens but these take the cake. With windbreaking material covering most of my hand my fingers stay toasty but one of the best parts is the soft material across the thumb area. No need to tell you how that comes in hand mid-winter.
I first saw a ponytail skull cap in the Baltimore Marathon two years ago. Now I am slightly obsessed with them. I have own both the Pearl Izumi pictured here and the Nike one that is linked to the picture and I love both.
I may never love the cold, but I love this post and could see an IMPROVEMENT of myattitude with this gear. Good stuff, Ann.
Great stuff Ann, thanks for sharing. I too have my favorite, most cozy winter running stuff and it really can turn a miserable weather day into one of triumph and fun.
Good information in here for those of us who try to just ignore the cold, instead of preparing for it. Any secrets on keeping your feet warm?
Don, I should have added this link http://www.killersocks.com/Smartwool-Mens-Adrenaline-_p_1-310.html. I bought these socks years ago and wear them all winter long. They are definitely key considering how much wind through my shoes.
I’ve only been running for *almost* two years now and I have to say that I never “hated” winter running simply because my first winter running I’d had a foot operation AND knocked my back out of whack. By the time I could run again I didn’t care how cold it was, I was just desperate to feel my body running again! I did do it with layers; under armour compression tights, layered shirts, gloves and this year I got my ponytail skull cap and matching gloves. Next year I definitely must get YakTrax and a neck warmer and I’ll be set.
Dressing in layers really does make a difference in the winter. I think some people can’t bear to go out because of the dreariness of it all. At this point I still embrace every chance I get to go out there and do it (though I can’t say I *always* love it!).
Those are my absolute favorite mittens ever! My hands have never once been cold on a run since I got them
I LOVE running in winter…. The cold crisp air, no one out and about, and really CUTE WINTER RUNNING GEAR! I live in my under armour cold gear running tights. And, it beats those hot muggy summer days……
I love running when it is cold, but see the need to buy better gear. Thanks for all the ideas…now to forward this link to my husband!