My winter running has been going good this season. It has been a bit tough as last year I had really just started running and was only doing about 2 to 2.5 miles a day outside. But, this year I am doing 12 everyday. I have been doing 12 miles daily everyday (never skip a day) since about mid October, so I’m at about 2 and a half months now. Got about another 3 months of cold winter weather left. There has been a bit of a learning curve on dealing with the cold weather here in Michigan.
I don’t dress in a lot of technical gear for running outside in Winter. I feel like my lack of dressing “technically” makes me a stronger runner. When I say technically I mean I’m not wearing those skin tight ultra light thermal pants, top, etc. I really “Mountain Man” it when I go out running. The added weight and the more rugged clothing I feel makes me a tougher and stronger runner. Here’s what I wear normally:
Tops:
My base layer is typically my wicking short sleeve Nike running top. Then I have an old cotton long sleeve nike shirt which I throw over that if it is a colder than normal day for Michigan. Next, I have an LL Bean Fleece that I throw over top of the wicking shirt or the long sleeve Nike shirt depending on temperature. And if it is an especially COLD COLD day I have a hooded cotton zip up sweat jacket which I throw over top of all that.
Pants:
For pants I just have a basic pair of Nike Dri-Fit Wind Breakers. My legs warm up quick even on the coldest of days and typically all I really need the pants to do is break some of the harsh cold wind.
Hat:
I have a cheap heavy fleece hat that I have been wearing. I started the season out with a heavy cotton hat which worked also. I recently went out and bought one of those 4 in one fleece gator mask things for like 9 bucks to protect my face, mainly my nose on super cold days (it also protects your neck too which I liked).
Gloves:
I just have a cheap pair of thicker poly/cotton gloves. Although my fingers, especially my middle ones seem to get very cold on some of the coldest of days. The coldness is manageable, but not without me constantly blowing on my hands, curling them up in the glove to stay warm, etc. So, this has prompted me to start looking for a thicker mitten.
Shoes And Feet:
On non-icy day I wear just my regular Asics Gel Cumulus 13 running shoes with a merino wool sock. On icy days I wear an old junky pair of Nike athletic sneakers (not even sure if they are for running) and then I strap my Yak Trax on them. I love Yak Trax and they seem to do the job very well for running on sidewalks when it is icy. I try to stick on the ice and snow when I am wearing them even if I hit a clear patch of ground as I think using them on bear concrete wears them out quicker. I have 3 pairs right now so I’m prepared for the winter season!
Happy running everyone and just to leave you with a good winter quote that I remind myself of every time I start thinking that I don’t want to go out and run in the sub-freezing temperatures of Michigan…. “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just soft people”, said by the legendary Bill Bowerman.