Tip Sheets- Preparing for Winter Stroller Jogging

Nov. 4, 2012 - PRLog -- The cooler and somewhat wetter weather has hit Minnesota.  And truth be told, I am loving it.  This wasn’t always the case.  As a kid, I hated the winter.  I have very distinct memories of frozen toes and fingers that made being outside miserable.  It wasn’t until I was the one buying my own clothes and specifically my own outerwear that things changed.  I invested in silk long underwear, thick clothing, heavy coats, mittens and hats.  I also stopped caring how I look all bundled up because I know that when I’m standing on the playground, waiting for my kids to get out of school, and the wind is whipping at the tree branches, I’m all set.  No issues here.

The same is true when I step out to run.  Sir Ranulph Fiennes is dead-on when he refers to the elements: they’re not the problem, bad clothing is.  Everyone’s body runs at different temperatures so there’s no exact formula for dressing perfectly until you’ve got some experience under your belt.   There are certain fabrics that go a long way in making you comfortable though.  In the winter I can’t live without wool socks.  They keep my toes warm and dry.  Smartwool is my go-to brand for these.  

For my torso, I go with a “moisture-wicking” long-sleeved shirt.  If you haven’t heard the term “moisture-wicking,” have no fear.  It describes a fabric that doesn’t absorb moisture as it’s exposed to wet conditions, i.e. sweat.  This is a helpful material to wear because even though it’s cold out, the activity you’re doing will warm up your body and may cause you to sweat.  If the wetness from your perspiration is allowed to settle on your skin, it will cool you down too much and make you colder than you were to begin with (the wetness conducts the cool temperatures really well).  So you want fabric that will stay close to dry.  Most of these moisture-wicking shirts are polyester or some kind of poly-blend.  If it’s below 30 degrees and windy or snowing, I like to add an outer layer.  I have a thin water/windproof jacket I wear over the long sleeves.  It’s not lined.  It works more as a barrier keeping warmth in and cold/wetness out.

Since my legs are doing most of the work, they don’t usually need more than one layer.  I have two different pants I run in.  They are both polyester with spandex but one is lined (and, therefore, a little warmer) and the other isn’t.  It has been cold enough here that I’ve had to add my long underwear under the lined leggings, but thankfully, that’s not too often.

If it’s above 30 degrees I can get away with a fleece headband to protect my ears.  As it gets colder I get out the lined wool hat with an attached neck warmer.  I have a light pair of gloves for my hands and when it’s colder, I slip them into some puffy, windproof mittens.

This may sound like a lot of gear and may turn you off winter running.  The good news though is that it all lasts a long time (I’ve had most of my stuff for at least 10 years).  And the “appropriate clothes” will keep you getting outside to enjoy making prints in the fresh snow and blinking down the glare of the brilliant winter sun.  You’re not exactly climbing Everest like Fiennes, but your sense of accomplishment upon returning from a run in below-freezing temperatures will make you feel like you did.

Bianka Pineda of Bumpyourlump.wordpress.com provides this article.  Download the Bump Your Lump App for the iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bump-your-lump/id56697652...