Winter Running 2014

First post of the year! Of course it has to be weather related and running in really cold weather! Temperatures and weather has not really been kind to us here in NJ, but hey it can be worse. We are not living in Maine! I always try to complete all of my runs outside and for this year that equals a lot of layers of clothes! This blog is a sum up of how I dress before a really cold run!

Head: As head wear I use a beanie from Gore with wind protection in the front. On really cold days I add an extra headband, also with wind protection to keep my head warm. Sunglasses gives a great protection of your face and eyes. On really cold runs I use a Buff to cover my face and neck, but you might also want to try a face mask. Friends of mine has recommended a face mask from Under Armor.
The fix: Wind proof beanie

Upper body: Its so easy to over dress and get to warm during your run. It is ok to freeze the first couple of minutes of running, but once you get going your are going to get warm. I usually use base layers from CRAFT of Sweden, to me they are outstanding and has always kept me warm and dry. Cold days I use two layers of CRAFT and a weather proof jacket from Sugoi, not to heavy just enough to break the wind. Yes Craft is expensive but they will keep you dry and they last for decades.
The fix: Layers and Keep upper body dry

Hands: I have really cold hands and I cant take a run with cold hands. I always double up on the layers on my hands. Really cold days I use Gore Tex mittens with a wool liner glove. This solutions has kept my hands warm even on the coldest days with really stiff temperatures. Milder days I use a windproof glove from Sugoi.
The fix: Mittens

Legs: I hate to repeat myself, but the trick is really to use layers smart and keep the winds away from your body. Again I use base layers from CRAFT of Sweden, together with wind proof underwear from Asics or New Balance. As for the tights I use a really old pair of Nikes with Wind proof front. This solution is for really cold days. Milder days it might be enough with just the wind proof underwear and a pair of thinner tights.
The fix: Wind proof underwear

Feet: As with the hands, the feet is something I want to keep warm. This year we have been using different shoe models from Skechers Performance Division . All with the "All Weather" protection mesh:

• Special All Weather GOdri three layer edition
• Layer 1: Water resistant protective exterior barrier
• Layer 2: Micro-porous membrane allows air to pass through while keeping water out
• Layer 3: Form-fitting and moisture-wicking mesh interior

The All Weather models, GoRun2, GoRun Ride2 and Bionic Trail has been used in pretty nasty conditions. All from heavy rain/snow and temperatures down to real feel -2. On a really cold days you want to keep the winds away from your toes. If you use a shoe like Skechers All Weather and a pair of really nice wool socks you are good to go, I have been using Elite wool socks from Feetures!. So far my toes has been toasty and warm. If you want to add some traction on a snowy day, the Bionic trail is the shoe to pick. Although its a trail shoe it works really well on the roads and gives you great traction on the snow.  The All weather protection keep your feet dry in most conditions but if you stay out for 60 min+ in heavy rain, no shoe in the world will keep your feet dry. The All Weather mesh is not as stretchy as the regular GoRun mesh but it does wrap your feet really well. The feeling is the same as the original GoRun series.
GoRun series reviews here:
GoRun2
Ride2 
Bionic Trail
The Fix: Windproof shoes and wool

My Winter running blog from 2013:  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I receive Running shoes from Skechers Performance Division as part of their Skechers Performance Division brand ambassador program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Winter Running

Boston Marathon training means that you have to log most of your miles during the cold winter months. The last couple of years the winter has been pretty kind to us here in NJ, USA. With only a few days were the temperature has been dropping really low and way below ZERO (thank God). Wind, snow, sun and rain are all big factors when you decide what to wear for the day. I have to admit that I have big issues finding the right clothes for my runs. I'm a big sweater so generally winter running fits me much better then the hot humid summer days, but if you get your clothes wrong during your winter running, even a easy run might feel hard as you will sweat a  lot under your layers, this is my biggest issue. I like the cold weather for running but I'm also a big wimp and a "freezing onion" (Swedish saying fryslök), so I tend to over dress a lot. When you get to warm, in most of the cases its to late to get undressed as you have already started to sweat and therefor your clothes are wet. Many of the weather sites has the "true feeling temp" feature, a good tool to help you to adjust your clothing for the day. My problem might also be a northern USA east coast phenomena, I understand that other states like Minnesota and Maine (also Northern east coast but way up there...) are very cold and it might be easy to adjust clothing's before the run as it is very cold and stays that way. In NJ the temperatures varies a lot and it gets harder to adjust, just a thought.........

Clothes

The base layers is my corner stone when it comes to get the clothing right, a great base layer will keep you warm and dry. For base layer I have always put my trust in the CRAFT of Sweden, outstanding base layers. I got my first CRAFT (or stole it from my dad :) )1986 and its still going strong. Lately I have been trying a base layer from Mizunos breath thermo line with big succes. CRAFT and Mizuno layers are equal but if I have to choose its CRAFT.....As stated above i still use a CRAFT from 1986 (the traditional dark blue one) and of course I'm Swedish so that might have a small impact ;) but Mizuno does a pretty damn good job here.

Last year I invested in wind protected under wear and damn what a difference it makes. The vital parts....well you don't wont to get them cold and this made the difference for me. One of the best investments I have ever done.....I have been having good luck with Asics Men's ASX Boxer.

When it comes to socks, I go with wool all the way. I hate to have cold toes and I freeze easily. Lot of runners talk about Gore Tex shoes or what ever the different shoe companies calls there material they use for weather protection. For me wool socks is the way to go. Smartwool and lately Darn Tough has been keeping my feet warm during extreme cold weather.

My hair and head gets really wet from sweat so a good wind protected that can breath hat is to recommend. All brands has them. Gore running has been working decent during the mild winter weather. For extreme cold weather I add a headband under or/and ear mufflers......

Enjoy your winter running, stay warm and dry!