Sarah and I visited DC this weekend - Sarah had never been and you all know I used to live there for eight years. Anyway - we went down for the holiday weekend. It was freezing - but, we decided to get up and run to see the sights. FYI - it was 9 degrees.
We put on our running gear and set out after a hot starbucks. We started in Foggy Bottom, ran past the White House, turned right on 14th Street by the Treasury and then ran down to Constitution Ave and turned right - ran all the way to the Lincoln Memorial - then up 23rd Street (and let me tell you - it was UPPPPPP 23rd - big hill!!), past the State Department - through GW University and ran back to the Starbucks for another hot drink!!
It was freezing. Sarah's ears were a red I've never seen and I was cold from the inside out - my lungs were absolutely burning. I wanted to stop on the hill - about a half mile from the end of the run. But, Sarah said I couldn't - so I didn't.
We both felt amazing after the run - we were cold for another good couple hours. (our teeth were cold!) But, it was one of those moments for me where I thought "wow - this is who I am! I am a person who runs no matter what, who thinks you only really see a city when you're running it, who can handle cold and hills and anything else you want to throw at me".
It was also nice because with the triathlon base training - I'm not running distance right now. It's about getting my heart rate down on shorter runs. Doing about 2 ish mile runs at this point. But, in DC - it was about 4 miles. I was glad to see that I can still do longer distances. That once I settle in - I'm good to go. But, I didn't have my heart rate monitor. I can assure you - on that last hill - I was probably in the 200 range. My heart was WORKING!
Anyone have any recommendations for cold weather gear? My upper body was fine. But my legs were freezing and my face hurt. Also, my gloves were lousy. Stay warm people. Cathy
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3 comments:
Hi Cathy,
Pete and I lived in DC (actually Northern VA) for 3 years. We loved running through Capital Hill and Georgetown.
The cold really sucks. I do not like it, but once I am running it really isn't as bad as I think it is. I like layers. I do not like starting out cold, so I usually have on too much to start and then take something off and tie it around my waist. I invested in cold weather tights several years ago. They are worth every penny (look on Ebay for great deals). They are heavier, that seems obvious, but they are also water repealant. The outside feels a bit slick to the touch. This is nice even when it isn't raining. I have run when it is foggy and cold enough to frost on me. I also have a fabulous fleece that has zippers under my arms so that when I really warm up, I can unzip my pits and catch a breeze without taking it off. One of my favorite light weight fleece shirts has fleece on the front and upper arms, but a thin polyester on the back and lower arms for more ventilation and air movement. Here is how I stack it:
Under 35 degrees:
Cold weather tights
Sports bra
Thin base shirt
regular base shirt
Fleece jacket with zippers.
(This gives me the option of taking off the regular base shirt and still having my jacket and a shirt underneath)
35 - 40 degrees
regular tights
sports bra
thin base shirt
light weight fleece
Very thin rain/wind jacket (optional)
40-45 degrees
capri tights
sports bra
very thin base shirt
long sleeve t-shirt or light weight jacket.
Like I said, I don't mind running with something tied around my waist and for the comfort of that first mile or so (which sucks no matter what). It is worth it to me. I like having different combinations of weights so that I can rearrange. It also allows me to take off my most bottom layer on a long run if I get too wet, so that I don't chill. It can be a real lift to change out of a wet shirt into a dry one when you know you have several miles left.
I also wear a hat when it is cold. You loose a lot of heat through your head. I prefer a ball cap because I have a lot of hair and I can run it out the back. I beenie won't stay down on my head and I hate feeling my hair around my neck.
I have accumulated quite a collection of cold weather gear from running in Germany. I am hoping I won't need as much in TX. I should send it all to you and E.
I don't have much experience (yet) with running in the cold. The coldest I've ever run in was upper 30's. I agree with V--layers, tights under pants, fleece. I just got a balaclava which I imagine will be wonderful for keeping the neck/head/face warm. The one I have converts from full coverage (only eyes showing), to open face, to a neck gaiter.
I've heard that vaseline on the cheeks works too, but it doesn't sound appealing to me.
My hands are always cold. I use some light knit gloves and if they're not heavy enough I pull my hands into my sleeves. Generic, I know. I'm a big fan of mittens and have a heavy pair that work wonders, even if they scream 2nd grade.
Rachel probably knows more about this from living in Colorado. If you're interested in some hard core winter running tips, check out this site: http://www.runningclubnorth.org/lcld_prs.htm At the least, it's interesting and will make you appreciate those measly 9 degrees!
V--I'll take whatever you don't want, but it's probably too small for me. You don't have the butt and hips I do!
I was told that you should always dress as if you're not running but it's 20 degrees warmer than the temperature, because apparently that's how warm it feels when you're running. So you'll be cold for the first few minutes, but then you'll be fine. That advice seems to work pretty well for me.
I don't have any fancy runner's tights, but I throw a pair of regular leggings on under whatever pants I wear. As for my head, I don't like to wear a hat, but I like those headband things that cover your ears. I don't mind losing some heat out of the top of my head (I get pretty hot, so I'm happy to cool down a bit), but my ears do get cold. And my neck also sometimes gets cold, so a turtleneck or shirt with a collar/jacket that I can "pop" and push my neck into is always good.
Stay warm!
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