It's cold outside!

[plop]

I haven't run since July due to injury followed by sheer laziness anyway now Christmas is out of the way and the scales are swinging worryingly close to 14 Stones again I feel it's time to get the trainers out again. One thing I have notice is that it's now January and it's a bit colder than July when I last ventured out. What do you recommend wearing for winter time running, will a pair of joggers and zippy fleece do or do I need to invest in some proper running man tights and a proper top? I don't want to get cold but also I don't want to get too hot either. Thanks in advance.

[Flossie22 Graduate]

There was an excellent list back in November or December last year of various temperatures and what to wear. If you can find that, that will be a great start. I am not sure that it is really necessary to buy lots of new clothes. I used an old T shirt, long sleeved rowing top, 3/4 length bottoms, a 99p beanie hat from Decathlon that I used for rowing and inexpensive woolly gloves. I think you need to start off warm, keep your muscles warm, so if you can put your running kit on the radiator before you go, that would be great. Also do some stretches before you get out there to warm your muscles up. It's also a personal thing, you have to get used to how many layers you do need or what works for you. Happy running! 😀🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well you know what you are up against..but clearly you want to do it well done.

Yep, it is cold and it is wet and windy too! Character building someone once said to me

Good leggings.. I think are an idea.. Jogging bottoms could hold the rain and flap around a bit maybe?

I have some great compression ones from Reebok, when they had a sale on...always bargains to be had. I completed C25K in the winter of 2015.. it was all weathers, and I wore my leggings.. a long sleeved top under a lightweight running jacket.. not waterproof, but it sufficed.. it was windproof! Plus my thermal hat and running gloves! Plus high viz band and flashing belt ( I run early mornings_

I was always warm enough, often quite damp...but a hot shower sorts that, and never got too hot.. unzipped my jacket if I felt the warmth..

There are always bargains to be had online and in the local stores, and folks will give you other ideas too.

So.. the only thing now is to get kitted up and get out there... and keep posting please!!!!

[melly4012 Graduate]

Hi Plop! Nice to see you back and glad you've recovered from injury! I struggled with winter too. I've found it takes a bit of trial and error as to what to wear. On the cold days I wear thermal running leggings and thermal running top with a light running jacket. On mild days I can get away with long running leggings, long sleeved top with a t-shirt over the top. Always take out my headband and running gloves too. I think the suggestion is to dress as if it's 10 degrees warmer than it is but I would imagine it depends if you're someone who gets hot when running or feels the initial cold a lot. I don't find it as nice running in the winter but am dreaming of those mild spring evenings.

[RainbowC Graduate]

I was about to repeat the 'dress as though it's ten degrees warmer' as I find that quite a helpful way of thinking of it.

For running in about 5C (i.e. at the moment), I use a long-sleeved running fleece and jogging bottoms/running leggings. 2C or lower, I'll add a vest top or tshirt beneath the fleece. 10C upwards I'll go for a t-shirt (usually short sleeved, unless I need my hi-vis one) and leggings, 15 and over, capri leggings.

Personally I don't wear layers that I can take off while running, as I don't want to have to carry bits or try and get them into pockets while I'm going. I don't seem to feel too cold heading out, even when there's frost or snow on the ground, so that works for me...