Oh, what to wear?

These cooler days suit me much better when running. Hot days just sap my energy and was grateful that I was able to use my neighbor's gym when it got really hot. With this temperature, it is great to go for a run with others from our group after the little ones have been dropped off at school.

When taking the little ones to school, there is a short cut I can use along an unmade road enabling us to walk. Without this short cut, the distance is a bit too far for the little ones and so I have to drive them (not something I really want to do).

When we get a lot of rain, this road gets wet, muddy and very slippery and cant be used (even with wellies) and so I have to go the long route and use the car. In previous years, the road got wet and unusable long before the weather cooled down. This year, even with the rain we had recently, the puddles soak away almost immediately and so it is still perfectly usable. That's great, more exercise for all of us, less pollution and less cost.

This has left me with a problem. The little ones walk at a lot slower pace than my warm-up walk, so if I dress how I would do for a run, I am bl**dy freezing on the way to the school. Not only that, my bladder appears to shrink and all I want to do when I get there is pee!! (Sorry, was that too much information?). If I put on a coat, what do I do with it when I am running?

I don't like running with things tied around my waist as they get in the way. The only suggestion that I am considering is a small backpack. Does anyone else have this issue? What solutions have you found?

I have a nice variety of running gear that covers me for running whatever the temperature (within reason) but that assumes I start my warm-up walk immediately.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

when it’s freezing outside I do an extra 5 min warm up inside before I run..then run straight away

[Cmoi Graduate]

I'd go for a trail pack or possibly a small backpack, though the latter may move around unless it's specifically designed for running. It's easy to fit a warm running top, fleece or windproof jacket, or even a packable down jacket, in something like that.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

I have run with a small backpack with a metal frame that I got from Lidl many months back. I had a change of clothes in it when going to a work lunch. I ran to it from home (about 9km).

Waiting around for the rest of the group (who were late) almost got me chilled. It was February, and the crocuses were just starting to show.

Prior to that I'd run a 10km race in it at the end of October last year. I'd put my waterproofs in it when lining up at the start of the race. It had hammered it down with rain during the previous hour.

You've got to make sure the backpack is securely fastened round you and won't swing about when you move. Ideally it shouldn't feel as if you're wearing it.

[Hidden in reply to nowster]

Thanks,

It didn't occur to me that there would be backpacks specifically designed for running. I have had a look on line and you can pay ridiculous money for some. I like the look of two:

outlet.asics.com/gb/en-gb/l...

sportsdirect.com/karrimor-x...

The Asics on is £27 and the Karrimore is £20 but has some negative reviews so I may go for the Asics one.

It would be good to be able to carrying a waterproof jacket for longer runs too.

[BradC Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You don’t have to pay high prices. I noticed a nice small backpack which might do the job in Decathlon at our local Asda for £3.99.

[Hidden in reply to BradC]

Thanks, I will take a look. Unfortunately our local Asda is too far to make a special trip but I may be going that way at the weekend so will pop in. I had a quick look on their Web Site but could not find it but I find that a lot with some stores, the store stock is not always available on line.

[BradC Graduate]

A small backpack (or a bumbag) sounds ideal. It’s surprising how much difference a thin windproof jacket makes.

[Hidden in reply to BradC]

Thanks, the waterproof jacket idea makes it sound a good investment, particularly on longer runs.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It's possible to be too waterproof. When the moisture you generate from exercise can't evaporate it can get more uncomfortable than if you simply got rained on. The phrase "boil in the bag" comes to mind.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate in reply to nowster]

This is exactly what I’ve found. I don’t run in one any more.