Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Winter gear!

This year, I am determined to be less of a wimp about running in the cold weather. Last year, I gave in to my inner softie and ran on the treadmill quite often once the temperature dipped and the days shortened.

It's time to toughen up!

The weather is already getting chilly here and it is getting dark earlier and earlier. Yesterday, for example, was a fine day but very windy in my neighborhood. When I set out for my run around 6, I knew I was going to have to deal with a sharp wind. I psyched myself up and went for it, not giving in to the part of me that wanted to bail and just run a few easy miles on the 'mill.

Nope, I put on tights, a long-sleeved top, my windbreaker and gloves (gloves!) and headed out. Chilly and windy though it was, it was also a refreshing run.

Now, here's the thing. I need more and better winter running gear if I'm going to be successful at running outside this season. I have a decent windbreaker from Target (cheap but functional) and an OK pair of (also Target) running tights. I was sent a high-tech pair of Opedix tights to review and they are more or less fine, so that means I now have two pairs of tights.

Does anyone have a recommendation for good tights or not-too-loose running pants?

On the jacket side, the windbreaker works for now but it doesn't have any reflective properties. Since I'll doubtless be running in the dark, I'd like a reflective (and warm) jacket. I recently tried this jacket from IllumiNITE:

I had to send it back because the sleeves were too short. That's my problem: I have broad shoulders and long arms. Tops and jackets that fit well in the body, often have sleeves that are too short. Other than the fit, I liked the jacket, especially the highly reflective properties.

Has anyone tried IllumiNITE jackets? Do you have any other jacket recommendations?

* * *

My Take it Easy Training Plan kicks it up a little today with hill repeats. I'm ready!

Have a great day and thanks for any gear recommendations that you have!

~ Felice

24 comments:

Unknown said...

I have a pair of sugoi tights that I like for running.

I have an illuminte jacket vest that I wear when it's not tooo cold.

I had good luck finding two jackets (different colors,same style) at Marshall's last year. They are new balance something or other. Good reflection, long enough body and sleeves.

My favorite for when it gets dark is my brooks night life cap. Good reflection, bright green, and a blinky light on the back! It just isn't idea when it gets really cold...then i want to wear a knit hat instead.

Abby said...

I got a pair of fleece-lined tights at EMS last year that I now swear by. I think they were just EMS brand.

Marlene said...

I've never been one for jackets. Just not a fan of that wind-breaker material. The bulk, the noise... Instead I layer long sleeve tech shirt(s) as a base layer and a thick half-zip fleecey type top.

I also prefer loose-ish winter pants so I can't help you there either.

Good luck in your mission for some great winter gear!

saundra said...

I like Nike tights and fleecy-lined pants. They are the only brand I've found that comes in a color other than black.

ShutUpandRun said...

I ran through a CO winter last year. I did it in tights from JC Penney (calf length), an under armour shirt and a windbreaker type jacket from North Face. Smart wool socks, gloves, hat. I just wrote an article on cold weather running if you want to check it out: http://www.examiner.com/x-25448-Boulder-Running-Examiner~y2009m10d3-Running-in-cold-weather
Stay warm!

Cadence said...

Hey , wanted to give a shout out for a running app I developed for iPhone and Touch pods. Its called Cadence, it plays music from your iTunes library that matches the speed you are running at. You select the Beats per minute you want to hear, it plays all the music that match the beat. Helps to keep you on pace.

http://www.cadenceapp.com

thanks!

Anonymous said...

I have a pair of Nike pants/tights that I love. I also have an illuminate vest that I love. If you go back in my old post to Oct 22nd you can see it.

Diana said...

I have nothing to contribute except that a good vest can really help. But, if you were to do that then the length of the sleeves wouldn't matter!
Good luck in your search!

B.o.B. said...

I got nothing for you. I am in Florida. LOL!

Actually Race Ready makes some really great long sleeve shirts for running. Perhaps they have good jackets as well. I wore the long sleeve in Chicago last weekend and it was great.

Good luck and way to be pro-active.

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

I am on the HUNT for thicker running tights will tell you what I find. I REALLY REALLY like the Nike running jackets that I have. I have bought most of them from Nordstrom Rack. Long in the waist, long arms, and even little cuffs to cover the hands on the non-gloved days.

Not sure what there would be in your area for Nike Jackets...but the zipper pockets and tight fit works really well for me..

joyRuN said...

I got Under Armour tights from Sports Authority & like them a lot.

I usually go with a long sleeve tech shirt & fleece, but this might be the year I splurge for a running jacket!

Denise said...

I'm in the same boat. I have no gym and no treadmill so I'll be outside all winter long. I'm not prepared with my running clothes!

MOMMY-MOMO said...

agreed! I'm determined to keep up my running rain or shine this winter!!!

Aileen said...

I have Nike tights and some really old Adidas tights, which seem to be fine. I have to be careful with the Nikes, because while they fit me the best out of the brands I've tried, they still tend to run a little big. I've got a small, high waist and tree-trunk thighs, so traditional tights tend to be a problem!

Good luck in the cold! You can do it! It's totally bad ass :)

Quix said...

I have nothing to add except I'm in the same boat with you - I have a half I'm signing up for in Feb which means I need to train outside all winter. I have NO gear because I didn't set foot outside last year. I'll definitely let you know if I find anything awesome but I'm starting from scratch, so I'll definitely keep what the other commenters have recommended in mind. Or I'll cheap out and get Target stuff like I usually do. One of the two. :)

Lauren @ mostly i run said...

I want to get one of these reflective straps from Amphipod: http://amphipod.com/440-448/448.html

I have a Nathan vest, but I'm kind of over it.

At least this way, I'm not relying on the jacket for the reflection, so this works on warmer nights too!

Susan said...

I love my UnderArmor fleece lined running tights! Last year I ran in them when it was 17 degrees here in Alabama and they were great! Good luck!

Oz Runner said...

i have a sugoi lightweight jacket that i really like...i also recently got some nice running gloves, those are important i think...

J said...

I have under armour spandex as well as many other types, one from target and one from JCPenney. I Just try to find some that are a decent price. Most fit very well and keep me warm!

Marci said...

There are tights from sub4USA that I bought at an expo that I really like, I layer them under microfiber long johns.. keeps me warms even when freezing, and no loose pants. Also the runningroom.com has winter pants (I think they ship to the US).

Good luck with the winter running, I find it works for me when I run throughout the fall/early winter, and then when it gets really cold, I am climitized to the cold.

busyrunningmama said...

I have absolutely no insight in the jacket area! I live in Fl and it is still 90 degrees here! I do love the ones with the thumb holes on the rare occasion that I have to run in a jacket!

Unknown said...

I love compression tights from ZOOT. They are warm and they are great for recovery from long runs. Most runners haven't tried the compression socks either but they are the best!

RunToTheFinish said...

getting the right gear is what finally got me out the door last year! Sporthill has some fleece lined runnig pants that are sort of boot cut so I feel a little less silly wearing them

Rich Poley said...

I live in Boulder, Colorado and when it gets cold I run in clothes made by Patagonia, Cloud Veil, and Marmot. They make clothes for winter sports like ice climbing and mountaineering, nordic skiing. These clothes are light and warm and have to be extraordinarily functional and effective, because if they fail, the people who wear them can die. Try them, I bet you'll like them.

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