Running Gear
This is what I have been wearing out the last couple of days. It's good down to at least zero fahrenheit in a fifteen mile an hour wind. I proved that out this morning on the mid week two hour run. This setup can probably go to five below, but after that I'd add arm warmers and another thin layer on the legs over the tights.
If the air temperature gets colder than -20F, it's treadmill time. Otherwise it's fair game for a run. In a normal year, we will have a couple of weeks with early morning air temps in the minus teens, especially on clear nights. Once the sun comes out, it might warm up to zero. Fortunately, that doesn't last long.
I have been anxious to feel comfortable again at 6:10-6:20 pace like I had been right before the injury. With all this clothing, mid-6:30s is about where I get due to the restriction of movement. I found out that's only part of the issue when I weighed all my gear a couple of days ago. It came to 4.8 pounds, which is a good bit. I guess I can look at winter running as resistance training.
posted at 7:31 AM [+]
13 Comments:
Did you forget to mention the "Pixelator 5200" eye protectors? Much improved over the 5000 model with the addition of the auto-defogger mechanism.
Living in Tucson, Arizona it's hard to imagine running with all that stuff on, but the gear you have does seem top-notch. Have you ever had to use those shoe studs or snowshoe-type attachments for deep snow?
Today was a perfect day for the studs. I have two types--the Yaktrax, which seem better on thin layers of compacted snow, and the slip on carbide studs, which are great on ice. I've also tried sheet metal screws in the bottom of the shoes, but they only work so-so.
I pretty much stay out of deep snow. It would be similar to a hill workout, I suppose. I've never had an interest in snowshoe running, although I'm sure it would add an interesting element to a run.
It's good spendy gear. Some of it is over ten years old, and some is new. It definitely lasts though, so I usually go for the good stuff.
I was going for a 'COPS' vibe. The model refused to sign a release, so what could I do? Pixels, pixels, pixels...
I need some yaktrax, especially considering our terrible weather here right now. Not really cold, but snow and ice is everywhere.
What are the carbide stud kind called? As in trade name?
Thanks
Here's a website. I don't know if I would order from here necessarily, but it has a nice collection of products.
Curious you wear two pairs of socks. In all my time in those admittedly warmer Minneapolis winters I've never felt the need for more than the normal pair of thin socks.
Snowshoe running is great. For a race effort you end up with your training pace, so you don't go anywhere quickly. For example, a 10k snow shoe race might take me in the upper 40s, which is around about where I'd be for just pottering round easily for the same distance.
The great thing about winter running is it lets you indulge a gear fetish that our sport otherwise doesn't really let you have.
The winter running is way more enjoyable than the summers. Not even close. Spring and fall beat both.
"Once the sun comes out, it might warm up to zero."
That is pretty crazy. Congrats for getting out there.
Cheers!
Buuurrrrrrr!!!! No thanks. I do much better in 110 degree summers than I ever did when I lived through Great Lakes winters. My knee is hurting from the blistering 40 degrees here right now. It might fall off altogether if I went up there. I'm just glad I don't have to shovel sunshine.
Right on with the gear fetish, Evan. I don't listen to music much at all, so all I got in the summer is my watch, shoes, and shorts. Not much to get excited about. In winter though...jackets, undershirts, tights, some Gore-Tex, mittens, gloves, layers, headlamps, studded shoes, and on and on. Good times.
I don't usually wear two pair of socks, but for some reason the 2080s, 2100s, and 2110s seem to let in more cold air and my feet get really cold the first 20 minutes of the run.
I can tolerate winter, but I love fall running. Spring and summer have their issues, but I think I like winter the least. Most of the midwest has 'winter', but we have 'arctic hell'.
Thanks for the comments, guys.
Nice setup. Do you ever find that you need to shed layers during a long run?
I've tried the slip-on carbon studs without much success. They gum up with snow and cause blisters at the stud points. Haven't tried the yaktrax yet, maybe I will this winter.
Have you thought about/tried trail shoes for winter running? I have toyed with this idea but have yet to take the plunge.
The only layers I have ever removed are gloves. Otherwise I dress pretty precisely for the temp/wind combination. The right gear will shed excess heat and moisture, and reach a nice comfortable equilibrium.
I haven't tried Icebug shoes yet, but if they work for my feet, I think they will be the Holy Grail (YOU SEEK THE HOLY GRRRRRRAIL!). I'm trying to get a demo pair through my local sporting goods store.
Inov8 also makes some interesting shoes that might be good for winter running. They are mountain running shoes with a different rubber compound and outsole profile that should be better on ice.
Anybody out there from Canada, Sweden, Norway, Alaska, Russia, etc.? What kind of gear do you use?
Eric - Thanks for the links for the shoes.
Sure thing, Marc. I ordered the Icebug MR3, so I'll do a review once I get them and put in a few miles.
Love the photo, I get heatstroke if I try and run in anything more than a t-shirt. Have to wait and see how it goes when the snow sets in.
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