On Sunday, I waited until about noon to head out for my scheduled long run because it was cold, as in the coldest day we have had yet here in Providence. We are talking below freezing temperatures, which is why I chose to go a little later in the hopes that it would warm up.
My hopes were dashed when it was noon and still a measly 15 degrees (-1 with the wind chill) when I set out on the Blackstone Valley Bike Path. I usually don’t run outside when it’s this cold, but I have decided that I loathe long runs on the treadmill so much that I am going to buck up and learn to enjoy running outside in the super cold temps.
Surprisingly, it was not as bad as I thought it would be. I dressed very appropriately and this contributed a lot towards my comfort during the run. I wore a long sleeve tech shirt as a base layer (never wear cotton as a base layer), a fleece half-zip for a mid-layer, and my Saucony ethereal jacket on top. I was actually super sweaty by the time I arrived back at the car.
For the legs, I opted for my Hard Mountain Gear fleece-lined leggings which totally rock! They kept my legs so nice and toasty and totally protected me from the wind. Combined with my wool socks, the outfit was a complete thermal win. I almost forgot to add that I wore my balaclava too. Although I definitely looked like a ninja (see picture), my head, ears, and nose were very happy about this decision.
I have asthma that rarely flares up any more, but if it does, it’s in the super cold temps. The balaclava is great for anyone with breathing issues because it warms the air before you breathe it in. I think it would have been a really tough run without it. It can sometimes get damp and sweaty, but if breathing in Arctic are is the alternative– I’ll take it!
The other cold weather issue I had yet to deal with was a frozen hand held! I have never run in temperatures cold enough for my water bottle to freeze. One of my fellow running friends from Canada gave me a great tip: use a Fuel Belt and run with it under your jacket. The bottles stay just warm enough not to freeze.
All in all, it was a really beautiful run. Only two other people were crazy enough to be out there, so I enjoyed the nature and the solitude!
If you need help figuring out how much to wear during different temperatures, Runner’s World has a great online “outfit calculator.” It’s a pretty neat little tool when you are unsure about what to wear when you head out for a run.
Did anyone else run in frigid temperatures this past weekend?
Nice job getting out in those temps! I definitely don’t miss making those decisions about what to wear, when to go, treadmill vs outdoors… I often opted for the treadmill, except for long runs. But it took serious mental toughness to get out in those sort of temps. Great tips! We plan to be back north at some point, so I know this will be me again soon.
Thanks Laura! Sure you aren’t jealous?
I hope Houston doesn’t get that cold this winter! Will you be headed back to NY at any point? I signed up for the Boilermaker 
Great job getting out there in the cold. Makes you feel so much like a hard core runner. Great description on what to wear in the cold. A wicking inner layer and a wind proof outer layer are key. It is amazing how much we still sweat in the rally cold weather. I was out in the early am when the temps were only 6. I had to wear two pairs of gloves.
Thanks! I did feel like a bad ass–but you are even more so for getting out there at 6 degrees!! I really was surprised by how sweaty I got under all my layers..
My long run is 12 miles every Tuesday. I cancelled today for the first time in over 5 months because it was -2*. I’ve run in 25mph winds, and down to 8* but this was too much even for me. I wear pretty much the same getup as you. I have glove/mittens from Saucony that I can stick hand warmers in as well. Everything freezes!! I put all my water in hot also to deter and tuck things under the jacket. I got my pants from REI “extreme sports” section for skiing. I like looking at other sports since we all want the same thing: comfort, ability to move and breathe, lightweight, etc…
Are you in Providence, RI?? I was born and raised in Warwick!!
I am in Providence, RI! Hello former neighbor! We go to the Kent County Y all the time so I am in Warwick a lot
I hear you on skipping the run at -2. I think I am going to get some hand warmers for the really chilly days, although my Brooks adapt gloves with the wind blocking mitten covers keep my fingers pretty toasty for most days.
Great job getting out there!!! I double layered my pants – Target & L.L.Bean. I got out there this weekend too!!! http://www.runningwiththegirls.com/2012/01/braving-cold.html
Thanks Jen! Do you have the Target pants that are fleece lined? I have yet to find a pair of them in my Target. Good for you for braving the temps too–I’m sure they were colder in Maine than they were here in RI!
Yes, they are the fleece lined ones. I actually bought them last winter. I have definitely gotten my money out of them.
I so need to find a pair!!
Nice job getting out there. So far 25 degrees is the coldest I’ve run in this year. Not sure if we’ll get colder than that or not. I tend to wimp out when it’s cold enough to need a mask of some sort. Reminds me too much of growing up in the north LOL.
Thanks! I am usually a wimp about the cold too, but it really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be!
Nice job getting out there. So far 25 degrees is the coldest I’ve run in this year. Not sure if we’ll get colder than that or not. I tend to wimp out when it’s cold enough to need a mask of some sort. Reminds me too much of growing up in the north LOL.
Nice job getting out there. So far 25 degrees is the coldest I’ve run in this year. Not sure if we’ll get colder than that or not. I tend to wimp out when it’s cold enough to need a mask of some sort. Reminds me too much of growing up in the north LOL.
I did an 18-miler Sunday morning – doubled up on everything (tights, shirts, gloves, hats), and felt pretty good for most of the run, except for a few stretches where we ran into a headwind. So glad I went out and got a balaclava Saturday afternoon, though – my chin would have been frostbitten without it! And then this morning, I did my 8-miler in just a long-sleeve shirt and shorts. Gotta love New England weather!
Yes, the balaclava is key for the face! The New England weather has been SO crazy this winter. It’s super mild and then we get last weekend’s cold snap. I am seriously worried that we are going to get a boat load of snow in April!