How to stay warm -- winter running tricks...

Hello World!

I chose this picture not to confuse you good reader, but to remind myself that yes, it will be warm again one day.  This picture was taken in Prague.  I asked the palace guard to smile with me, but no such luck...  I guess he wanted to keep his job!

I'm often asked as weather gets this cold: well one, are you still running outside?   Ummm, yeah; that is like asking does a bird fly south -- good idea -- or does she sing... and two, how do you stay warm?  These are my tried and true tricks that can be summed up with one word, LAYERS!

• Ear Brazier -- band that goes around the head covering ears -- or a hat or a pullover with the hood combo -- maybe with a skull cap underneath -- or if it is really cold, truly sub zero with major wind chills cold, a vaseline coating over the entire face with face mask.  I know, I know, your jealous of this one, but trust me, it works!  I only bring it out when all other options won't cut it.  Good thing I'm married because I'd get zero dates looking like this....
• Layers, Layers, Layers...  I keep all of my running shirts in one drawer.  The really, really cute ones that I don't want to cover up with a layer, get their own distinct pile in the front of the drawer.  The others, the rejects, are in the other pile, shoved not so neatly in the back. The too old, the too tight, the too ugly.  The why in the heck did I spent money on that, shirts.  The second pile gets very handy in cold weather like this.  They become my base layer/s.  I don't feel guilty about wasting money and they get worn and don't feel lonely sitting eternally in my drawer.  Sometimes it is a ugly short sleeve under the cute running pullover.  Sometimes it is the stained long sleeve under the cute running pullover.  And sometimes it is the two warmest long sleeves that I own, probably one with thumb holes, under that same cute pullover.  Ok, so I own more than one pullover but I currently have a favorite.
• The versatile, really cute, running pullover is a must.  My latest favorite is from Lululemon.  So, I must let you know that I am an ambassador for them, but even if I wasn't, I'd still tell you to check their things out.  Uber, uber cute. www.lululemon.com This is what you look for beyond looks: a hood that stays on while you run, preferably with a place to pull your ponytail through.  Thumb holes.  Cuffs to pull over your hands that act like a mittens.  Zippered pocket.  Ventilation, a zipper somewhere near the neck to let some of that heat out...
• Thick, soft running tights, with tall socks underneath.  The tights are warm and not too bulky.  They don't swish around your ankles as you run.  Once you get over the fact that your baring your backside to the world, you'll never go back!
• Cheap, cheap mittens from Target or similar store.  Perfect.  I coat my hands with Vaseline, put the cheep mittens on, bring the long sleeve over with thumbholes, fold the cuff of the pullover over the hands and that's it.  Out the door in only 20 minutes, 30 if you forget to lace up your shoes before you get your hands ready...

The one thing I haven't tried yet, and loyal reader, if you have or know someone who has tried this, please let me know.  Hand warmers duct taped over the top front part of your shoes.  My Canadian friend from the Memphis marathon swears by this...  Seems a little on the weird side but this comes from a woman who smears Vaseline all over her face :)

Off to Disney to run the Goofy Challenge (1/2 marathon on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday) and meet Bart Yasso!!!  I'm a little excited...

Cheers, it is beautiful day for a run!

RunningBrooke