Running Outside in the Cold Weather...

Hey guys! I am usually a treamill runner, but this past Summer I got hooked on running outside 2 days a week... except, now it's cold and I hate it... so, what do you wear when you run outside? I always start out cold and end really warm... do you dress for the cold weather or plan to get warm so wear less? What about gloves, earbands, face masks, etc, etc, etc... oh, and it seems like my lightweight socks and shoes (which are great for the Summer) are causing my feet to freeze... they never warm up! Do you wear different socks in the Winter?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

I also usually run inside at the gym but like you, once or twice a week, venture outdoors.  I have a pair of fleece lined running pants from Title Nine that I've been wearing when it's really cold and then I wear a long sleeved wicking type of shirt and a microfleece shirt over that.  I also wear ear-warmers and gloves too.  I move the ear warmers back and forth from my ears to my neck depending on how cold or hot my ears are.  It hasn't been too too cold yet though for my outdoor runs so we'll see how comfortable I am running when it's in the 20's.

This is my first winter of running outside too...So far it has not been too bad.  I bought a really good running jacket at a running store where the sales person was a runner herself and very helpful!  I also bought a pair of running pants and a pair of long bike type shorts to go under neath.  My bum seems to get the coldest!  I too usually end up too hot so I start unzipping things.  I wear a wicking type long sleeve shirt under my jacket and that seems to be enough for now.  There are rubber things that you can buy to attach to your shoes but I haven't needed them yet.  I'm definitely going to try them.  I also bought a neck warmer that is made of really lightweight but warm material that I wear either up over my face or down around my neck depending on the wind chill factor.

Hope I was some help!  If its any consolation I'm right with ya in not wanting to run in the cold!!!  It's very cold up here in Canada!!!!

Cheers, Reba

Somebody in a different group recommended the following website when choosing how to dress depending on the weather: 

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/whattowear/0,,s6-240-325-330-0-0-0-0-0,00. html

I ran outside for the first time yesterday because our student rec center was closed due to a gas leak!    It was about 44 degrees and breezy.  I wore leggings under my shorts, a long sleeve t-shirt, and a sweatband over my ears.  I felt like such a badass!  According to that website I didn't need to wear the leggings, but I would have frozen my butt off without them.  I get cold easily!  And I could have worn gloves but I felt like a cartoon character.    I think I'll stick to the indoor track for the winter.  I hope the website helps!

Well, it's been really cold around here this weekend, in the 20's, and I was planning to do a long run this morning but I wimped out.  Decided it was too cold so I went to the gym instead and ran 6 miles on the treadmill - BORING - all they had on the TV's was football.  Bleh.  Oh well.  That will teach me.  Next time I'll brave the cold.

The other reason I decided to go to the gym today was because they are having a Biggest Loser competition going on and we have to log 5 hours of exercise each week AT THE GYM.  Any exercise you do on your own doesn't count.  I'm not really sure how I'm going to get my 5 hours in this week with Thanksgiving on Thursday and they have the child watch closed on Friday so I can't go with the kids.  I was thinking I could go early Friday morning before my husband leaves for work, but then again, I may go shopping.  Black Friday, you know - the early bird gets the worm.

Thanks for the advice guys!!! I still haven't been able to make myself run outside, but I do have an outdoor race Thursday, so we'll see how that goes! I definitely need to wear gloves... my hand are always cold! As are my feet! I think if I can keep these parts of my body warm, I should be okay... I used to run in 12 inches of snow and not think anything of it... when did I get to be such a wimp!!! :-) Anyway, thanks for the all the advice, I am definitely going to head to Dick's and take a look at their leggings, coats, shoe covers, etc... yippee, black friday!