What to wear running, 55 and WINDY!

Temp: 55 degrees (~12 C)
Humidity/Precip.: Low
Wind: 20 - 30 mph
Terrain: Rolling hills
Distance: 3 miles

What I Wore: Light-weight tights, tank sports bra, light-weight, breathable running jacket and wick-away skull cap.

Did It Work: Mostly. The wind was cold, so I was glad to have my arms, legs and ears covered. However, gusting wind makes it harder to predict what will be comfortable, so sometimes I was warmer than I like.

Wind Alert! Although a headwind can make a run a little harder, it's usually fine to run on a windy day. I suggest wearing glasses. This will help keep flying grit out of your eyes. Also, run with your mouth closed unless you want bugs, twigs and dust to end up in it.
Lastly, if you notice that garbage cans, branches or small animals are being blown around, it's probably better to stay indoors.

Happy trails!

What to wear running in 55 degrees

Temp: 55 degrees
Humidity/Precip.: 95%/none
Wind: Calm
Terrain: Rolling hills
Distance: 3 miles

Before

What I Wore: Well, I started out wearing Brooks running shorts, Under Armour wicking T and Pearl Izumi running jacket. BUT, when I stepped outside, I was comfortable. Learning from past mistakes I went back in, took off the two top layers and replaced them with one - the Asics long-sleeve, wicking T from the 2007 ING NYC marathon.

After

Did It Work: Yes! It was just a little cool when I started but I was ready to push up my sleeves around mile 2. Thanks to the cool, damp air, the outfit was never too hot. Plus, on a foggy day in the Bay Area, the bright orange was just what the folks in the 'hood needed!

Race Gear: Not all race swag is good. Please don't feel like you HAVE  to wear whatever someone gives you. I didn't wear the NYC shirt for the '07 race because even the small is too big (see pic) and because it was untested - 26.2 miles is a long way to run in something you've never worn before.
For a long race, don't wear something new. And for any race, skip the cotton. As Shu's Running Store in Boise, ID, likes to say: Cotton is a tool of the devil (when it comes to running).

Happy running. Hope to see you on the trail.

Mid-30s, sunny in new gear

Temp: 35, sunny
Wind: 18 mph
Precip./Humidity: None
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 4 miles

What I Wore: New Icebreaker technical top under the Pearl Izumi shell; regular sports bra; Nike tights; knit hat and gloves

Did It Work: Yes. I was comfortable running into the wind on the outbound and took off the shell when the wind was at my back on the way home.

New gear review: Today I tested out a top I bought in New Zealand. The brand is Icebreaker and I think you can get it a few places in the U.S., like REI and Eastern Mountain Sportswear. It is made from merino wool, which I was leery of because wool usually itches me. Not Icebreaker! It is light-weight, comfortable and even stylish! Their gear comes in different weight levels. Today I wore 180, which is for cool weather. The top I wore today has a Napoleon pocket on the chest for stashing keys, lip balm, a little money or something else small.
When it gets colder, I'll try out another top, which is 200 weight. The only downside is Icebreaker's sleeves are a little short for me. To wear the size that fits my body, I have to use the thumb hooks just to make them stay down past my wrists.

Windy, rainy, upper 30s

Temp: About 37, overcast
Wind: Gusts of 16 mph
Precip./Humidity: Raining/ high humidity
Terrain: Rolling to flat
Distance: Nearly 7 miles

What I Wore: Old running shoes; CW-X compression tights; Nike 3/4 zip dri-fit top; regular sports bra; light Pearl Izumi shell jacket; knit gloves; and a brimmed hat over a balaclava (new gear alert!)

Did It Work?: Mostly yes. I warmed up nicely by the first half mile and stayed comfortable until I stopped for water at the half-way point. As soon as I stopped, my wet clothes cooled off and within minutes I was chilled. My muscles tightened up but once I started running again, I was warm again within five minutes.  
This is VERY hard weather to dress for. It is warm enough that a wind- and water-proof shell might have been too much, but the wind and rain make it so you don't heat up completely. Despite wearing for a several light layers, a hat that kept water off my face and the balaclava, which covered my head (giving me a second layer at a key body-temp control point), ears and neck, I was barely warm during the last two, soggy miles.

Tip: If you have them, on wet days, wear old running shoes. Getting wet is hard on your shoes, so I choose to be rough on an older pair than my current favorites.

What the Balaclava?!: Today's weather sent me to the gear basket. I wanted to stay warm, but not as hot as I would have been in a knit hat (which also would have gotten really wet) and neck gaiter. Solution: the balaclava. It's like a thin, quick-drying hood that's been cut off of sweatshirt. It hugs the edges of your face, keeping out wind and water, but is light enough to fit under a hat or jacket collar. Plus, you can roll it up into a hat or down into a gaiter.
I don't know why it has such an odd name (it used to be known as a ski mask but I think those got a bad rap thanks to bank robbers), but it really is a great piece of cool-weather gear. Here's more about the balaclava: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaclava_%28clothing%29