What to Wear Running: Puma Faas 300

Thanks to a gift from Puma, my boyfriend and I had a chance to try out some new gear for the season.  The gear definitely checks one of the boxes – looks good, especially if you’re into matching – but what about performance of the shoes?

Puma Faas 300 Running Shoe is their foray into natural foot running. It has pros and cons, detailed below, but overall it gets a B.

Pros:

• Light! Ridiculously so. Weighing in at about 3 ounces, the shoe practically floats out of your hands when you hold it.
• Great colors. Puma went with bold, island-inspired colors (and name – Faas is “fast” in Jamaica). The green, white, silver body with orange bottom was eye-catching in a good way.

• Matchy match. If you want your running gear to also be “an outfit,” the Puma collection is for you. The green shoes matched the shorts' green waistband, logo and zipper. The green with cut-out white circles was carried from the shoes to the jacket. My outfit was a vision in purples (photos here)

Cons:

• Matchy match. I liked it, but my guy said it was a little over the top for him.
• Unstructured. That lightness came at a price – the upper is almost entirely mesh, so there’s very little to hold your foot in place. “I feel like my foot could slide right over the edge of the foot bed,” said the bf.

Sum:

The shoes are good looking enough that my rather-particular-about-footwear boyfriend has been wearing them every day. The sole is too thin for trail running, but are worth trying on the street or treadmill. The good news: they are much cheaper than your average “natural” or barefoot running shoe.

By the way, the shorts were also a hit. They are so soft, I wanted a pair for myself. The wide waistband was comfortable and the length was right for a guy who doesn’t like to sport short shorts. The soft fabric might be a bit heavy for hot weather and the wick-away element needs further testing.

I know many runners don’t think of Puma when they’re looking for gear, but I suggest you at least add them to your line up of what to try before you buy.

Happy running!

New UV blocking shirt!

Hello Spring Running. That means coolish weather, but sunburn-causing daylight. Perfect excuse to buy a new running top...

Temp: 58, late afternoon sun
Wind: Mild
Precip./Humidity: None/Low
Terrain: Rolling hills
Distance: 3 miles

What I Wore: Tiny Puma shorts (not pictured cuz they are so very short!); New Balance UV 20 blocking long-sleeve shirt; hat.

Did It Work: Yes, temperature wise, although I felt a little exposed on the bottom.

How's the Shirt: I give it a B. First of all, the color. Yikes for anyone who isn't brown-skinned, which I'm not. But chartreuse was the only choice.
The fit is good - sleeve is long enough and an extra small fits my somewhat puny torso closely.
I like the reflective strips on either side of my abs for their slimming and reflecting, but I know better than to think a driver would see those soon enough to stop from hitting me.
My only real complaint is the seams. I often think that runners don't design most running tops. Seams that wrap under the arm and down the sides are not good for more than 5 miles (less if you're really easily chafed). Most people don't run more than 5 miles, so it's a good shirt for many, including me, most of the time.

Lastly, I don't feel like I really tested the UV blocking element. I'll let you know when I do. Until then, happy trails!

Snow, snow and more snow

Temp: 28 degrees, overcast
Precip./Humidity: Snowing! High humidity (about 90%)
Wind: Calm
Terrain: Rolling to flat
Distance: 3 miles

What I Wore: Ski hat; knit gloves; Asics light-weight technical top; water & wind resistant shell; compression tights; old shoes.

Did It Work: Yes, although my legs were cold for the first half. Upper body was great.

Running in the snow:
1) Don't do it unless you live in a neighborhood where people are reliable with the shovel. Areas with apartment buildings are usually good because they have a superintendent on the job.
2) Wear older shoes that still have a good tread, so you don't feel bad getting them wet and you don't slip.
3) Wear a thick hat and a jacket that fits snug against your neck so your head stays dry and you don't end up with melting snow running down your back.
4) Enjoy! These are some of the most beautiful runs you can do in the city. Here's a sight from my park.

50, hilly!

Temp: 48-50, partly sunny
Wind: Calm
Precip./Humidity: High (85%)
Terrain: Big hills
Distance: 7.75 miles

What I Wore: Brimmed cap; light-weight, wickaway, long-sleeve top; regular sports bra; short.

Did It Work: Yes. I almost wore tights and I think that would have been just a bit too hot. High humidity at a low temperature means that it felt cool in the shade. So, even when I warmed up, I didn't take off my shirt or even push up my sleeves because the next shady patch cooled me right back down.

"Deep thought" after too many hills: This was one of the hilliest runs I've done in a long time. There were several times when I would say to myself 'Just to the hydrant' or 'Just to that fence' and then, when I'd reach those short-distance goals, tell myself 'Ok, just to that silver car.' My legs were wobbly and weak by the time I got home, but, if I could, I would jump for joy that I never stopped. If you're taking on a new challenge - more distance, a faster pace or hills - go ahead and psych yourself as often as you need it. Running is 50% a mind game, so play to win!

In northern California? Here's my run route: http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/ca/san%20mateo/793126496738352982

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.

What to wear running in 15 degrees & sunny

Temp: 26, but 'feels like' is 13, sunny
Wind: Headwind up to 20mph
Precip./Humidity: None/low
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 7 miles

What I wore: Learned my lesson from the other day. Tank sports bra; light-weight, long-sleeve tech top; wind-resistant jacket; knit hat; ski gloves; Road Runner thermo tights; thick socks.

Did it work: Yes! A little cool when I first stepped out, but was comfortable almost immediately thanks to all of my wind-proof gear.

I'm in love: In December, my hands were freezing when I wore knit gloves on windy days. Being a frugal runner, I didn't want to buy any more gear, so I dug around and found my Nike ACG ski gloves. I'm typing right now, minutes after a run, without having to wait for my hands to warm up. My ski gloves are a little bulky, but great on these cold, windy days because they are:

• wind proof
• long (so no drafts up my jacket sleeve or down the glove
• lined with fleece
• come with zip-off outer mittens that are also fleece lined, so they can be worn on their own

Today I'm going to buy some duct tape and try modifying a pair of knit gloves, just to see if they really can be made windproof and warm with that magical gray tape.

What to wear running in 17 degrees

Temp: Upper 20s with a feels-like of 17, sunny
Wind: Gusts up to 18mph
Precip./Humidity: None/dry
Terrain: Rolling to flat
Distance: 4.75 miles

What I Wore: Knit hat; Nike ACG wind-proof, elbow-high ski gloves; tank-style sports bra; dri-fit tank top; wick-away, long-sleeve shirt; wind-proof jacket; Road Runner winter tights; neck gaiter.

Did It Work: No. Unless you're a wrestler or jockey who is trying to make weight, try not to sweat off the pounds, like I did. It isn't real weight loss and being dehydrated will make you tired and slow. I totally over-compensated in response to having been in warm weather for the last three weeks.

What I Would Change: I needed to lose a layer and a half. When I do it again, I'll wear a regular sports bra (instead of tank) and leave off the dri-fit tank top. I would still wear the tights because they are wind-proof on one side, so my leg muscles stayed warm and relaxed.

Go Hands Free

Remember the days of the Sony Walkman, when running with your favorite music involved carrying a 5x1.5 inch brick of bright yellow?  On today's run, I was appreciating that everything I need and want for a run is worn or strapped, clipped or laced on.

Some running purists recommend running with as little as you can, up to and including going barefoot. I can see their point... up to a point. There's something great about a run in a park or the woods where you can hear your feet (or, in my case, running shoes) hitting the trail and birds singing. But for me, many runs are made better by a little music and, in winter when my park's fountains are off, some water.

Before heading out, think about what you really need. Going as basic as you can and allowing your hands to dangle empty will make getting out the door and staying loose on the trail easier.  What do I need? Sports bra, shorts, socks and running shoes. Those are the basics from which I build.

What do I want? Almost always, a hat for shade or warmth. Depending on the weather, more layers. Usually, my iPod with my favorite running playlists (carried in my OIC iPod case). In the winter, when my park's fountains are off, a small water bottle that I clip to my waistband.

No matter what I need or want, I've reached a point in my running life where, if I can't clip it on, stow it in my shorts pocket or strap it to my arm, I don't want it. You may want a heart-rate monitor, some sort of energy gel, sunglasses, lip balm or whatever. That's cool. Just remember, the less you carry, the less likely something will jiggle, bounce, chafe or generally be a burden. And, as always, anything we can do to make getting out the door less burdensome, the better fort our fitness plans!

What to Wear Runnin in 40 degrees & Rainy

Temp: 40, overcast
Wind: Little gusts
Precip./Humidity: Steady rain/moderately humid
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 3.5 miles

What I wore: Knit hat; Under Armour t-shirt (courtesy of the Baltimore Half Marathon); Nike dri-fit, heavy-weight running shirt and light-weight tights. I forgot my gloves!

Did it work: No. Learn from my mistake and look outside before deciding what to wear. Thanks to a delay in the weather report, I didn't know it was raining. Sounds silly, but I'm taking comfort from the fact that two runners on the trail told me they had done the same thing.

What should I have worn: 1) Gloves. 2) A brimmed cap to keep water out of my face and perhaps a headband or earmuffs to keep my ears warm. The knit cap got soggy. 3) A long-sleeve, mid-weight shirt with a rain-resistant shell over it.

Obvious but...: When running on a wet day, keep your feet as dry as possible by avoiding puddles. This seems like a given, but if you live in a friendly running community or run with a group, you might be too busy saying hello and chatting to keep an eye out for soakers.
Two years ago, I was caught running during a flash flood. It was pretty exhilarating but, needless to say, my shoes were drenched. If you're shoes do get very wet, do not put them in the dryer. This is a sure way to shorten their lifespan. Instead, fill each shoe with crumpled newspaper and place them near a heat source (the newspaper helps absorb water on the inside).

Feels like 12 degrees

Temp: 20, but feels like 12, mostly sunny
Wind: Yes! Between 10 & 20 mph, with gusts up to 30
Precip./Humidity: None/low
Terrain: Low, rolling hills
Distance: 3 miles

What I wore: Knit hat and gloves, neck gaiter, Nike tank-style sports bra and heavy-weight technical shirt with cuff pockets, Illuminite wind-resistant jacket, CW-X compression tight, thick dri-fit socks.

Did it work: Yes, except my hands were cold. I'm now looking for gloves that have a wind resistant material on the outside. When I find something I like, I'll share it here.

Tip: Start adding layers from the top down. As long as your extremities (head, hands and feet) are warm, you don't have to worry too much about bulking up on the bottom, at least until the weather gets really nasty. More layers on top paired with thick tights will get you through a surprisingly wide range of temperatures.
For the ladies: To add layers without feeling like the Michelin Man, wear a tank sports bra. The tank gives you an extra layer over your core, which, after hands and head, is key for body temperature control. The tank is also nice because the close fit keeps out drafts on windy days.

Feels like 30 in New York

Temp: 40 with a feels like of 30; mostly sunny
Wind: WINDY! Gusts of 25mph
Precip./Humidity: None/low
Terrain: Mostly flat
Distance: 8 miles

What I wore: knit hat and gloves; light-weight, wind-resistant jacket; light-weight, long-sleeve technical top; compression tights; and a neck gaiter.

Did it work: Yes, although my finger tips were cold around mile 5. Also, my wind-resistant jacket does not allow moisture to escape, so my shirt was very sweaty by the time I got home. This was fine because I could change out of my cold, wet shirt right away but should be considered if you have a drive or long walk at the end of your run.
This weather can be tricky because of the difference in the actual versus feels like temps. When you first step outside, the feels like temp will hit you. Shorter runs won't give you as much time to warm up, so I recommend a heavier top if you're doing a flat run of fewer than 2 miles.

Tip: A neck gaiter or scarf is one of your most important pieces of running gear when temps creep into the 30s and below. I like this one from Powderfish, which has fleece on the outside and wick-away fabric on the inside. The fleece keeps me warm while the wick-away fabric keeps me from developing icicles in my nose. Some more of the benefits of a gaiter are:

• Keeps your neck warm, obviously, which means you're less likely to turtle - pulling your shoulders up around your ears in an effort to stay warm. Turtling will make you tighten up all over. Staying loose in the cold keeps you more comfortable and make cold-weather running more sustainable in the long term. 
• Serves as a wind block. Sometimes, when the wind blows directly into my face, I have a hard time breathing. Tucking my nose and mouth into the gator lets me breathe easy.
• Gives your face cover. There's no need to wear your winter run on your face like a chapped, red badge of courage. When the temps turn icy, protect your skin, including your face.