What to Wear Running: Running with a Dog

Temp: 25 degrees F
Wind: 5 mph
Humidity/Precip: Moderate/Snowing
Terrain: Flat
Distance: .9 miles

Thanks petinfoonline.com

What I Wore: A dog! Who cares what I wore, I got to run with a dog. And not just any dog: a Siberian Husky on a snowy day in Idaho. It was like the Iditarod only much shorter, way fewer animals and on pavement.

Seriously, in all my years of running, I've never gotten to run with a dog that just wanted to run. I've always wanted to but, growing up, we had a West Highland terrier. This is the white version of a Scotty - short legs and very bossy, so when you run, they either try to stop or herd you.

Later, my mom got a Corgi. He was also a bossy herding dog and his legs were so short he made the Westie look tall. My mother is short and a long-distance walker, so these sturdy little dogs make sense for her. But I'm tallish and (was) a runner.

Anyway, I was in Idaho and a friend had this sweet Siberian Husky, Spirit. I had some time after taking my grandma to lunch so I volunteered to take Spirit for a walk. I promise, to all who know I've given up running, I did not intend to run. After all, I was wearing Vans, Levi's, a down parka and this hat:

Me, Grandma Rae and The Monster Hat

When we got outside, the snow was falling, the dog harness was jingling and a big voice in my head said, "Let's run!" So we did. Spirit was all that I have dreamed of when I think of running with a full-sized dog. He stayed close, but didn't bump me. He kept pace, never pulling or lagging. He didn't stop to pee every 20 feet. He never pooped. We just trotted along. Me, grinning like a mad person, wearing The Monster Hat that my grandma gave me for Christmas. It was, in a word, brilliant.

Today, my calves are tight. I don't think Vans are made for running.  It was worth it. Thanks to Spirit, I have a new, wonderful running memory.

What to Wear Running in 20 Degrees

Temp: 20 degrees
Humidity: Low (about 20%)
Wind: Mild
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 2 miles

What I Wore: My mom's windproof running jacket (that is just like mine because we're sick gear heads); lined, wind-resistant tights; heavy ACG fleece vest; long-sleeve, light-weight wicking top; skull cap and my mom's fantastic Outdoor Research mittens.

Did It Work: Brace yourself: I was too hot. Seriously. Like sweat running between my shoulder blades. I really wished I had a light-weight vest - I could totally picture it. Dense fleece or tech fiber but whisper light. Of course, I don't own this item and I was on the road so, because the extra core layer was mandatory, I had to sport the heavy ACG vest.

The Gear Worth Stealing from Your Mother: I admit it. I almost stole mittens from my own mother. The only reason they are still at her house is that I live in California; I don't need mittens. But for someone with permanently cold hands, they were lovely for the following reasons:

1. Soft, thin fleece lining
2. Tight cuff kept out cold air
3. Gore-tex (or some such fabric) shell kept in my minimal hand warmth
4. Low profile so, when I made a fist, I didn't have a fistful of fabric

If you're still debating what to do with your REI holiday gift card, buy these mittens!

What to Wear Running: 30 degrees and humid

Temp: 30 degrees F/2C
Humidity/Precip.: High (~85%)
Wind: None
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 2.5 miles

What I Wore: Singlet, long-sleeve top, running jacket (fluorescent - it was nighttime), gloves, thin tights and a light-weight hat.

Did It Work: Yes, except I couldn't keep my hands comfortable. The high humidity made it feel cold but 30 isn't so bad, once you get moving. Except the hands! First they were freezing, then sweaty, so I took off the gloves, but then my fingers were cold. In the end, wore my gloves just over my fingers. It was very jazz hands and did the job.

What to Wear Running: 40 Degrees in Minnesota

Temp: 41 degrees F (~5C)
Wind: 7 mph
Humidity/Precip: moderate, cold mist
Distance: 1.5 miles
Terrain: Hilly

What I Wore: Puma shorts and full-length singlet under a mid-weight, long-sleeve top.

Did It Work: Sorta. I was afraid of being cold because I hadn't packed for 40 degrees. But, the immediate hill workout combined with the singlet warmed up my core.

What Could Have Been Better: This top doesn't breathe, which was good because it didn't let the wind in, but is bad when things heat up. Ideally, I would have had a mid-weight top that breathes, which would have been a little cooler at first, but kept my body temp more even later in the run. Based on the pinkness of my hands in this photo, I probably could have used some light gloves.
For more than 15 minutes outside, I would recommend a light hat or ear band.

Thank you, Minnesota, for reminding me how refreshing a cool-weather run can be. Being out in that kind of weather felt great, inside and out.

Running into Spring/Fall

We're headed back into a time of year when almost everyone is in transition, weather-wise. In the northern hemisphere, it's warming up and below the equator, it's cooling down. That makes this a test of your abilities to figure out what to wear running. And, it's a time when advice from someone else is probably the least useful. A few (probably obvious) tips for managing the winter/spring and summer/fall transition:

• Look outside - I know, duh! But, I've been surprised too many times when my weather app said sunny and dry and it turned out to be windy and rainy, and once, in New York, snowing.
• Layers are cool - ok, so maybe you end up totally overdressed. But you can always tie long sleeves around your waist and carry gloves.
• Show some leg - a lot of runners wear shorts into the 30s (0 C), as long as the wind is calm and it isn't snowing. Layers on top and shorts on the bottom can help maintain your temperature balance
• Get wet - nothing makes me feel like a kid more than running in the rain. To stay comfy, avoid cotton, long pants or woolly caps; they'll just end up dragging you down. Wear old running shoes so you don't ruin your favorites and plan on taking a warm shower as soon as you get home.
• Cover your head, hands and core - I've said this a bunch of times already, so I won't go on and on. Just a reminder that warm head, heart and hands can make the difference between suffering and sailing along
• Find an alternative - some late winter snow storms or early fall monsoons are just too much, even for a seasoned runner. If you're like me and don't have a gym membership, make sure you have alternatives - I've taken to jumping rope in the car park. It's sort of outside, doesn't bother anyone and I get to stay dry, safe and warm enough.

Be safe, have fun and happy running!