Running tips when its Cold and Dark ?
Discussion
Was procrastinating about a run at lunchtime as was at my desk nice and warm, it said "2c, feels like -3".
But, being a hero like, I went anyway and it was actually really pleasant, cold but I put some old cycling gloves on and my hat with an LED lamp in on, so I think I need some better gloves as the liner is all messed up on these, any suggestions ?
Otherwise had some Ron Hill long pants on with the integrated shorts, Hoka Gaviota trainers, a long sleeved polo neck purchased sometimes in the late eighties for a school ski trip, so around 40 years old and smelt it and a thin Berghaus jacket over that.
Anyone run after dark ? I tend to go at lunch when WFH but when so much of the day is dark, kind of thinking might be good to give it a try, got a thing I can put on with a front and rear light.
But, being a hero like, I went anyway and it was actually really pleasant, cold but I put some old cycling gloves on and my hat with an LED lamp in on, so I think I need some better gloves as the liner is all messed up on these, any suggestions ?
Otherwise had some Ron Hill long pants on with the integrated shorts, Hoka Gaviota trainers, a long sleeved polo neck purchased sometimes in the late eighties for a school ski trip, so around 40 years old and smelt it and a thin Berghaus jacket over that.
Anyone run after dark ? I tend to go at lunch when WFH but when so much of the day is dark, kind of thinking might be good to give it a try, got a thing I can put on with a front and rear light.
Less is more and don't dress for the first mile for me.
Basically summer running wear with a running quarter zip on top. If raining and windy then shower proof wind cheater over that.
Attached these little cheap blinking silicone bike lights to my running vest (red rear and white front) which for a mostly lit urban environment run, does the job.
Basically summer running wear with a running quarter zip on top. If raining and windy then shower proof wind cheater over that.
Attached these little cheap blinking silicone bike lights to my running vest (red rear and white front) which for a mostly lit urban environment run, does the job.
I find if I put too many clothes on once I get going I end up too warm. Running sleeves are fantastic, they keep your arms warm until you've warmed up, and then to can pull them down and just bundle them up around your wrists. A t-shirt, sleeves and thin running gloves do me fine down to low single digit temperatures. I've never found running tights comfortable so wear some thin tracksuit trousers if it's really cold.
For running in the dark I use a head torch (Petzl Aktik Core) and have some cheap reflective bands with red LEDs in them I put around my ankles.
For running in the dark I use a head torch (Petzl Aktik Core) and have some cheap reflective bands with red LEDs in them I put around my ankles.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Thursday 20th November 08:27
I run outside in the evenings all year round.
Winter is hardest, due to the cold and dark
My tips:
> Chest light. I find head torches waggle around too much and I don't like carrying things in my hand so a hand torch is out. Chest light is, to me, the most stable and offers good light
> Thick hats are only for extreme cold - minus temperatures only. Rest of the time I use a standard baseball cap with, if there's a cold wind, a fleece headband to keep my ears warm.
> Snood. I know they're a little mocked in football. But they work
> Different gloves for different weather. I like a light pair for chilly and a thicker pair for cold. Never wool.
> Good, thicker socks.
> Running tights. I wear shorts over the top.
I should caveat all this by saying that I hate being cold, therefore will overdress for the conditions and live with being a bit hot. The only exception is on my head - hence the rule about thick hats.
If I had the inclination, I'd have dedicated running shoes for winter as they get covered in crap and often wet. But I don't cycle shoes regularly, so tend to run older ones through the winter and get new ones in the spring.
Winter is hardest, due to the cold and dark
My tips:
> Chest light. I find head torches waggle around too much and I don't like carrying things in my hand so a hand torch is out. Chest light is, to me, the most stable and offers good light
> Thick hats are only for extreme cold - minus temperatures only. Rest of the time I use a standard baseball cap with, if there's a cold wind, a fleece headband to keep my ears warm.
> Snood. I know they're a little mocked in football. But they work
> Different gloves for different weather. I like a light pair for chilly and a thicker pair for cold. Never wool.
> Good, thicker socks.
> Running tights. I wear shorts over the top.
I should caveat all this by saying that I hate being cold, therefore will overdress for the conditions and live with being a bit hot. The only exception is on my head - hence the rule about thick hats.
If I had the inclination, I'd have dedicated running shoes for winter as they get covered in crap and often wet. But I don't cycle shoes regularly, so tend to run older ones through the winter and get new ones in the spring.
I'm soft and don't do as much in the cold, but will still do track sessions year round. I can cope in shorts and t-shirt (if it's still and dry) but will need gloves (thin) and two pairs of socks. If my feet are cold I'll be misrable, and they never get too hot.
If it's sleeting and lashing across it's:
Fleece hat
Baselayer top
T shirt
Leggings
Compressions socks
Outer socks
Gloves
Buff if it's horrendous!
If it's sleeting and lashing across it's:
Fleece hat
Baselayer top
T shirt
Leggings
Compressions socks
Outer socks
Gloves
Buff if it's horrendous!
I'm out once or twice a week for a relatively sort run by most peoples standards, I have a route around 6.5k. i'm still wearing shorts and a long sleeve breathable running top but i've had to start wearing gloves now because I was losing all feeling in my hands.
I picked up a chest light off ebay for about £10 which has an adjustable white light on the front and a red triangle light on the back and is USB chargeable, it's surprisingly good so far
I picked up a chest light off ebay for about £10 which has an adjustable white light on the front and a red triangle light on the back and is USB chargeable, it's surprisingly good so far
Muzzer79 said:
> Chest light. I find head torches waggle around too much and I don't like carrying things in my hand so a hand torch is out. Chest light is, to me, the most stable and offers good light
Interesting, I find the light from a chest light bouncing around all over the place makes me feel sea sick, and the light from a head torch is way more stable as I'm holding my head steady. I guess it goes to show how different everyone is 
I've seen some really nice looking harnesses with reflective straps, red lights round the back, and a chest lamp but there's no way I'd buy one. I go on a Thursday night and hate going out in the dark and cold but will draw the line at cold dark and wet!
I simultaneously fill my mind thinking of the hot chocolate when I get back, and this time of year, those lunatics doing the montaine spine!! Makes me think I can manage 8k round the block
I simultaneously fill my mind thinking of the hot chocolate when I get back, and this time of year, those lunatics doing the montaine spine!! Makes me think I can manage 8k round the block
I hate this time of year as I always forget what 'works' since last year!
Last night I went out with new 'winter' gloves, base layer and shorts, the gloves were next to useless, or at least got progressively worse, and I had to cut the run short due to painful hands. But due to the lack of a winter running top, I got in and gradually started shivering! A hot shower and then wearing three jumpers and a woolly hat next to the fire didn't stop that!
Trial an error....
Last night I went out with new 'winter' gloves, base layer and shorts, the gloves were next to useless, or at least got progressively worse, and I had to cut the run short due to painful hands. But due to the lack of a winter running top, I got in and gradually started shivering! A hot shower and then wearing three jumpers and a woolly hat next to the fire didn't stop that!
Trial an error....
popegregory said:
I go on a Thursday night and hate going out in the dark and cold but will draw the line at cold dark and wet!
Haha, same. My daughter has a two hour gym class on a Thursday evening, so plenty of time for 10k run for me. It's about half an hour away, so not worth coming home!Tomorrow I'm debating either thicker long sleeved running top, light running shirt with arm warmers, or the same shirt with thinner long sleeved base layer. It's forecast to be about 2 degrees so I'm leaning towards the first option. Probably leggings under shorts as well!
For light I've been using a head torch, but might try as a chest light tomorrow. I've got two, so might hand hold the other for the times I need some extra light.
I run with some mates at night, a run club I guess. We run at 7pm every week so through the Winter in the dark. We also run through the woods.
Have a really good headtorch I'd say. Mine stays on nice and bright for hours on end. Re kit I just run in shorts and a long sleeve t shirt. I prefer slightly cold when starting but then at least I'm not roasting hot halfway through.
TX.
Have a really good headtorch I'd say. Mine stays on nice and bright for hours on end. Re kit I just run in shorts and a long sleeve t shirt. I prefer slightly cold when starting but then at least I'm not roasting hot halfway through.
TX.
I run twice a run all year round, unless it's a heatwave but generally I will delay it until about 9pm.
For a colder weather like today it's t shirt, base layer long sleeve top and this running thermal gilet: https://www.nike.com/gb/t/adv-reflective-design-ru...
My hands always get cold so I use 2 pairs of running gloves, legs are always fine so just football drill pants (similar to running tights but looser)
Luckily I have a winter running route that has street lighting the whole way. You don't need to spend lots of money on fancy running clothing just make sure it's quick dry synthetic material with moisture wicking properties. Cotton is a no go, particularly in winter.
For a colder weather like today it's t shirt, base layer long sleeve top and this running thermal gilet: https://www.nike.com/gb/t/adv-reflective-design-ru...
My hands always get cold so I use 2 pairs of running gloves, legs are always fine so just football drill pants (similar to running tights but looser)
Luckily I have a winter running route that has street lighting the whole way. You don't need to spend lots of money on fancy running clothing just make sure it's quick dry synthetic material with moisture wicking properties. Cotton is a no go, particularly in winter.
No tips on wet and cold - but for cold, I find running leggings (I tend to use these most of the year anyway), and a long sleeved light weight merino top (if it's cold enough for frost/frozen ground then maybe a merino vest underneath), gloves, and possibly an ear warmer. The leggings have pockets so if I need to take a layer off I can fit the layer in there. I only do 5k.
Def interested in torch advice though; I run in a forest with no lighting and it's Rooty under foot, so I don't run in the dark as I trip over in daylight, and I don't think torchlight gives me enough perspective or far enough view, but maybe it could with a good torch...
Def interested in torch advice though; I run in a forest with no lighting and it's Rooty under foot, so I don't run in the dark as I trip over in daylight, and I don't think torchlight gives me enough perspective or far enough view, but maybe it could with a good torch...
Its the extremities you need to cover as they dont warm up as you run. Decent gloves, a snood, hats if you like them. I put an extra layer on my top but thats all as your body quickly warms up.
Get bright, reflective clothes so cars can spot you and whilst a headtorch helps you need to be careful of the surface youre running on. Slippy leaves and the like are harder to spot.
Get bright, reflective clothes so cars can spot you and whilst a headtorch helps you need to be careful of the surface youre running on. Slippy leaves and the like are harder to spot.
996Type said:
What torch would you recommend for this time of year?
I ve seen the torch thread but that s a bit of a rabbit hole!
I got my Petzl Tikka Core at the running show the other year, when I went to Petzl's stand to see if they had new headbands for my old Tikka.I ve seen the torch thread but that s a bit of a rabbit hole!
Their "Core" models are the exact same as the standard ones, but come with a rechargeable battery (also available separately) that has it's own USB port to charge, and put out a slightly higher voltage so are brighter. It's good for a couple of hours on high power but I usually only use medium, and is nice and light so doesn't bounce around on my head like some bigger ones.
CLK-GTR said:
Slippy leaves and the like are harder to spot.
Plus what's under the leaves. Learnt the hard way out on the road bike last week. What I thought was just a patch of leaves was actually covering a massively deep pothole which is far from ideal when on skinny tyres traveling at 25mph.Given the state of our roads and paths, assume the worse is lurking underneath fallen leaves, potholes, divets, tree roots etc!
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