In just a few short weeks, Central Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland complete with snow and ice.
Believe it or not, this shouldn’t keep you from leaving the treadmill behind and heading to the streets and parks for both short and long runs alike; especially if you’re training for a Winter or Spring half or full marathon.
Running in the cold is something I actually really love as long as I’m dressed appropriately, which for me means ensuring that my body is well covered. After living north of the Mason Dixie line for five years, I’ve quickly learned that I have a few favorite pieces of winter running gear that I wear almost daily from December to March.
Running Tights: Suguoi Subzero Tight Lined in fleece, these tights keep the wind and cold out even when the wind is blowing and the temperatures are barely breaking zero. They also serve as a great base layer while hitting the ski slopes. If you don’t need the water or wind proofing I suggest their midzero tight.
Base Layer: C9 by Champion® Women’s Cold Weather Athletic Top I tried this top for the first time last season and immediately fell in love. I could spend $50 or more on a similar Under Armor top but this one does the job for only $22.99 and comes in some great colors, especially flashbulb fuchsia which I wore this morning.
Tank to keep you core warm: I always wear one of my Lululemon tanks under my base layer to keep my core warm while running.
Top Layer: Sugoi Mid Zero Zip
Gloves: Asics Thermopolis Gloves Due to Raynaud’s Syndrome, my hands get extremely cold in even cool weather. Therefore ensuring that my hands are warm and dry is my number one priority when I head out on a winter run. I love these because they are windproof and the fingertips allow you to use your iPhone or ipod easier while running.
Headband: Lululemon Brisk Run Headband This headband is large enough to cover my ears while also staying in place for an entire half marathon.
Below are a few suggestions that readers offered:
Shannon: I am flat-out obsessed with my Athleta running tights and a lululemon hoodie. The hoodie has those little fold-over mittens, lots of pockets for nutrition, keys and an iPod/phone and you can zip the hood into a scuba hood for extra warmth. Mine also has room for a base layer if it’s really cold. I wish I could remember the product’s actually name, but it was worth every penny – especially when I ran the Manhattan half last January when it was 12 degrees!
Bonnie: My brooks utopia hoodie is my favorite article of cold weather running gear!It has thumbholes and a hole in the hood to pull your ponytail through!
Liz and Victoria: Running tights!
