I remember a few months ago, Boot camp coach Phil made a comment about how "everyone thinks they are an expert" when it comes to health and fitness. Almost everyday in my ex phys class this sentiment rings in my ears, it's so true! The more I learn about the science of the human body , especially pertaining to exercise, the more I wonder where on earth half of the personal trainers and "experts" out there get away with saying the stuff they say. All you need is a basic understanding of human physiology to realize that none if it makes any sense what so ever.
School has me stressed to the max right now. We are entering that "ahh, only 4 weeks until Thanksgiving break, one more week of classes, then finals" phase. I know it sounds like a lot of time, but it's not. As frustrated as I am with the fact that history is putting a dent into my GPA , I'm very , very thankful I have this opportunity to gain a higher level of education. One more semester of this "core" nonsense (I'm sorry, but after this semester, the rise of the Qin Dynasty will exit my brain faster than I can say Shih huang-Ti...oh wait, did I just retain something?) and I will be onto straight coursework. Next semester brings Exercise and Sports Nutrition, Biomechanics, Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription, Sport and Exercise Behavior , and Intro to Exercise and Sports Science (yeah I'm not so sure how I got this far without the intro class either, but I did...). I will be in geeky-nerd heaven. I can not wait!
But speaking of countdowns, less than two weeks until Beach2Battleship . In case I haven't mentioned it 115 times already, I'm running the marathon portion, and leaving the 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike ride to my relay team mates . And in even more exciting news, I got my volunteer assignment yesterday. I had originally signed up to volunteer, literally hours before I got the offer to be on a relay team. I wasn't sure how this was going to work out at all, but coincidentally I was assigned to swim finish duty! Not only will this work fantastically time wise (they only need me from 7-10 am), but I will get to be right on the finishing dock, where spectators are not allowed. I'm not sure of my exact duty so far (it's regrettably not wet suit stripping, but that whole process makes me giggle anyways) but I DO know that I will get to see/help Holly and all of her cohorts (Nancy, Linae, Shawn, etc) out of the water. I'm super, super excited about this!
Here's where my dilemma, and the title of this entire post comes in. What on earth do I wear to run a marathon, at an unknown time? Let me rephrase, I assume I will be starting somewhere around mid afternoon if all goes well. If things are less than ideal, I may be starting late afternoon and running into early evening/dark (which wouldn't upset me, because the idea of running wearing glow sticks is entirely too appealing to my inner child. )
Here's what weatherundreground.com is telling me about Wilmington NC on Nov. 7th:
Mean Temperature 59 °F
Max Temperature 71 °F 80 °F (2005)
Min Temperature 48 °F 31 °F (1982)
Now remember, I am a big baby when it comes to the cold. We have established this already. I'm highly considering getting a pair of arm warmers. (I'd love to hear some input on the arm warmers). I can tuck them into my race belt if I don't need them, but since my appendages are almost always cold, yet my core warms up pretty quickly, I think they might be a better option than running with a long sleeve tech shirt obnoxiously tied around my waist. I'm really just afraid that I may start out warm, and end up cold, quite the opposite "layering" issue we normally have with morning races.
HELP ME all of you cold(er...I know, I know, 48 is not "cold" to most of you) weather runners!
HELP ME all of you cold(er...I know, I know, 48 is not "cold" to most of you) weather runners!
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14 comments:
Cold weather runner here, reporting to advice duty. 50 degree weather is rather tropical for us :) Arm warmers are absolutely the way to go. When your body warms up you can tuck them away or roll them down to your wrist (I do the latter just in case I get cold again and want some quick sleeve-age). Recommendation: Zensah Arm Sleeves - $29.99. For peace of mind, I'd suggest wearing a cheap long sleeve t-shirt over your arm warmers. Toss the shirt when you get caliente! Good luck :)
I bet you could tuck the arm warmers into your fuel belt and then put them on when you get cold. I doubt you'll get cold, though. I'm no expert ... ;) ... but I bet your body will be warm enough to carry you through any slight temperature dips because the temp will probably lower gradually and you will become acclimated as you run. Just a guess.
BTW: Thanks again for all the info on fuel gels. I'm planning on sharing your insight this week with other newbie runners.
Hmm, that's shorts and t-shirt weather for me LOL. But, yeah, the arm warmers sound like a great idea.
MCM Mama
I agree, arm warmers are the way to go. I also get warm (core-wise) when I run. I find the arm warmers are perfect! I just got some from Runjunk.com; their shipping rates are about half that of Zensah.com. Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/ygn28lh
arm warmers sound like a good option.
but i'd probably be running with the long sleeve tech shirt ackwardly tied around my waist..cuz that's how I roll ;-)
All I can think is layers!! So that you have options. Thanks for the giveaway - it's awesome Heather!
Honestly you will be fine, once you get started you'll warm up before you know it but if you want to get some sleeves, I recommend the Zensah sleeves. I just used them at Chicago and they were awesome! It was much colder than this Florida girl is used to but my sleeves kept me toasty the entire time. Make sure you pick up a cheap pair of gloves from Target too... then if you get hot you won't feel bad for tossing them.
i love my sleeves. I even wore them for the beginning of the race in SF last weekend because it was chilly. By the second mile, I had warmed up, took them off, and tied them around my race belt. Forgot I had them. They were awesome. Good luck next weekend!
I am a wimp in the cold! Definitelt layers, gloves and a hat!also the longer running tights!
When I was in college we had to take 3 classes in Religion...ummmm although I am glad I took those pretty darn sure my core classes did not prepare me for the "Real World".
Moeben Sleeves have changed my life. I wear my gloves tucked into them and put my Gu's in the pockets. They are expensive but truly worth every cent. I also LOVE LOVE Brooks Run Happy EZ-T's. The fabric is thick so it keeps me warm but not too hot. Add Tights and ear warmers and you are set. You can always wear a dry wick tank under the t-shirt for a little extra warmth. This approach is layered so you can strip things off as needed.
Glow sticks would be SUPER cool.. Not quite as cool as what I am wearing next weekend ;)
People seem to be cookoo over arm warmers. Get em! If nothing else, you'll look totally pro!
First of all, I'm so jealous of your course load next semester. That is my idea of heaven (at least until the mid-terms come around. Everyone does believe they are experts (including me--with nary a one of those courses under my belt!) I agree with that.
Okay--71 of a high, and you will be running in the afternoon.
Are you high? You don't need arm warmers! However, if you are really that cold, arm warmers are absolutely the way to go, b/c they can be removed so easily.
I would wear them during the day, with a jacket and the then strip for the actual race, or throw the warmers 2 miles in to a friend. Generally the way to think of it is to add 20 degrees to the temp--and that's what it feels like running.
So yeah, 71 is not cold. You southerners... I just don't know. ;)
Yay! Wilmington! I miss it! I lived there for 2 years prior to the military move to the Coastal Bend of TX. Unfortunately, having lived there, I know the weather is extremely unpredictable. So, I will leave you with: I have no idea what to wear. Consider having someone hold out clothes to you periodocally along the race to so you can grab what you need. Pay a bum, Pay your hubby? Heck, I'll come back and get out of this place & do it for you!
Good luck!
my shorts-threshold is below 40, so i'd wear shorts if it was me.
up top, i ran in ~46* this past weekend in a tank top sports bra & arm warmers. obviously a bit chilly at first, but warmed up in the first mile. prior to getting arm warmers this year, i think i wore long sleeves under 50* but would push up the sleeves when i got warm. good luck :)
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