First of all I’m going to go on the record and say clearly I’m not an expert on body temperature but this is what works for me, but everyone is different so what works for me, might not work for you. But here are my general words of wisdom/recommendations.
-Headband/ear muffs
I like to use a wider headband to cover my ears when it is 40-50 degrees so if my head gets too hot I can push it off my ears and just wear as a headband. Less than 40 degrees I would recommend a real ear warmer, hat, or ear muffs
-Wear pants
My legs don’t get that cold while running, but it’s good to keep them covered to protect from windburn and other elements.
-Layer
I don’t mind a thin shirt tied around my waist but this can cause chaffing at times. If you’re layering and don’t want to carry any extra layers as you get warmer I recommend a loop at the beginning of your run that leads back to your house or somewhere you can quickly dump the extra layers.
-Invest in some good thermal pieces made for running outside
I see people wearing hoodies and long sleeve shirts a lot while running outside… maybe this works for them but for me I still sweat a little even if it’s cold outside, and cotton doesn’t dry well and really weighs you down. I recommend investing in 1-2 good long sleeved running shirts (think Under Armour, Nike, etc.) that are sweat wicking. If you’re on a budget check out Target’s active wear or Marshall’s TJ Max stores.
-Gloves or shirts with thumbholes
I love shirts with thumbholes! I will wear gloves when it gets into the low 40’s and beyond but usually my hands end up heating up and then I don’t want to wear the gloves or carry them around. I recommend first a thumbhole shirt option, next I would recommend stocking up on the cheap $1 pairs of gloves you can find at dollar stores, Wal-Mart, etc. and wearing those until you are warm and then tossing them. You can invest in expensive running gloves and when it is under 30 degrees you will probably end up wearing them the majority of the run, but if you don’t plan on running in below freezing temperatures you probably don’t need them.
HYDRATION
This is so important… it’s cooler out so naturally you feel less hot and less thirsty… however this is just perception… you are still thirsty and will still become dehydrated if you don’t drink the proper amount of fluids.
Do you have any good tips to share for keeping warm for outdoor workouts?? Do you stay outside in the winter or immediately head indoors??