The first guest post on Miles with Style is written by Stacy Scalfaro. Stacy is an avid runner, and has been for 18 years. She began with running 5k races, and has now completed every race up to a marathon. Stacy has finished 10 marathons through the years, and has qualified for Boston TWICE!
Stacy enjoys running for many reasons. She loves the journey involved in training for a marathon, time spent with girlfriends on 20 milers, and helping others to achieve their running goals.
Stacy has an immense amount of knowledge when it comes to cold weather running and training. After training for the 2009 Boston Marathon, she learned the importance of proper running attire, and is here to share these tips with all of you.
Enjoy!
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Hello Runners,
It’s January, the time of year where we are all eager to set new goals and get out the door to run. But, at 5:00 am when the alarm goes off it’s so much easier to stay under the warm covers and say, “It’s too cold to run”. Whether you just set your first running goal or have been running for years, I think we can all agree that there are plenty of excuses to stay inside when faced with a wind chill. So to eliminate one of those excuses, I am going to share with you some of my favorite winter running gear. Besides, who doesn’t need a cute new running item for a little extra motivation in the winter?
If you are anything like me when you roll out of bed on a frosty cold day, your first instinct is to pile on the clothes and grab the blanket off the bed on the way out the door. The next thing you know, you realize you have dressed for a race in Alaska and may just be a tad bit warm.
My winter running gear tips will include some great layers that won’t bulk you up or slow you down. After your warm up you will forget how cold it really is outside. Bring on the miles!
Core
Keepin' warm...in 20 degrees!
For starters, you know it’s KEY to keep your CORE warm.
I like to start with a great base layer. Thumb holes add an extra layer of protection for your hands. An easy favorite is this Nike top.
And then for that wind…the dreaded wind that takes a 30 degree day down to 20. Top off your base layer with a jacket that blocks out the cold air. Adidas and The North Face both make some great options.
If wind is not an issue, I have found another great jacket with no bulk that actually responds to your body temperature as you warm up – Sporthill Infuzion Half Zip.
SportHill Beanie and Pullover
If it’s a really brutal day out there (as seen in the photo above) you can combine the two and use the Sporthill as your base topped off with your jacket. And why not add the matching beanie to top off the outfit?
Legs
Warm muscles are going to respond so much better than cold ones, so be kind to your legs. I know everyone does not want to wear tights, and I can go either way.
My favorite pants are the Northface TKA 100. You can find these pants on sale at many sites. Zappos offers them in many sizes, and also in short/petite.
I love color
If you need an added layer, throw on long or capri tights underneath. And another cheap way to keep your calves warm is with a pair of tube socks.
You don’t have to spend $30 to add a layer. Have some fun and save a buck so you can spend your money on the key items.
Feet
And finally, you have to have some kicks that are going to hold up in the rain, sleet and slush.
Pretty in Pink
I have to give some love to the new & improved Mizuno Wave Rider 15, and I love the dark color. I ran the Dallas Marathon in the rain and these babies still look brand new.
*Check out the 90 day Perfect Fit guarantee from Road Runner Sports! It’s almost too good to be true, but it’s true.
Head & Hands
And like any great outfit, don’t forget to accessorize your HEAD and your HANDS. KEEP THEM WARM.
Thumb holes are awesome
Head, hands and CORE are KEY. So, go cheap again and stock up on knit gloves at your local Target. You can get three pairs for $2.00 and throw them away if your hands get too warm.
I have tried expensive gloves and haven’t found any that impress me beyond these cheap ones. However my running partners are big fans of Nike fleece gloves
The North Face TKA 100 & Nike Gloves
My headband depends on the temp. I think it’s really your preference.
On a milder day I would go with a light headband, possibly a fleece if it’s not a rainy/snowy day.
On those colder days check out the Sporthill beanie listed above. I like that it covers your ears. Pick something comfy and (of course) cute that suits you.
I hope these items will help you stay warm from head to toe! No excuses for you when that alarm goes off Monday morning.
Until next time,
Stacy
*And don’t forget to share some of your favorite winter finds with the other readers of this blog!
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