Cold Weather Running

This weekend was the first time it was cold since I started my training. Well, cold for the Houston area anyway. When it has started to cool off in the past, I have just decided to pack it in until Spring and go sit on the couch. However, I have a marathon at the end of January so I have to continue training this year. It was 39 degrees at 5:45AM when we started our run this morning. Luckily, the wind wasn't blowing.

Being from the southern half of Texas, I don't really own any cold weather running gear. I dressed in running shorts, a technical t-shirt (short sleeved), and a pair of running gloves. After I got started, it warmed up quite a bit. Well, I warmed up. The temperature actually got a little cooler as the sun rose. I bought the gloves a few weeks ago in preparation of the upcoming winter. Best $20 I have spent in a while. Another guy in our group was dressed like I was, sans the gloves. His hands were miserably cold when we finished. I can highly recommend the ASICS Thermopolis glove shown below. Not too hot, and not so thin the wind goes through them.


I have also ordered some other cold weather gear so I am prepared in case we actually do get a cold spell hear in the Houston area. I have a pair of running pants and a hat on the way. I've gotten a couple of long sleeved technical shirts at races lately. Even if I'm not that fast, I'll at least look good.