The Joy of Winter Running: My Gear Essentials and Funny Encounters
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The other day, the temperature dropped a bit, and I knew I had to run outside that day. I’m the type of runner who needs to ease into cold weather running. I need to experience the dropping temperatures slowly. If I go from running in 50+ degrees and all of a sudden, I haven’t run in two weeks and the temperature is only 30, I very well may chicken out and hibernate on my treadmill until spring.
Over the years, I have invested in some quality items to enable winter running. Now, I love winter running. It’s amazing how having the right gear has changed my attitude. When I met my husband, if you had told me that I would love winter running, I would have run in the opposite direction! The first winter run I ever did was with Matt. And I hated every second of it. I didn’t have the right gear at all. Over the years, I have figured out the perfect combination of gear to get me out the door on even the coldest of days.
Each year, I try to add key pieces to my arsenal. This year, I have been loving my new winter running tights from adidas. I was actually excited for it to get cold out to try them out, and they did not disappoint. They have a good amount of compression and stay put when running. I didn’t feel the need to constantly pull at them and adjust them. Nothing can ruin a run quicker than pants that are falling down. I also love the ankle zippers because they make it easier to pull on. Another item I have been loving for winter running is actually for afterwards. My cozy new sweatshirt. Post-run, it is perfect for warming up with a hot cup of coffee.
My whole family got adidas sweatshirts this year, and they have been a huge hit. My kids love how warm and soft they are, and I love how brightly colored they are. Those bright colors led me to a funny story. The other day, I was finishing up a run, entering my neighborhood, and a couple of hundred yards away from me up a hill, I saw 3 kids running down the sidewalk. They all had brightly colored sweatshirts on in the same colors as my kids and looked like my kids. At that point in my run, I was cooling down walking but as I continued towards them, I didn’t see my husband with them and started to panic. Where was he? Had something happened to him? I sprinted towards them, and within a couple of yards, realized that those were not my kids. Whoops! Happily, I realized before I got too close or yelled out to them! I turned around and headed down the hill towards home where my comfy sweatshirt awaited me.
I also believe that running in winter is pleasant. All you need to wear is warm clothes, after all, when you bleed, you feel warmer anyway. There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing 🙂