Active discussions

Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

Original poster

Clothes for (slow) jogging in the witner

118 replies

Gwenhwyfar · 22/11/2020 20:10

Hi everyone

Just been looking at the thread from 7 November about winter running jackets. Most of you said in that thread that you don't wear a jacket, only hat and gloves. However, I'm really slow and out of shape and am a person who feels the cold a lot anyway - I definitely don't feel the temperature as 10 degrees higher when I job, maybe 5. I also like to combine jogging and walking so would need to be able to warm up for the walk back if I've reached my limit.

At the moment I wear the very thin short-sleeved top I used to wear for the gym, followed by a thicker top that's not really a sports top at all and a warm waterproof jacket. The two outer layers are obviously not meant for exercise and I suppose could be making things worse as I would be jogging in my own cold sweat after 10 minutes.

So, what would you suggest, at a reasonable price? I reckon I would carry on with the thin top first, then a thicker top, then a jacket (hi-vis?) over the top.

Do I need 'sports' hat and gloves, or are normal ones OK. I haven't needed these yet this year for the cold, but I do wear a hat when it's drizzling and of course my head overheats.

Also shoes, I've had to stop wearing my trainers as they have holes in the top and make my feet cold. For the last few days, I've been jogging in my walking shoes. Is this OK for my feet or do I need to buy special winter jogging shoes?

I'm also planning to buy a cheap light for my arm as I have to jog in the dark now.

It's 10 degrees here today, but it can get down to minus temperatures in Jan-Feb. I presume I'll just be doing Youtube videos by then, but if not, it would be good to have winter gear that can go from this temperature down to those ones.

OP posts:
actiongirl1978 · 01/12/2020 17:02

Hi OP I run in old tesco leggings but they are the only ones that stay up, a vest that I slept in the night before, an old long sleeve running top from h and m, and then a windproof running jacket/fleece type thing I bought from decathlon. I wear running socks and ON trainers.

I wear a fleece headband and a headtorch. No hat, get too hot.

Have fun choosing the kit!

actiongirl1978 · 01/12/2020 17:05

I should add, I run in the country where no one sees me! I also trained for a half marathon in this outfit so it works!

Sometimesonly · 01/12/2020 17:41

Also Aldi/ Lidl do great bits and pieces if you can get the timing right.

Thank you for this tip! I picked up a very reasonably priced long-sleeve top today.

MsMartini · 01/12/2020 19:35

I am loving this thread Smile. Kit joy

Keep going, OP, you are doing well!

@fellrunner85, hats off to you. As it were Grin

fellrunner85 · 01/12/2020 19:38

I was up on the fells, @MsMartini - short shorts are the law!!

Audreyseyebrows · 01/12/2020 19:44

For winter I have a beanie hat with a torch on that I use because we don’t have street lights. I also wear thick leggings, thick socks, a vest, a long sleeve top and a high viz running jacket. Oh and gloves although they usually end up in my bum bag!

Iamblossom · 02/12/2020 08:48

I actually bought two pairs of running shorts this summer and was very glad of them when running in 20 odd degrees, but absolutely no way would I be running in November or December in shorts. Brrrrr....

Iamblossom · 02/12/2020 08:50

Shall we cover sports bras? I am 34 D and need scaffolding when I run... I use 3 knackered sports bras from M&S (not at the same time I hasten to add) but have to use the adjustable straps in the crossover style for maximum support. Hate it if my boobs aren't properly supported when I run and always wonder how women manage it when I see runners with their boobs bouncing around, god it must be so painful!!

PegLegTrev · 02/12/2020 08:50

www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/6205457606025958838?q=running+jacket+women&client=safari&hl=en-gb&biw=375&bih=553&tbs=cat:5598,pdtr0:938026|938028,pdtr1:954672|952497,vw:g,init_ar:SgVKAwjeK0oKUggIqqA5IKygOUoKUggIsKI6ILGROkoHsgQECJ20IA%3D%3D,ss:44&prmd=sinv&prds=epd:13450468690110890061,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1

I’m sure every female runner I know has one of these? I slip it past my shoulders and tie the arms round my waist when I get too hot (leave the bottom of the zip fastened). Also I’d recommend a snood - these keep you deceptively warm and can be stuffed in a pocket if you get too warm.

PegLegTrev · 02/12/2020 08:51

Sports bras for big busts - panache all the way!

Iamblossom · 02/12/2020 08:52

[I'm on a roll now] I also recently also bought a couple of towelling wrist bands with a little zip, they are just big enough for my car key for I when I am wearing leggings with no zip up pocket! Genius.

TheHoundsofLove · 02/12/2020 09:03

I have the Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra and it's awesome (I'm a 30FF) - absolutely no movement whatsoever!
I've also got a Freya Active one that's great and ensures no movement if done up on the racer back hooks.

Redcrayons · 02/12/2020 10:45

@Iamblossom get yourself the shock absorber ultimate run bra. Your boobs will thank you. mind you I do have a running buddy who swear by two bras method, so thAt might be an option.

They band is tight for obvious reasons so try a couple of sizes, your regular size and one up.

It takes all the willpower I can muster to not approach women at parkrun and tell them to get a proper sports bra.

unicornparty · 02/12/2020 10:53

Definitely do not run in walking shoes. You need proper running shoes after having your gait analysed.
You might find you're able to run faster without all those clothes. They'll be weighing you down. I never run in more than one top and never wear gloves or a hat.

Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 02/12/2020 12:32

"You might find you're able to run faster without all those clothes. They'll be weighing you down. I never run in more than one top and never wear gloves or a hat."

Thanks.
I'm not bothered about going fast to be hones. It's more about just being able to do it at the moment, building up my fitness from almost nothing. I stopped the gym when they closed for the first lockdown so it's been a long time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 02/12/2020 12:35

@PegLegTrev

www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/6205457606025958838?q=running+jacket+women&client=safari&hl=en-gb&biw=375&bih=553&tbs=cat:5598,pdtr0:938026|938028,pdtr1:954672|952497,vw:g,init_ar:SgVKAwjeK0oKUggIqqA5IKygOUoKUggIsKI6ILGROkoHsgQECJ20IA%3D%3D,ss:44&prmd=sinv&prds=epd:13450468690110890061,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1

I’m sure every female runner I know has one of these? I slip it past my shoulders and tie the arms round my waist when I get too hot (leave the bottom of the zip fastened). Also I’d recommend a snood - these keep you deceptively warm and can be stuffed in a pocket if you get too warm.

I can't get that link to work Peg.
OP posts:
dgirluk · 02/12/2020 12:49

What a great thread - I'm also a running newbie. I'm not up to 5k yet (I have various back/leg issues so my progression is slow) but we're running on forest trails early in the morning. This morning it was about 2 degrees when we went out.

But OP I'm much warmer than you! I'm red faced and sweating even in this weather, so this morning I had short running socks (from runderwear), mesh non-goretex running trainers (Brookes), long running leggings (Alpkit), a long sleeved thin gym top (ancient, who knows), and some thin gloves (not running gloves specifically but just thin sort of liner gloves).

I was baking hot and rolled the sleeves up in the 1st km, but had to walk a bit (sore leg) and cooled down pretty quickly.

I wonder if your issue is that they're not wicking layers or you're almost wearing too many of the wrong type of layers? When I camped in -25 years ago, I remember sleeping naked in my sleeping bag was much warmer than sleeping with clothes on, because I could warm up the air in the bag which kept me warm. If I wore clothes, that air just never seemed to get warm.

Do you get sweaty and cold? That happens to me on the mountain bike if layers don't wick properly... maybe you could try things like; protect the extremities (good socks, gloves, ear warmer, maybe a buff for neck draughts), decent leggings (or I find your knees get cold), then decent top system = maybe a base wicking layer, a merino mid layer, and a wind/waterproof breathable top layer? Wind is a lot of the reason I get cold so maybe that top layer would stop the wind blowing away the warm air you generate, and then the base layer would stop you getting cold from sweat?

But then I'm a sweater, compared to most people, so that's usually what chills me!

PS I would def. use proper running trainers - mine are mesh and I definitely feel the cold when I splat in a mud puddle, but there are goretex versions which won't do that. Much more cushioned and supportive - I've been struggling with Plantar Fasciitis for 3 years now and I wouldn't use inappropriate footwear. You don't want to deal with that :o

Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 02/12/2020 16:44

"I wonder if your issue is that they're not wicking layers or you're almost wearing too many of the wrong type of layers? "

Well, yes, this is why I started the thread because I realised I needed more 'sports' layers. As mentioned, I've bough running leggings and a long-sleeved top, but I've found that these are not nearly enough so I also need to buy some kind of running jumper and a thick jacket. No way can I just be in a light rain coat.
The lined anorak I use now is from an outdoor shop so I presume it's windproof.

I will look into getting new trainers without mesh. I'm expecting the shops to be mad busy this weekend though.

OP posts:
Embracelife · 02/12/2020 16:45

Gap fit has offers
Also tk maxx look for ski layers

OP posts:
Embracelife · 02/12/2020 16:49

One that says winter or warm
I got an asics one it has thermal front panels and is definitely warmer