Clothes for (slow) jogging in the witner

[Gwenhwyfar]

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.

Do you have Reynaud's @Gwenhwyfar?
My husband does, and ginger has helped his circulation (ginger tea is easy to make, and doesn't require the whole family to change their diet!).
It may not make a difference for you, but it's something that's very easy to try.
It was 7° today when I ran, and I had a long sleeved merino top, a hoodie over which I took off after five minutes, my hat and gloves. I actually managed to take the hat and gloves off for the last fewminutes but it was quite sunny.
I haven't run for the last two weeks purely because it's been too cold (I can't get my breath at all when it's 3 or 4°!)
Hope you find something that works for you.

@IveSeenThings

Do you have Reynaud's *@Gwenhwyfar*? My husband does, and ginger has helped his circulation (ginger tea is easy to make, and doesn't require the whole family to change their diet!). It may not make a difference for you, but it's something that's very easy to try. It was 7° today when I ran, and I had a long sleeved merino top, a hoodie over which I took off after five minutes, my hat and gloves. I actually managed to take the hat and gloves off for the last fewminutes but it was quite sunny. I haven't run for the last two weeks purely because it's been too cold (I can't get my breath at all when it's 3 or 4°!) Hope you find something that works for you.

If by Reynaud's you mean that my fingers and toes go numb - yes, but no official diagnosis. I have bad circulation and just feel the cold more than other people. I didn't make it out today. I did go to Decathlon, but the options there totally depressed me. Most things were available only in double XS or L or XL. No small or mediums in general. I bought one ski top that's supposed to wick away sweat, a hat, warm socks and a balaclava, which is probably illegal where I am as it only shows the eyes, but we'll see.. Didn't manage to get a jacket or a jumper type thing.

I wear two pairs of gloves when it's cold, one small and one medium. I've got reynauds as well but I feel it more in the hands so I find double gloves help. Double socks do nothing for me. I ran I the rain today, I must have been through a hundred deep freezing puddles, my feet were soaking but they weren't very cold. It was my hands that were suffering because I only had one pair of gloves. I do have decent trail running shoes, absolutely no mesh, proper structure and support.

" I do have decent trail running shoes, absolutely no mesh, proper structure and support."

Sounds good.
My feet are my main weakness though. I can't risk getting them wet. It's something I'm often worried about when I go for a walk.

What do you mean you can't risk getting your feet wet though? I mean yes, they'd get cold...but it's having your feet go cold and numb such a big deal? You warm up when you get back inside.

I tend to think that being a bit cold when exercising in winter is just par for the course. And usually my legs are hurting or I'm tired, which distracts from the cold anyway.

"What do you mean you can't risk getting your feet wet though? I mean yes, they'd get cold...but it's having your feet go cold and numb such a big deal? You warm up when you get back inside."

Yes, it's a big deal for me. I'm talking about going walking with friends. The walk might take two hours and then an hour on the bus back. I can't risk having my feet wet and being cold for that amount of time, particularly as being cold and wet makes you very vulnerable to catching viruses.
But I think it's clear that you're a serious runner whereas I'm an amateur jogger. You wear shorts in December, whereas I wouldn't even wear them in the summer, so I don't think you can really understand.

But you're not out that long running are you? If you're out 30-45 mins, how cold are your feet going to get really? And I say this as someone who has only been running about a year, is not fast at all, and is generally cold blooded and even on a warm day - if I don't get out my running stuff and showered fairly promptly, I end up cold to the core and really struggle to warm up. Of I do a quick cool down, thrown on a jumper while I have a drink/snack and then straight in a hot shower and warm clothes I'm ok. Hot drinks help. And I was also someone who said I'd never wear shorts running....I'd cracked by May this year and even found myself wishing I was wearing them a couple of weeks ago so never say never, you might surprise yourself

But I think it's clear that you're a serious runner whereas I'm an amateur jogger

Yes, perhaps now... but I was an amateur jogger, running 12 minute miles in heavy jogging bottoms and hoodies, for a very long time!!

I usually wear a base layer with a running top over in the winter, then a running jacket. I often tie the jacket round my waist & put it on properly if I have to walk home.

Proper running socks are a good investment. Much more comfortable.

I would buy proper running shoes. Dp jogged in his walking shoes & ended up with an injured knee.

I've just found this online at Aldi - I've had a similar merino zipped top from them for years and worn it to death. Any good?
www.aldi.co.uk/crane-ladies%27-merino-sport-midlayer/p/802505410473200

" If you're out 30-45 mins, how cold are your feet going to get really?"

I'm out less than that to be honest, but my feet get too cold for me. I'm just not willing to suffer it. I was not made for the outdoors.

As for the possibility that I'll end up a serious runner - highly unlikely. I've gone through many phases of jogging or doing aerobics at the gym and I always stop when my routine is disrupted e.g. I move and have to find a new gym, local gym closes and then finally lockdown. Each time I have to build up my fitness from scratch again. I'll never be really fit:(
When i go on long walks, people in their 60s and 70 waltz past me and I'm clutching my hip after two hours. (I have one leg slightly longer than the other).

[quote FlyingSquid]I've just found this online at Aldi - I've had a similar merino zipped top from them for years and worn it to death. Any good?
www.aldi.co.uk/crane-ladies%27-merino-sport-midlayer/p/802505410473200[/quote]
Thanks.

Check whether Aldi or Lidl have anything left over ( Lidl has an online shop) Their running gear is cheap and good value. If you can’t get a running jacket from their autumn/winter range, see if they have any cycling stuff. It is usually very wind proof which will help you stay warm

@Mary54

Check whether Aldi or Lidl have anything left over ( Lidl has an online shop) Their running gear is cheap and good value. If you can’t get a running jacket from their autumn/winter range, see if they have any cycling stuff. It is usually very wind proof which will help you stay warm

I bought some Decathlon stuff online, but now the shops are open I will only shop in real shops. I want to try things on first.

I’m a walking Decathlon advert too. I wear their running tights (£9.99 ones) and their cheap shorts. The shorts I wear without tights in the summer so they are a good buy for all year round and they have a pocket which I can fit my phone in.

Then a running T-shirt and thin jumper, zip up top. Running gloves and headband to cover ears (all decathlon)

Yes, their stuff is brilliant I think. My whole family has the trail running waterproof trousers now . I get terribly cold feet and agree with PP about not risking injury by running with walking trainers, but have found their merino socks and their warm running socks pretty good, with their trail running shoes.

You can't try on anywhere I have been at the moment, though.

You can get goretex trainers. Most are trail biased so less gentle on your feet.

Or get waterproof socks. Sealskins are supposed to be good.

If you get waterproof trainers avoid puddles deeper than the trainers - they keep water in too. #bitter experience

"You can't try on anywhere I have been at the moment, though."

You can try on where I live, for the moment at least. I wouldn't bother shopping for clothes in the shops if I couldn't.

I don't think waterproof socks would fix the cold feet issue.
It's a bit warmer this week so I might just give the old trainers and thick socks another go. One last time.