I am running the Houston Marathon this weekend, and it looks like the windchill could be in the teens at the start of the race warming up to about 30-35 degrees once the sun comes out. I'm usually a shorts, long sleeve tech, light gloves, and knit cap kind of guy, but starting temps that low are kind of worrying me. Any advice on how to best stay warm but also not bulky?
Penguin Suit.
I'm sorry but 30-35 degrees isn't that cold(unless it is a very windy day). I would wear just my 1" split shorts singlet and some light gloves or mittens and a ski cap.
From the sounds of it you’re going to need a big box of Kleenex
Best to have some discardable layers. Maybe a garbage bag poncho to block the wind over a nasty old sweatshirt you are ready to discard. Dump them when the race starts or a mile or two in (your choice).
I would go to the thrift store and buy a pair of cheap sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I would wear those during my warmup.
As I warmed up, I would just throw them into the pile on the side. In not sure if Houston is doing this, but other marathons have a pile where you can throw these things and they take them and donate them for you.
If you score and find a cheap pair of running-worthy pants, you may consider keeping them on and if you get too hot a few miles into the race, you can strip them off an leave them.
Once you're up to temp, I would expect to want to wear a long sleeve shirt and running shorts in the forecast weather, although I would be on the fence about needing some light pants over the shorts or not.
Wahhhhjj wrote:
From the sounds of it you’re going to need a big box of Kleenex
and a tampon
I guess you guys are tougher than me. Windchill in teens and no sun is chilly for me. Thanks for the serious reply or two.
I know this is against many people's religion here, but tights under shorts...
Millenials usually wear snowflakes in such weather.
I ran a marathon (low 2:50s) in similar conditions recently (28 F at the start, with wind in the 10-20 mpg range). Keep some sweats on as long as possible until the race starts. I was cold once the sweats came off, but once the race started, I was comfortable with shorts, a long-sleeve tech shirt, running gloves, and a fleece beanie. The temperature rose to the high 30s by the end, and I warmed up some by mile 10. I kept my gloves on the whole time, but tossed the beanie to a family member at mile 10. So I'd say your usual outfit - shorts, long sleeve tech, light gloves, knit cap - is just about perfect.
I'm always the advocate for dressing warm enough so you'll be comfortable, as opposed to trying to get by with as little as you can. Cold muscles, cold skin, is not optimal for good performance. I'd wear tights, a short sleeve shirt under a long sleeve shirt, hat, and glove or mitts.