Wherever in the world that you are doing this program from, the climate plays a factor in learning to run. Knowing what to wear can be a huge help!
The best days are sometimes the rainy days with no wind; they can peaceful… but add in a little wind in and it feels like a small child has been strapped to your back! If we do not have the right gear on, we can sometimes get chills, achy muscles, and our bodies start to fail on us before our minds do.
You never have to spend money on gear and I am in no way suggesting you break the bank or buy fancy gear. I do always suggest spending the money on proper footwear but everything else is added for convenience. Everything here is meant to help make your experience a little easier and give you some key tips of the trade.
Compression can be one of the greatest assets to any runners wardrobe. It can help keep the blood flowing and heat in those muscles. The moment our bodies start to get cold, they break down. We want to keep ourselves cool and dry. We don’t want so many layers on that our bodies can’t breathe and release sweat, but we also don’t want to get chilled. It’s a risky chance every time you leave the house!
Every time we open the door to check the weather and think we have chosen the perfect outfit, we can learn halfway through our run we didn’t expect the wind or it now appears warmer then we thought. Even to this day, I find the weather hard to predict. You will want to have layers that you can easily tie around your waist if you become to hot or have enough protection that you are warm.
Dry-fit will be an important element. You want fabrics that wick away the sweat closest to your skin. We don’t want any sweat pooling, in return making you feel cold and tired. While you’re running, the last thing you want is something else to think about or another challenge to overcome!
I suggest tight layers closest to your skin just so you are keeping everything tight, compressed, and that blood flowing. A lot of you will hate the thought of being seen in tight clothes, so I also suggest placing something baggier over the top, if the idea of tight clothing makes you a little uncomfortable. Dry fit gloves, socks, and hats can be a great investment!
Reflective gear can be very important if you plan to run at night or if you are running in an area with no sidewalks. It is also important to please watch for cars! A lot of the time the sun is in their eyes or they do not see us. We hope they look for us but unfortunately this is not always the case.
You never need to invest lots of money to run! You can slowly, as you learn to run, add a few items to your wish lists but you do not need anything to get outside and simply enjoy the experience of running!
Some people will purchase key holders, water belts, all of these things are for convenience and are never needed, but if you want them, go for it! Sometimes purchasing fun items can make us more excited to run and if that’s the case, do it up!
I personally never look very cute when I run. I do love driving by and seeing everyone’s running outfits though! Everyone always thinks when people stare they are judging. To be honest, most of the time people are saying, “damn I wish I was running,” or “good for them for being out in this weather.” A lot of the time I am thinking “I wish I had the running jacket that they have” lol! I am known for non-matching outfits and being bundled up. I secretly look like a hot mess when I run and I love it. I am someone who is cold and requires the perfect amount of clothing. If you are running in winter, winterized pants can be very helpful. A lot of brands make them, search to find ones you like.
A suggestion when purchasing running tights: Jump around, move in the store, the last thing you want is them falling down! You don’t need to add one more thing to focus on. Higher-waist pants can be a game-changer! I always say the higher the better as I don’t want my pants shifting one bit as I move. Everyone’s body will prefer different makes and brands. You will find one that fits your needs with a little experimenting.
Lastly, I suggest the moment you are home, strip off, dry off, and change your clothes. Leaving sweaty, wet clothes on can change your body temperature very quickly and we want those muscles recovering, not becoming extra tense and tight.
Everyone will find their preferences, but the main goal will be to keep dry and warm. In return, this will help your body adapt to running and put your mind at ease with one less piece of the puzzle to worry about!