It is COLD outside!

Well, not yet. I do plan on going to Kentucky for Christmas and definitely plan on running there. Problem is...there are very few trails (surprisingly, well at least that i could locate online), and there are a ton of hills in the area we are traveling to. So, I need to prepare to run on the hilly roads, in potentially frigid conditions. Considering that I'm used to the Florida weather, this is going to be an interesting adjustment for me...but at least I'm trying to plan ahead!

While I want to plan, I also don't want to over-indulge on "winter" equipment that i will only use one week a year. For Florida winters, I can do with tights and a long sleeve top. So, I need to purchase each needed item frugally....if its an item that I will use for years and years, then I'm ok with it, but if new technology will come out that really makes an item age fast, then I should try to do without.

First thing that i do think that I "need" are Kahtoola Microspikes. Everything I've read about these, people are raving about them. You simply can't slip, even on ice. So, I would feel better running on potential black ice on the hilly streets.

I also will only be able to run during the day, which should be fine for me, since it should be warmer mid-day than morning or evening. There are no street lights on these hills afterall...this is horse country.

I have a few winter running tights, in all grades. Some base layers I still have from rock climbing and hiking when I lived in California, so I should be set there. As for tops, I do have a few long sleeve running technical tops with zippers so I can adjust air once I'm warmed up (bought them on season clearance when I first started running)....hope those are enough! I do have my old marmot skiing shell...will I need that to keep the wind at bay? How about arm warmers? Should I get some zenzah's for my shins to keep the muscles warm? Remember, I am sooo not acclimated for this weather!


I will not, however, purchase new shoes...my current ones will have to do. I have one pair of "warm-ish" non-florida running socks...hope those work fine. There is a lot of mesh on them, so I may have to layer socks to keep my feet warm.


I do have some "runners" gloves (again a season clearance item).

But, this is what is suggested for wearing, based on the current weather:

• 30 degrees: 2 tops, 1 bottom. Long-sleeve base layer and a vest keep your core warm. Tights (or shorts, for polar bears).



• 10 to 20 degrees: 2 tops, 2 bottoms. A jacket over your base layer, and wind pants over the tights.0 to 10 degrees: 3 tops, 2 bottoms. Two tops (fleece for the cold-prone) and a jacket. Windbrief for the fellas.



• Minus 10 to 0 degrees: 3 tops, 2 bottoms, extra pair of mittens, 1 scarf wrapped around mouth or a balaclava.



• Minus 20 degrees: 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 extra pairs of mittens, 1 balaclava, sunglasses. Or, "Stay inside."

But the above assumes you are accustomed to the temperature. I'll be leaving 65 degrees and going down to 30 degrees! So, I think the 10-20 degree references above may work better for me.

As for running, I've read that you should start your run into the wind and finish with it at your back, so the breeze doesn't blast you after you've broken a sweat. But, there is really only one road, and I can only really go in one direction if I want to stay away from crazy drivers....and besides this hilly road is fairly desolate, with lots of open areas, so I will just have to deal with whatever it brings.

One thing I must do is protect my skin! Vaseline or BodyGlide all over my cheeks/face to prevent windburn....remember, my skin won't be accustomed to this! Kiehl's makes a product people rave about....called All-Sport Non-Freeze Face Protector. They are out of stock now, but will probably have some in the Fall...and I will be looking for it. Apparently, it feels like a very thick balm, but is absorbed into the skin quite quickly...very good reviews.

And, if I need to dry my wet shoes overnight, crumpling up some newspapers and cramming it in tightly into the shoes (with the insoles removes) helps soak up the moisture! Who knew!