Does anyone else struggle with what the hell to wear when you run? I don’t mean - should I wear my kilt or my sequined thong – I’m talking what to wear so I will not be:
- too cold
- too hot
- too sweaty
- too annoyed by things rubbing
- too confined
{When I first started running, I was so clueless about what to wear in different temperatures, so I used this cheat sheet from Runner’s World.}
Today I thought would be a slam dunk. It was to be in the mid 40s to 50s. Sunshine. We would be on the trails and climbing a ton. My rule of thumb is to dress like it’s 10 degrees warmer than it actually is and add in a couple more degrees for the climbing and sunshine. Basically, this meant I was dressing for 60-ish degree weather. Make sense? You have to be really smart and good at math to be a runner.
We drove a few miles outside of Boulder and realized I forgot two things in my calculations:
1. We would be starting at about 6,000 feet.
2. The beginning of the hike is really exposed because you start at the top of a mountain and that can mean wind.
We got up there and it was gusting to the point where little dust tornadoes were firing up all over the parking lot. I knew I’d be in trouble because I wouldn’t be warm enough. I hate the wind, but I almost hate being cold more. I was proud of myself for throwing a pair of Target gloves in my bag last minute. But, truthfully I just wanted to stay put with my ass planted on those heated seats.
Joie and I had to troll around her car for some layers of things we could put on. She found a long sleeved shirt for me, and stylish flower cap not unlike this one.
Just kidding. It didn’t look like that at all, but that would have been funny.
After we got out of the exposed part of the mountain, I got hot, of course. Mostly because we were climbing so many mother eff’ing hills (and a few stairs – who put those on the trail)?
This was when I had to strip down and tie things around my waist (HATE that) and tuck my hat in my underwear except I wasn’t wearing underwear, so figure that out.
BTW, this was a really ugly run with no scenic views and tons of crowds of people.
Next time I’m going to hire a doula or…what’s the right term? Oh, yeah, Sherpa, to carry my clothes when I don’t need them. This running hobby is getting expensive.
That looks about right with my toilet paper, jackets, protein bars and tampons.
Overall, a great run. It was the same one we did last week, only we did it in reverse. It was MUCH harder this way. 1,700 feet of climbing over 7.5 miles. I did not poop or even have to poop on this run, which was amazing and refreshing, especially because I forgot the TP.
One pet peeve – when we were almost done we passed a group of hikers, about 8 of them with their walking poles. I gave them a warning as I came up from behind and said, a nice “thank you” and “good morning.” But, NOOOOOOOOOOOOO – no one so much as mumbled a hello. I just don’t get it. Some day I am going to turn around and tell someone, “Never mind, I take my good morning back you big fat turd.” That will show them.
Do you ever have a tough time dressing for the weather when you run? Maybe it’s just me.
Ever want to slap someone when you are running past them and they don’t return a nice nod, good morning or hello? I dare you. It would make for a good blog post, but I am too chicken.
SUAR
