Lindsay modeling her cold weather running gear. Does she look like a ninja? or a runner? I recently moved to Quantico, Virginia where the winter temperatures are incredibly unpredictable. They’ve been pretty low lately and the wind chill makes the ‘feels like’ temperature dip even lower. I’m not one to miss a run, but I’m also not one to put my kids in danger. So what’s a mother runner to do?
Well, I’ve devised and tested a plan and let me tell you, it has been working great for me and my kids! I’m sharing my tips and tricks with the hope that maybe some of these will work for you and you won’t get stuck on the couch all winter.
For me:
1. Polartec running pants. Polartec is a kind of fabric that has fleece on the inside and the outside is knit. It’s warm and it’s moisture wicking. It is amazing! And so worth the money if you’re running outside and don’t want to wear 2 or 3 pairs of pants at one time.
2. Boot socks –I wear boot socks instead of regular socks and fold them in half to give my ankles extra protection. They keep my toes and my ankles nice and warm. One time I forgot to wear boot socks on my run and my ankles stung from the cold!
Well, I’ve devised and tested a plan and let me tell you, it has been working great for me and my kids! I’m sharing my tips and tricks with the hope that maybe some of these will work for you and you won’t get stuck on the couch all winter.
For me:
1. Polartec running pants. Polartec is a kind of fabric that has fleece on the inside and the outside is knit. It’s warm and it’s moisture wicking. It is amazing! And so worth the money if you’re running outside and don’t want to wear 2 or 3 pairs of pants at one time.
2. Boot socks –I wear boot socks instead of regular socks and fold them in half to give my ankles extra protection. They keep my toes and my ankles nice and warm. One time I forgot to wear boot socks on my run and my ankles stung from the cold!
Polartec running pants. Normal looking on one side, cozy fleece on the other side! 3. Layers on top- I usually wear 2-4 layers on top including tank top, long sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, and vest. Especially when I’m out running with the stroller I don’t mind layering up. If I get hot and need to lose a layer the stroller is the perfect place to stash it.
4. Sweatshirt/Jacket- One of my top layers is a polartec sweatshirt. I love polartec fabric so much. It really is great!
5. Vest - My vest is awesome! Before I got my vest I used to wear a windbreaker. The wind breaker is great at blocking out the wind and trapping in the heat but the problem is that I was getting so hot I was getting extra sweaty and the moisture was getting trapped inside. I heard great things about vests and decided to invest. Except I found one with a hood at Costco for $20, score! The vest is awesome because it keeps my core warm and that translates to my extremities without making me sweaty.
6. Ear warmer – This has become a must for me! I hate having cold ears. I happen to have a super awesome one from an SW Eielson gear order that has Stroller Warriors embroidered on it. You know the girls in Alaska know how to run in the cold! Any ear warmer will do the trick for you if you weren't lucky enough to be in an a Stroller Warrior ear warmer order.
7. Face mask- When it is super cold, I wear a face mask that protects my neck, chin and head from the cold. One of my friends from SW Quantico recommended it to me. She calls hers her ‘ninja mask!
8. Gloves- For me, my regular running gloves don’t cut it in the winter. I need more warmth! Especially when I’m stroller running and my hands have no choice but to grip the stroller. So, I’ve started wearing my moisture wicking running gloves underneath a pair of wind blocking mittens. It works great! When/if my hands get too hot I just strip down to one layer and keep going. The stroller is of course a great resting spot for any shedding of layers but when I’m out without the stroller the mittens are small enough to fit in my pockets easily.
4. Sweatshirt/Jacket- One of my top layers is a polartec sweatshirt. I love polartec fabric so much. It really is great!
5. Vest - My vest is awesome! Before I got my vest I used to wear a windbreaker. The wind breaker is great at blocking out the wind and trapping in the heat but the problem is that I was getting so hot I was getting extra sweaty and the moisture was getting trapped inside. I heard great things about vests and decided to invest. Except I found one with a hood at Costco for $20, score! The vest is awesome because it keeps my core warm and that translates to my extremities without making me sweaty.
6. Ear warmer – This has become a must for me! I hate having cold ears. I happen to have a super awesome one from an SW Eielson gear order that has Stroller Warriors embroidered on it. You know the girls in Alaska know how to run in the cold! Any ear warmer will do the trick for you if you weren't lucky enough to be in an a Stroller Warrior ear warmer order.
7. Face mask- When it is super cold, I wear a face mask that protects my neck, chin and head from the cold. One of my friends from SW Quantico recommended it to me. She calls hers her ‘ninja mask!
8. Gloves- For me, my regular running gloves don’t cut it in the winter. I need more warmth! Especially when I’m stroller running and my hands have no choice but to grip the stroller. So, I’ve started wearing my moisture wicking running gloves underneath a pair of wind blocking mittens. It works great! When/if my hands get too hot I just strip down to one layer and keep going. The stroller is of course a great resting spot for any shedding of layers but when I’m out without the stroller the mittens are small enough to fit in my pockets easily.
Someone else is in capris and I've got my kids in snowsuits and sleeping bags with a wind shield :). For the Kids:
1. Rain Shields- Rain shields are awesome for more than just the rain! They also block out the wind. Therefore your kid’s body heat isn’t getting stripped away from them and they get to retain their body heat! The Internet says they make it 10 degrees warmer for the kids! Which is a total win when it’s cold outside!
2. Sleeping Bag for the Stroller- I have basically a sleeping bag for my stroller. Mine is a JJ Cole Toddler Urban Bundle me but I’ve seen many different kinds. My Mother-in-law found two for me at TJ Max a few years ago and we've gotten so much use out of them. I like that they give warmth from both behind and in front and can get zipped up. Zipping them up not only helps to retain heat but I also don't have to worry about blankets dragging off the end of the stroller.
3. Snow suits! I bought a snowsuit for my 3 year-old to help keep her extra warm. I tell her it's her Stroller Warrior outfit that she has to wear on Stroller Warrior days. It's pink and she loves it. My baby also has a snowsuit and I make sure the hand part is folded over to act as gloves. Before I found a snow suit for him I would put him in lots of layers of clothing.
4. Hot Hands hand warmers- I was worried about my toddler’s hands getting cold while I ran. She isn't very good at keeping her gloves on. So I have been using a pack of hand warmers on cold days and give it to her to play with. She thinks it's super cool and enjoys playing with it while we run.
1. Rain Shields- Rain shields are awesome for more than just the rain! They also block out the wind. Therefore your kid’s body heat isn’t getting stripped away from them and they get to retain their body heat! The Internet says they make it 10 degrees warmer for the kids! Which is a total win when it’s cold outside!
2. Sleeping Bag for the Stroller- I have basically a sleeping bag for my stroller. Mine is a JJ Cole Toddler Urban Bundle me but I’ve seen many different kinds. My Mother-in-law found two for me at TJ Max a few years ago and we've gotten so much use out of them. I like that they give warmth from both behind and in front and can get zipped up. Zipping them up not only helps to retain heat but I also don't have to worry about blankets dragging off the end of the stroller.
3. Snow suits! I bought a snowsuit for my 3 year-old to help keep her extra warm. I tell her it's her Stroller Warrior outfit that she has to wear on Stroller Warrior days. It's pink and she loves it. My baby also has a snowsuit and I make sure the hand part is folded over to act as gloves. Before I found a snow suit for him I would put him in lots of layers of clothing.
4. Hot Hands hand warmers- I was worried about my toddler’s hands getting cold while I ran. She isn't very good at keeping her gloves on. So I have been using a pack of hand warmers on cold days and give it to her to play with. She thinks it's super cool and enjoys playing with it while we run.
Lindsay and me on a cold, snowy run.
With all of these together I've been having great success with getting out the door and getting my runs in. My kids have been warm enough to get their usual nap in while I’m running which is awesome because well rested kids = a happier day for all of us! I’m able to be a happier, healthier version of myself too when I'm able to run!
Do you have any additional tips or tricks to help get in safe winter runs? If so, please share them by commenting below!
Do you have any additional tips or tricks to help get in safe winter runs? If so, please share them by commenting below!
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