I am from southern Florida and train/run in the pleasant 85+ degree weather in summer and the absolutely brutal cold 60 degree weather in the winter. My Florida 5k is 20:30. (6'2 and 185 lbs and it is usually 80 degrees outside).

I am going up to Blacksburg VA for thanksgiving and they have a turkey trot I was going to run. However - it has the potential to be COLD. What can I expect going into this? I imagine my throat and lungs will burn. What do I wear? I've got running tights and such but I have only worn them on the couch haha I have seen pics of people in beenies and gloves?

Any idea on what 30 degrees as opposed to 80 degrees will do to my pace? Imagine overheating isn't going to be an issue.
Help a cold newbie out so I don't die of exposure haha

That's some funny shite, right there! 30s is NOT that cold. I live in Dallas---so we have solid heat during the summer, and get decently cold in the winter. I run in regular shorts, and MAYBE a long sleeve shirt down to around 32 or so. I usually get warm about 20 minutes in and pull the sleeves up. I don't normally put on the tights until it gets into the 20s.

If it's below freezing, I might consider tights, to keep the knees warm.


As was mentioned the biggest thing is to get warmed up, and STAY warm and supple until the gun goes off. So, I'd dress warm pre-race and get nice and warmed up. Then stay dressed up until lineup, when you strip down and run like hell. Once the gun goes off, you won't have any trouble STAYING warm, if you are already warmed up. But if you are cold soaked, you will be very stiff at the start and likely you will pull something before the end.

I'd expect your race time to be FASTER, not slower. You should get a solid boost from the heat acclimation effects of your hot weather training...and short term switch to cold weather. Expect your HR to be low for your normal pace. ALL of your cardiac output will be going to your legs, none for "cooling". If you are in solid run shape, you have a decent shot at a 5K PR---given some race prep between now and then.

If you are planning on running this for time...then I'd suggest moving a couple of runs per week indoors to a treadmill with a big fan, and work at increasing pace at race intensity. When I moved from outdoor texas heat, to indoor TM my easy pace jumped by 75 s/mile. My 5k pace was more than 2:30 per mile faster. I needed a few weeks to mechanically adjust to running that fast.

ETA: Oh yeah...another vote for gloves. Cold fingers takes all the fun out of a run. I like fleece gloves in that temp range. Below freezing I switch to ski gloves in training. But, for a 5k I'd probably stick with the fleece. Also, another vote for "Wind SUCKS!"

I am from southern Florida and train/run in the pleasant 85+ degree weather in summer and the absolutely brutal cold 60 degree weather in the winter. My Florida 5k is 20:30. (6'2 and 185 lbs and it is usually 80 degrees outside).

I am going up to Blacksburg VA for thanksgiving and they have a turkey trot I was going to run. However - it has the potential to be COLD. What can I expect going into this? I imagine my throat and lungs will burn. What do I wear? I've got running tights and such but I have only worn them on the couch haha I have seen pics of people in beenies and gloves?

Any idea on what 30 degrees as opposed to 80 degrees will do to my pace? Imagine overheating isn't going to be an issue.
Help a cold newbie out so I don't die of exposure haha

If wearing tights as a man...always wear shorts too... :P

Don't wear tights-- I feel like they aren't that cool looking. Maybe I need to see a picture of you in them. Regardless, I'm very leery of the idea of tights. Use caution.

Isn't this info available every year in the Oct/Nov issue of Runner's World? Now I'm beginning to wonder about you. You're no spring chicken-- you should know this stuff!! What's going on? Are you doing the turkey trot with your new GF's family, and you're nervous about it? If so, fess up and we can offer more meaningful advice.

Edit: and ditto what Tom Hampton said.

Real runners never wear shorts over tights.

At 30 degrees, I would opt for tights, a fitted long sleeve shirt, gloves and a beanie. You’ll be comfortable and not over or under dressed.

I'm really surprised how many advocate tights and long sleeves for a 5K at 30 degrees. I'm shorts and a singlet. Gloves and warmer hat. If it were 10K or above I would wear arm warmers. It would have to be around 20 or under for tights or long sleeve shirt. I'm from PA.

x2

though i would probably still dig out some arm warmers to go with that singlet for the 5k

If you're cold during a 5K, you aren't running hard enough.

Well, you see I'm a "bro" runner...because apparently I've been accused of being a gym bro on here. But, in the Army if the BN CDR allowed use of tights, I only saw this rarely, you were required to wear shorts. I don't want to see your junk, so wear shorts. Since you apparently didn't use an emoji I'm guessing you were serious.

I am from southern Florida and train/run in the pleasant 85+ degree weather in summer and the absolutely brutal cold 60 degree weather in the winter. My Florida 5k is 20:30. (6'2 and 185 lbs and it is usually 80 degrees outside).
I am going up to Blacksburg VA for thanksgiving and they have a turkey trot I was going to run. However - it has the potential to be COLD. What can I expect going into this? I imagine my throat and lungs will burn. What do I wear? I've got running tights and such but I have only worn them on the couch haha I have seen pics of people in beenies and gloves?

Any idea on what 30 degrees as opposed to 80 degrees will do to my pace? Imagine overheating isn't going to be an issue.
Help a cold newbie out so I don't die of exposure haha