So there’s a cold snap out west, and typically-temperate Sacramento is forecast to be 21dF when CIM starts Sunday morning (OK, it’ll be 25 in Folsom, but still…). Forecast high is only 46 so there won’t be dramatic warming after the start.
How do you dress?
I’d wear my regular shorts and running singlet. I’d wear a throwaway long-sleeve shirt, and a throwaway pair of gloves to the starting line. Chances are, sooner than later you’ll be ditching the long-sleeve and gloves.
Is that starting temp of 21F with or without wind? There is a world of difference between the two.
As far as apparel, stick with the same shorts, shoes, and socks as you would any other run. Unless there is a strong wind, you probably won’t need much ear protection, so go with your gut on headwear. As Nick suggested, you can opt for a throw-away long-sleeve shirt (over a singlet), but I prefer to go with my running shirt/singlet, arm warmers, and throw-away work gloves ($2 cotton gloves from a hardware store). As the temp rises, I toss the gloves and roll the arm warmers down a couple of inches. If they get too hot, then I remove them and tuck them into the rear wasteline of my shorts.
FTR, I usually wear the cheap Asics arm warmers, and in more than one instance (during long runs and ultras) they’ve doubled as emergency TP - obviously discarded at that point.
Wear gloves. I’d wear running athletic type gloves as thats cold enough I wouldn’t take them off… but thats just me.
I’d go buy some heavy duty, long tube socks from walmart. Cut finger holes. Theres some throw-away arm warmers. I do this for tons of races, usually chuck them in the first couple miles, or I’ve worn them to the finish before. They cost like a dollar each.
A marathon? You are so screwed. I hear its physically impossible.
Start packing on pounds?
Shouldnt you be in full on beer mile training mode.
Like other have said, get your ass to Savers and pick up some sweet disposable clothes. Wear what you usually run it underneath.
I like cotton gloves for warmth and nose patrol.
Good luck. Start off hard, real hard. It gets easier.
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A marathon? You are so screwed. I hear its physically impossible.
Start packing on pounds?
Shouldnt you be in full on beer mile training mode.
Like other have said, get your ass to Savers and pick up some sweet disposable clothes. Wear what you usually run it underneath.
I like cotton gloves for warmth and nose patrol.
Good luck. Start off hard, real hard. It gets easier.
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This from a guy who did a triathlon on a 90 degree day in a polyester leisure suit. You are a legend, my friend.
Thanks everyone for the advice. Sounds like shorts for sure and strip cheap shit up top as needed. Cheerio!
Personally I would wear thin tights to keep the wind off and a nice short sleeved top. Then add another lightweight layer and gloves that you can ditch if need be. A buff for my head and ears is nice, as you can easily turn it into a head bad or scarf or whatever if need be later in the race.
Maybe bring a small cheap fleece blanket to wrap yourself in at the start line, then ditch.
If you plan on racing it and hanging around your VT then you will likely be generating a decent amount of body heat. Covering your ears and hands is the only thing that you should really worry about. Typically for racing longer distances at that temperature a pair of tights, and snug polyester long sleeve shirt should be enough with thin gloves and headband.
I did CIM in 2011 which was around 30 @ start time. It was still pretty miserable due to the humidity. Get yourself a hooded sweatsuit & thick hat from Walmart for like $15 and wear that during the 20-40 minutes you will be standing around shivering (aka using up energy that will come in handy in abut 2.5 hrs). Trash bag over that. Race time for sure go the jersey, shorts, arm warmers, gloves and hat route, lots & lots of body glide and make sure those arm warmers are going to stay up!. Once the sun is up it gets warm in a hurry. Might want to get some wind-blocking mittens (Brooks makes the best ever) over the gloves and peel off as you warm up. I regret not doing this and my hands got so cold & numb I kept dropping gels, which sets up a stop-or-bonk dilemma you don’t want to have to solve while running a marathon. Check out sportsbalm embrocation for the legs if it is really windy, keeping the legs supple is super important for this course. Save your goodies for the last 10K and don’t get drawn out by the yahoos in the opening 3-4 rollers.
I’d wear my regular shorts and running singlet. I’d wear a throwaway long-sleeve shirt, and a throwaway pair of gloves to the starting line. Chances are, sooner than later you’ll be ditching the long-sleeve and gloves.
This.
I wouldn’t even bother with the long sleeve though.
Wear a hoodie and sweatpants when you warm up, then just the singlet and gloves. By the time you get cooking - the outside temperature won’t matter much.
It actually sounds like a recipe for a really fast race.
Triathlete marathon clothing…
Nothing more, nothing less. Weather has no affect on you.
For me, the answer has as much to do with how hard you are running as it does how cold the temperature. If I were running really hard and the temperature is around 30, I would wear wind briefs, tights, light wool socks, and a base layer with one to two layers over. Additionally I would wear gloves and a hat or headband. Now if I’m running at a slower pace and the same temperature, I would add a pair of running pants, a layer and jacket, with lots of vents up top and a good pair of wool ski socks. Also, thicker gloves, maybe even mittens and a hat and or gator.
I’ve only run one marathon in the conditions you described and I felt good temperature wise until I slowed down and my body heat stopped warming me, then the sweat got cold, and it was miserable. Good luck and stay warm.
At least it won’t be pouring rain with 30mph winds like it was last year. I am looking at cool conditions for the Tucson Marathon this weekend too.
You should wear layers and peel them off just like Kip Litton does. It seems to work for him.
End pink.
I’m planning to go with this setup:
Shorts
Nike Pro Combat short-sleeve base layer under a singlet
Arm warmers
Gloves
Skull cap
Shades
Good luck on Sunday!
I’ve been doing a half in January here on Chicago’s lakefront for the past few years (usually around 15f and windy) and get by just fine by wearing tights, a long sleeve running hoody, buff headwear (think gator neck but longer so you can make it into a ninja mask etc) and some gloves (mine have wind protector covers if you need them…probably not needed in your case). Granted this is a half and not a full but the temp is much colder and I warm up very quickly after the start. My advice would be if you plan on having other cold weather races in your future invest in some of the above, if not then just go the cheap throwaway top, sock arm warmer route etc.
No idea if your a speedster or not, but even supposing a 4 hour finish time it’ll likely be well into the 30f’s at that point and you’ll be plenty warm off your own efforts.
Good luck!
For me, the answer has as much to do with how hard you are running as it does how cold the temperature. If I were running really hard and the temperature is around 30, I would wear wind briefs, tights, light wool socks, and a base layer with one to two layers over. Additionally I would wear gloves and a hat or headband. Now if I’m running at a slower pace and the same temperature, I would add a pair of running pants, a layer and jacket, with lots of vents up top and a good pair of wool ski socks. Also, thicker gloves, maybe even mittens and a hat and or gator.
I’ve only run one marathon in the conditions you described and I felt good temperature wise until I slowed down and my body heat stopped warming me, then the sweat got cold, and it was miserable. Good luck and stay warm.
Second the throw away clothes at the beginning.
The biggest issue is if you blow up and have to walk. Because it is not hard to be dress to be warm while you are running, but if you have to start walking, you will cool down really fast. Then even if you recover it is hard to start running again because you can not warm back up.
So here is a tip, do not stop running.
Second the throw away clothes at the beginning.
The biggest issue is if you blow up and have to walk. Because it is not hard to be dress to be warm while you are running, but if you have to start walking, you will cool down really fast. Then even if you recover it is hard to start running again because you can not warm back up.
So here is a tip, do not stop running.
Duly noted. Finished a marathon earlier this year with a broken foot…without walking a step…so I think if I find myself walking, I’ll have bigger problems than the cold 
Thanks!
For me, the answer has as much to do with how hard you are running as it does how cold the temperature. If I were running really hard and the temperature is around 30, I would wear wind briefs, tights, light wool socks, and a base layer with one to two layers over. Additionally I would wear gloves and a hat or headband. Now if I’m running at a slower pace and the same temperature, I would add a pair of running pants, a layer and jacket, with lots of vents up top and a good pair of wool ski socks. Also, thicker gloves, maybe even mittens and a hat and or gator.
I’ve only run one marathon in the conditions you described and I felt good temperature wise until I slowed down and my body heat stopped warming me, then the sweat got cold, and it was miserable. Good luck and stay warm.
Awesome. Yeah I think that’s warmer than I’ve ever dressed for a run.