Ok, so tomorrow morning (Saturday) is the Thunder Road Marathon here in Charlotte NC - have any tips you’d like to share for a marathon when the temps are anticipated to be in the low to mid 20’s at the starting time?
Drink about a gallon of Hot Chocolate just before the gun goes off. Alternatively, run it as fast as TK and you wont be out there very long.
Dress in layers. You can remove items if you get too warm. Wear a hat and gloves as most heat is lost through the head and extremeties. Mark any items you may leave on the course as some races will pick them up and bring them to the finish area. Don’t expect a PR. Have fun!
I’ll get wind-burn and frost-bite if I try to keep up to TK!..
I’ll see you in the monring. It will be a good day.
I am running Kiawah 1/2 and plan to wear shorts, but unsure of the rest. It suppose to be 33 and sunny at race start with winds of 5 - 8 mph which will be stronger as always since close to water. I am not sure of the top, but it will probably be a long in back sleeveless tri top with maybe a wind vest. I will probably start out with gloves and a headband.
Charlotte will be cooler, but just dress in layers. If I was running Charlotte, I would probably still wear shorts and a long sleeved top with gloves and hat. You may want to go with an old cotton sweatshirt to toss when you get hot. I am to cheap to toss the polyester, but they did have some thin long sleeves cheap $9.99 poly tops at the expo on Kiawah. I am not sure of the course, but if family is watching - You may want to drop or pick extras clothing along the course. It is not a USA triathlon event, so you don’t have to worry about an Outside Assistance Penalty.
I think it also depends on your time and speed. Good Luck and stay warm.
don’t do this one…
Austin had similar temps earlier this year when I ran it. I train in Colorado, so dressing for the weather wasn’t a problem (tights, pullover, vest, earwarmers, gloves). But, the worst part of the day – worse even than the last 6.2 – was having to take off my nice warm ski jacket, put it in the truck and then stand out there shivering for 20 minutes before the start. So if you think about it, those few minutes before the start will be the low point of the day and everything else should improve after that (ha, ha – famous last words:).
Good luck and have fun.
Thanks… will probably do the “disposable” layer route again this time as well as running shorts.
Yes - the waiting at the start will be the hardest, but foretunatly, I live about 10 minutes from the start, so there won’t be a whole lot of standing around and waiting…
Good luck to all the people doing Kiawah!
I had an issue at the Harrisburg marathon in November. My gels were in the outside pocket of my windbreaker, and with 20mph wind,pouring rain and 40 degrees F, well, lets just say they got very cold and tough to eat. I should have put them closer to my body. I wasn’t cold until about 3 hours into the race. I wore Smartwool socks and my feet were the warmest part of me! Lots or breathable wicking layers and something wind proof. Good Luck!