[3chilipeppers]

... with a forecast of 35 for the low and 63 for the high (possibly cloudy and having just rained)? Of course, it will never reach 63 while I'm running. Today, it was 35 when I woke up, and it is now 9:00, and the temp is 43. So, that's likely going to be the range when racing. The weather was the same last year except it was sunny, and I wore capri tights (with no lining), a long sleeved shirt, and a jacket (that I tied around my waist for most of the race). I don't want to wear a jacket, so I'm thinking of wearing a thicker long sleeved top, but I'm not sure if I should wear my skirt/shorts or tights. I don't like to be cold (I'm in Texas), and I'm used to running in hot weather, so I don't mind getting a little hot. I know I'll need gloves at the start, but they provide those. I won't have someone I can give stuff to. What would you wear?

 

[juliemboyle]

I would wear capris and a lightweight long sleeve top....don't bother with the jacket, you'll take it off within 5 minutes at those temps.<br><br>
Good luck on your race and getting your PR! You've worked really hard for this, you deserve it!

 

[3chilipeppers]

Thanks, Julie. I think that's what I'm going to wear. I'm definitely not doing a jacket. I ran last night in my skirt and a light long-sleeved top, and I was fine but a little chilly. It was 50 degrees with wind, though. The wind was the cold part, not the temp. I don't think it will be windy on race day, and even if it is, most of the course is sheltered from the wind because of trees and buildings. I like my capris because they have a pocket (for my key or whatever else I might need it for). My skirt has a pocket too, but I might be a bit cool in it.<br><br>
I know I'll PR, as I've only run one other HM. That was this same race last year, and my official time was 3:06 because I stopped twice for a long time because of GI issues (I didn't train enough). My actual pace, according to my GPS, was about 10:30 (which was phenomenal for me!). I'm going for 9:30 this time, and I may even do better. No problem with the PR, but I want to run my goal time!

 

[Heather H]

Good question Kelli! I'm just not used to running in the 40's, makes me glad I went out a couple of times when it was cold this winter. I was hoping for 60's or 70's this weekend, so I"m rethinking my clothing choices now too. I get cold really easy and have a hard time warming up so I'm thinking I'll end up in long tights, a short sleeve tech shirt and a thicker long sleeve tech shirt over it. That's what I did for a couple of longer runs at about 45-50F so it should work. I'm also planning to bundle up like an eskimo before the start and hand clothes off to DH. I'm not sure what you can do about clothes before the start, I'd offer DH to hold your stuff too, but I'm guessing it'll be nearly impossible to find eachother at the start. I think I saw something about a clothing drop in the email they sent, maybe that will work for you?<br>
Good luck! and give me a call if you have a chance, we're planning on getting into Austin around 1 ish on Sat.

 

[3chilipeppers]

Heather- DH is running the full mary, so he won't be there to take my stuff. My MIL and BIL are also running it. My FIL may not come because he's having a medical procedure done today. We'll see. You can't find anyone anyway with 12,000 runners down there. I may just do the trash bag thing for the start. I like the cold when running, but the in between temps are hard to figure out, especially standing around before the race. I think I'm going with capris and a long sleeved tech T. I might add an extra layer on top, but I don't think I'll need it once I get going. I might end up wearing my long running tights, but they are lined, so they might be a little warm. I'm just really hoping the rain lets up before the start. They show 30% that morning.

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

You gotta know your own thermostat. I'd be in shorts with a singlet under a "disposable" overshirt of some sort that I'd toss two or three miles into it.

 

[3chilipeppers]

We'll either be at my in-law's hotel or at my grandmother's at that time for my son's nap. We haven't quite figured it out yet. I'll try to give you a call when I know. You can call me on my cell when you get into town.

 

[3chilipeppers]

I'm thinking about doing that. The bottom is not as critical as the top for me. I don't care if my legs are a little cold, but my arms are another story. The thing is that temps. don't always tell everything because the humidity here can make things feel colder. It will have been wet, so I'm thinking it might feel colder than a normal 40 degrees. It will depend on if the sun comes out. I'll wait until closer to the race to decide, when they will hopefully know what the weather is doing (they always get it wrong!)

 

[hobey]

At those temps, I'd be in shorts/skirt & a LS top but as John mentioned, it's all about your thermostat.

 

[kcwoodhead]

I'll be there too!<br><br>
I plan to wear shorts and either a short or long sports bra top and then a long sleeve dry fit shirt. Depending on how things look, I may wear a cotton t-shirt instead and plan to dump it. If I think I'll have the long sleeves on for most of the race, I'll wear a nicer dry fit shirt.<br><br>
I will definitely wear gloves as well, and most likely a baseball cap. It doesn't cover my ears, but I'm usually ok there if I have something on my head.

 

[3chilipeppers]

Kathleen- Last year the temps were the same. It was sunny. I wore capris and LS tech shirt. I had a jacket that I only kept on for a couple miles. I actually took it off for a while, then I go cold again running in the shade. I guess I can deal with it, though. Last year, they gave us gloves in our packet -- nice! I didn't wear a hat last year. I'm debating this time. I wear a hat in tris, but not usually for road races. It might help keep me warm if I go the less clothing route. <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"> Good luck!<br><br>
Oh, today it was 36, then it warmed up to 46 by about 9:00, and by 11:00, it was 55. Now, it is almost 2:00, and it is 66. So, it looks like when it is sunny, it warms up about 5 degrees per hour. That helps me. Anything over 55, and I'm good in shorts and short sleeves. Once it dips into the 40s, that's when it gets hard. 30s, I'm wearing long pants and long sleeves for sure.

 

[teacherjen]

I like going the disposable clothing route....either an old race shirt, if you have a lot -- I have a really ugly orange one that I'd leave on the side of the road in a minute-- or pick up something cheap at Goodwill. Then pitch it when you warm up. Sweatshirt or whatever for $2 or $3. And someone who needs it will pick it up off the side of the road sometime during the day. If they don't, the race people usually collect and donate all that stuff anyway. I think 40 is the perfect running temp! It'll be great!<br><br>
jen

 

[Cashmason]

If it might rain, a hat with a brim on it to keep the rain off your face. Trash bag or throw away clothes are both good ideas.<br><br>
Last 2 expos's here, where it might rain on race day, they were selling white disposable rain coats for $4.50.<br><br>
I bought one. Didn't keep me dry, but it did keep me warm.<br><br>
Another option are arm warmers. Bike stores sell them. If you get cold you can take time off and put them in a pocket or just roll them into a ball at your wrist, and roll them back up if the the temps drop or wind picks up.

 

[Stitcher]

Hats with brims are my fav! Keeping the rain off the face seems to go a long way in keeping me comfortable.<br><br>
And, I hadn't thought of the arm warmers as an option to a full-blown jacket. Great idea.<br>
However, I HAVE been known to use a spare pair of socks instead of gloves. Mostly, this happens if I get to the gym, or at my start point and realize I want gloves, but don't have them. For some reason, there always seems to be a clean pair of socks in the gym bag. Go figure.

 

[LookiLoo]

I agree with the 'disposable clothing' suggestions - even with cheap stuff it is painful for me to just toss them away, but I'd rather be comfortable during the race.<br><br>
Good luck this weekend - we'll look for your RR!<br><br>
Heidi

 

[3chilipeppers]

I hadn't thought of arm warmers either. I am going to wear long sleeves for sure, but I might need another layer. I'm going to wait and see because they keep changing their minds on the temp. (now I'm seeing 32 for a low, but it could be 42, which would change things!) I'll have two options. I won't be at home, so I'll have to take what I think I might need with me. I'll have a trash bag and maybe even a disposable jacket or sweatshirt or something from Goodwill. I'll have my running hat in case of rain for sure. The EXPO had gloves last year, but I have tons of those stretch gloves that cost $1. Thanks for all the suggestions. As I said, I know what to wear when it is SUPER cold and when it is 50 or above, but that middle range is tough, especially when it will be pretty cold at the start, but it will warm up (as will I!)<br><br>
Edit: I just checked it, and now they are saying 30% chance of rain ending in the afternoon, high 56, low 36. I think I'm definitely going with running tights in that weather. It won't hit 40 during the race with that weather. It could still change, since it just changed by 10 degrees in the past 4 hours!

 

[kcwoodhead]

re the arm warmers - I was actually thinking I may wear a short sleeve shirt and arm warmers instead of the long sleeve shirt. I can tuck the warmers into my shorts when they come off - easier to deal with than a long sleeve shirt.<br><br>
Knowing me, I'll pack 5 race outfits and just choose race morning.

 

[3chilipeppers]

I'm sure I'll just decide the morning of as well. Now that it is looking like it may be wet, I'll go with something slightly warmer. I'm thinking running tights and a LS shirt. It likely won't hit 45 while I'm racing. I wear LS with shorts in the 50s. I think I'll be fine. I like to keep things simple. The less I have to worry about, the better. If I'm cold, I'll just run faster, right? <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[COcarrie]

It seems like I go through this wardrobe trauma with nearly every race here in Colorado! What's comfortable for running is not so comfortable for the standing around before and after that's inevitable. So many of our races throughout the year are in that middle temperature zone (early mornings anyway) that it's tough to decide.<br><br>
When I went to Las Vegas for the HM in December, I took about every configuration of gear you can imagine and ended up in lightweight tights, sleeveless shirt with LS shirt over. I was fine for the whole thing (it was about 40-45 and cloudy and a little breezy).<br><br>
For me the more important piece is having a layer to put on when I'm done, since I'm usually sweaty and get chilled pretty fast. Hope they have a gear drop for you.<br><br>
Good luck and have fun going after that PR!

 

[mmoonptdeux]

Kelli - It's funny, because you just don't know how much you do warmup once you get going. I did Philly last year where they were talking a chance of snow; it only lightly spritzeled during the race, but the temps never really warmed - it started in the low-30s and never did get above the low 40s.<br><br>
I've brought a long a rain vest or plastic bag often times when I thought it would be too cold and/or damp and have ended up either carrying the latter or dumping the bag pretty quickly<br><br>
I think everyone's pretty much given great advice. If it is going to be damp & cold, I'd say a LS tech top, running tights, and a disposable LS shirt to keep warm at the start should do the trick. Obviously a hat and gloves would be good as well.<br><br>
Good luck to both you and kc!