Amateur Endurance Triathlon Magazine

Fall and winter are just around the corner and in the northern hemisphere, its time to think about some different training clothing. Some of us will trade in our spandex for a pair of jeans and a polo shirt and take a short break from training. Others, especially those with early-season 2011 races, will train through the winter. For those who decide they want to train through winter, here are some clothing/fashion suggestions.

Running:

Get a hat, specifically a beanie, for your runs. Although not as extreme as other places, the temperatures in the canyons of Southern California can get near freezing. Having a beanie in your arsenal or “warm workout gear” can make those early morning runs less brutal.

Trade in the short sleeve technical shirts for long sleeve ones. Your local running store most likely will have a variety of styles and colors sure to keep you looking good and feeling warm. Stay away from cotton shirts. Rather, choose a material that wicks away sweat. It will keep you warmer and help with chafing.

Make the move from shorts to pants. If you are like me and have an emotional attachment to spandex, you can always go the running tights route. I have found that they do keep me warm. For additional warmth, throw on a pair of warm-up pants.

Finally, invest $10 in a pair of running gloves. A thin pair of gloves will go a long way in keeping you warm.

So unless you live in a tropical place, head out to your local running store. Having warm running clothes will make running a lot more enjoyable.

Cycling:

When it comes to staying warm on the bike, there are several small things you can buy to stay warm.

A pair of cycling gloves usually does the trick for keeping you hands warm. They are made in a variety of different materials and have varying degrees of warmth. Cycling gloves range in price but you should be able to get a decent pair for around $20.00.

When it comes to keeping your feet warm there is one technique that is guaranteed to work. Gurujan Doursen taught this technique to me while training for my first triathlon with Team In Training. Wrap your feet (or toes) in saran wrap. It will keep your feet toasty warm. There are other alternatives, the most popular of which, are toe warmers. Toe warmers are neoprene covers that slip over the front of your cycling shoes. Any bike shop will have them and you should be able to get a pair for around $18.00

Keep your arms and legs warm with arm and leg warmers. They are a solid investment and keep you very warm. Make sure to try them on before you buy them as the sizes can sometimes be deceiving. Finish it off with a windbreaker and you are ready to ride in the cold weather.

All of these items can be bought at your local running and cycling store. Have fun and stay warm!

Written by Jay Pedersen