Consider these are some of the apparel choices observed in the same race. On this day the temperature started around 50 degrees (the start was in the shade) and rose to well over 70 degrees with direct sunlight and no wind.
I have arranged the following pictures from most over-dressed to least-dressed. I have also added commentary which is meant to be funny, and at no expense to those who are actually doing their best to run in this race.
First place overdressed: This guy is way overdressed. Not only does he have on nylon wind pants and long sleeves, they are also black in color which absorbs heat. He gains additional bonus points for having both a fanny pack and an ipod on.
Second place overdressed. This young lady is a close second. She has on a long sleeve top but it is white. She has black pants on but they are tights, slightly cooler and lighter than the wind pants. Wisely, she had the sense to take off her second LONG SLEEVE top and tie it around her waist. She also deserves overdressed kudos for the compression sock/gaiter thingys she is wearing, as well as the ipod and the ear-warmer headband. If it weren't for the fact that she had sunglasses on, she would be first place overdressed. I have to confess I spent the whole day cursing that I didn't bring sunglasses along.
Third place overdressed. This dude is very similar to first place overdressed, except for the obvious difference that he has neither an ipod nor a fanny pack. He has also made the fashion choice of tightes and jam shorts. (This was a popular look among grunge bands during the 1990's.) He also has on a Garmin GPS watch, but overall the absence of wind pants, ipod, and fanny pack move him to 3rd place overdressed.
Just right. Everyone in this picture is just right. The guy on the far left has on a loose-fitting short sleeves and shorts; very appropriate. The woman in the middle has on a tank top which is what I would recommend, and spandex hot pants which I would not recommend but is otherwise totally acceptable for a female runner. The runner on the right figured out at some point that he had made a horrible mistake to wear black wind pants and a long sleeve shirt. At least he made the executive decision to take the shirt off and tie it around his waist. Better that than the pants. This should especially be commended for the fact that it appears sunlight has not contacted his skin during the training process leading up to this running race. He was also smart to wear a visor for this sunny day. I wish I had brought a visor with me. Or one of those damn 10 pairs of Oakleys that I own.
Just right. The woman on the left took off her long sleeve shirt and tied it around her waist. Smart. She had on only a jogbra underneath, which leaves no middle ground between cold and hot, but that is okay, it works for her. She has on an ipod which I don't recommend for running races less than 5 hours, but overall she appears in the zone. The guy on the right has on a short sleeve tan shirt which is totally appropriate for his age/build. And sunglass...smart thinking.
Least dressed. This gal only has on spandex hot pants and a jogbra. She either could anticipate the weather patterns before the start of the race, or she jettisoned some clothes. The race number is pinned to her hot pants, so I am thinking she knew it was going to get fairly hot this day and started wearing this exact outfit. This is a little on the minimalist side for my conservative midwestern tastes, but it is probably just right for a female who wants to take a crack at a fast time on a hot day. She is smart to wear no fanny pack, ipod, nor fuel belt. Some sunglasses would protect her eyes and also add a bit of fashion suave, not that she needs it.
Just right. I will submit myself to the same court of opinion. This is me at Beach 2 Battleship Iron-Distance Triathlon. The temperature was very similar on this day or just a little cooler. In this picture I am wearing tri shorts with a sleeveless tri-suit over it, with the top portion around my waist. It got pretty hot during this run so I am glad I had the top down. I did have a running cap on which kept the sun out of my eyes, but I was totally wishing I had some sunglasses on too. The heart rate monitor strap with no shirt is a pretty horrible fashion faux pas, but I was more focused on speed than fashion for this race. Still.
Okay back to the original race. I am going to put things in perspective on just how hot it got:
My dog jumped in this small urban pond to cool off.
Actually she wanted to chase those damn dirty geese.
Damn dirty geese. Get out of here.
This is a picture of me and Kokolulu by where the race was. We will save the analysis of the customized T-shirt with the sleeves cut off for another blog entry.
If you are going to do a race, you need to dress smart. Plan ahead for how hot is is going to get. Also factor in that if you are running hard, then you are going to generate lots of body heat. Go for the most minimalist apparel combination that you can get away with. This is what I recommend:
- Running shorts and a running tank top.
- If it is cold wear a skin-tight short sleeve top under the tank top. If it is REALLY cold wear a long sleeve skin-tight top.
- If it is even moderately cold (50 degrees or colder) wear gloves and some sort of hat. Hat selection can be a bandanna, head band, running cap, beanie, or stocking cap. Warmth of the hat depends on how cold it is.
- No pants or tights unless it is a really long slow run. Your legs won't be cold.
Very good advices!
ReplyDeleteThe minimalist strategy is especially important if you plan to run really fast. Often it's very hard to find the proper balance and have to focus that after 5 minutes you'll be warm. It might be good if you just get on some very cheap long sleeve clothes what you can get off right before the start (ideally give it to some friend).
What I would add is the strategies after the race. It depends on how your energy stores were depleted, how fast you ran, and of course the weather itself, but sooner or later (sometime spretty soon) after the finish your body can cool down fast. You should pay attention to the signs (cold hands/fingers, gooseflesh), and grab some clothes in advance in case you'll need them.
Regular sport excercise increase you immunity against illnesses, but right after the race you budy is exposed and you can get cold easier. Especially if you have sweaty and wet stuff on you.
This is hard, if you are in a bigger event where you have to pick up your pack after finish, there can be along line. In that case exploit the finisher foil cover you might get after some race, and try to stay on the sun, go into a tent/warm place.