Running 101: Cold Weather Essentials

Ok, not a cold weather running picture, but close!

It is snowing in Erie, Pennsylvania. it is wet snow, the kind that sticks until tomorrow morning at best, but cold weather is hear to stay!

With the weather turning colder a lot of runners realize it is time to turn shorts into pants and t-shirts into jackets. An unfortunate part of the year for some runners, I absolutely love the freezing cold Saturday mornings where running in one direction for 6 miles is all I can manage due to the wind and snow. I can't wait to run on top of that crunchy frozen earth. And breathe in that fresh cold air. (and perfectly, just about the time I will be back running it will be the coldest part of the year!!)

In anticipation for what I am sure will be a long, cold winter (last year was short and mild), here are some of my favorite winter running must haves.

Side note: the best kind of cold weather dressing is in layers. You might start out freezing your bum off, but realize 3 miles in you don't need gloves. I always think about dressing in layers and buying running clothes that are lightweight and stackable. 

A great jacket: I have a few actually! One for kind-of-cold-but-might-need-to-take-a-layer-off days and one for the really absolute freezing days.

I like this kind from Brooks for the light jacket. It is easily packable and very versatile. I recommend the neon color as it stands out, night or day. It easily ties around my waist when I am too hot to keep it on any longer. I have one of these from a few seasons ago and through many washings it has stood up very well.

For the colder weather days, I also prefer a Brooks jacket like this. I scored a gently used jacket like this at a second hand store once and love the way it fits, tight to keep me warm but not too constricting given I might be wearing layers of clothes. I find I don't like running jackets with hoods, but there are several hooded options out there.

Gloves and Hats:  Hands down the best every day running gloves are these from Nike. They are lightweight enough to wear on most days. I love that they have a key slot in the glove, because loosing a key in the snow is not ideal. I have two pairs of these gloves, I know running clothes hoarder over here, so I can have one pair in the wash and one pair for the day.

I also have a hand-made pair of mittens that are great for the extremely cold days. Mittens keep your hands warmer but letting your fingers "snuggle" for body heat. I haven't tried any commercial mittens, but almost every running clothing company has several options.

Most of the heat from your body escapes from your head, so do yourself a favor and get a good running hat or head band! I like this type from Sporthill. It washes really well and holds up through years of abuse. A good hat can be hard to find so try a few types. I have one I really like that is again homemade (something about it fitting better) but there are many options out there. 


Pants: Here is a running clothes confession: I have one pair of pants which I absolutely adore and will never get rid of no matter how many holes or worn out elastic parts they have. My Sporthills are my favorite running pants ever. Now I know they look a little unisex-y and unflattering BUT they are the most comfortable pair of pants. They are light weight, but when the weather really turns cold there is plenty of space to pair a tight or other legging option underneath. I cannot speak highly enough of these pants!

I also have a pair of Under Armour leggings similar to these, which I also like. They are not lined, but I know they make lined (think fuzzy fleece) for those awful cold days. My only issue with these tights are they don't have a great waist band. I have to wear a longer shirt to make sure we don't have any fashion disasters while running.

Long Sleeve Tops: Depending on your core body temperature, you might want a couple of long sleeve top options.

I like the basic Under Armour long sleeve for most days. Mine doesn't have the face cover but that looks like a nice new option (really those do help you stay warm!). Again, lightweight enough to be paired with a jacket for the really cold days.

Again, they make a warmer option with fleece like lining, which I also recommend. I have one of these tops and do need it on some days. I find I can wear just that top and no jacket in fact.

I know there are plenty of other accessories for cold weather, but a few good basics and you should be all set. Depending on the places you run during the winter you might also want some clip on no slip shoe coverings like these (yeah, I know they say seniors, but really anyone can benefit from them). Changing to a trail like show for the winter can also be a good idea if you feet can handle it.

Getting the right gear can lead to better runs. Less time spent worrying about what to wear and keeping you warm are keys to running success in the cold weather.

Any other suggestions for running gear? What are your favorite cold running accessories?

30 fo 30:The Challenge Ends

Of all the clothing I have tucked away in my closet (perhaps stuffed is a better adjective), wearing 30 pieces for 30 days was very humbling. I really liked the challenge, and it was gratifying to know I did not shop, enjoyed what I already own and got creative with clothing.  

I am sad to say tomorrow is my last day of the challenge! But hope lies ahead, I am off to NYC on Friday (perhaps shopping will ensue!)

A few of the things I learned in the last 30 days:

• If you bought a pair of jeans 5 years ago and you wear them in this challenge they will rip. And not in a “I can still wear these if I have a long shirt on” way. Sadly, my favorite pair of skinny jeans are done for. They are not in the salvage pile.
• Having a few sweater options was key. I really didn’t think about how often I wear a sweater and they came in really handy.
• My closet does have a lot of “essentials”, like t-shirts and black sweaters, but they do wear out when worn consistently. I think I will have to replace a few of the items after this adventure. But I am ok with that, because I know I wear them out!
• Having good accessories can really go a long way. Even if you only have one black skirt, wearing it with black tights one day and yellow later that week you can feel like you are limitless. I would like to invest in some fun color accessories to make my closet feel bigger.
• Shoes. Oh Shoes. I noticed that I wore my tan boots a LOT (even my husband commented that I had worn those several days in a row). I have a black pair of heels that got their use as well. I would say I wore maybe about 5 different pairs of shoes. I would hate to not shop for shoes, but I don’t see the need for a new pair every month. I would still like to find a red pair (they go with everything!)…
• Making outfit choices every day was a breeze! I spent a lot less time thinking about clothing then I usually do. I am notorious for trying on about 12 different shirts every day before finding the perfect one. With one 30 items to choose from the hassle (and time) was cut in half. I am fan of that! I would plan my next day's outfit the day before as well. This was important as I tried to keep with laundry and the items I had already worn. It worked out much better than frantically running around in the morning wondering if my dress smelled bad since I had worn it earlier. I think I will stick to this picking out outfits at night routine.
• Traveling & packing was always such a hassle. I would never know what pieces to take and how many outfits I could make out of the small selection I brought. This challenge solved that problem! I can bring a few items, a few more accessories and make it work Tim Gunn style.
• I suck at taking photographs of myself. I am also not the best model. I would forget most of the time. Sorry! I promise I only wore 30 pieces of clothing for 30 days!

All in all, I am glad to have done the challenge. It’s hard to feel like you don’t need something new just because, but learning that you have plenty really helps. I have always been a shopper, and lover of great deals, but I don’t feel the need just to buy any more. I know what works on my body (most of the time) and if I love a piece of clothing I guarantee I will wear it out. It feels good to know that I can be creative and make many different outfits. I am thankful that I can buy new things when I need them and not feel like I just want them. It became easier to see what I need versus what I think I should have. When you work full time it make sense that I purchase items I can wear to work, be comfortable in and dress down in for the weekends. I like versatile style and would love my wardrobe to reflect that.

It was really fun to be creative with my work wardrobe as selling electrical supplies doesn’t not rank high on the best creative career list. My one female coworker said that I looked nice often. At least someone noticed!

My style is forever changing, and like my life, some pieces will work some days and some will not. I am glad to have options, but in the end simplicity works best. This challenge came at a perfect time, and I am very glad I embarked on it.

Until I need to challenge my closet again,


EAA

Day 0: 30 for 30

Ok. Ladies and Gents. Here is its. The official start to my 30 for 30 clothing challenge. 
I wanted to take some time (about 48 hours) to figure out what I could live with and leave behind. I have even taken the extra clothes out of the closet just so I am not tempted to wear anything else. 

I did set some boundaries for myself:

• I run a lot, so running clothes are out of the challenge. They are not counted as 30 pieces I selected.
• Clothes worn on Satruday morning while lounging around the house don't count (really, I shouldn't be going any where in them any ways!)

• Tank tops, accessories, shoes are not counted as part of the 30 (although I will try to only wear a few pairs of shoes to see how I can get by!)

Alright, want to see what 30 pieces of clothing looks like?

Here's what I selected:

1. Black Skinny Pants
2. Skinny Jeans
3. Flare Jeans
4. Black Shirt
5. Khaki Skirt
6. Black Long Sleeve Dress
7. Dark Blue Skirt
8. Charcoal Dress Pants
9. Black front button sweater
10. Gray ruffled shirt
11. Polka Dot dress
12. Cream sweater
13. Gray sweater
14. Black Knit Sweater
15. Long sleeve white shirt
16. Short sleeve black shirt
17. Short sleeve white shirt
18. Short sleeve light blue shirt
19. White dress shirt, long sleeve
20. Pink turtle neck
21. Sweater vest
22. Black & White Striped shirt
23. Long Sleeve blue shirt
24. Orange button front sweater
25. Pink shrug sweater
26. Purple V-neck sweater
27. Green ruffled shirt
28. Butterscotch colored cowl neck shirt
29. Purple & Black flower patter top
30. Brown Dress pants

phew. Ok. The official wearing starts tomorrow. I will be attempting to take a picture of each outfit as well. I am going to see how many combinations I can think of (i know there is a math equation involving the "!" to figure that out but I am being creative!).


Can't wait? Check back tomorrow!


Always, Erika

Closet Confessions

As this title implies, I have a confession. 

I have WAY too many clothes. Let it be know that I acknowledge this fact. I think I realized it some time in college when I could have 2 or 3 girlfriends over for a clothing hand out. Literally, clothes I didn't not wear were given away. 

I am not sure that I have a cloth obsession, but I do like to shop. Picking up things here and there as I see them, getting a great deal and buying two, or finding some great fitting jeans then "needing" two pairs (c'mon, good jeans are hard to find!) I also have been given clothes, as it would happen I have been the same size since about 8th grade. So here I am with a closet full of confessions.

This confession shifted into an internet hunt for good ways to slim down my closet. In my never ending quest to make my life simpler, I know my closet needs a diet. I will always have a love to shop, but it's never going to be realistic to have a stuffed closet. Other needs come, and should come, before my latest need for black pants. There is also the fact that giving away clothes is helping others and recycling in one. How great of an idea?! Good can come of this dieting, I just know it!

I have tried to go through my beloved closet each season, getting rid of things I did not wear in a particular season or find I am too old for (let the record show I had a few "brand across my chest" shirts in my drawer. They don't scream successful adult so away they went). This trick however, was not doing the trick. I am still stuffed! What to do? 

Enter: Kendi Everyday

I really like Kendi's mix of style and practicality. I admire her ability to create such an engaging and interesting blog about fashion and life. I also love the fact that the pictures on her blog are her, wearing her own things! How great is that? Kendi posted about a 30 for 30 day wardrobe challenge. Pick 30 pieces (or how ever many you have) and make them work for 30 days. I love the idea!! I know that I can live with less but some times it's hard to figure out which 30 things work the best. I also love the fact that I can try and challenge myself not to shop for 30 days. This way, the money I save can go toward to new items I discover I might need (like perhaps with all the shirts I have I learn I need a skirt!). Not to mention saving money, but helping to weed out my current closet. I think if I can visualize the 30 things I can wear often, I can give up the clothes I think I will wear. 

And what better place to display my findings then here! Perfect match! I will attempt to take photos of each outfit I wear each day (start date to be determined) so you and I can see the progress, and comment on it!

More details to follow for sure!

I cannot wait! This is going to be fun!

Maybe I'll start tomorrow?!

Wanna take the challenge with me?