My Favorite Cold-Weather Running Gear

It sucks to run when it's hot out, but sometimes I almost prefer sweat dripping off my eyebrows to the painful tingling of frostbitten fingers. When the temperature drops, it's hard to muster the energy to get all bundled up to hit the pavement when your fuzzy socks and sweatpants are calling your name. Especially if you don't have the right clothes to keep you warm.

Since I live in Oklahoma now (I've been here 5 years, and it's still weird to say that), I can't really claim to have the freezing weather of the northern states or my Canadian friends, but the half marathon I ran in Tulsa at the end of November was 20 degrees, which is pretty dang cold no matter where you live.

As we're all (or a lot of us, anyway) in the throes of winter, I thought it would be a good time to share my favorite cold-weather running gear, the majority of which you can see in the above picture, which (sidenote) is the first and probably only official marathon picture I've ever bought! This is just as I crossed the finish line of half marathon #7 and got a 4-minute PR! I'm still not quite sure it was worth the ridiculous scam of a price tag, but I guess those photographers have to make their money somehow. I like to think I'm keeping it local.

Anyway, back to the real purpose of this post: What I wore to run in 20-degree weather

Nike Elite Anti-Blister Socks [ $10/pair ]

As I always do when I'm racing, I wore my favorite pair of running socks. Not only do I not get blisters wearing these socks (even during my marathon!), but the double layer keeps my toes warm. Or, at least as warm as they can be in twenty degrees. Which is to say, not all that warm. But really these are just freaking great socks.

Old Navy Fitted Compression Leggings [$21-$26]

*this is not me, in case you were wondering

Admittedly, I don't have much experience with leggings. My only pair before this was a pair of yoga leggings from Hollister that I got for Christmas a few years ago, because apparently Hollister is still a thing? I don't know. I was always too scared to go in there what with the darkness and the cute preppy boys and the overwhelming wave of spicy cologne.

Anyhoo, I finally decided that maybe I should by myself an actual pair of leggings specifically for running from a store that isn't managed by high schoolers. Enter: Old Navy active wear. These leggings are actually quite warm and fit really well! I love that they're tight on my legs. I'm not a loose-fitting running legging sort of girl. (I wear a size medium in these, just for reference.)

Under Armor Cozy Half Zip Top [ $55 ]

I do not. Repeat DO NOT like spending money on running clothes. I love Under Armor, but that crap is expensive, and I don't make a habit of purchasing such things for myself. However, I had a gift card to Dick's from my birthday and was on a mission to find a good long-sleeved running shirt.

I LOVE THIS TOP.

So worth the price tag, in my opinion. It's got the thumb holes in the sleeves, which I love, and it's warm and fleecy feeling on the inside. The half zip was a requirement, since I hate wearing anything with a hood while running. I can't stand all the bouncing. I've actually worn this a few times just as a regular shirt, and it's awesome. (I wear a size medium in this because I want to have room for my sports bra and also a shirt underneath if I so choose.)

Nike Thermal Tech Gloves ($25--similar)

These gloves are the best! They are comfortable, warm, and easy to take on and off if I get too hot while I'm running. There's also a handy key pouch built into the palm of the glove, which would be a brilliant idea for anyone who's not me and doesn't have a car key the size of a giant.

Under Armor Headband ($20-- similar)

I couldn't find my exact headband online (and actually [full disclosure] at the moment I can't find my headband in my apartment, so that's cool), but this is pretty close. My headband definitely helps keep my ears warm, and I personally like headbands like this when I don't want to wear a full-on hat or visor. And I really do love the Under Armor brand; I just wish it weren't so expensive.

* * *

So that's what I wore! Not to say I wasn't still freezing, but once I got going it wasn't so bad. The Running Powers That Be recommend dressing for running as though it's 10-15 degrees warmer outside than it actually is. After the first 10 minutes, your body will heat up, which is why if you've ever gone to a race you see piles of clothes that runners have shed during the first few miles. Of course, if you're wearing a $55 shirt, you probably aren't going to be throwing that out.

If YOU have any cold-weather running favorites, please leave a comment! 

If there's something better I should be wearing, I want to know about it.

I'll Have a Tall Chai, Please

If you and I were meeting for coffee, the first thing I would do is order a chai tea latte because I don't like coffee.

Then we'd sit down, and I'd tell you that my new job is going great. I would say I can't believe that I actually have a job I like, where I enjoy being there. The people are so nice, and I'm really having fun. My drives to work and back really aren't so bad because for the past two months I've been listening to The Help on audiobook. Sometimes I don't even want to get out the car at the end of the drive because the book's at an exciting moment.

Then we'd take a sip of our drinks, and I'd ask you how your job is going, because talking with a friend means not only talking about yourself the whole time.

If you and I were meeting for coffee, I'd tell you that I've been having so much fun wrapping Christmas presents. My small living room is filled in what seems like every corner with cellophane and tissue paper and bags and ribbons. I love finding the perfect gift for someone. I'd really almost rather spend money buying a gift for someone else than I would for myself.

Gifts are my love language, and as much as I appreciate and understand the people who talk about the sad materialism of Christmas, I love the giving and receiving of gifts as a way to show my appreciation and affection for someone. This is one of the few times I have little concern for a budget.

Then I'd tell you about our tiny fake tree that my grandpa gave me when I moved to Oklahoma five years ago and how much I love it and the way it leans to the left. Always to the left.

If you and I were meeting for coffee, I'd tell you that I've been missing my friends. Good, long talks with girls I've been friends with for years. Girls I've been friends with since high school, since college. Girls I don't even need to talk to every day, but when we see each other, we jump right in without missing a beat. I think maybe that's the thing I hate the most about growing up. Your best friends are no longer a short drive or even a walk down the hallway away---they're across the country, even across the world.

Then I'd tell you that I'm so glad we're meeting for coffee, because it's nice to have a friend to talk to. And then I'd ask you how you're doing, what you're missing, what you're loving, if there's anything I can be praying for you about.

And we'd just sit and talk.

No phones out. No expectations.
Just two friends.
Drinking tea and talking.

What would you tell me if we went on a coffee date?

OMG so many pie charts! (aka survey results)

See that tiny orange slice between the pink and green?

That was ONE person who found this question insulting. 

#sorrynotsorry

I have no idea why I think it's hilarious that only one person out of one hundred and ninety-eight clicked that answer.

But I totally do.

I seriously chuckle out loud to myself every time I think about it.

It's the little things.

Considering I have done zero sponsoring in the past year, I find the fact that almost half the responders found me from another blog kind of awesome.

In other news, I had a couple of people comment that this question wasn't worded very well. 

My bad.

For one thing, I forgot BlogHer as an option, which is how a few people found me from a few features articles I've had on there. 

Also, I didn't give anyone the option of knowing me in real life but actually finding this blog some other way like Pinterest or Facebook. Imagine seeing a link on social media and realizing it's a blog of someone you know! That would be weird.

Has that ever happened to you?

A good number of you visit every day. That's so nice! 

Sorry I don't have new content for you all the time.

Speaking of new content...

Who's the 1 person who said I should post less?

SHOW YOURSELF.

Just kidding.

But seriously.

I bet the people who want me to post more often are the same people who show up here every day.

Get a life, people!

Just kidding.

But seriously.

I actually had no idea anyone got emails of new posts, so this is news to me.
What's up, email readers!

Okay.
So, first of all.
There were eighteen people claiming to be my mother, which tells me that either:
a) my mother took this survey 18 times
or
b) you guys are all a bunch of dirty little liars

So... yeah. That's all I'm going to say about that.
(P.S. I think it's hilarious.)

I should also mention a few write-ins I got for the "other" category on the 
least favorite post question:

I am Amanda's father and refuse to choose a least favorite.
(Dad, is that you?)

I'm kind of in love with you so I like them all. Not creepy, I swear.

(Yeah okay. STRANGER DANGER IS REAL.)

I could be your mom because I like all your posts!

(Oh yeah? Well I could be YOUR mom. What now.)

* * *

As you can see, I had a third more votes for the posts you liked versus the ones you don't like. You guys were probably just trying to be nice, but I'll take it! 

I actually thought these last two question were the most interesting and proved what I already knew: that you aren't going to love every single post I write. And that's okay. Really, it is. Apparently most of you do like it when I talk about marriage, which I don't do a whole lot, but I'll keep that in mind and try to add a few more marriage posts in my rotation.

You also like funny family posts, which, I mean duh. Of course you do. Except the single, lonely person who said my funny family posts are their least favorite. I think maybe you just got confused by the question. For those of you who are new around here, here are links to a few of my favorite funny family posts:

My grandpa's inappropriate tie

An awesome game my dad created involving raw eggs (trademark pending)

Our funny family photo shoot
A friendly BB gun shooting competition at the lake

Someone wrote in that they don't like when I blog about blogging. 
I completely agree. 
What is that about? Bloggers love to read blogs about blogging. 
Me included. It's so lame. Hashtag stop the madness.

* * *
I also want to share a few of the comments you wrote in the box for "do you have anything else you want to tell me?"

*So, I realized after I posted this that I spelled "destroy" wrong. 
I'm horrified, but I'm also lazy, so it's staying that way now and forever. 
I just wanted you to know that I know.

Finally, let's have a moment of silence for the hours I spent making stupid pie charts on the internet that I'll never get back. I hope you all are happy.

Finally x2, I got some great feedback for future post ideas, so thanks for that! 

Here are a few of the ideas mentioned:

Writing tips

"Local" places/restaurants/etc.

Treadmill vs. Outdoor running

"More about your wonderful husband" (*cough*that was Jordan*cough*)

Why I love playing the violin (that one was my dad)

Staying positive through a hard time like a job transition

Marriage and family planning

How I fuel for races and training

Holiday posts

More embarrassing stories

* * *

All that and more to come in 2014!

In conclusion,

THANK YOU to the 198 people who took the time to check a few boxes and bring me much happiness. I had no idea so many people were itching to take a survey. I thought I'd get lucky with 50 responses. Mind = blown. In May I will have been blogging for four years! I'll stop before I get all nostalgic and simply say that I appreciate each and every one of you who takes time out of your day to visit and read and comment.

Until next time,

The Lady Okie

P.S. If you didn't get a chance to take the survey and want to: go here. 
I'll open it back up for another week or so!