At what temperature do you race in tights?
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At what temperature do you race in tights?
It's looking like NYC might be a chilly one - not complaining, I much prefer the cold! I am a naturally warm person when I run - so I like to wear as little as is possible. But I am having a hard time wrapping my head around when I might really want to consider wearing tights for 26.2. I wear raceready fitness shorts when I do marathons (the bike-type shorts)...and they sell tights too - so I would have to order them soon - and break them in on a shorter run (this doesn't really bother me since I wear their shorts and assume the material is similar)...
That said, I would prefer to wear shorts. So, just out of curiosity (I know it's a personal choice, just wondering what others do) - when do you wear more than shorts on your legs for a cooler weather marathon? Right now looking like the low will be in the high 40s, high will be in the low 50s. Maybe rain. I have been training in about the same temps in capris - but I am not out there for 4 hours or trying to make my legs go at MP for that long.
That said, I would prefer to wear shorts. So, just out of curiosity (I know it's a personal choice, just wondering what others do) - when do you wear more than shorts on your legs for a cooler weather marathon? Right now looking like the low will be in the high 40s, high will be in the low 50s. Maybe rain. I have been training in about the same temps in capris - but I am not out there for 4 hours or trying to make my legs go at MP for that long.
Sara Jane- Poster
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Hi SJ, for me it has to be below 30.
T Miller- Regular
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Yep, agree with Tim. 30 degrees is my dividing line of shorts to tights. Training or racing.
Bob- Lord Bobby
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
I don't think the legs ever really mind the cold when you are racing unless there's a nasty wind chill. I'd go with the RR shorts that you have always used and maybe some arm warmers. With all the buildings in NY, I would think that only the bridge crossings would be cold.
Diego- Regular
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Rule of thumb is dress 10 degrees warmer. Once you start generating body heat you won't feel the cold on your legs.
Admin- Admin
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
I've gotten down to freezing at the start of the race, and shorts felt fine. Put the extra insulation on the top half and make sure it's something you don't love, so you can ditch it after you completely warm up.
Mark B- Needs A Life
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Awesome guys, thanks! Good tips!
I wish I had some arm-warmers - a friend of mine said she buys cheap tube socks and cuts a thumb hole...then she can throw them without it being a waste.
Anyone ever try that? Or are there disposable arm warmers out there (like the cheap gloves)?
I wish I had some arm-warmers - a friend of mine said she buys cheap tube socks and cuts a thumb hole...then she can throw them without it being a waste.
Anyone ever try that? Or are there disposable arm warmers out there (like the cheap gloves)?
Sara Jane- Poster
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Mark B wrote:I've gotten down to freezing at the start of the race, and shorts felt fine. Put the extra insulation on the top half and make sure it's something you don't love, so you can ditch it after you completely warm up.
No worries, I am bringing an entire wardrobe of throwaways, including a HUGE, thick fleece blanket, to spend my time on the island. People always complain about it - but I did this last time and was way cozy. I remember wearing a long sleeve last time and thinking I would have it on for a while - but ditched it on the bridge. That immediate hill does get the blood flowing.
Sara Jane- Poster
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
I've tried the socks, just regular man's dress socks(you know I am short, right?) that I don't need any more. Can't be cheaper than that.
Just remember to make a cut on the small end so that you can really pull them over the watch when you want to. I was stuck with them one time.
Just remember to make a cut on the small end so that you can really pull them over the watch when you want to. I was stuck with them one time.
Jerry- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Jerry wrote:I've tried the socks, just regular man's dress socks(you know I am short, right?) that I don't need any more. Can't be cheaper than that.
Just remember to make a cut on the small end so that you can really pull them over the watch when you want to. I was stuck with them one time.
Interesting point. And I want to wear throwaway gloves, too (I have tons of those, they always give them away at races here in MD). How does that work? Maybe just got the whole end off and pull the socks above the watch, and have the gloves on too?
Sara Jane- Poster
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Sara Jane wrote:Jerry wrote:I've tried the socks, just regular man's dress socks(you know I am short, right?) that I don't need any more. Can't be cheaper than that.
Just remember to make a cut on the small end so that you can really pull them over the watch when you want to. I was stuck with them one time.
Interesting point. And I want to wear throwaway gloves, too (I have tons of those, they always give them away at races here in MD). How does that work? Maybe just got the whole end off and pull the socks above the watch, and have the gloves on too?
You can take off the glove, pull out the sock, then put the glove back on. I would do it on the hill when I slow down. I like to take gels on the hill for the same reason too. Anyway, you won't lose much time.
Jerry- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Jerry wrote:Sara Jane wrote:Jerry wrote:I've tried the socks, just regular man's dress socks(you know I am short, right?) that I don't need any more. Can't be cheaper than that.
Just remember to make a cut on the small end so that you can really pull them over the watch when you want to. I was stuck with them one time.
Interesting point. And I want to wear throwaway gloves, too (I have tons of those, they always give them away at races here in MD). How does that work? Maybe just got the whole end off and pull the socks above the watch, and have the gloves on too?
You can take off the glove, pull out the sock, then put the glove back on. I would do it on the hill when I slow down. I like to take gels on the hill for the same reason too. Anyway, you won't lose much time.
Still confused as to how you see your watch...
Sara Jane- Poster
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Sara Jane wrote:Jerry wrote:Sara Jane wrote:Jerry wrote:I've tried the socks, just regular man's dress socks(you know I am short, right?) that I don't need any more. Can't be cheaper than that.
Just remember to make a cut on the small end so that you can really pull them over the watch when you want to. I was stuck with them one time.
Interesting point. And I want to wear throwaway gloves, too (I have tons of those, they always give them away at races here in MD). How does that work? Maybe just got the whole end off and pull the socks above the watch, and have the gloves on too?
You can take off the glove, pull out the sock, then put the glove back on. I would do it on the hill when I slow down. I like to take gels on the hill for the same reason too. Anyway, you won't lose much time.
Still confused as to how you see your watch...
Oh, you said it, cut one end of the socks and put it above the watch.
Jerry- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
It has to be below 30 for me to wear pants. I would hate to be stuck wearing pants if it warmed up 3-4 hrs into a marathon just when I'm especially tired anyway. I've taken short socks over my hands for throw away gloves at the start of 2 races so far.
Julie- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Minimum temps in the 40s? - I might wear pants for an easy run (nowhere near race pace) in 40 degree temps. For a race that's going to get into the 50s later - No way.
Glenn- Poster
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
I've never raced a marathon in tights, but the coldest one I have ever run was last year at RtB when it was 32F at the start. It was 50F by race end. I wore shorts, a singlet, arm warmers and gloves. I was warm by mile 0.5.
And I do hope NYC is a cold one and not a hot one.
And I do hope NYC is a cold one and not a hot one.
Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Sara Jane wrote:Awesome guys, thanks! Good tips!
I wish I had some arm-warmers - a friend of mine said she buys cheap tube socks and cuts a thumb hole...then she can throw them without it being a waste.
Anyone ever try that? Or are there disposable arm warmers out there (like the cheap gloves)?
Sara Jane, you get an inexpensive pair of arm warmers ($15) at any running store. I used them for part of Boston earlier this year, and then threw them away. I just bought another pair that I'll wear if I have to in Philly next month. As for throwaway clothes, I always make a trip to KMart before a marathon and buy cheap sweatpants, sweatshirt, gloves and hat.
To you original question, it would have to be mighty cold for me to consider wearing running pants for a marathon. You may be cold at the start and for the first couple of miles, but I think you'll definitely regret not wearing shorts by mile 4 or 5.
Seth Harrison- Regular
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
For the most part anything under 35. But wind has a big factor!
Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Target what the last half of the race will be, not the start, to decide what to wear. There should be $10 arm warmers available at the expo too.
JohnP- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
SJ, you could also buy one of these sleevy blanket things to stay warm during the wait.
I bought arm warmers at the 2009 Chicago expo and wore them for the race. I just tucked them behind me when it warmed up a bit on the final stretch.
I bought arm warmers at the 2009 Chicago expo and wore them for the race. I just tucked them behind me when it warmed up a bit on the final stretch.
Diego- Regular
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
I'd go with shorts, short sleeves, gloves & arm warmers. I just bought a pair of armwarmers at the Hartford Marathon expo for $10. They had the same ones at the NYC expo last year for $15. I think they're worth it, although have seen plenty of people doing the sock thing. Last year at NYC I ended up keeping the armwarmers on the whole time (I think it may have been just a bit colder than the temps you're looking at)
Jenny O- Newbie
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
I start wearing tights around 40 or so. Actually, I like to wear capris in the 40s and tights in the 30s. I have race ready tights and they are a bit on the heavier side too, so I don't think I would wear them above 40 degrees.
My arms always get cold though. I'll wear a long sleeve shirt at 50-55, as long as I can easily push the sleeves up if I get warm.
My arms always get cold though. I'll wear a long sleeve shirt at 50-55, as long as I can easily push the sleeves up if I get warm.
Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
35 unless its windy.
mountandog- Explaining To Spouse
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
If you think it will feel cold at the start while waiting around, then just do the garbage bag trick. Take a large plastic garbage bag and cut a hole in the bottom for your head and on the sides for your arms. Put it on upside down at the start while you're waiting around. It traps body heat and blocks wind! You can just tear it off right before the start, or wear it for a mile or two then tear it off... I've done both. Nothing better for a cheap way to stay warm!
As for arm warmers, the ONLY time I wore them I used old socks with the toe end cut out... I wore them through mile 15 then tossed them. It was a home town marathon. When I got home and stripped down, I realized that the top part of the socks had chafed me to the point that I was bleeding and raw. That shower HURT!!! Lesson learned.
As for arm warmers, the ONLY time I wore them I used old socks with the toe end cut out... I wore them through mile 15 then tossed them. It was a home town marathon. When I got home and stripped down, I realized that the top part of the socks had chafed me to the point that I was bleeding and raw. That shower HURT!!! Lesson learned.
Admin- Admin
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Re: At what temperature do you race in tights?
Again, thank for all the ideas! Matt, you have me maybe wanting to buy those $15 arm warmers at the expo. I don't need chaffing!
As for throwaways -it's kinda funny. I actually didn't have anything, so my mom and sister are both sending me boxes filled with stuff. Some is even some tech stuff my sister got at some 5Ks that don't fit. And her teenager's nice Woolrich fleece top that he outgrew but she had in her goodwill box! So I'll be hittin' the island in style. At least it all gets donated. And it feels nice sometimes to donate some nicer stuff and not just junk you wore to death!
OK, so...note to self, check for cheap arm warmers at the expo. Now, I've never ever warn them before...ever. I know that breaks a cardinal rule, but...
So...excited. (If you can't tell!) This is marathon #6, but I don't think I've ever been excited.
As for throwaways -it's kinda funny. I actually didn't have anything, so my mom and sister are both sending me boxes filled with stuff. Some is even some tech stuff my sister got at some 5Ks that don't fit. And her teenager's nice Woolrich fleece top that he outgrew but she had in her goodwill box! So I'll be hittin' the island in style. At least it all gets donated. And it feels nice sometimes to donate some nicer stuff and not just junk you wore to death!
OK, so...note to self, check for cheap arm warmers at the expo. Now, I've never ever warn them before...ever. I know that breaks a cardinal rule, but...
So...excited. (If you can't tell!) This is marathon #6, but I don't think I've ever been excited.
Sara Jane- Poster
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