Running in the cold

Kind of depends what part of your body needs more warmth and what kind of temperatures you're talking about.

My legs never overheat in the winter so it's long tights once the temps go below 45 or so. However, my top half really sweats so it's generally a short sleeve T, a long sleeve T over it and a windbreaker. If it's really cold (below freezing) I wear a long sleeve t under the short sleeve, put on a fleece and then my windbreaker. Gloves and a hat that covers my ears are a must. If it's really cold I wear something around my neck, too.

Then I proceed to peel off my layers as I go. Sometimes I end up with the gloves, hat and neckwarmer in the pockets of my windbreaker tied around my waist. A bit cumbersome but if I'm cold at the start I can't seem to warm up.

A few strategies I use:

Add 20 degrees to the current temp and wear what I would be comfy in, in THAT temp, just standing around outside.

Very thin layers and either synthetic material or wool. 

It's ok to be a little cold starting out, but not "very" cold.  I prefer to wear an extra layer on top that I can tie around my waist.

Its a bit of an experimental science that you go thru every year till you figure out just what is right, but the more you do it the better and quicker you hit on the right combination. But every so often you still just miss the right combo reguardless.

I have 3 different weights of tights light, heavy and insulator, for tops  LS compression heatgear and LS thermal coldgear mock neck and Crew, for windy days I have a wind pant I can throw over the tights if necessary and a vest and jacket.

MY most used combination is medium weight tight with a  LS compression top, with a vest over that, that combination seem to cover from the  30'sF to around 10 F degrees, pretty well , Then when we start getting into colder and with snow then I will start to layer over with the LS coldgear shirt ect, and keep the Vest

- 10 to - 30F and below I go with the insulator gear Tights and tops and a full running jacket. I will run outside to around  -20C as long as the wind is light

I use a cold weather Under Armor long sleeve shirt as a base once the temp gets below 50. It's incredibly warm. As it cools further, I put something on top of it. If it's 35, I'll put a short sleeved shirt on top of it. Anything lower than 15 and it's a long sleeved cotton shirt on top and that's good down to about -10 wind chill. Legs, almost never use long pants. On the colder mornings when I don't want to deal with the warm-up phase, I use a pair of old flannel pajama pants. Looks weird, but one of the most comfortable things ever. If it's seriously cold, it's tights under the running shorts.

Cold weather running doesn't bother me...After about 10 minutes, any temperature is doable.

- Joel

Yes, the perfect "thin layer"!   I love wearing mine as a beanie.  Just covers the skin but it doesn't make my head hot.

I was taught the 'ten degree rule' - which is for all times of the year and applies to centigrade temps but to dress as if temperature was ten degrees warmer.  Not sure what the conversion would be on Fahrenheit.  The pretty well works for me.  

It's okay to be cool to start but it shouldn't be uncomfortable.  You may want more layers if it's windy because it can be really hard to deal with a cold headwin.  Agree on the buff - i usually use it as a scarf or neckwarmer to prevent the wind from going down my jacket.  

I also have really warm hands when running but at no other times.  So, often need pockets to stash gloves after my hands heat up. The dollar store gloves are usually just fine. 

I also like double layer socks - I find they are great for when the slush starts (ie after the first snow and application of salt) 

x2.  I find that if I start going that first 5 minutes and feel a little cold, I will be fine for the remainder of the run.  If I'm FREEZING that first 5 minutes, I need another layer.  If I'm comfy or warm the first 5, I need to turn around and lose a layer.

I like using a headband around my ears.  I can just remove it if I need a bit less warmth.

I almost never need gloves at or above 40.

Invest in fabrics that are designed for winter running.  Many can be found at your local running shop.  I like to buy from the smaller places where the staff are all runners and can make firsthand recommendations.  The stuff is not cheap but is so worth it.  It keeps you warm while being breathable and allowing for sweat to wick from the skin and evaporate rather than making you feel damp.

I've started keeping a little clothing log in a notebook for cold weather running and biking.  I record temp, conditions (sunny, cloudy, wind, time of day) and what I wore and how it worked out (too hot, started out OK, then got chilly, etc).  This will help me not only in this season but next season when I've completely forgotten what worked for me last year (which is what happened this year and every year, LOL!)

But in general, it's best to start out chilly because it won't take long to heat up.  I like wearing things I can remove (gloves, headband, outer layer) if I start really heating up.

x3!

Personally, I've never had any issues with running in winter. One thing that I made sure to look for when buying my top layer was to make sure it is waterproof, windproof and came with underarm zipper vents. If at any point I get to warm I simply unzip a bit until I get comfortable.

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/MensClothing/WaterproofBreathables/PRD~5022-946/mec-synergy-lt-jacket-mens.jsp

My "secret of success" for running in cold temps is to keep my hands warm, gloves.

Cold hands... I just feel cold in my core.
Warm hands... I can wear less and feel more comfortable in my core.