all this talk of cold weather...they were showing St Louis on the weather channel this morning, there was a guy running in shorts and a fleece top in the snow...he ran past the weather clown who said "i don't even know how to address why someone would be wearing shorts today".

as a youngster, i can remember runs in 30 degree weather with just shoes, shorts, and gloves, no t-shirt even, just because our track coach said it was good for us...

If it's over 35, I would go in shorts, long sleeves, hat and light gloves...that's my cut-off.


Get after it Jen! Drop and give me...10?

I'm with Matt, if the sun is shining and it's above freezing I will go in shorts.

The drop and give me 10 is funny...I didn't see that until this morning, but did 10 more burpees after my run to "loosen up" the arms last night. I really feel it today!

I'm trying to make the shorts decision for Saturday morning's 5k. Should be in the low 40s, and sun is questionable.

I wish I could have run outside more to get ready for this race. (I also hope they get the snow cleared off the bike trail we're running on.) I ran a 5K on the treadmill in 27:15, and then slowed down to stretch it to 4 miles in 35:45. Not too bad for me, but it's not the same as a race. It's also going to mean no PR if I'm that slow on Saturday.

Go with whatever's comfortable for you. Do you tend to warm up fast once you get running? I tend to be sweating within the first half mile, so I tend to dress for that. Will you be standing around a lot before start time? Might be worth warming up in pants then tossing them pre-race. I've had luck with that in the past, if I have someone to take them from me or my car is close enough.

rip them off and toss them to a spectator as a souviner

You will usually find a lot of transients along the beginning of marathons. A lot of people buy "disposable clothes" for the beginning of the race if its cold (the old wind pants with snaps or velcro down the sides are a fave) and as the warm up they just toss them.
I'm really hoping the OKC Marathon has decent weather this year. Two years ago we had a lightening delay, then hail about 1/2 way in and then the temp dropped to 28. Last year was a bit warmer but rained the whole time. This year, I figure earthquake.

Next year volcano?

So here's a joke for all of your (courtesy of Facebook):


A guy calls a company and orders their 5-day, 10 lb. weight loss program.

The next day, there's a knock on the door and there stands before him a voluptuous, athletic, 19 year old babe dressed in nothing but a pair of Nike running shoes and a sign around her neck. She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company. The sign reads, "If you can catch me, you can have me."

Without a second thought, he takes off after her. A few miles later huffing and puffing, he finally gives up. The same girl shows up for the next four days and the same thing happens. On the fifth day, he weighs himself and is delighted to find he has lost 10 lbs. as promised.

He calls the company and orders their 5-day/20 pound program. The next day there's a knock at the door and there stands the most stunning, beautiful, sexy woman he has ever seen in his life. She is wearing nothing but Reebok running shoes and a sign around her neck that reads, "If you catch me you can have me". Well, he's out the door after her like a shot. This girl is in excellent shape and he does his best, but no such luck. So for the next four days, the same routine happens with him gradually getting in better and better shape.

Much to his delight on the fifth day when he weighs himself, he discovers that he has lost another 20 lbs. as promised. He decides to go for broke and calls the company to order the 7-day/50 pound program

"Are you sure?" asks the representative on the phone. "This is our most rigorous program."

"Absolutely," he replies, "I haven't felt this good in years."

The next day there's a knock at the door; and when he opens it he finds a huge muscular guy standing there wearing nothing but pink running shoes and a sign around his neck that reads, "If I catch you, your A__ is mine."

He lost 63 pounds that week.

Moral of the story?

Pink shoes > Reeboks > Nikes

@ PR !

Umm...I have pink Asics.

Stop laughing, they support breast cancer..... if you hold them just right.

What's the number? I'm going to call and sign my husband up for the 50-pound plan.

::refuses to answer door::

^^^ Needs to answer the door and start running.

Compression sleeves - does anyone know how long or how often you should wear them?

I had cramping issues on the dreadmill last night and put on my compression sleeves once I got home and left them on overnight - total of maybe 9 hours. Calves feel like a million bucks today. I just don't want to cause other issues by wearing them too much or for too long.

I don't think there is an exact science with it and opinions will vary greatly.

What Jen said. It varies on individuals and how tight your sleeves are etc. I wear mine while running and usually for about an hour after. That seems to work for me. But i only use them if:
I'm having an issue with calves or shins
Its really cold
Its a long run day.

^^^ what they said.

I've been thinking about compression sleeves/socks for a while now, and have read a few forums and blogs (runnersworld.com, active.com, etc) were people say they practically live in them or will wear them for 16+ hours after marathons, tri's, etc. I've also seen forums/blogs that say they haven't noticed any considerable benefit.

I'm having pretty bad cramping today myself. Calves were dead last nigth after doing inclines and don't feel much better today. Glad to hear they actually work, might have to look into the recovery sleeves/socks.

Foods/beverages that also help with cramping:

High Potassium foods like bananas and raisins
Magnesium and Calcium rich foods like black beans, broccoli, and dairy prodcuts
Water, water, water!

(livestrong.com)

::makes note to have a banana, broccoli and black bean quesadilla for lunch and dip it in queso::

^^^You may have more issues than sore calves after that lunch!

Never tried sleeves, I'm curious, but I'm curious about a lot of things that I never get around to doing so I doubt I'll ever do it!

Do you want to tell Peepers that he needs to eat more beans?

I think the amount of meals he frequents at Taco Bell will take care of any bean deficiencies.