Unpredictable weather making you wonder what to wear?

April 19, 2012

Whether it’s 80 degrees in February or 30 degrees in April, wearing the correct materials while training for the Bellin Run can save you from some serious health concerns … or at the very least, chaffing.

Nate Vandervest, a running specialist from Bellin Health Fitness & Athletic Performance, has suggestions on what to wear in any weather.

“Runners often make the mistake of wearing too much or too little clothing for conditions,” he said. “For most of us, that mistake results in minor problems like discomfort or chaffing, but in some circumstances can lead to heat related or cold-weather related illnesses like heat exhaustion or frostbite.”

There is no perfect formula in determining what to wear, but the following tips will keep your training sessions on track for this summer’s Bellin Run.

Begin with moisture wicking fabric. Wet clothes can be a nightmare for runners causing blisters and chaffing. Once a shirt is wet, it stays wet and can be either uncomfortable and heavy in warm weather or dangerous in cold weather. Moisture wicking fabrics pull sweat away from the body keeping you dry and comfortable in any condition.

Baby it’s cold outside. When training in the cold weather, don’t overdress. A good rule of thumb for colder weather is to add 15-20 degrees to the current temperature when determining what to wear. This will compensate for how much you warm up when you start running.

The heat of the moment.  When temperatures rise, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes. Loose-fitting clothes cause less friction reducing the likelihood of chaffing. Lighter-colored clothes reflect more of the suns rays and introduce less heat to you as you train.

Always be knowledgeable about the weather conditions. We hope to see you safe and ready to tackle the 2012 Bellin Run at 8 a.m. on June 9.

If you have questions, please feel free to consult any of our running professionals at Bellin Health Fitness & Athletic Performance. We can be reached at (920) 430-4722.