Winter running stinks and marathon training in the winter stinks even more. Please remind me of this the next time I think about signing up for a spring marathon! For however bad winter running is, there are definitely some essentials that keep me warm and help keep me moving.

Feels like 0!

Running jacket. Bright bomber (perfect for nighttime running) and the snug sprinter jacket from Lululemon are some of my favorite purchases from this season. I also add many layers underneath of some thinner jackets.

Layers. Wazzie wool base layer from Oiselle makes me feel absolutely toasty. I bought two a months ago and I’m so glad I did because they are perfect underneath of a jacket or to wear alone under a vest. I also love Oiselle’s lux funnel neck running top. It’s the perfect amount of neck coverage when the days aren’t super freezing.

Wool socks. I swear by Feetures! socks and the merino wool ones help keep my toes from falling off in the winter.

Tights. I have many different tights that I go back and forth between from Oiselle and Lululemon. There are also benefits to have short legs because it means I can wear most capris year round.

An icy Hudson River

Mittens. With a pair of light gloves underneath that have touch technology for my phone. I love these mittens that are no longer available from Lululemon but I am trying these next (coming in the mail soon).

Hand warmers. This is the order of how to keep my hands warm – gloves, hand warmers, and then mittens. This combination is guaranteed to keep my hands toasty.

Neck warmer. This isn’t the exact one I have since mine is from years ago, but a neck warmer is my go-to when the wind is strong and the temperatures fall into the teens.

Ear warmer. My first winter running, I bought 4 ear warmers and they are a staple for me now regardless of the temperature. I wear a hat all summer and ear warmers all winter. They help keep sweat off my face and my ears covered.

Hat. This is my new absolute favorite winter hat from Saucony. It has a short rim, a ponytail hole in the back, and I can wear ear warmers and the hat over it when it’s really cold out.

Post-long run with Amanda

Treadmill. With all the ice, snow, and sub-zero wind chill temperatures we’ve had so far this winter, the treadmill has been a savior. Between short easy runs and even a 15-mile long run, I’ve learned to really embrace winter running in shorts and a t-shirt indoors.

Running friends. Without the company, encouragement, and accountability of friends, I would probably be running on the treadmill every day in the winter. This week, I got in a speedier easy run the day after the ice storm, sprint intervals, and my long run with friends. They are the reasons that despite the cold and dark, I commute into the city to run after work. They are reasons that despite wind chill of 0, I still managed to bust out some of my fastest 200 meter sprints. And they are reason I ran 16 miles through the hills of Central Park. Friends help make everything better and if there is nothing else you take away from this post, it is to make sure to make plans to run with your friends this week!

 Tell me how you’re dealing with winter running.