I found this running plan from
Women's Health and I was going to do it. Sort of. I was going to at least do it to an extent. I would probably end up running further/longer, not do their "Tone Zone" or "Rock Solid Abs" work out but my own versions of the same ideas, and let's be honest, possibly take one additional day off than they offer here. Oh yeah, and throw in a lot more yoga! But basically use this as a guideline for doing
something while I can still run outside.
Except that running outside requires decent weather, or adequate gear to run when the conditions aren't ideal. It has yet to snow (It's crazy, I know! We should have feet of snow by now. We do live in a ski town.). Snow is not the only thing that keeps you from getting outside and enjoying a run or a few other extra curricular activities though. This darn rain is not cool either!
I need something to keep me warm in the 40˚ weather and be water resistant without being overwhelming or constraining. A.K.A. I need a rain/run jacket. My pick:
Lulu lemon (of course). The
Run:Hustle Jacket in black at $148. It's even got the usual soft cuff with thumb holes to keep your hands warm but not too hot - because that really is an issue while you run in cooler weather.
I love the idea of running in a tight when it's raining too. You don't want to hit a puddle and have the bottoms of your sweatpants soaked, or have water splashing up onto your leg underneath the pant. Plus the fabrics are usually much better for movement in tights even if they are wet. I really like the
Danskin Opalescence Running Tight because of the reflective accents. Usually it's a bit darker in the rain so it's good to make sure you're able to be seen. (Maybe I should rethink my coloring on the previously mentioned jacket?)
And of course I'm a big fan of
Saucony running shoes since I bought my first pair of Kinvara 2s. They're great for someone like me with a high arch but may not be as awesome for others. If you're looking to run further distances I highly recommend checking out the brand. Make sure you grab a shoe a half size larger so your toes aren't jammed into the front - which runs the risk of losing a toenail - go for something lightweight, and read the style guide. If you like the look of Saucony too, use their
Shoe Advisor to determine the best model for you.
As far as running in the rain I haven't found any shoes that are overly water-resistant. Everyone recommends having two pairs that are comfortable for everyday use and switching them out so you're not putting on wet shoes day after day. Since I already love my Kinvara 2s, in blue, so much I figured I might as well grab another pair in another color. How about bright pink?
If only running in the rain was more like this:
and less like this:
