Winter Gear for Surviving a Winter Running in Montana

I am sure as a runner you get that question when it is twenty below zero.. "You aren't running in this are you?"  Uh.. Yeah actually I am.  Silence. Shocked stare. "Don't you freeze your lungs?"  Well I am here breathing just fine aren't I.  A runner has to run.

The key to running in extreme cold temperatures is having the right gear. In the summer it's easy, you throw on a socks, shoes, shorts a tank, and bra and are out the door. Not so easy in the winter when layers become your friend.

I'm going to start from the head down..

A warm hat is of course key. I don't have any one brand. 

The eyes.. this gets tough. Sunglasses get all fogged up, and I know from experience that if you are running in really cold wind chills you are at risk of your eyes freezing shut. Not fun.  Enter the ski goggles.

A balaclava is a must when it is below zero as well. I find I can go without it for short stretches, especially when running with the wind, but when running into the wind it is a life saver!

I wear a thermal base layer,  I have three that I use quite a bit, one is from Target and has a turtle neck, the other is Under Armour base gear and the other is Under Armour cold gear with a mock neck.   They are all very warm and get a lot of use in the cold winter months.

Apparently blue is my base layer color for tops.

 I put another long sleeve pullover over the top of the base layer. Usually one of my pretty INKnBURN shirts.  I like lots of color in the winter.  and finally over the top of that I wear a jacket.   This winter I seem to be using my Ragnar jacket quite a bit (as seen in the top picture with the ski goggles).  It is quite warm although I do find it doesn't breath very well and is usually all coated in sweat on the inside that my base layers nicely wicked away.  I don't notice the wetness until I take it off. Maybe it isn't ideal, but it has kept me warm so I keep using it for subzero temps.  I am thinking of getting this zoned heat jacket from Altra

For bottoms I also start with a base layer, fleece lines if it is subzero and just a thin pair of tights or capris if it is between 5 and 20.  I then layer another pair of fleece lined tights over the top. (I really hate being cold)

Here is an example of a 15 degree day. Base layer, Inknburn pullover on top and thin tights with fleece lined tights over the top. I did also have on gloves.

I usually wear a thin pair of compression socks with another ankle length pair over the top and find this works well, and bread sacks over the socks helps keep feet warm and dry as well.

Right now I am loving my Altra Lone Peak 3s with the NeoShell.. talk about keeping my toes warm and dry even with only one pair of socks and no bread sacks.

and awesome grippy traction.

I also love hand warmers if it is really cold out, but I find I don't need them unless it is below zero.

This picture is for Wendy.. she asked me if all the wide open spaces I run in make me anxious...no no and no! I find so much peace there.

 Looking at a picture of a city makes me anxious.. all those people all crowded together. No space. Traffic. Buildings Aack. no thanks.

This week's writing prompt: Favorite Winter Gear.  If you don't have anything to share about Favorite Winter Gear, feel free to post any running related blog post.  Link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia!

Does looking at wide open spaces make you anxious?
What is your go to cold weather gear?