My gear, and it's importance.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm am tight wad when it comes to anything but the essentials. If you can't see my toe poking out of the hole(s) in my dress socks, they still have some life in them. That being said, I've really come to appreciate the value of good running gear.

In the next few months I'm going to be about ready for a new pair of shoes. Unfortunately I didn't start keeping track of my latest shoe mileage soon enough, but I know I'm probably upwards of 250 miles on them now. Right now I'm running on a pair of Asics GT-2140s. I probably spent a solid 2 weeks earlier this year in search of my next pair of shoes. I have a fussy ankle and hip, caused by multiple injuries from several years ago. I was partial to Saucony, tried a few pair of Brooks too, but ultimately the best "feel" in both comfort and support came from the Asics. Almost instantly some of the normal aches and pains went away. Now that I'm coming up on getting another pair, I'm wondering if I should stick with what I know works, or try something different.

Under my shoes, I've got a few pair of Balega socks. They have been perfect all year for keeping my feet blister free, and comfy. Now that the weather is turning, I need to get another pair that come up a bit further than my ankles. I'm leaning towards a pair of black Smart Wool running socks.

When the weather dropped under 50, I went out and bought a pair of basic Asics leggings. They aren't very thick, and not really insulated at all, but so far they have done the trick. I was out the other day in 24 degree windy and snow, and my legs stayed nice and toasty. I wear a pair of shorts over them for added warmth and mental security. :) They really do help in muscle support and recovery after a run.

Throughout the summer, I learned the hard way that wearing cotton tops is NOT the way to go. I eventually started wearing a Brooks performance shirt that helped wick moisture away. A few weeks ago I purchased an Under Armour Mock Turtleneck from DICK'S (Black Friday sale!). It's compression fitting, which really supports your muscles and keeps the blood moving. That has been an amazing help in the cold runs.

My wife and I had our 2 year anniversary about a month ago, and she got me an Under Armour Cold Gear Illusion jacket. I was having issues either getting too warm, or being too chilly. This thing, is amazing. It has built in wind protection in the chest which eliminates any chill getting in. The underarm and back has thin ventilated areas that keep the air moving through your upper body. At first I thought this might allow for some cold air to get in, but it really just circulates the hot air out at the right time. It regulates your body temperature really well, from warm up to cool down. It's also highly visible, but still looks great.

After using a pair of nylon gloves for all of my previous cold weather runs, I now have a pair of Under Armour Cold Gear fleece gloves. Today was the first time I used them, and they seem to keep the wind out and the heat in!

Lastly, are the Yaktrax. A few days ago when we got hit with all of this snow, I didn't have them and still was able to keep good footing. This was in part because the snow was still fluff, and not ice. The day I picked up the Yaktrax, the sidewalks were packed snow and ice. It took some effort to get them strapped onto my shoes. I felt like they might break if I stretched them too much. The tight fit ended up helping in my overall confidence of them on my run. The first patch of ice I approached, I instinctively tensed up, only to be surprised at how well the Yaktrax actually worked. There was no slip at all. Through snow, slush and ice, they kept just as good a hold on my shoe as pavement. My only complaint is that you really have to be running on a surface that is covered with snow or ice. I'm not sure how long they will last if you do run on pavement with them, but it's not recommended. I came across a few patches on my first run, and noticed some scuffs and gouges on the wires. For all I know, they might hold up great, but I don't want to test the durability too quickly. For days like today, I was torn as to whether or not I should wear them. I didn't, and regretted it when I came by the slick spots.

All in all, I think my winter gear collection is getting close to being set. A new pair of socks, something to keep my neck warm, and maybe some gaiters for those snow drifts. I hear we are supposed to get slammed with a winter storm in the next few days, so I'll really be able to test out my own limitations on the extra wintery days.