The first “real” snow hit Ann Arbor last night. I noticed it this morning as I peered out the window while getting ready for my long run. “Crap!” I thought, “What should I wear?”

While this question is usually reserved for outings on Friday and Saturday nights, in regard to running, it is more function-oriented than fashion-oriented. In the winter, snow, wind and cold temperatures have runners asking this question before every run, and what is worn can have a direct effect on how enjoyable the run is. Here are a few key tips that can make that cold weather run a little more pleasant:

Tons of runners braving the cold weather at the Super 5K in Novi on February 3, 2009

Photo by Scott Hanson

Don’t overdress: When dressing for a winter run, it is easy to look out at the frozen tundra that is winter in Michigan and put on every piece of running clothing in the closet. This is a bad idea. Overdressing can actually make you feel colder during your run, because once you warm up, you will sweat more. When that sweat cools, all that dampness will make for a cold jog.

A good rule of thumb is to dress about 20 degrees warmer than the temperature. For instance, on a day where the temperature is 40 degrees, I will plan on dressing as if it’s 60 degrees. I also dress a little warmer if there is a wind chill or if it is precipitating, as it can actually feel colder outside.

Wear technical clothing as a base layer: If your budget doesn’t allow for that stylish new jacket that does everything but run for you, don’t fret—it doesn’t mean that you are doomed to discomfort for the winter. Technical clothing can enhance a run greatly by wicking sweat away from your body so that it can evaporate, leaving you drier and cooler. If you only can afford a few pieces, they should be the items that you wear the closest to your body—your base layers. Since these are the pieces of clothing that will touch the first beads of sweat as you run, they are key to keeping you warm and dry.

Layer up (at least up top): When running, your legs are going to be moving the most and doing the bulk of the work, which means they are not going to need the same amount of clothing to keep warm as the top half of your body. While one shirt or jacket may work just fine sometimes, wearing layers can also keep you warmer when the temperatures take a dive.

When you layer, heat is trapped in between the layers of clothing, which keeps the heat inside, closer to your body. Layering is also a good tactic when the temperature may change, as with wind chill or when doing a longer run. When layering, as you warm up you are able to take layers off, keeping you more comfortable at varying temperatures during your run.

Accessorize: Without a hat you are exposing about 10 percent of your body’s surface area, which means you are losing a significant amount of heat with your head exposed (wildernessmedicinenewsletter.wordpress.com). Hats, headbands, and balaclavas can help keep some of that heat in and also keep you warm. Technical fabric will also help in the head department, as it will help keep your head dry as you sweat.

Gloves or mittens are great additions too. There are numerous kinds of running gloves available that come in wicking fabrics, wind-proof fabrics, and waterproof fabrics. I like to wear a cheap pair of gloves most of the winter that I can throw on the side of the road when my hands warm up (and not feel too guilty if they’re not there on the way back). For colder days, a wind-resistant mitten over my gloves keeps my hands from going numb.

Winter running can be enjoyable and almost comfortable when dressed appropriately for the conditions. It is important to remember, however, that even experienced runners have to experiment on some days when it comes to dressing for the cold, and each person runs differently—a 10 degree day may mean a hat, shirt, jacket, and fleece pants for one person or a pair of thin tights and one long sleeve for another. The best way to figure out what works best for you is to get out there and run. You can try a few short runs so you’re not freezing or overheating and they will give you some semblance of an idea of what works for you.

So tomorrow, as you get ready for your run outside in the cold, wind, and snow, hopefully you’ll be able to answer confidently the question, “What should I wear?”

Chelsea Earls is a runner and works at Running Fit in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at chelsea.earls@gmail.com