Intro & A Running Question

[Deleted]

Hi Health & Fitness!  I normally post on MM but have started lurking here....you are some fit ladies!  I really have a question...but felt I first owed it to you to intro!

A little about myself: I am early 30s and love the great outdoors.  I grew up a tomboy, and my H taught me a lot about really being outdoors (backpacking, etc) and now I am fully addicted.

I workout every day, with a big focus on weightlifting and strength training.  I was a sprinter and (really bad) cross country runner when I was younger (middle / high school.). I am trying to get back into running (so good for you but man, I have a hard time with distances) and also adore yoga and biking (both road and on my motorcycle.)

So....I come to you gurus with a gear question.  Now that I am trying to run more consistently, and the weather is getting warmer, I am interested in long-sleeve running shirts that are appropriate for hot, hot weather...wicking and super lightweight, but with some sun protection.  I want to stay out of the sun, and when I'm running for 30-60 minutes, that's just not possible on my "normal" route (neighborhoods nearby.)

Any recommendations? 

[Deleted]

Hi and welcome!!!

Are you opposed to tanks and sunblock for any particular reason? I can't imagine running in sleeves here during the summer, I melt above 80! I'll look around at my usual brands, but I'm not sure off the top of my head!

[runaways]

Hi and welcome. I'm not sure where you are, but I have to be honest - I'm in Texas and I think I would rather die than do my summer runs in long sleeves, especially out in the sun. Can you go early morning or late evening? If you can't and you're set on long sleeves though, I'd probably try UA heatgear.

[MrsE]

Waives hi @shoegal! Welcome to H&F!

Honestly, IMHO, it gets way too hot and humid around the DC Metro area to wear long sleeves in the spring & summer here. Team sunblock all the way. I would rather run on the dread-mill than run outside with long sleeves when it is warm. (Sorry, I know that is not particularly helpful, but it's the honest truth.)

[Susie]

Hi @shoegal!

I find summer running brutal, not just the sun but the heat and humidity. I tend to be a lot more motivated to get up early to run in the summer while it's still cool, which would also be when the sun is at a low enough angle that you should not burn like you would at midday. To me, that is far more palatable than having to cover up.

If you really wanted something, I have seen white "cooling sleeves," mostly in cycling gear. Something like that might help, at least for some skin real estate? But I haven't tried anything like that because, like I said, I just opt for the early morning (or dusk).

[jene]

Hi @shoegal! Nice to see you over here!

I usually ditch long sleeves once it gets warmer, but am pretty fair skinned so I am really diligent about sunscreen since I despise tan lines and prefer to keep my porcelain skin as wrinkle free as possible I have had good luck with banana boat sport, it seems to stay in place pretty well.

I know you travel a fair amount, are you able to adjust your running times at all so you can avoid the sun? When I lived in warmer climates, I would try to run early morning to avoid as much sun/humidity as possible. Oooooorrrr, you could just move to MN, it has to be cooler than DC

[Deleted]

Thanks ladies!

This is all good advice. I was hoping for some magical advance in technology that allowed one to run in long sleeves....alas, it looks like that might not be possible.

Thank you thank you for all the great suggestions....running earlier / later could definitely be an option, and I definitely use pretty intense sunblock, so I suppose that might be the most practical. I am so proud that I have started running again, and I definitely like running outside versus the treadmill...so appreciate the ideas!!

[Deleted]

Ahhhh so many MM buddies over here, too! Who knew!??

And thanks for the kind welcome, ladies. I am in awe of the badassity on this board. You all kind of intimidate me....no, you totally intimidate me. Marathons, 10ks, oh man, so much to learn

[emilyinchile]

Embrace the tan lines (Mostly I just wanted to say hi, everyone else pretty much covered it in terms of actual advice)

[Deleted]

"You all kind of intimidate me....no, you totally intimidate me. Marathons, 10ks, oh man, so much to learn "
Welcome and no need to feel intimidated, there are ladies of all abilities and disciplines here, everyone can be badass in their own way. Run, swim, cycle, lift stuff: it's all good here! Most of all, compete against yourself

[Wines Not Whines]

Welcome! I take it you're in the DC area? There are several of us from DC on this board.

I agree with everyone else. No long sleeves in summer. That's unthinkable. I usually run outdoors in the morning, before the sun is too strong. It's manageable.

[gt7301b]

Hi @shoegal!

Stick around and you will soon see us complaining about running in the heat. Like the others said I try and run earlier in the summer to avoid the extreme heat. Under armour makes some coldblack shirts that are supposed to reflect the sun, but I think they are mostly short sleeves.

[kams]

Welcome! Please don't feel intimidated! I remember standing at the start line of my first 5k and being sure I wouldn't be able to finish - it's like it was yesterday. I think most of us remember those times very vividly.

Also, I feel like the good news fairy! There is such a thing! Throw this on over a tank

[Deleted]

Apr 14, 2014 18:19:35 GMT -5 kams said:

Welcome! Please don't feel intimidated! I remember standing at the start line of my first 5k and being sure I wouldn't be able to finish - it's like it was yesterday. I think most of us remember those times very vividly.

Also, I feel like the good news fairy! There is such a thing! Throw this on over a tank

Oh my god!!! I love you!  I am totally going to try this

My first 5k will be in May....it will be the first time I have been timed while running a 5k since the late 90s.  I will be sure to share with this board....yikes!!!

thank you thank you thank you for the link!!

[kams]

Apr 14, 2014 19:34:21 GMT -5 @shoegal said:

Apr 14, 2014 18:19:35 GMT -5 kams said:

Welcome! Please don't feel intimidated! I remember standing at the start line of my first 5k and being sure I wouldn't be able to finish - it's like it was yesterday. I think most of us remember those times very vividly.

Also, I feel like the good news fairy! There is such a thing! Throw this on over a tank

Oh my god!!! I love you!  I am totally going to try this

My first 5k will be in May....it will be the first time I have been timed while running a 5k since the late 90s.  I will be sure to share with this board....yikes!!!

thank you thank you thank you for the link!!

Yay! Stick around!

[Deleted]

Apr 14, 2014 19:34:21 GMT -5 @shoegal said:

Apr 14, 2014 18:19:35 GMT -5 kams said:

Welcome! Please don't feel intimidated! I remember standing at the start line of my first 5k and being sure I wouldn't be able to finish - it's like it was yesterday. I think most of us remember those times very vividly.

Also, I feel like the good news fairy! There is such a thing! Throw this on over a tank

Oh my god!!! I love you!  I am totally going to try this

My first 5k will be in May....it will be the first time I have been timed while running a 5k since the late 90s.  I will be sure to share with this board....yikes!!!

thank you thank you thank you for the link!!

Good luck! You'll do fine, and don't worry about sharing your time. Ask anyone here, I've been here for YEARS and I still run like a turtle

[thom]

Hi @shoegal, welcome!

I'm jump in on the long sleeves. I think they can work. This comes from a girl who works in long jeans all summer & sometimes long sleeves if needed. {Farm work isn't usually shorts friendly. }

I know there's Under Armor heat gear & probably other sport brands that make really light weight, breathable tops. I'd pick a light color & go with something not super tight. I think you'd be ok & actually get a bit of shade over your arms from the sun.

I know some other cultures (I'm thinking of those near the equator) wear long, loose clothing in the heat to shade their skin & it must work to some degree.

Hope this is somewhat helpful! I do usually wear short sleeves to run in summer, but I totally see your point here.

Edit: I just saw Kams link above. That is neat!

[sadlebred]

It's too hot in the ATL to run or ride with long sleeves in the summer. I'd die.

However....

Google "Cycling arm coolers." There are tons of brands. They are like arm warmers but in white, light weight fabric. You could pair them with a short sleeve top and take them off if you get too hot.

[Deleted]

Hi @shoegal! Welcome!

If I remember right, you ran 5 miles this weekend! That is pretty badass!

[katietornado]

Apr 14, 2014 17:26:14 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

Welcome! I take it you're in the DC area? There are several of us from DC on this board.

I agree with everyone else. No long sleeves in summer. That's unthinkable. I usually run outdoors in the morning, before the sun is too strong. It's manageable.

OMG.  I remember leaving the house for work in the morning in Baltimore City in the summer.  It was like stepping into a bathroom where someone just took a shower.  Just say no to sleeves!

[Deleted]

Apr 14, 2014 22:11:28 GMT -5 @mrschicken said:

Hi @shoegal! Welcome!

If I remember right, you ran 5 miles this weekend! That is pretty badass!

Mrs Chicken, you are over here on H and F TOO?!  Who knew there was so much board crossover.

H just texted me with an update....apparently our route is 5.4 miles (!!!!) - he biked it out this evening.  Holy Moses, who knew?!!!!  It was soooo hot on Sunday, though, and I kept worrying about my damn skin versus focusing on my run.  We went at 4pm which was probably not the wisest.... :/ I wish more of our neighbors had nice big, shady trees by the road.....

[arch01]

Tanks and sunscreen! I'd die in long sleeves, but then again I'm the one that everyone laughs at when I wear shorts and a tank if it's over 50 degrees.

[gt7301b]

Apr 14, 2014 23:11:37 GMT -5 @shoegal said:

Apr 14, 2014 22:11:28 GMT -5 @mrschicken said:

Hi @shoegal! Welcome!

If I remember right, you ran 5 miles this weekend! That is pretty badass!

Mrs Chicken, you are over here on H and F TOO?!  Who knew there was so much board crossover.

H just texted me with an update....apparently our route is 5.4 miles (!!!!) - he biked it out this evening.  Holy Moses, who knew?!!!!  It was soooo hot on Sunday, though, and I kept worrying about my damn skin versus focusing on my run.  We went at 4pm which was probably not the wisest.... :/ I wish more of our neighbors had nice big, shady trees by the road.....

Sunday wasn't even that bad, just wait till August 

[lovesherheels]

I just want to say welcome!

[gumi]

Do you have a costco membership? I have arm and leg "coolers" with built in spf50. I wear them on the bike, but you can run in them. It's not a costco item but a vendor who does costco rounds. It's cheap, too.

Sent from my SCH-I605

[clseale]

Welcome to the board!

[Wines Not Whines]

Apr 15, 2014 7:23:11 GMT -5 arch01 said:

Tanks and sunscreen! I'd die in long sleeves, but then again I'm the one that everyone laughs at when I wear shorts and a tank if it's over 50 degrees.

I don't think that's weird. I wear shorts and a tank or short sleeves above 50.

I do raise an eyebrow when I see people running in shorts when it's in the 20s and 30s.

[Deleted]

Apr 15, 2014 8:26:24 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

Apr 15, 2014 7:23:11 GMT -5 arch01 said:

Tanks and sunscreen! I'd die in long sleeves, but then again I'm the one that everyone laughs at when I wear shorts and a tank if it's over 50 degrees.

I don't think that's weird. I wear shorts and a tank or short sleeves above 50.

I do raise an eyebrow when I see people running in shorts when it's in the 20s and 30s.

55-60 is when I hit tank top and running skirt weather. Seriously, above 80-85 I'm inside.

[bostonmichelle]

I just wanted to say Hi! I haven't run yet in the summer and I hadn't even thought about sunscreen and not frying my skin. I'm glad you posted this because I probably would've gone out in a few weeks and turned into a lobster.

[ebeth]

Apr 14, 2014 17:07:10 GMT -5 @shoegal said:

Thanks ladies!

This is all good advice. I was hoping for some magical advance in technology that allowed one to run in long sleeves....alas, it looks like that might not be possible.

Thank you thank you for all the great suggestions....running earlier / later could definitely be an option, and I definitely use pretty intense sunblock, so I suppose that might be the most practical. I am so proud that I have started running again, and I definitely like running outside versus the treadmill...so appreciate the ideas!!

under armor makes heat gear tops that are long sleeved.  I have one.  I don't wear it in the summer though and agree with the others that long sleeves + summer running = hating your life.