18 WINTER : TRAINING & RACING What do I need for winter training and racing? Some of you crazies will still wear shorts and a vest for winter, brrrrr… You guys make me feel cold just looking at you! Here are our top 6 recommendations for those wet and chilly winter events. q A Baselayer – here’s why… l Wicks moisture away from the body transferring sweat to the outer layers. This keeps the skin dry and helps maintain thermal comfort. l They provide insulation, helping to regulate body temperature by trapping a thin layer of air close to the skin in cold conditions. l They’re often made from soft material adding comfort whilst reducing friction and the likelihood of chaffing. l Easily adjustable central heating for your body when used in conjunction with a mid and an outer layer. It’s easy to add/remove a thin layer when too cold/hot, depending on activity levels and weather. l Quick drying means it does its job quickly and helps maintain warmth and comfort. w A good pair of gloves. I know at-least a handful of you who suffer from Raynaud’s disease, this is a condition that affects blood flow to parts of the body, usually the fingers and toes. Smaller arteries that supply blood constrict excessively (vasospasm) in response to cold or stress, limiting blood supply. You may experience numbness, tingling and a feeling of coldness. If you suspect you have this, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for an evaluation and guidance. Wearing good gloves is beneficial in keeping warm and providing insulation to help prevent the fingers and hands getting too cold and triggering a vasospasm. Choosing the right type of glove depends upon the activity you are doing. Are you going for a run in windy conditions? In which case you’ll need light-weight wind resistant gloves. Is it raining or will you be fully submerged in a river or a lake? Look for gloves that retain heat, are water resistant, or go for neoprene for extra warmth. Note... to manage Raynaud’s well you should take steps to stay warm in general, not just on your hands or feet. The above advice isn’t just for Raynaud’s sufferers but for everyone who ventures out beyond autumn. Keeping warm helps prevent illness and fatigue. e A buff This is an absolute must for me. In fact, it’s rare to see me race at any time of year without one. During winter I start with it around my neck to keep the chill out, and on freezing days I pull it up onto the lower half of my face to keep my face warm. When I get too hot, I pull it up and onto my head to use as a hairband keeping my hair off my face, and if I’m sweaty I’ll often wrap it around my wrist so I have a sweatband. I have a large selection of these that I’ve collected over the years but obviously the Obstacle Mud Runner Magazine one is my all-time fave.
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