I love all of your coping mechanisms, Jessica. Hooray for running, reuse, and art! (Also question: do wool running leggings exist? Do they exist secondhand? Too much to ask?)
Congrats on signing up for another marathon! I resonate with what you said about it not necessarily being something you're using to cope specifically, but it gets you out of the house consistently. I'm finding the same for myself...training for a marathon is like accidentally taking care of my brain. :-)
And I'm curious about the new method! My dad and I ran a marathon last fall and he ran with the 6-hour pacer who did the run-walk-run pattern for the entire 26.2 miles and they came in at exactly 6 hours. He didn't train that way but said it was super helpful getting him to the finish line (he was nervous he wouldn't make the 6-hour cutoff time) :) Good luck!!!
(PS - I'm still using the method you highlighted for your first marathon but it hasn't let me down yet: I'm on marathon #3!)
Other brands that make wool-blend tights and/or joggers include Smartwool; Ridge Merino; Tracksmith; Woolx; and Arc'teryx. Some of their tights have higher wool percentages than others, but it varies between brands and specific products. (Woolx and Arc'teryx seem at first glance to have the highest wool percentages, but Tracksmith uses recycled materials? Lots of tradeoffs and things to consider.) I think it's likely you can find options from these brands on the other reselling sites too, although it might take time...
Thanks for your kind words! Getting out of the house for runs has felt like pulling teeth recently but once I am out there I enjoy myself like 19/20 times so it's really a boon. Are you training for another marathon now or have your eyes set on one soon?
(I have to admit that I've been doing 95% of my runs in a 50/50 cotton/poly blend Addidas sweatpant that I got for Christmas. Sometimes I layer a 3/4 length wool tight underneath if it's really really cold out. What's crazy is the synthetic tights I already owned and I thought I would wear for winter training haven't been warm enough??? And when my legs get cold my knee hurts...)
Thank you so much for the legging leads, Jessica! I appreciate this so much. 🙏 I’ve been having the same problem on cold runs - the plastic-y leggings that are supposed to be winter-rated can’t keep up and make my legs feel all weird. The struggle is real. 🫠
I’m training for a marathon on Whidbey Island (Washington) in April! Can’t wait. When is yours, so we can cheer you on in your training?
OMG we're running the SAME DAY!! Whidbey Island Marathon looks INCREDIBLE. Please let me know how it goes and if you would recommend, just in case I'm ever inclined to winter train again...
Ya I'm loving running in slightly loose joggers, I think it's keeping my leg muscles/knees warmer than something skin tight, especially when I'm going slow or taking walk breaks. That's when I notice my legs/knees seizing up in the cold..
One thing I’ve been soothing myself with is tea but never getting a to go cup while drinking on the run. I go to a place with friendly staff and get a to stay cup. You can really savor your drink and rest even if just for 15 minutes. And while having my tea I write or draw in my pocket size journal. No phone scrolling! My latest favorite is KETTL for a matcha with homemade coconut milk in their beautiful Japanese pottery.
I love this....I aspire to be more of a sit-down hot drinks person, and our closest coffee shop is actually *great* for sit-down drinks, so I really have no excuse (except, perhaps, coffee/tea is less expensive at home). But treating it more like a treat or event would be lovely.
Best of luck with your marathon! I’ve been curious to try Jeffing one cycle and see how it goes.
Thank you!! Ya, his methods are super interesting! Excited to see how they work day-of..
I love all of your coping mechanisms, Jessica. Hooray for running, reuse, and art! (Also question: do wool running leggings exist? Do they exist secondhand? Too much to ask?)
Congrats on signing up for another marathon! I resonate with what you said about it not necessarily being something you're using to cope specifically, but it gets you out of the house consistently. I'm finding the same for myself...training for a marathon is like accidentally taking care of my brain. :-)
And I'm curious about the new method! My dad and I ran a marathon last fall and he ran with the 6-hour pacer who did the run-walk-run pattern for the entire 26.2 miles and they came in at exactly 6 hours. He didn't train that way but said it was super helpful getting him to the finish line (he was nervous he wouldn't make the 6-hour cutoff time) :) Good luck!!!
(PS - I'm still using the method you highlighted for your first marathon but it hasn't let me down yet: I'm on marathon #3!)
Wool-blend tights exist absolutely—not perfect but not 100 percent plastic either! Here are some I've found (and coveted) on the reselling market, so it *is* possible, although, it could take some patience/diligent hunting for a pair that you like and will work for you: https://noihsafbazaar.com/item/7pj980-james-jogger; https://noihsafbazaar.com/item/6o3543-wool-fleece-leggings; https://noihsafbazaar.com/item/3l4m1p-woolies-1-base-layer-leggings.
Other brands that make wool-blend tights and/or joggers include Smartwool; Ridge Merino; Tracksmith; Woolx; and Arc'teryx. Some of their tights have higher wool percentages than others, but it varies between brands and specific products. (Woolx and Arc'teryx seem at first glance to have the highest wool percentages, but Tracksmith uses recycled materials? Lots of tradeoffs and things to consider.) I think it's likely you can find options from these brands on the other reselling sites too, although it might take time...
Thanks for your kind words! Getting out of the house for runs has felt like pulling teeth recently but once I am out there I enjoy myself like 19/20 times so it's really a boon. Are you training for another marathon now or have your eyes set on one soon?
(I have to admit that I've been doing 95% of my runs in a 50/50 cotton/poly blend Addidas sweatpant that I got for Christmas. Sometimes I layer a 3/4 length wool tight underneath if it's really really cold out. What's crazy is the synthetic tights I already owned and I thought I would wear for winter training haven't been warm enough??? And when my legs get cold my knee hurts...)
Thank you so much for the legging leads, Jessica! I appreciate this so much. 🙏 I’ve been having the same problem on cold runs - the plastic-y leggings that are supposed to be winter-rated can’t keep up and make my legs feel all weird. The struggle is real. 🫠
I’m training for a marathon on Whidbey Island (Washington) in April! Can’t wait. When is yours, so we can cheer you on in your training?
OMG we're running the SAME DAY!! Whidbey Island Marathon looks INCREDIBLE. Please let me know how it goes and if you would recommend, just in case I'm ever inclined to winter train again...
Ya I'm loving running in slightly loose joggers, I think it's keeping my leg muscles/knees warmer than something skin tight, especially when I'm going slow or taking walk breaks. That's when I notice my legs/knees seizing up in the cold..
One thing I’ve been soothing myself with is tea but never getting a to go cup while drinking on the run. I go to a place with friendly staff and get a to stay cup. You can really savor your drink and rest even if just for 15 minutes. And while having my tea I write or draw in my pocket size journal. No phone scrolling! My latest favorite is KETTL for a matcha with homemade coconut milk in their beautiful Japanese pottery.
I love this....I aspire to be more of a sit-down hot drinks person, and our closest coffee shop is actually *great* for sit-down drinks, so I really have no excuse (except, perhaps, coffee/tea is less expensive at home). But treating it more like a treat or event would be lovely.