Falling For Fall- Gear for Cooler Weather

By: Mizuno Race Team Member, Lindsay Flanagan

 

At last! My favorite time of year is finally upon us, fall. The temperature is slowly dropping, humidity easing, and, wait, is that a breeze I feel?  Summer still seems to be lingering here in Washington, D.C., but I cannot wait for the arrival of cool, crisp, air.  While cooler weather in itself is enough to get excited about, I am also anxiously awaiting the opportunity to wear my new Fall/Winter Mizuno gear. From the Inspire Long Sleeve Tee, to the Breath Thermo Double Knit Half Zip, to the Layered Tight, the new collection is phenomenal. Did I mention the colors are amazing too?  With all this new, fabulous gear, it can be difficult to decide what to wear first-can’t I just wear it all at once?! Thankfully, my trusty guide, the weather, always helps me solve this dilemma.

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When heading out for a run on a crisp, fall morning, anywhere between 45-55 degrees, you will most likely find me wearing the soft, lightweight Inspire Long Sleeve Tee. Not only is this cotton-like top extremely comfortable, it also provides just the right amount of warmth for a cool run. Another great aspect of this top is that it still fits great when adding another layer underneath. For instance, if the air is damp, or breeze, strong, I like to layer up with the Inspire Tee or Inspire Cap Sleeve. Because both pieces are lightweight, you never feel weighed down. Pair any of these tops with the Featherweight tight and you are ready to roll!

 

When temperatures begin to dip below 45 degrees, and winter weather begins to roll in, I usually break out my Breath Thermo gear.  Comprised of fabric that uses body moisture to generate heat, Breath Thermo pieces are sure to keep you warm on even the chilliest days- without having to layer up too much.  Also, because Breath Thermo gear is highly absorbent, sweat dries quickly and won’t leave you with that ‘chilled’ feeling after a run.  Some of my favorite Breath Thermo pieces from this year’s collection are the Body Mapping Cowl Long Sleeve, the Double Knit Full Zip Hoody, and the Breath Thermo Layered Tight.

 

With its adjustable drawstring neck, the Cowl Long Sleeve is perfect for cold days; it essentially has a built-in scarf. I find, that when I keep my neck warm, the rest of my body follows suit. The Double Knit Full Zip Hoody is another great option for cold, windy days- its soft, polyester hood is sure to keep ears warm and cozy. Did I mention it also has thumbholes and a ponytail port-Score!! As for keeping my legs warm on these chilly days, the Breath Thermo Layered Tight is a great option. With built-in internal thigh panels, quads are sure to stay loose even when temperatures are low.

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Fall is the perfect time to show off all that base training you put in during the summer months. So throw on some new gear, embrace the cooler temperatures, and go set a new PR.  And, as always, remember to Never Settle. Happy running!

 

Lindsay is a native of Arlington Heights, Ill., where she was a four-time prep All-American in cross country and track and field while attending Lake Park High School.  After high school Lindsay attended the University of Washington where she majored in Nutrition and Public Health.  During her time at UW, Lindsay was an All-American at 10,000m, a four-time NCAA XC Nationals participant and ran a 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifying time of 1:13:56 in the Big Sur Half-Marathon. Lindsay recently scored a bronze medal for Team USA in the Marathon at the Pan-American games. Lindsay currently trains in Washington, DC under the guidance of Isaya Okwiya.