# This could be interesting (freezing New Year's Eve run) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 31, 2008, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-could-be-interesting-freezing-new-years-eve-run/479345 "2008-12-31T12:38:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-could-be-interesting-freezing-new-years-eve-run/479345/1 "2008-12-31T12:38:32Z")
Not having any other appealing options for New Year’s Eve, I signed up for the [midnight run](http://www.nyrr.org/races/2008/r1231x00.asp) in Central Park. Of course, when I registered, I didn’t realize that it would be about 20 degrees at midnight with a wind chill of zero (and probably with fresh snow on the ground). After all, it hit 67 degrees a few days ago! I can’t imagine running in a sweater or a heavy coat, so I’m probably just going to layer long-sleeve t-shirts like crazy, along with a windbreaker (and the requisite hand and head coverage). Knowing myself, I’ll probably start sweating like a pig about 100 yards into it, anyway. If you have any advice, let me know! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-could-be-interesting-freezing-new-years-eve-run/479345/2 "2008-12-31T12:55:02Z")
Do NOT wear cotton!!! Technical fabrics are the way to go(CoolMax, Dri-Fit, that sort of thing). Layer upper body from skin out. Short sleeve or sleeveless, long sleeve, breathable windbreaker. Layer legs. Tights, loose fit tights if you want two layers. Look for windproof, breathable tights. Head-ski cap or fleece headband that covers the ears. Gloves Wool or acrylic socks, NO COTTON!! Dry clothes for after. Have fun. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-could-be-interesting-freezing-new-years-eve-run/479345/3 "2008-12-31T13:01:21Z")
Afterthought. Bring old warm clothes to wear to the start. Something you can throw away. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-could-be-interesting-freezing-new-years-eve-run/479345/4 "2008-12-31T13:13:37Z")
Hmm, they gave me a long-sleeved 50% cotton/50% polyester T-shirt for signing up. Might have to do some shopping after work; I have running pants, but nothing to layer under them. Nothing but cotton undershirts, either. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-could-be-interesting-freezing-new-years-eve-run/479345/5 "2008-12-31T13:18:40Z")
> [@The\_Shroud](#): > > \*\*Hmm, they gave me a long-sleeved 50% cotton/50% polyester T-shirt for signing up. > \*\* > Might have to do some shopping after work; I have running pants, but nothing to layer under them. Nothing but cotton undershirts, either. No cotton, not even blends. Go shopping. The main problem with cotton is it gets abrasive when wet and you will get chilled very quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-could-be-interesting-freezing-new-years-eve-run/479345/6 "2008-12-31T13:24:41Z")
My girlfriend and I talked about doing this, but decided not to freeze. Maybe next year. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Contrary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@Contrary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrary)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-could-be-interesting-freezing-new-years-eve-run/479345/7 "2008-12-31T14:11:50Z")
Cotton is great to sleep in. It’s the debil to run in when it’s cold out. Do what **runner pat** says, he speaks the truth. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-could-be-interesting-freezing-new-years-eve-run/479345/8 "2009-01-01T07:35:55Z")
Thanks for the advice…it must have been sound, because I was _very_ comfortable. And, that was absolutely the best New Year’s Eve I’ve ever had; I got to do something I really enjoy, have 1 beer to celebrate, and get home before 2am. I think I’ll definitely join a running club, assuming they tolerate stragglers. That was really the first time I’d run with a group, and I found it a lot more satisfying and motivating than I thought I would. And, them technical fabrics is `spensive, so I’d better get some use out of them. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-could-be-interesting-freezing-new-years-eve-run/479345/9 "2009-01-01T14:57:53Z")
**The Shroud** , glad you had fun. Any good running club not only accepts stragglers, you may find you’re faster than some of them already. I ran some of the Midnight Runs back in the ‘70s when Runners’ World was based in Mountain View, Ca.