The frozen hootus (running content)

Running in sub-20F weather is a necessity for me. I have good cold gear to deal with almost everything that needs dealing with. Except... anything that keeps the hootus warm causes chaffing which is even less pleasant than a frozen, shrunken cold mushroom cap. A frozen hootus is painful. For years I've just been uncomfortable and dealt with it but by zeus' beard it has to stop.

What does GRM do to keep the hootus safe when running in the frozen tundra?

I'm going to assume moving south isn't an option.

Rub some blue emu on it*.

*if you take this advice seriously please film your face when you put it on so we can all laugh at you.

What could be better than hot hands on your hootus?

Front mounted fanny pack with heat packs/hand warmers?

Did you try something other than running shorts

(insert George Castanza "shrinkage" video clip).

Try rubbing wasabi on it.

Find a warm place to put it?

Indoor treadmill?

Whiskey is pretty warming.

Search on the internet for tuggie. Basically a snuggie for your hootus.

This is one instance where having the right equipment (pun intended) really helps. Multiple layers are your friend, and make sure the bottom layer has the ability to wick sweat away. Real running shorts or spandex-type underwear without seams should help the chafing problem. If you don't get any reasonable responses on here, definitely try a running forum, as you're not the first person to be dealing with this.

I've never run in sub 20 weather, but I've done plenty of running in the 0 to -10 range (training for indoor track during CT winters), and it can be OK. At those temps, thought, multiple layers of mittens/gloves, sunglasses (with yellow tint for cloudy days), and a balaclava are a must.

If all else fails, I've heard that Herculiner has excellent insulating properties...

1988RedT2 wrote: What could be better than hot hands on your hootus?

Oh my, this sounds like it could greatly enhance your running experience

DILYSI Dave wrote: Find a warm place to put it?

I mean, that's what we spend our whole lives trying to do anyhow, right?

the O/P's screen name is now particularly funny.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Running in sub-20F weather

Well, there's your problem, right there ...

I second the merkin. Below -20F I would be concerned with frost biting my lungs. My friend that runs bobcats with his hounds will not let them go unless it is warmer than 10F , due to the hounds freezing their lungs.

What do you mean you HAVE to run? Do bears chase you frequently?

In cycling, there is chamois cream for chafing and embrocation for keeping your legs warm, but it is considered vitally important not to get the latter anywhere near the former.

sachilles wrote: What do you mean you HAVE to run? Do bears chase you frequently?

I HAVE to. I'm training to climb a giant frozen mountain so avoiding strenuous exercise and breathing hard in the freezing cold is counter-productive.

Well, that and if I don't I can't go around calling everyone else a Bob Costas.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: [...] Well, that and if I don't I can't go around calling everyone else a Bob Costas.

This I understand.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

sachilles wrote: What do you mean you HAVE to run? Do bears chase you frequently?

I HAVE to. I'm training to climb a giant frozen mountain so avoiding strenuous exercise and breathing hard in the freezing cold is counter-productive. Well, that and if I don't I can't go around calling everyone else a Bob Costas.

Condom, seriously. The latex will keep you warm, but your boys will still be out in the draft.

So when you climb the mountain, I assume you are wearing some mountaineering pants, why not use those to run so you get use to them?

I'm trying to figure out why your hootus is freezing.

Below 32, I wear some kind of full running pants. Not the loose sweat pant, but tights design. Sure, it looks silly, but I'm running an the haters are sitting on their rears. With briefs, my hootus has never been an issue.

Top- running "sweater"- tight to the body. Depending on the ambient, short sleeve over that (15-25F) or another long sleeve (less than 15F) PLUS a light weight running shell. Plus Hat, head band, gloves, heavier socks- I know I'm good to -7F with that kind of layering.

What was horrible was running for 50 min, and STOPPING, warming up to the point of sweat, and then running again- man that was COOOOLLLLD.

Anyway, running tights. They are great to run in.

pilotbraden wrote: I second the merkin. Below -20F I would be concerned with frost biting my lungs.

I have a Chaos CTR balclava/face mask for the lungs (and also looking like a ninja).

Maybe what I need is a performance fleece merkin.