When I joined HU c25k and wrote my first profile last September, I said two things were guaranteed: that I’d be in the slow lane and that I’d never be caught wearing shorts. Too hasty by half. Now I must eat my words. This week, I ran three times, one of which I did **in shorts** 😱🙈😱🙈😱🙈😳 OK, I know (nearly) everyone runs in shorts. The point is, I don’t. Rather, I didn’t. Now I do. Me and shorts have never got on, so this is a major ‘first’ in my world. That was Run 2. They hadn’t arrived in time for Run 1, although it was so warm that I wished they had. Run 3 today was my first outing **in running tights** - admittedly, less of a personal drama than the shorts, but still a rubicon of sorts. What can I say? I’m very happy with both new options.
R1: 5.5k, 7:25 average pace (my trusty tracksters)
R2: 7.4k, 7:27 (shorts)
R3: 5k, 7:19, which is equal to my PB, so like a ‘second first’ (swanky tights)
All early morning runs, topped and tailed with walking (not included in the figures), using some short ‘jeffed’ walk intervals (which are included). I walked on the days between runs, bar yesterday when rain pelted down all day.
R1 and R3 almost got negative splits. I guess ‘almost’ in this context doesn’t really work; negative splits seem a bit all or nothing.🤨 R2 was all over the show in this regards, but generally trended positive splits. Odd, because I’d felt this run to be laboured at the start and to have more energy towards the end when I was even throwing in some jog-sprint intervals (‘sprint’ being a relative term). What with the shorts, very bright vest, and concentrated cadence counting, I must have looked like I knew what I was up to! (Maybe not😂)
Next up, I’m testing out some zero-drop shoes. They’re late arrivals and have not yet ventured out of the house (so not yet a ‘first’… just ‘almost’). I’ve been in low-drops all along, so we’ll see how mixing in some proper zeros goes. Quite excited by this little experiment!!
Happy running!
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GailXrunning
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Shorts are so liberating. I always said I'd never be seen in public in shorts (unless I was on my summer holidays abroad when no-one knew me). Now I just don't care - shameless me 😁 Good luck with the zero drops!
Haha! We sort of become incognito when running too. I’ve bumped into folks I know, but it’s as if ‘our of context’ makes one invisible. I saw all the people running, walking, exercising in the park… all shapes and sizes, all ages… just what was I worried about?! Yes, liberation… in more ways than one.
Well done you!! I've only gone from trackies to 3/4 length running leggings. Going to have to try shorts sometime for longer runs on hot days-What type fo you have(I only ever do shorts in the garden or on foreign holidays)
I wouldn’t even do that!! Holidays have been a world of floaty palazzos (lovely, still love them). I got a pair of ‘double shorts’ with the tight inner short (like a short legging) with loose shorts over the top. You can see I’m still hedging my way to full shorts! They’re 4-inch inner seam length so not too shorty short. Works for me as I take my baby steps…
Go for it! I was definitely finding it becoming hot in my tracksters. It does make a difference. Mind you, we can note that I’ve now jinxed the weather!
My preferred shorts have a short legging lining and have a separate gusset.
If I'm wearing shorts without lining, I'll wear something that's equivalent below the shorts, just to keep things snug down there. A bit like ladies with sports bras, gents have a wobble of their own which needs to be controlled. 😉
That’s the type (but without the special accoutrement you mentioned). Essentially very short tights/leggings with a pair of traditional running shorts overlaying (the two elements join at/ share the waistband.
I garden too (or at least: keep a tiny back yard in some sort of shape). The photo is from the park where I run. They’ve planted some wildflower patches for the bees. Every time I’m there, someone is taking photos of or selfies with them. And the bees are on every flower head. Amazing. 🐝
Ooo, thanks. I’ll have check this tomorrow on the lap top. Sadly your photo is invisible on the mobile app.
A few days back (Thursday I think) I saw a team of runners posing with them too! Everyone took selfies; pics of one another; and then a team photo on a timer. This little area is a real star attraction at the moment.
Haha! I recall you once mentioning the gift. Sounds like you’ve got this all well sussed! My shorts are double, with short leggings, so I doubt I’ll squeeze a second full leggings layer. The leggings are super tight; meant to be… but they really do work. I’ve got a decent leg pocket for my phone (which is too big for the back waistband pocket and too big for just about every pocket I know. Today was the first day running without my old money/passport belt (the band held in place by a 🧷 )
Well done GailX! On the tights and the times! The world isn’t yet prepared for me in shorts (🤣) - it’s barely ready for me in leggings but it’ll have to learn to live with it!
So true. This time last year I had absolutely no idea. How things have changed - small stuff and large. +That’s exactly my philosophy: enjoying the journey and process is key.
Well done you👍Those times are great😊 I’m still not as brave as you. Funny enough I was buying new trainers yesterday and looked at the shorts. Still to scary😱 I bought to ronhill Capri length running tights with pockets instead.I don’t think I’ll ever venture out in shorts 😂
😂👍Definitely very scary at the outset. ‘Looked at’: that’s how it starts Dups! I just ‘looked at’. Then went down the rabbit hole of ‘just researching’ all the options (who’d have thought running shorts could be so complicated). Then committed to ‘just trying’ my preferred option, the ‘safest’ one. By the time I left the house in them it had become such ‘a big experiment’ that I was more intrigued that scared. 😉
I love shorts! I only wear leggings for a very limited amount of time in the winter. Maybe Dec - Feb. The rest of the time is shorts! Several people in my club wear shorts all year round!
That’s surely the sign of the very serious runner, Tasha99!! 😄😳😉 I’m in awe.
I’ve felt perfectly fine in my tracksters until the heatwave - managing tops, gloves and ear coverings being all I seemed to need for effective temperature regulation through the past 10 months. Spent the winter (with my OH) shaking heads at the sight of those few runners in shorts and vest (sometimes not even the latter). ‘OMG!’ we’d say.
I’m not too bad, but Mr GXr seems to **require** massive overdressing. I don’t know how he survives the heat that must build up. 🤣 Still, you’ll be pleased to hear that - once I broke the bar - he ordered some shorts too. We’ll see how things unfold….
Hi GailXR,I, too, wore shorts for the first time ever for running. They are like cycling shorts with floppier shorts over. I was self conscious at first but then I thought, “what the heck?” And off I went!
What zero drop shoes do you have? And what low drop are you currently in?
I’ve been thinking about going lower - went from a 10mm to an 8mm drop and when I next change my shoes, I’ll try for lower. Any advice?
Snap! Exactly the same type of shorts. We’ve now broken that barrier! (So proud that I’ve updated my profile.😂)
I’m afraid I’ll have to return my zero drops because they’re rubbing/ digging when I bend at my foot-toe joint. Pity. Otherwise nice shoes and felt really comfortable, although a proper answer would require the full transition process, which is long term. I have very wide feet at this point so it’s not a problem of the shoes just how these shoes work on my idiosyncratic feet. They’re Altra Torin 4, which aren’t available in wide fitting but I’d hoped that the ‘naturally’ wide toe box of the Altra design might work for me. Looks like I’ll need to stick to shoes with wide fittings. I’ve been in Hoka One One Clifton 7 (5mm drop), so await the arrival of stock of their new wides. I wasn’t planning to abandon my Cliftons, which have been perfect, just to work towards mixing up my shoes.
All good thanks Gail, slowed up a bit with the running, still get out when i can, life just very busy at the moment, in a good way, work, new partner, etc, glad your back out running too, with your shorts on!!! 😉😀
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