How important is it to look good when you run?... - Couch to 5K
How important is it to look good when you run? 🏃🏼♀️🏃🏻😳
Please select one:
I like to feel as though I’m a runner, so even if it is a bad run I still feel I tried, so I like to put my outfits together for my run. Hehe after so many years I probably have more running outfits than I should, but I do love them 😀.
Well, I don't even know where to start. My work gear and my running gear are planned, I never just throw things on. I never leave house if the quiff is not how it should be, so imagine if my basketball top is not matching the shorts. No? Neither can I. 
Basketball top?? ----- BLASHPHEMY! 😵
May you strangle yourself on your running laces sirrah!!! 😬
At least tell us you wear PURPLE laces? 😢
😂😂😂😂😂
No, my dear friend, today I wore quite sobering Chicago Bulls training top (red) with black shorts - AND black laces. There was a bit of last moment toss up between black or white baseball cap, took the black one in the end. My wife gave me that all important approval look.
Sigh - it's the end of civilization as we know it 😕 I guess I shall have to retire my Top Hat, Swallow tail coat and studded leather running loincloth in this brave New running world...😔
I bet that loincloth chafes
Nope - thank goodness for frilly underpants 😀
I thought of you mrrun as I posted this poll teehee!
The second it flashed on the screen I had to reply. I can see you guys grinning in the background. 
I'm ashamed of you sir. Ashamed.
Lol. You see, mate, in sarf London you just don’t run wearing a football top, not worth the hassle. Hence basketball gear. Nobody knows what to make out of a slim bloke in his fifties dressed up as a parrot. Then again, why all this dressing up when it’s just a run around a park? I can ask, do you wear pyjamas at work? No? Exactly.
A little important-want to be presentable in public but I'm not trying to win a fashion contest.
I look the part when I leave the house, but after 5k the neighbours are probably saying "here comes the mad, red faced, sweaty woman again!" So all in vain!
But so long as I'm comfortable (And lycra is SO comfortable), I'm happy
Only started running yesterday after a one year gap due to hip problems and I'm with you here, altought it took me less than 5k (more like 500m!) to be red faced and sweaty!
Whatever you wear, it should be legal. 😳
Ooooops....😬
I like to wear the correct gear and look good but I don’t like to think I’m being laughed at because I’m over weight so I like to hide my rear. Other than that it’s difficult when manufacturers don’t seem to make exercise clothes for overweight large women
I like to have my bum covered too. Why do all running tops only come down to the hips?
I like to think I dont mind altho it does increase confidence if u look the part, I feel it has become a little more important as the weeks have gone on altho comfort will always be most improtant
I get up and go running, when I've finished that's the time to pamper 😍
Maybe it's because I use the treadmill right now but I'm not too bothered. I'm more concerned about my breathing and posture.
I went from where I was worried I'd scare dogs and small children to where I honestly don't care how I look. ☺
I'm out there running. Those who understand that commitment and effort are always going to be for me. Those who don't - I should care what their uninformed opinion of me is ? 😂
My polar watch makes ME feel good 😆😊☺😀
I'm only in my 2nd week of running. Doing the C25K thing with the app. I don't have any running gear, so I'm in old swimming trunks and an old t-shirt. Don't really care.
I hope they are not budgie smuggler trunks
Now that would be a sight!
As a representative of the over 50s and not wanting to offend my fellow runners but you will have read our posts. Even the most becoming of outfits tends to loose it's shine against our red/ purple faces.
However ask us if we care we are just glad to be out there.
As long as it's functional, fits and is weather appropriate, I don't care.
It's generally dark when I run anyway 🤣
I am very self conscious about 🏃🏾♀️ running and people seeing me. I’m on my second run of week 4 tonight - I run after dark with a lamp so all I’m concerned about is my running not wasting energy feel self conscious and running too fast because I’m embarrassed 😳 😔
Believe me, a lot of us go through that stage - don't feel bad about it at all, it's just part of the process of becoming a Runner
I like to look the part, but I'm not bothered about fancy labels etc. I'm currently sitting in a pair of capri's which I got at a bargain price in the sale at Sainsbury, with a top from TK max (also in the clearance section. I do like the colours to co-ordinate if possible, but not overly fussed.
Oh, come on. You DO like to co-ordinate the colours!
🤣
You got me there, although I struggle a bit in winter as I only have one running jacket which is bright pink, so looks rather weird when I'm in other colours - especially when I'm in green. But it keeps me warm and I'm too tight to buy another, unless I can find a bargain.
I just treated myself to new running shoes today, and I wanted black so they would go with everything, but have got blue/green which will clash with most things so will just need to get them dirty pretty quickly. 🤣
I really don't care. Any lovely running gear could not make me look any better the way I'm dragging myself along
The fun in my run starts with the getting ready. So ive said quite important. It only needs to look good for me though. The rest of the population might think, what kind of get up is that? 🤣 Out there, dont care! ❤️
Define ‘looking good’. Am not worried about looking red and sweaty or looking daft because I’m not streamlined enough. Low key, functional - tidy. And run the same way.
I like to look as good as I can when I’m red faced and dripping but I am no babe. Most important To me is comfort and technical wicking fabrics
It used to bother me, looking the part, nothing too flappy or wobbly...😂....but now comfort is more important, if that means some of my wobbly bits show, look like they need ironing etc., and I get right sweaty, I don’t care, I’m out there doing it......for me..
Mx
I like to wear comfortable running attire, (where I don’t feel restricted) and with the added benefit of it being stylish and colour coordinated. I do feel that getting ready for my run is part of the excitement and makes me feel like a proper runner! 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️
I initially thought not important as I just scape my hair back and go, but I think there is some thought how I look as I have decent but inexpensive running clothes on! 😊😊
I have my favourite bits of running clothing.... but they don’t necessarily match 🤪! My bra is the most expensive part and no-one see’s that!! 👙
I need a caste iron one ..
If it's shallow to consider your togs then yes I am. And quite unashamedly! I rarely wear anything that isn't black, with a nice charcoal accent from my flipbelt. It helps me channel my inner Emma Peel (despite the red face) and is just a lycra version of what I wear during the day. Not concerned with brands tho, as long as it's comfy and lasts forever.
I am shallow..at my age I should be over it but I love fashion..I love looking at what people are wearing and I get enjoyment from styling an outfit..it's harmless fun...I don't over do it though and I know when enough 's enough...I'm 60 in 3 years...time to wear sack cloth and ashes then...
Nothing wrong with looking good! I wouldn’t plan to be any different in 3 years either! Why should you!! Go you!! 😁😁❤️
Shallow is NOT bad (in this context). Making yourself look and feel good can never be bad.
I rather like the idea of an off-the-shoulder sack cloth number, cinched with a narrow belt in a funky colour. But not whilst running!
That’s not shallow!
I never look good so no point in worrying about it
As long as my bum is covered I'm happy! 🤪🤪
Definitely in the camp of like to look half decent when I leave the house but look like a mad sweaty beetroot thing by the time I finish. My biggest problem is I have selected my own running gear, can usually rely on Mrs Berksrover and the Berkettes (3 grown up daughters) to buy me half decent clothes that have a semblance of coordination 😂
I just worry people will hear me gasping for breath!!!!
If looking good was important, I wouldn't be able to run. 🤣
I think you've hit the nail on the head there
It doesn’t matter at all to me what I look like. ( and what others think I look like)As long as I feel comfortable, that’s the main thing. 😁
Out there, don't care! Although, I have to wear shorts or a certain pair of black (with double white striped down each side) joggers. Anything qualifies as shorts as long as it doesn't look like trousers worn to signified my cats just died. And a nice baggy t-shirt. I also wear my BRIGHT yellow phone holder on my arm, with unmatched red headphones. (Redphones!) I like to think I express my self through my trainers, and I am currently demonstrating my inner emo-goth darkness with black uppers and laces, with the utter flamboyance of FLOURESCENT yellow bits on the soles and flashes here and there.
I'm complicated. Obviously. I may even be a tortured soul, but... Nah. I just like funky trainers and comfy running stuff.
I look terrible when I run, but I don’t care
What's wrong with me? Why don't I get red faced and sweaty? I'm starting w8 tomorrow and thoroughly enjoying running. Should I be making more effort, going faster???
As long as you’re moving, you’re good.
I like to look the part, wearing appropriate running gear to avoid the dreaded chafing but could care less if it is a name brand. My shorts are just because I found a brand that fits well with minimal chafing. I’m a red faced sweaty (sometimes dirty if it was a trail run) beast by the end though!
I like fashion..not excessively so but buying some new running gear has motivated me..it's similar for me to buying work wear that makes me feel smart and gives me a bit of a confidence boost..or putting on a bit of lippy ...for me anything that makes me feel a bit more confident helps me with whatever I want to achieve...but I don't do impractical fashion or shoes..so same for running..good sports bra essential.. gear that more or less matches..but good fit more important...matching pair of socks...🤣
Comfort and economy come before stylish good looks. Hence why I wear hand me downs from my cousins children, eBay purchases (there's lots of cut price new stuff to be had if you are patient) and 17 year old shorts.
Only thing that must be perfect (if dirty) is a pair of shoes.
Ooh lovely topic Millsie-J Well, as some may know me, will know that I'm not one for wearing or owning different running tops........ 🤣🤣🤣😜😜😜😜 Oh I'm a sinner fibbing like that, lol.
I haven't voted yet, but I guess deep down it doesn't matter what we wear really, but, I suppose for me I think it's sort of quite important to look good, not because of others seeing you as that's inevitable, but because for our minds and how we feel about ourselves, whether we're feeling confident or negative, feeling good in what we're wearing gives us positivity and that good feeling factor. As long as my tops aren't hugging my "shapely" hips 😁😁🤣🤣🤣😏😏 but just hanging nicely, then I'm happy.
Happy running lovely people xx
Can't run without my lucky 20+ yr old NY baseball cap, now beautifully faded from navy to a light grey. I don't know what I'll do when it finally disintegrates 🤔
I enjoy seeing those that care what they are wearing, as they cover themselves in sweat and mud.
Haha Haha - I'm concentrating on not falling over and looking a prat or going too live in the face to care!
I run trail, generally quite early in the morning, so it’s not like many people see me - and those that do are generally dog walkers in their scruffy dog walking clothes
When I run with the dogs, the dogs are better turned out than I am. 😀
I do make an effort for races though.
I am not a label collector!
I am NOT a chav! Glenn Hoddle used to wear a shell suit when he played for spurs and was out on his bike training.... Poor sods who spend so much time colour co-ordinating!!
Ha, I think I may be in the minority here Millsie, I only own three running tops, two are short sleeve and one lovely navy Brookes racer back no sleeve one, which is very long and stretchy and definitely covers the derriere! I have two pairs of black running leggings, one full length the other just over the knee. Two pairs of super Hilly running socks a lovely Buff, a Ronhill Fluro running jacket, oh and a pair of fluro running gloves.
I use an old NoFear baseball cap that belonged to my daughter if its raining, and a stretchy running belt for my phone,
I only have one pair of running shoes too....
So, I have answered Not important..... if its clean (ish ) and a run day I wear it!
Great poll and replies! x
No matter what I wear, I will not look good running.
I accepted that quite some time ago 🤡
If you get the run done what else is important??
There is honestly nothing that I could wear that would make me look good! But instead of feeling self conscious about looking like a sweaty beetroot, I feel proud to hold my head up as a (very slow) runner!
I suspect I look ridiculous, but my Amazon wish list has been taken over by running clothes. So I like the gear, but don't think I look good.
It’s more important to have the right kit ie - a good pair of running trainers.
Important to have a running top because it means although I’m a sweaty mess my top doesn’t reflect that. I kid myself passers by are suitably impressed!!
It’s not about looking good, it’s about being comfortable and able to move easily without chaffing or sweating excessively. The most important thing is having a good pair of comfortable running shoes.
I used to wear cotton trousers until I realised they tend to flap round the ankles when wet!
Well, as i don't look good before i start running AND its only gonna get worse, i'm so glad i only run on a treadmill, in the garage, and the only people i have to inflict my bright red semi liquid appearance on is my cat and my girlfriend. Both of whom have now stopped shrieking when the groaning monster moves slowly through the house towards the shower....
Hope it’s not important, otherwise I’m doomed!
I do like my running gear, like Fabulous450 says, at least some of the fun is in getting ready! My favourite is my 'winter collection' early morning driver-scaring neon highlighter outfit (though it is nothing compared to certain members of this parish and their festive get-up (where is rolysmate ...)
However I will run in whatever is handy and I do not care how dishevelled I get so from that point of view - looking 'good'? Immaterial if I look like I have run!
It depends how I feel & if I am with company.
When you look like a Ribena Berry who has been sitting in a sauna for about an hour looks don't really come into it. I would say as far as clothing is concerned practicality is more important.
Hmmm... *feel* good is important and that means not being too hot or too cold or constrained and feeling as though I look good (which I chiefly do by not looking in the mirror)
But I'll run in cut off denims and Keen sandals if the mood takes me and as many here know, I've been known to run in a long knitted skirt and walking boots...
I voted 'other ' because comfort is the most important factor for me. 😊
Always try to run in the dark!!!!!
It makes no difference what I wear, within 10 minutes I have a big red tomato face, and that distracts from my clothing 🍅🍅
Depends on where and when you are running. If I run at ten in the evening, it doesn't matter what I wear. If you are at the gym or a park run you don't want to feel like the poor relative.
If Im not wearing lipstick it just feels wrong- !
