The run with the descending leggings that look... - Couch to 5K

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The run with the descending leggings that looked so good in the catalogue :(

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate
70 Replies

Subtitle: choose your running kit wisely.

You'd think I'd know better. I've been running for a while now. I know - I *know* - the importance of a drawstring in running leggings. I can just about manage without zips at the bottom of the legs, if they are full length. I can sometimes do without pockets, if it's a long run, because I'll take a backpack or waistpack with me to carry the hundred-and-one things I can't possibly run without any more.

But I was seduced by the beauty of these leggings. They are Day of the Dead ones, with leg bones decorated with roses and flowers. I'd had others (Disney's Snow White) from the same company, the same size, the same type, so I thought these would be fine, and off I set. Erm, no. Within minutes, there was slippage. I hauled them up and carried on. A certain insecure feeling made itself felt. Hmmm. Perhaps my underwear needed a quick readjustment as well? A bit of a rummage, and all was well again. But not for long. It became drafty. I hauled valiantly. My ankles appeared. Ha! No, it just took another 200 metres for the leggings to plan their escape and head for my knees. I wondered if I could somehow trap their waistband under the bottom of my bra, but discarded this idea as it would have meant some serious constructional effort by the side of a busy road. I considered plaiting grasses together for use as braces, but alas, all the hay has been gathered in round here long ago. There were no passers-by who could run with me, holding the leggings up for me, so I had to do it myself. Four bloody kilometers clutching my waistband. It should have been a 5k run but I admit that I gave up and went home.

I am fussy about my sports bra: I only trust a ShockAbsorber to look after my girls. All my running shirts are technical wicking types: most of the race ones have the standard higher necks that I find a bit choking, but on the whole they are far less sweaty than cotton. I've recently found Injinji toe socks, which I love; and it takes me forever to find the correct trainers for my Hobbit feet, currently thumping along in Brooks. But seriously? You'd think I'd know better about leggings. For me, they have to have a drawstring so that this situation can be prevented. Never again.

And no, there is no photo.

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Anniemurph profile image
Anniemurph
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70 Replies
GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

Always nice to have a smile at someone else's expense...

My guess is they were mis-cut and are actually bigger than they should be (or of course, you are svelte-r than you used to be)

I once had leggings fall down during a serious conversation with my son's special educational needs coordinator, before I knew her very well. They were organic but the flow to my knees and ankles was altogether *too* organic.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toGoogleMe

I was a bit cross at the time (it was the first day of my shiny new Asics plan) but it is funny now :)

Ooh, your legging situation :O Is she a good friend now? Or does she cross the road when she sees you, or dodge round the aisle in the supermarket? :D

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Graduate

Plaiting grasses 😂😂😂😂 you really were determined to find a solution, weren’t you?

Because I mostly run with the dogs and therefore am wearing a nappy style Canicross belt, I don’t have this problem.

I’m not sure about zips on legs, I’m tempted, but I run through so much mud and stuff I wonder how long they’ll last.

I’ve managed so far wearing old running bottoms that were my son’s or my daughter’s, I really will need to buy some new ones this year though.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toMaddee_6333

I could wear a Canicross belt and just pretend I'd lost my dog! That would work nicely! Although with these wretched things, they'd probably fold themselves inside-out and I would end up tethered forever to the belt like some dreadful bondage experiment :O

Perhaps not then.

You should treat yourself to some new running leggings. Don't go to lotus leggings though!

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Graduate in reply toAnniemurph

Just laughed so hard! No... I am very taken with the Mr Men and Little Misses one at Tikiboo - or some with paw prints. 😁

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toMaddee_6333

Apparently some of the unicorn ones have an unfortunate print match-up :D

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Graduate in reply toAnniemurph

😵😏

Lol. Your post has me in stitches. Oh what memories have returned regarding the leggins without a drawstring.

All is not lost though. I go to the poundshop and buy some elastic. I then make a small cut at the front of the leggins on the inside, thread the elastic through, stitch the 2 ends together and bobs your uncle, I have a drawstring!

Good luck!

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSue in reply to

I was going to say that. You saved me some typing :)

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toRunaroundSue

Reduce, reuse, recycle? :D

figmeg profile image
figmegGraduate in reply toAnniemurph

Yes I had to do that with a pair but not even as sophisticated, I just used a bootlace! Works a treat :)

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply tofigmeg

Great idea! Thank you :)

figmeg profile image
figmegGraduate in reply toAnniemurph

Best to make 2 small cuts close together though, one for each end, and knot the ends so they don't disappear inside the waistband when you take the leggings off!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply tofigmeg

Thanks! I've had that happen with a hoodie - very frustrating!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to

Thank you for your advice :) I know I could, and I probably will, but I don't see why I should! I feel quite grumpy about this. [Ha - those are actually the other leggings, the ones that don't fall down :D :D :D] I must be the wrong shape or something. I don't think the pound shop can fix that, sadly :D

I know it would me mean to laugh

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to

:D I know. It is funny now, but I was getting really quite cross at the time :D

This made me laugh. Not a problem I am likely to have as the style I wear take some effort to get off even when you want them to.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to

Perhaps that's what I need, although then I wouldn't dare run around the reservoir in case people thought I was an escaped seal and tried to throw me back in :(

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

shame no photo...!! I dont have drawerstrings, just tight? I think you just need a much smaller size!!!!! I had that once with a pair of little shorts. I solved it by rolling the waistband over twice, although the side effect was that I was joined on my run by a camel ;)

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toju-ju-

Ha! Where's your piccy then? I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours :D

The annoying thing is that the other pair fit nicely! These are supposed to be the same size. Life is too short to be seamstressing.

KKThomas profile image
KKThomasGraduate

But they sound so pretty!!!! Lol, the problems of style over substance. Either do as somebody suggested and add your own elastic or post a photo of them on here and see if someone else wants to buy them off you and risk it :-)

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toKKThomas

They are quite nice :) I guess I will get the scissors out, although it pains me to do so, because I would not wish anyone else to risk terminal embarrassment or a nasty chill :D

AncientMum profile image
AncientMumGraduate

Hahahahahaha :D :D That did make me laugh. In the spirit of sharing, I've been there too, done that, happily no photos but quite a lot of embarrassment! Problem solved by always wearing a flip belt to hold up my capris. Not ideal but much better than exposing my all and sundry to all and sundry. x

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toAncientMum

Ah, well, the flip belt. There's another story there. I'm very glad yours works for you. There's definitely a sizing issue with mine, because I cannot get it to stay on my hips and it either pretends it's fine and then drops suddenly without warning like a noose around my feet, or worse, it sneakily works its way up like some mad boa constrictor to wind its way around my ribs and choke the life out of me. Neither are conducive to happy running :( x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Oh Annie..no photo... ? Surely!

Oh dear!!!!

PS

Wish I had been with you on the run... :) x

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toOldfloss

It was a very dull run, Floss, just along the main road across the border into the next county and back :D You would have made it a far better run :) xx

But definitely no photo :O

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Oh what a ruddy nuisance! It drives you mad dunnit😕 My most expensive leggings are GORE and they have no waist tie and they flaming well fall down! i have some compression ones and they do too! I am mad as blazes at the gore ones as they were expensive. I let them know what I thought and never heard a word back, so,that's how much they care. Like you Murph I am deffo a waist tie tights wearer. I like my Ron Hills and my Saucony ones. My Fave ones are Nike Filament but they are like are no longer available. Sigh

Hauling ones pants up on the run is a waste of energy and we need all of that for running. Bah

I can visualise your cunningly-fashioned braces 😁 Dib dib 🏃‍♀️

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply tomisswobble

Gore leggings fall down? That's a shocker! Ron Hills are always too long for my tidgy legs :( I look like Nora Batty :D

I could have done with a brace of boy scouts! No, no - I would have been arrested :O I meant for making the braces for me! Aaaaargghh!!!!!

AncientMum profile image
AncientMumGraduate in reply tomisswobble

What? Nike Filament no longer available? Woe! Woe! And thrice woe! You recommended them to me years ago and they're the king of running leggings. Warm, comfortable and never fall down or ride up. Where's the cross runner emoji when you need it?

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

Haha Annie! I have a mental image 😂

Drawstring leggings are a pain and yes I've found them slipping down in the past and have abandoned them totally now. I think it's the way they're designed. After several washes I found the drawstrings just went loose 😳

My favourite capris have no elastic, drawstring or anything on the waist and they fit like a dream (Sweaty Betty) - I got them in a sale and a pair I got in TK Maxx (Marika) but the fit needs to be really snug! That way there's nowhere for them to go 🙂

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toIrishprincess

You need brain bleach now! :D

If one is slim and svelte, like you, beautiful IP, no doubt snug fitting leggings are great. Unfortunately, I look like a sausage. Sorry - here's the bleach again :D

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate in reply toIrishprincess

One end of my drawstring has disappeared inside the waistband after their last wash, I keep forgetting I need to rethread it as now have one really long cord that I have to tuck in... and nothing at the other side...

I will do it now..thanks for this😊x

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toBluebirdrunner

Hope it works out! x

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 OMG legs and bras are issues are endless!! 😂😂😂😂

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to

It's not something they tell you about when you start C25K, is it? :D :D :D

in reply toAnniemurph

Nooooooooo! 😂

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to

They should!

Nobbywatts profile image
NobbywattsGraduate in reply toAnniemurph

They SO should ....

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toNobbywatts

Perhaps there should be a separate pod cast series about clothing considerations. In fact, this is a whole new post!

CT2017 profile image
CT2017Graduate

A brilliant post, so sorry about the leggings, I have a pair, with all the right darts and glittery lines. They are a bugger to get on.... and then one false move and the waist descends to mid thigh!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toCT2017

Oooh, glitter! But oh, descent :( I'm starting to think there may be a market for runners' braces. Perhaps some sort of suspension device from the lower edge of the bra, for ladies. I will ponder this on my next run - in different leggings!

DBlou profile image
DBlou

Great post ! Love your descriptive writing, so funny. Send them back with a copy of this post, hi-lighting the part that says you’ve purchased other leggings from them which were fine! ..., slightly gutted you didn’t post pics!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toDBlou

Glad you enjoyed it! I hadn't thought of sending them this. I'm a bit worried they might not understand my (warped) sense of humour :O

But no pics! Nooooooo!!!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

I have a pair of lovely Adidas long tights and they are a tad short even for me, and I'm short! 😃 They fit lovely and have a draw string. They were under £20

The pocket is non-existent though. Just one of those key jobs.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply tomisswobble

My two best pairs are my first ones - Karrimor cheapies, £12 five years ago and still going strong. Draw strings, zips and pocket.

I've noticed recently that there are some gorgeous leggings but they seem to be aimed more at the fitness market, so only a teeny pocket, or no pocket at all, and no drawstrings and no zips. Shame really.

ruralfrance profile image
ruralfranceGraduate

Thank you for making us all smile this morning!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toruralfrance

You are most welcome :)

Pam_E profile image
Pam_E

So funny and I can imagine “everything”!!!!!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toPam_E

Glad to oblige :) As long as nobody saw "everything"!!! :D

LittleNell83 profile image
LittleNell83

I know your pain but my problem was caused by weight loss... The slippy drawstring material kept slipping on a run resulting in my trousers coming down, right next to a junior rugby match. I ended up knotting them so tightly that I nearly had to cut the drawstring for escape when home.

I have also suffered knicker slippage on a run 😶

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toLittleNell83

Oh no! Congrats on the weight loss, if it was planned, but the trouser issue doesn't sound good :O

Knicker slippage is yet another issue. This running lark isn't just about running, there are all sorts of other things you have to manage :D

Nobbywatts profile image
NobbywattsGraduate

If only I had the weight loss problem ....

I have a pair of leggings I only really wear for winter running when it's really cold and they randomly slip down not enough to be obscene but just enough to create a "hollow area" and there is no other solution than to stop and adjust the whole garment from mid-calves upwards. Like when you put a pair of tights on. But sometimes they don't do that all. A bit like my bra unzipping itself mid-run. That's random too.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toNobbywatts

No, I think I'm the same weight - well, possibly a pound or two adrift, but not majorly. Sadly.

I'm starting to think we should send this whole thread to a legging manufacturer. This is obviously a problem for people of a variety of shapes and sizes. As you say, it can be random as well, with one run being fine and the next - not!

And don't get me started on bras either :D

Seaskimmer profile image
SeaskimmerGraduate

Haha! I'm glad it's not just me! I did my second run yesterday in some new, not at all fancy, leggings and had exactly the same issue. Trying to get to the end of the minute before they fell down completely. Won't be wearing them again..

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toSeaskimmer

The problem is that some of them look as if they should be okay and they aren't. Then others look as though they might not last and they are fine. SOme of my favourite capris are Primark £5 ones with no drawstring, but they have lasted all summer and still look fine. They have a great pocket as well. I thought for that money I would try them and now wish I had bought another pair.

Good luck for your next run :)

Seaskimmer profile image
SeaskimmerGraduate in reply toAnniemurph

Thanks. It's hard going at the moment and that's only 1 min at a time! (Michael Johnson is trying to sound impressed but I know he isn't! But I am!)

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toSeaskimmer

You will get there. Take it slowly, and slow down even further if you need to. That's fine. The running action is different from the walking action so it doesn't matter how slowly you need to go, what matters is that you carry on. I am impressed :)

Seaskimmer profile image
SeaskimmerGraduate in reply toAnniemurph

Thanks! 3rd run planned for tomorrow morning. Will try grass in the park this time as concrete feeling a bit hardcore at the moment, even if it comes with a great sea view 😎

WendyHC profile image
WendyHCGraduate

After reading your post before going out this morning it was with great trepidation that I put on my new leggings. Thankfully no downward slippage!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toWendyHC

Phew! I'm so pleased! :D

Haha! I know that feeling well, when you can feel the crotch of your leggings descend to knee level combined with a draft gap between your tee shirt and their waistband. However, to rescue aforementioned leggings what I now do is to put my own cord into the waistband, all you do is make a small slit on the inside and feed it through, takes less than a minute and I find that a long bootlace works well, the welded end makes it very easy to thread through the full waist, although in an emergency string will suffice! 😂

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to

Brilliant! I will do this, thank you :)

Yes, the bigger problem was that as they were descending they were pulling my knickers down with them :O I could have been the first C25K-er arrested for indecency on a run :D

😂Yep sounds familiar, also have experienced the knickers dropping whilst leggings up which is also an uncomfortable distraction!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to

Yes! Not sure why or how this happens, but it's not comfortable!

womblejogger profile image
womblejoggerGraduate

recently bought some nike running shorts... usually buy the below the knee type with the inner compression support, they didn't have these so as it was the summer i went for a slightly different pair, i brafvely/foolishly decided not to try them on in the stores changing room and wished i had, as when i tried them on at home they were well above knee level... i can cope with this i thought it's summer after all and my knees could do with an airing however i didn't factor in large thighs + short shorts*time run/distance=shorts becoming speedos due to excessive riding up of the material... spent so much time readjusting whilst i run ... not worn them since either they will go to the charity shop or i might try them again when i trim down a bit :)

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply towomblejogger

I have one pair of shorts which I haven't worn this summer as I find them a bit problematical. It took me ages to find them as I didn't want them too short :D These are just above the knee and I am very conscious of the potential ride-up factor due to my fat thighs!

Hang on to yours and try them again next year :)

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSue

Timely reminder that I have a pair of leggings that drift southwards. I haven't worn them since last winter, so I had forgotten.

So I have inserted a drawstring in the waistband. Ready to go when I need longer trousers.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply toRunaroundSue

Oh, well done! I have just come back in after a morning of running errands... where I did not buy a drawstring. Fail.

Haha just came across this thread! :)

I Know the feeling as i've had some tights that were too tight around my calfs ant thighs, so when i put them on they felt fine, but when you started running there was no give in the tights so they gradually started being pulled/falling down..did have a couple of scenes but i dont think i flashed anyone with my jewels!

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