W7R3 tomorrow and clothes

[msanni]

I asked my man to cycle with me but he won't (he doesn't run, hasn't in 70 years and doesn't want to start now unless he's being chased by a tiger but, even then, thinks he's had a good innings and would just as soon be eaten!) I'm doing it with added hills. I can't wait.

Now, the important stuff. I noticed at the parkrun that everyone wore tights or shorts and I was wearing thin jersey trousers i.e. not close fitting. I was hoping to buy tights when i feel a little more confident but I think that I'll feel self-conscious if I turn up at the next parkrun looking like I don't know how to dress! (Rather like using the wrong cutlery). Is there a practical benefit to tights? (Shorts are out of the question).

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Firstly no one would judge you at Parkrun, everyone is just happy to welcome you. We all have personal preferences depending on how we feel and the weather. I prefer running tights, I like 3/4 length as they suit me better and I like a thicker pair as I feel they hold me together better. Make sure they are tight enough to stay up but not so tight they feel like they are cutting off the circulation. Colour is another one that is personal, I range from glaringly bright to black 😀. I find that running tights help me move better and as I get a bit sweaty they move the moisture away from my skin making me feel more comfortable, you don’t get that with jersey.

[msanni in reply to Realfoodieclub]

My trouser legs did get a little damp and flappy and jersey can get a little heavy when wet. Leggings today!

[Razouski]

I like my leggings. Long ones in the winter and Capri length when spring finally arrives. I have one pair that are quite “huggy” around my calves. Not quite compression, but gives a similar effect. They seem to help me run, especially if my legs are aching or tired.

RFC is right, no one will be judging you at Parkrun, they are just happy to see you are there.

[Razouski in reply to Razouski]

It’s a shame he won’t cycle with you. Mr Razouski has cycled with me a couple of times, which was fun, but to be honest, I’m a bit of a solitary runner so I’m more than happy running alone.

[msanni in reply to Razouski]

He cycled with me once when I had 5 minute runs to do on a beautiful day in the park but wasn't comfortable doing it in public (!). Today we'd be alone in the rain but, no!

[LookNannyruns Graduate]

Park run is certainly no fashion parade and no-one seems to be at all bothered by clothing choices. I wear leggings for all the same reasons Realfoodieclub quotes. On holiday I wore some shorts with built in Lycra ‘undershorts’ safe in the knowledge I’d seee no- one I knew . They were great and as it gets warmer I’ll be braving them over here. Honestly most runners seem to more bothered about their PB than correct attire.

[msanni in reply to LookNannyruns]

I've lost a little weight but have had significant shape change (less a double bass, more a cello) since running so I might be looking for shorts for the summer.

[LookNannyruns Graduate]

I decided that my varicose veins would be better disguised on brown legs 😂 . Anyway shouldn’t we show off our shapely new pins?? Well done on your weight loss, roll on summer

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I started running in ordinary clothes and walking boots never mind jogging bottoms and trainers. And ordinary clothes involved long knitted skirt on narrow woodland paths on occasion.

These days I wear Sainbury's cotton leggings and ordinary cotton long sleeved t shirts and that does me for minus 5 to 20 celsius. Below minus 5 I'll probably put a short sleeved t shirt on top of the long sleeved one and above 20 I just wear the short sleeved and might wear my actual running leggings which are cropped, but that's only a few times a year as my calves seem to like to be kept warm. I don't seem to get on terribly well with 'techno' fabrics which make me feel uncomfortably sweaty and on every single occasion on which I have worn a jacket I have regretted it, sometimes majorly sometimes just feeling I'd've been fine without.

Big firm control knickers are good for wobbly tummies.

(But I have when the mood and weather have taken me run in active sandals and cut off denims so...)

[msanni in reply to GoogleMe]

With you on the big knickers!

[ranjo]

I always wear tights (or capris or shorts with lycra) because they do wick moisture, and they prevent chafing. I've lost three stone since I started running last year, but I still have thighs...

[msanni in reply to ranjo]

Thighs are a must!

[ranjo in reply to msanni]

It is hard to run without them.