Shall I buy some lycra?

[RichRunsSlowly]

W2R3 done. When running today I passed a few other runners (passed as in the other way rather than overtaken - not there yet!), almost all wear lycra. I am still a regular T and (ahem) swim shorts kind of guy. Is it allowed for an overweight 46 year old to wear lycra.

[Michele2017 Graduate]

OMG YES YES YES, Once you get int Lycra there is no going back! X

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Runners can get away with wearing anything 👌🏽

[ToughBean in reply to Tasha99]

Oh thank goodness, sometimes I go out there and catch a glimpse of myself in the window and think “oh jeez I’m actually out in public like this”. I will remember your words in the future Tasha99

[trogdelight Graduate]

I haven't braved lycra yet, and I certainly don't wear speedos in the pool. To be honest though, I think you should go for whatever makes you feel comfortable to run in.

[sallenson Graduate]

Embrace your Inner MAMIL Rich!! Go for it!!

[Madwife60]

Absolutely. Comfort is everything.

[Hidden]

Surely one of the joys of doing this is that we get to wear ludicrous sportswear. Normally I hate pink and would never ever wear leggings 🤣 Or trainers.

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Yes. Embrace man made fibres. It’s almost required.

[Eiralas Graduate]

Absolutely, if you feel you want to! I felt so much more confident once I'd bought some proper running leggings and was no longer worrying about the indecent holes in the ancient non-running leggings I had been wearing. Also the proper running gear was more comfortable than cotton T-shirts - warmer in the cold, cooler in the heat

[IgaT Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

I agree that sportswear is amazing with comfort improvement. I am a one sweaty beast and running shirt was one of the best investment I have made. OK, apart from the shoes, leggings, running bra, running belt, wireless headphones... In that order But my point is those materials are awesome! They gave me possibility to concentrate on running, on me, not the wet T-shirts, chafeing shorts, wet and not supportive undergarments, headphones wire tangling and pinching my neck, fear of dropping my phone from hand or alternatively phone punching me with every step when it was in the pocket of the jacket.

But each and every one of us is different. Just go what is comfortable for you. You are doing something amazing for yourself, so if anybody has a problem with it - f... it, it's their problem

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to IgaT]

Oh yes... industrial strength sports bra essential. I've invested in a couple more that fit since I was finding I didn't quite have enough, and breathing whilst running squeezed into an old one two sizes too small was interesting!

[Hidden in reply to Eiralas]

😆

[IgaT Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

Ouch for too small bra. Breathing while running, or at a matter of fact during every few seconds (unless you're diving) is quite important, not to say crucial

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to IgaT]

Fortunately the band measurement is still the same, so could have been worse

[IgaT Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

Still uncomfortable bra is like uncomfortable underwear - better not to use one

[Hidden in reply to IgaT]

I could've written this post. Exactly my experience too and the phone punching you from the jacket pocket, for me it was smacking my legs as I'd tied the jacket around my waist 😳 Swear by the flip belt and wouldn't be without it. Sometimes it rides up around my waist, but hey I can live with that. My biggest lesson was learning I can run without water. Used to try running with it in my hand and it was a major distraction. Rarely even drank it, it was a comfort blanket. Then I read if we're hydrated enough we shouldn't need it, and if not it was probably too late to make any real difference. Now I'm hands-free! Thinking of upgrading to true wireless earphones next.

[IgaT Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I've read that taking water for runs is necessary ONLY if you're running long runs (above 1 hours) or during extremely hot days (above about 30-35 degrees). Don't quote me on numbers. But the thing as a beginner runner in UK you can go without water as long as you drink enough on a day to day basis

I wasn't sure about buying wireless headphones, but I am so glad that I did. For my mind comfort I took the ones with a wire just between them, incase it would pop out o my small ears. It's mainly because I always have a problem with size of a headphones.

[ccarter100 in reply to IgaT]

Regular earbuds won’t stay in my ears, no matter what I tried. I have over-the-ear headphones, but they block out too much noise to use outside (safety concern). A friend has bone conduction headphones that he let me try. They sit right in front of your ear and transmit the sound through your ear bones. I asked for, and received, them for my birthday. They are totally amazing!! Great sound quality, and you can still hear everything around you. They are a bit pricey, but worth it for me so I can listen to Laura.

[IgaT Graduate in reply to ccarter100]

I was thinking about those bone transmitted, but was afraid about quality of music. The reviews regarding it are not fantastic.

[ccarter100 in reply to IgaT]

I have the AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Wireless Headphones ($99.95 US). I am not a hard core music junkie or gamer; my passion are Audible books, but I've been very pleased with them.

[mrrun Graduate]

Do your own thing. You know of Larry Bird? NBA legend, played for Boston Celtic in the eighties? Number 33? Anyways, l wore his green kit today. Anything goes in this business, you call the shots.

[davelinks Graduate]

Basic Running Clothes

When you're first getting started with running, you don't need to rush out and buy fancy running clothes. Just wear comfortable clothes that you would work out in.

Technical Running Clothes

If you start getting more serious about running and start running much longer distances, you may want to start to invest in some technical running clothes. Synthetic fabrics (such as CoolMax or Dri-Fit) wick moisture away from your skin and will help you avoid chafing. Although the technical fabric running clothes may cost a little more, you'll appreciate the comfort, especially during long runs. They also hold up a lot better through use and washing than workout clothes made of cotton.

[IgaT Graduate in reply to davelinks]

I would suggest investing in proper fabric quite soon, as if disaster happen and it would occur that running is not for you, you can use those clothes for most of other workouts, hikes, long walks, beginner cycling, or in everyday life I fell in love with comfort. I was the one that never invested in clothes, telling myself stories that what you wear is not important. And I was OK, I was happy. But when I decided to buy sportswear (still the cheap one as I was quite broke and struggle), it changed so much!

[Kar43]

Definitely get some Lycra you will feel the difference 😉.

I see all shapes & sizes of men running where I go all in Lycra and they all look fine 👍 ok some are in shorts but still look fine.

Treat yourself 😉ready for overtaking 😉

[Guesty26 Graduate]

Im 52 overweight n wear a bit of lycra (shorts) n vest, if it makes you feel good wear it, its all about feeling comfortable for me.

[IgaT Graduate]

Just a thought: make new clothes rewards for certain running milestones. E.g. completing week 4, then completing week 6, next after graduation, etc. It's a great motivation when you need an extra push

Good luck and happy running!

[Dutch-Sally]

Definitely get some technical gear, it’ll make you feel more like a runner too! I’ve bought some ok stuff from Primark to start with but will definitely upgrade after completing C25K are a ‘reward’

[Agelesslass]

You can run in whatever you feel comfortable in, no need for fancy expensive sportswear just to profit the brand names, you need proper shoes though to save injurying yourself

[Rumour Graduate]

I still use swim shorts and I am on week nine! I do wear running tops and if a hat is necessary, I have a Karrimore running cap. If I do decide to invest in running shorts, not sure Lycra is the way I would go. Seen too many cyclists get off of bikes with views no one should see!

[SavageMyrtle Graduate in reply to Rumour]

White cycling shorts seem to have become a thing for men around where I live. I'm all for admiring the view but I prefer to leave a little bit more to my imagination.

[Hidden in reply to Rumour]

😂

[JulesG1 Graduate]

Age and size are no barrier to Lycra. It is all about comfort, go faster stripes are optional. Head for the shops and some sensible advice and go crazy!

[Goforitmama Graduate in reply to JulesG1]

Oh yes, and then we want photos please!

[Pete1w Graduate]

DONT DO IT.

[Myrar Graduate]

Defo ...Aerodynamic helps you run lol 😊

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Just to say the TCA brand stuff on Amazon is very good value.

[Rua8 Graduate]

I pass men out running quite regularly, and I have never thought to myself “there goes a bloke who looks awful in lycra”, I have thought, “there goes a fellow runner”. I don’t think I have ever paid any attention to what other people are wearing running. Get what is comfortable, and if you are not comfortable in what you are already wearing, then definitely go buy some proper running gear. I am thinking of investing in lycra leggings myself. I just have regular workout leggings at the moment.

[Fiona_B Graduate]

Hi Rich, I bought some running tights and a jacket from Marks & Spencer. They are well designed, comfortable and fairly modest compared to some of the sports brands. It is certainly easier to run in proper gear, rather than flappy tracky daks - that's Australian for "jogging bottoms"