What can you control?

[BahamaMama1]

Thinking about this as I have been running this week. Overall becoming more comfortable with the consolidation and it is becoming a habit and in this week of cooler morning temperatures, much more enjoyable.

However I am no greyhound so what do I do to make my run easier for me?

I have shortish hair but with a long floppy fringe which drives me crackers, so the fringe gets pinned up out the way. No prizes for style or fashion but it works.

I drink immediately I get up and drink again before I go out the door - not gallons, but it helps.

I am diabetic, so I always have a cereal bar in my pocket - one less thing to worry about.

I get dry lips, so a slick of lip balm before heading out the door - just a little bit more comfortable.

A decent sports bra!

Head up and shoulders back going up the hills (thank you to AlMorr for that one!)

What are your little hints and tips?

[nowster Graduate]

Hair (or lack of hair) problems? Get a cap. 🤣

[Leotigris Graduate]

I learned the hard way to double tie my shoe laces so I don't have to stop and re-tie them when they inevitably untie themselves!

[BahamaMama1 Graduate in reply to Leotigris]

Oh yes! Special knots 😁

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Haha... My gear all set out the night before... my route decided , even of it has to be tweaked...Stick a smile on my face, one step at a time and of course... slow and steady

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

I try and make it as easy as possible to get myself out of the door. Once I’m running, I usually have a nice time! Faffing and procrastination are my biggest problems.

I have a couple of spare lone front door keys cut so I don’t need to take my whole bunch with the car etc out with me. Much lighter and less jangly!

My running kit is stored all together so it’s really easy to find. I have a pot by the door where my headphones, keys, hair bobbles, anti histamines and sandwich bags (to keep my phone dry) all live so I’m never hunting around for them after I’ve put my trainers on (in theory!) and can go straight out.

I keep my resistance bands, massage balls, foam roller and mat in a box in the living room so as soon as I come in, they’re there to stretch with,

Every time there’s a sale on sporty websites, I check for sports bras in the style I like in my size so I’m not constantly washing kit. That has made life a lot easier! As I’ve picked up bits and pieces, I can make a couple of weeks without having to do a big wash. The last one had eight sports bras and a LOT of pairs of shorts/leggings in it!

Two pairs of running shoes in very wet weather is an absolute game changer. I did my couch to 5k in January last year and it was so wet and miserable that it took ages to get my shoes dry. A second pair was a treat to myself that was so worth it!

You’ll find loads of little ways that work for you as the seasons change. It’s a fun process!

[NovemberRain16 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

great advice, especially on the 2nd pair of shoes! Haven’t thought about the time it takes mine to dry.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to NovemberRain16]

You can stuff them with newspaper which helps but round here, you often end up literally paddling through puddles so it’s ridiculous how wet your shoes get! It’s always nice to have an excuse for more trainers…

[NovemberRain16 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

yeah done that in the past when I washed mine. Nowadays I leave them close by my dehumidifier and that tends to do the trick but it always feels like a gamble (are they gonna be drive tomorrow?!)

[nowster Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Similarly, I have slimmed down my keyring into just the three keys that are needed to get into and out of the house: porch, mortice lock and latch lock.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Hair bands are good, mines long so I tie it up. Tissue, so many times I forget my tissue and sniff, not so much fun.

[Cmoi Graduate]

nowster 's right about a cap BahamaMama1 . My hair's long enough to be tied back in a ponytail, but wearing a cap holds loose strands of long fringe out of the way, and also keeps the sun out of my eyes.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

I'm a cap kinda gal too!

[BahamaMama1 Graduate]

Really good point about keeping the sun out your eyes.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to BahamaMama1]

...and rain...and hail... and snow!

[Crolla]

I always tie my hair up and pin the fringe out the way.

Drink a cup of tea at 6:30-7 ish, run at 8am.

Always have a tissue (or two) in my leggings pockets.

Make sure my running app (Runmaker) and music player (Spotify) are working before I leave the house.

Ensure the wires to my earphones aren't twisted so I can put the phone into the pouch easily just before I start running.

And, yes, decent sports bra with extra hook on it because the last one unzipped almost to the top halfway round!!!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Crolla]

Oh no! Unzipped sports bra is not what anyone wants!!

[Crolla in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Fortunately it stayed mostly in place because it hadn't quite unzipped at the top, but when I got home I immediately got searching online for a new one!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Crolla]

NOOOOO..!!!! I have one with no fastenings... pull on ! Excellent and no rubbing or chafing!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Oldfloss]

I once got stuck in a pull on style one in a changing room. Had to have an assistant help me out. I’ve never been brave enough to try one since!!!

[BahamaMama1 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I have broad shoulders, the struggle is real.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to BahamaMama1]

Same! I have a weirdly small ribcage but need the high support ones and it’s such a tricky combo! I really like the Runderwear easy on ones when they’re in the sale. Maaree is a new favourite too (also on sale!!). They always seem to sell out in my size so I think they’re a lot of similarly challenged ladies out there.

I think I feel a thread about this is needed!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I think a thread.. yes

[Crolla in reply to MissUnderstanding]

A thread on inconvenient clothing mishaps

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Love it.... I have only been stuck once... when a white van man tried to drown me with a kerb tsunami..MR OF had to peel me out of everything... ! He had fun I think!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Oldfloss]

😂😂😂 MrU often has to help with a few clips that I can’t reach with my inflexible shoulders. Getting out of wet kit is horrible. A few weeks ago I stupidly went for a swim straight after a run and forgot to take clean clothes. I had to put my super sweaty kit back on when I got out of the pool. At one point I didn’t think I’d be able to get everything back on again because it kept sticking to me. Won’t make that mistake again!

[NovemberRain16 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Have you tried pull on ones with slim (bra like) straps?

I’ve got „normal“ shoulders and struggle with the regular pull ons. Got a few strappy ones and it’s so much easier because they aren’t as stiff

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to NovemberRain16]

Mine usually have the wide straps for high support. I’ll keep an eye out for some thinner strap ones!