So the mornings are getting darker and darker. I noticed at 6:30am this morning, it was still pretty dark out there; and I usually hit the pavements at 5:30. For the next 6 months, most of my running will be in the dark.
Oh and it's cold too. I can't imagine shorts & t-shirt would be suitable attire for much longer. I've looked online and have a few hi-vis long sleeve shirts in a shopping basket, but just can't bring myself to hit buy on... 'running tights'. I can't help but feel overly self-concious at even the thought of wearing such things.
What other options are available for blokes?
Written by
mrqwest
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I went into Craigdon this morning to check out their running jackets and I have to say I don't think I would buy from the internet having tried 3 on for the simple reason, 2 of them just didn't feel right. 1 was too long in the sleeve which would have driven me crackers, 2 was just too tight across the shoulders, guy said I was broad across the back for such a small lady!! Its all those miles of swimming I do The last one was so nice, fitted like a glove, so yes I now have a lovely new windproof jacket. Its not waterproof cos I'm not made of money and can't afford £250 for a new Gortex one that didn't feel any different to my old hill walking Berghaus that made me as wet inside as I used to get outside on rainy days walking in the Scottish mountains. Will keep you updated on its performance, I went for a Salomon Clima Wind which is popular with fell runners I was told as its very breathable.
Nice. I actually have a Karrimor 'water-proof' jacket which cost me less than a tenner from SportsDirect. I kinda realised after I clicked the buy button that it'd be naff and no-where near as breathable as I'd need it to be.
Ya'see, I'm a warm-blooded person so tend to try and keep as cool as possible and will probably just stick with a long sleeved tech-shirt for as long as possible. Wearing jackets etc whilst running will be too much for me.
That's half the reason I started C25K. For the last 15 or so years, I've had a weight problem, and whenever I get 'too hot' from being in the heat, or walking around building sites all day, I get a debilitating headache and it generally knocks me for six for a day or so. I made a visit to the docs in March this year and she suggested I tried to lose weight... So far, I've dropped 10kg and I've had this headache, maybe twice this summer? I usually had it two or three times a week in previous years!!!
When a body gets hot mrqwest its lost body fluid, i.e. sweat which leads to dehydration which in turn leads to headaches! Lots more water to drink and that will help. Since joining Bootsdiets.com I now drink at least 6 glasses of water a day, 5 more than I used to. I know when I've been for a long run that 6 glasses will increase to 8-9 but sometimes in the form of fruit/herbal tea (no milk added).
I also bought the HiViz Karrimor jacket last winter and it has done the job perfectly, its light weight and can easily be tied around your waist if you get too hot. I will still use mine but I'm 1.5 stone lighter than I was this time last year so its a bit on the big side for me now, I'm not complaining though. Good luck with whatever you buy its a minefield out there for sure.
you're not the only one, I can't stand getting too hot and when I tried on my "performance trousers" I laughed myself silly in the mirror. The only way I am going to go out in them is in the dark, which seeing as I have to get my runs over and done with by 7:30 am may resolve itself until the clocks go black and I have to start running at 5:30 again.
Oh yes, well aware of what's required to remain hydrated. I'd often drink 2 or 3 ltrs of water, but it was usually too little too late and I'd still be out for the count.
This year though, instead of just water, I'm drinking a lot more squash which is also helping things; I'm sure
as for running gear, I think I'll need to bite the bullet on 'mens tights'. Just spoke to a runner in the office, he's been at it for 8yrs now and runs Ultra-marathons etc. His recommendations: -
Running tights under shorts.
Base layer long sleeve top under another top (something HI-vis)
Gloves.
He avoids woolly hats as he gets too hot so a cap but some sort of head wear.
Yep thats about what I go out in, have a Ronhill running cap which if I'm going to shout about any gear this would be my favourite thing. Keeps the cold out without getting too hot, stops the sweat dripping down into my eyes, keeps the rain out of my eyes and even in the summer when we had sunshine if my neck got hottish I could turn it around and protect that too. Its the beesknees of running gear and well worth £12.50. Dry in no time at all too and believe me its had some soakings this summer.
I second the Ron Hiill running cap. It keeps the rain off my specs and is ventilated enough not to make your head overheat.
I'll maybe use a buff if it's cold, either pirate-style, folded into a (thin) beanie or just as a headband to keep my lugs warm. Brilliant to use too under a cycle helmet!
I've got a similar Nike Dri-fit cap which I bought at the beginning of the Summer but have yet to use. Think It'll get some use soon though more to keep the rain out when it does starting doing that constantly.
Hmm, I've a shopping basket at home on SportsDirect.com with their own brand running tights. Think I might remove and opt for something a bit nicer if they're not that good. What is it about them you don't like?
Ron Hill Tracksters are less fitted than running tights and have been worn by big roughie-toughie mountain-climbing blokes for years - as well as runners.
I've been running in my RonHill Tracksters today, for the first time (not first time I've worn them, just first time they've actually been running!) and it felt 'odd', I've been used to looser, 3/4 length capris and having my legs totally covered not only felt strange but they also kept pulling my knee supports down due to their tight fit, plus the fit made me feel somewhat self-conscious (I thought I'd got over that back in week 1 or 2). I'd been a fan of tracksters since I bought my first pair hill-walking in the Lakes when I was 18, and I was sort of looking forward to wearing them for actual running, but now I'm thinking that I need to look out something less close-fitting or maybe even stick with 3/4 length running trousers. I don't think I'll wear them again soon.
So my advice would be to go to a sports shop and try a few things on, even if you later order online, so you know what you do and don't feel comfortable in. I'm going running clothes shopping tomorrow, specifcally for a jacket and now for some trousers too.
Honestly tights are brilliant, just don't look in the mirror first time you wear them! Once you have tried them you won't care though
I have a couple of pairs and would say it is worth getting a snugger pair (my spell checker wanted to change that rather Freudianly to snigger). I love, as always, my Nike dri-fits and am plucking up the budget for some "Skins".
You have nothing to lose but your dignity!
Oh, and commando! Otherwise its a) a bit chaffy and b) somewhat VPL 8-0
VPL or not, I don't fancy wearing snug (man) tights AND going… commando. Besides, I'd like to keep my particulars warm, removing a layer would have the opposite effect no?
PLEEEAASE! NO MORE! I am trying my hardest to contain my laughter in my quiet office and I now have to go outside as I cant hold it in anymore...... Cape? Tights?? VPL?? No underwear??? Am I really listening to guys talk here??!! In fact, am I on the right site at all........
My husband bought some running tights a few years ago and I must admit that I couldn't imagine that he would ever go out in public in them .. but he does ... regularly (only when actually going for a run though, he's not weird or anything )
He has a pair of Skins which are absolutely extortionate but he's had them now for many years and, even with my ability to ruin pretty much anything that goes through the wash, they are still perfectly intact.
I've bought myself a Ron Hill pair and I do find them very comfy once the initial awkwardness dies down. Unfortunately, my husband does have a better set of legs in his than I do though!
I loved reading this blog and laughed so much, thanks! You men certainly have problems which I never thought about.
I went to buy something for the cold weather yesterday too. I had a look at running tights and couldn't bring myself to try them on. I thought that wearing them would be like pinning up a big notice "Heh, come and look at my fat". So I opted for running trousers. I now think I may have made a mistake, if you all wear tights.
Sainsbury's cotton leggings for me, through the snow and ice earlier this year. Just occasionally this Summer they felt a bit hot. Have bought techno running stuff but they feel so vile and either sort of slimy cold or too hot from the off I couldn't imagine running comfortably in them, so back they went. My favourite top half is bamboo too (sadly I'm not really getting on with my C25K graduate t shirt - seems sweaty compared with natural fibres)
I am completely transfixed by this blog and comments! This beats the 'get a sports bra NOW' blog! As a somewhat chubby female I used to worry about going running even in Capris but this morning I puffed my way up a hill in my gorgeous (!) Lidl running tights past a whole traffic jam and do you know what? I didn't care! The tights are comfortable to run in and keep me warm, and I'm just not bothered what anyone thinks any more. So all I can recommend is to try stuff on - man tights included - and buy what feels comfy and suits your price range. Go on, you might even LIKE them!
There's a name for this MAMIL (middle aged man in lycra bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-109... ) It's more commonly seen in cyclists but can also afflict runners it seems! Lots of retail opportunities for daft gear in running but cycling puts it in the shade!
Ha, fun article. The top-notch carbon fibre road bikes make the cost of running shoes look like peanuts. But...
With doing more cycling in the past month, as cross-training, I've been thinking I'd really like a road bike, It's pretty hard going trying to clock up the miles on a road on a mountain bike and I've pedalled all the forest tracks within easy distance of home many times. Can I be a MAWIL, do you think?
So yeah, got some Ron Hill tracksters the other day. Went for a size smaller than normal because the size chart suggested that large had longer legs than I actually have. Opted for 'medium' size which has shorter legs and seem to fit me perfectly, if a little... snug. I won't be going 'commando' anytime soon.
They feel good though and I don't look like too much of a muppet whilst wearing them, especially with some shorts over the top.
I've yet to wear them out as it's not cold enough in my eyes. I soon warm up but sure they'll come in handy in December!
Hmmm...? I'm puzzled by this thread. If you are worried that you'll look odd in tracksters what are you wearing at the moment? An overcoat?
I used to wear them a lot - very practical and looked much better than couch potato jogging bottoms more often seen in the supermarket.
My trouble is that I can't buy them in my size. In fact, this was one of the things that eventually persuaded me I needed to do something serious about waist-loss.
Ron Hill only go up to 40-42in. I've an old pair of View From's that were always a bit big and they are great but tired, snagged and a bit paintyfom a boat restoration project. If anyone knows of larger size alternatives, I'd love to know.
I don't like the elastic only ones and find it goes below my belly - yuk - so I tried braces and was surprised at how well that worked beneath my fleece.
Of course, I could always wear a kilt.
As to people sniggering... I thought they were being friendly and smiling! Now I'm going to get paranoid.
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The last one was so nice, fitted like a glove, so yes I now have a lovely new windproof jacket. Its not waterproof cos I'm not made of money and can't afford £250 for a new Gortex one that didn't feel any different to my old hill walking Berghaus that made me as wet inside as I used to get outside on rainy days walking in the Scottish mountains. Will keep you updated on its performance, I went for a Salomon Clima Wind which is popular with fell runners I was told as its very breathable.
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