Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Running: The Stuff - Clothing
After shoes, the next most important set of items is clothing. How important clothing is to you is largely dependent on how your body works when you run for a long time. I don't think anyone who runs 90 feet needs special clothing, but if you are going to be running for hours anything that can make your more comfortable helps immeasurably.
Socks are an integral part of a runner's getup. A running sock performs two important functions. First, it prevents friction between the foot and the shoe. Second, it wicks away moisture from the foot. Cotton does not do either of these functions well especially when it becomes wet. That's why I recommend getting socks made of some sort of wicking material. They'll cost a bit more, but they are well worth it.
Tops come in a variety of styles and lengths. There are only two important things that a top has to do. First, it has to fit. Fit is important as your shirt will be brushing against your skin for 26 miles. Any excessive looseness becomes an opportunity for chaffing. Second, it has to wick moisture away from your skin. This helps both in terms of comfort and cooling.
Shorts are important for their utility and ability to wick away moisture. A runner's shorts are one of the few places that he can use to store food (carbohydrate gels), keys, and other essentials. Convenient pockets are useful. Wicking becomes especially important as your shorts are generally the last places on your body where sweat from your torso will pool. Once I wore a pair of non-wicking shorts for a ten mile run and spent the back half of the run holding up my sodden shorts so that I didn't moon other runners. A pair of wicking shorts would have avoided any such embarassment.
Underwear can also be a key component to your running costume. The ladies reading will have a special understanding for the importance of jogging bras. Or if they don't, they need to. Men also have different underwear issues. Personally if I'm not wearing a pair of underwear/compression shorts/biker shorts that extends to my mid-thigh, I have issues with chaffing in my groin. And for god's sake remove the tags on your underwear or you'll have even more issues with chaffing in back. Again wicking is key.
Depending on how your body works the clothes that you wear can make the difference between a pleasant and an agonizing run. But it is different for every runner. I need to be covered in wicking material or I finish a run with bleeding nipples, chaffed thighs, and blistered feet. One of my previous training partners was not a sweaty pig like myself and was able to do most of his training runs wearing cotton t-shirts and Old Navy cargo shorts with no problems. It's also different for each run. A 5K race requires less preparation than a marathon as there are fewer miles for fabrics to rub and become uncomfortable. This is one area where you can see what you need before you go out and buy it.
Socks are an integral part of a runner's getup. A running sock performs two important functions. First, it prevents friction between the foot and the shoe. Second, it wicks away moisture from the foot. Cotton does not do either of these functions well especially when it becomes wet. That's why I recommend getting socks made of some sort of wicking material. They'll cost a bit more, but they are well worth it.
Tops come in a variety of styles and lengths. There are only two important things that a top has to do. First, it has to fit. Fit is important as your shirt will be brushing against your skin for 26 miles. Any excessive looseness becomes an opportunity for chaffing. Second, it has to wick moisture away from your skin. This helps both in terms of comfort and cooling.
Shorts are important for their utility and ability to wick away moisture. A runner's shorts are one of the few places that he can use to store food (carbohydrate gels), keys, and other essentials. Convenient pockets are useful. Wicking becomes especially important as your shorts are generally the last places on your body where sweat from your torso will pool. Once I wore a pair of non-wicking shorts for a ten mile run and spent the back half of the run holding up my sodden shorts so that I didn't moon other runners. A pair of wicking shorts would have avoided any such embarassment.
Underwear can also be a key component to your running costume. The ladies reading will have a special understanding for the importance of jogging bras. Or if they don't, they need to. Men also have different underwear issues. Personally if I'm not wearing a pair of underwear/compression shorts/biker shorts that extends to my mid-thigh, I have issues with chaffing in my groin. And for god's sake remove the tags on your underwear or you'll have even more issues with chaffing in back. Again wicking is key.
Depending on how your body works the clothes that you wear can make the difference between a pleasant and an agonizing run. But it is different for every runner. I need to be covered in wicking material or I finish a run with bleeding nipples, chaffed thighs, and blistered feet. One of my previous training partners was not a sweaty pig like myself and was able to do most of his training runs wearing cotton t-shirts and Old Navy cargo shorts with no problems. It's also different for each run. A 5K race requires less preparation than a marathon as there are fewer miles for fabrics to rub and become uncomfortable. This is one area where you can see what you need before you go out and buy it.
# posted by mypetrock : 8:43 AM
