What do you wear on top when you run?
When i lived in Northern California I loved running in tank tops. The weather never got too hot that you even sweated that much, and tanks felt nice and light. I can't stand tanks w/ built in shelf bras b/c it is too much compression with the brumhilde bust-controlling sports bras I have to wear, but I love a light singlet or tank when heading out.
My tanks were just fine through the AZ winter, but once summer hit I started getting allsorts of problems. Warmer weather meant more sweat meant chafing at the arm scythes (yes, I got runner's glide, no it didn't really help). And my cotton had to go. I found myself reaching for my Central Coast running tee and my new Cinco de Mayo 10K tech tee more than anything else in my running stash. I still bust out my cute and coordinated Nike Dry Fit tank and skirt for races, but not for every day. (Although I can't stand their shoes, I really like Nike Dry Fit gear. It's light, has the right level of compression, wicks, and doesn't get stinky).
Then the other day on a TM I discovered shirtless running. A legacy of body insecurities has left me really hesitant to take off my clothes when I run. I shouldn't be, but I'm very aware of what I look like when I'm shuffling along. But the gym was steamy and my tech tee wasn't cutting it (it was doing that thing where you just get hot and itchy rather than wicking appropriately. I think things wick better when used out of doors), and I finally caved to my friend Koldito's advice and ditched the top. Freedom! I felt much cooler, more comfortable and didn't get any of the arm chafing I expected. I can't run shirtless outside b/c the sun is too strong, too hot, and I hate wearing that much sunscreen. It's actually cooler to have white reflective gear on than to bear your skin to the sun. And I think I'm "supposed" to wear t-shirts at all times at the gym, but I've scoped out a corner TM, far from the prying eyes of the undergrads grunting over the free weights, and I may be able to slip into something a little more comfortable from time to time.
When you asked me how to deal with the heat, I didn't really understand how hot AZ gets. We just spent a couple of weeks in VA, which is not as hot as AZ, and there was only one day that I didn't take my shirt off after 15 minutes (or start without it straightaway). A couple of times I asked to be hosed at the end of the run. I appreciate the wicking materials and all, but I was really happy that, as a man, I could run around wearing only a pair of shorts, as opposed to poor A., who had to keep a soaking-wet piece of fabric around her torso at all times.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm back in a place with a real fall :) Today I ran in a long sleeved shirt for the first time since April. Even hard workouts become tolerable in this weather.
I hear you. I ran on the TM at the gym w/o a shirt (SO much nicer than any type of shirt) and got in trouble :) A little undergrad had to tell me to put my shirt back on. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteToday I'm at my dad's and ran on Coronado... ran a 8:50 average pace. I like sea level and cool temps :)
I still think it's funny and my hands down fav running shirt is the $5 Central Coast Running T.