What's your gear? The thread for running/racing gear

[ChurroGirl]

So why no cotton in my socks? What's wrong with a cotton sock and running?

Do you folks have certain shorts or pants you have specifically to run in or just any old gym clothes?

[fairestoneofall]

You want a moisture wicking sock to prevent blisters. I use Injinji toe socks, but not everyone can tolerate them. As for pants, it depends on the weather, but usually Nike or Under Armor compression pants, capris or shorts. I just use mine for running. I have a bunch of 'just runnung' attire.

[adriennek]

For actual races and events, and longer training walks, I love my Sparkle Skirt with built in compression shorts.

But on my running shelf in my closet, I have a lot of champion capri length pants from... Target. I wore Champion capris for my first three events but now that I have my skirts, I love those even more. But I'm very particular to the Sparkle Skirt brand because I like the way the cut of the skirt fits on me and doesn't look as frumpy as some of the other cuts do.

[Drince88]

Yep - cotton in the socks=blisters (or at least more potential for blisters)

I'm 100% in my sparkle skirt for any actual walking. Guaranteed not to ride up in the thighs, which for me, is a big deal. I don't generally do lycra shorts/carpis/pants (I'm of the opinion that there are some size shorts lycra shouldn't come in, and I wear those sizes - AND my shirts are never long enough to cover a decent percent of my backside) but with the sparkle skirt, nobody sees any of the shorts except the hem! Oh, and they have 3 pockets! One at the waist with a zipper, and one on each leg (I think the new size is 4" square)

And a wicking shirt. I sweat a lot and when Steph first mentioned them a few years back and I got one at Target, I was in HEAVEN! I didn't get same the clammy feeling at my neck as in a regular t-shirt. I've got a couple from One More Mile that I like for their sayings. But for colors (and price), I really like the Target Champion ones. And if I'm exercising, my shirt is either going to have a fun saying, or be a color I like!

With where you live (dry and hot, I think), you might also want to look at a hand-held bottle holder. Dehydration is not something to mess around with. Or even a belt. I like hand-held ones that have a strap that goes over the back of the hand, so you're holding the water bottle, but you don't have to grip it to keep from dropping it.

[stan4d_steph]

So why no cotton in my socks? What's wrong with a cotton sock and running?

Do you folks have certain shorts or pants you have specifically to run in or just any old gym clothes?

Like fairestoneofall said, cotton can cause blisters. It's best to get performance socks. A good place to start to find less expensive gear is Target. Their C9 stuff is good quality for the price. For socks, check the label to make sure they don't contain cotton. TJ Maxx and Marshalls are also good sources for gear, but you have to put in more time and their selection is not always good. I've had to dig through a lot of yoga pants to find my discount winter running gear.

For short, I wear spandex bike or compression shorts. I have issues with thigh rub and shorts riding up, so I can't wear the skimpy running shorts that some runners wear.

[CariBelle]

But on my running shelf in my closet, I have a lot of champion capri length pants from... Target.

I swear by them. Actually, I can't find the same cut/style (the fitted capri) there anymore so I'm sort of panicking. But I love them, great length, no rubbing, and just the right amount of give. The other pairs I own are from Old Navy of all places, they are super tight and have a pocket built in the back with is really handy on shorter runs where I don't wear a fuel belt.

These are my favorite socks: http://www.roadid.com/common/LearnMore.aspx?PID=165
but in the "Speede" length. When I'm not wearing compression socks that is.

[adriennek]

I swear by them. Actually, I can't find the same cut/style (the fitted capri) there anymore so I'm sort of panicking.

Have you looked online??

Also, I know I'm a broken record, but the Sparkle Skirt shorts don't ride up. They're brilliant...

[CariBelle]

Have you looked online??

Also, I know I'm a broken record, but the Sparkle Skirt shorts don't ride up. They're brilliant...

Not yet, I'm just so used to being able to find them every time I walk in there!

Haha oh I know! But I need to have my knees covered!

[fairestoneofall]

For short, I wear spandex bike or compression shorts. I have issues with thigh rub and shorts riding up, so I can't wear the skimpy running shorts that some runners wear.

Ditto.Ditto.Ditto.

For the rest of my gear, I also wear a moisture wicking shirt. I also like the One More Mile ones, but my favorites are the bamboo shirts from Raw Threads and my Under Armor semi fitted shirt.

I can't stand things that ride up on my legs or even things that swoosh around my legs. I only use compression. I also have a skirt that I LOVE and is totally cute. It's the pace setter skirt by lululemon. I know I'm going to get blasted, but I like it better than the sparkle skirt. I didn't find the shorts compression enough in the sparkle skirts and they moved around too much on my legs.

I also wear moisture wicking underthings my moving comfort, I find them very comfortable for long distances. No riding or chaffing. My sports bra is the Juno by moving comfort and I love them as well.

What else do you want to know?

[CariBelle]

Speaking of underthings, I love these and they rock:
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/MCL354/

[Drince88]

I know I'm going to get blasted, but I like it better than the sparkle skirt. I didn't find the shorts compression enough in the sparkle skirts and they moved around too much on my legs.

I don't think you'll get blasted ---I'm glad there are options! Your skirt, I couldn't wear because it rides too low. But I do love the back of that one! And I actually like the swishing around my legs of the sparkle skirt - makes me feel like I'm moving faster! I also have "a few" pounds on you, which is part of the reason I can'd do low-riding skirts or heavy compression. (And stop by SparkleSkirts at the expo -- she's designed a newer 'athletic cut' that you might like, though they still may not be compressioning enough for you.)

[fairestoneofall]

I don't think you'll get blasted ---I'm glad there are options! Your skirt, I couldn't wear because it rides too low. But I do love the back of that one! And I actually like the swishing around my legs of the sparkle skirt - makes me feel like I'm moving faster! I also have "a few" pounds on you, which is part of the reason I can'd do low-riding skirts or heavy compression. (And stop by SparkleSkirts at the expo -- she's designed a newer 'athletic cut' that you might like, though they still may not be compressioning enough for you.)

I'll take a look at the DL expo. For now, I'm sporting either my Nike compression shorts or my pace setter skirt on race day! Yeow! So excited!

[adriennek]

Not yet, I'm just so used to being able to find them every time I walk in there!

Haha oh I know! But I need to have my knees covered!

I used to think this. I slobbered mine up with Body Glide and they were fine!!

I won't blast you for not liking the Sparkle Skirts, Fairest! There are other brands that people LOVE that I just can't wear. I just sing it out because I was convinced that I could never like a skirt until I found these and tried them on so I don't want anyone to ever rule them out entirely like I thought I had!

[ChurroGirl]

I have some gear I got at Target from the C9 line for when I did Bikram. I used that yesterday and it was great for the heat. 90 at 7am is SO GREAT!

I will get some new socks for running and check out the compression socks and shorts.

Is the compression so that it stays fitted or to help with circulation as you move?

Also, the idea of wearing a skirt, even with built in shorts, kind of freaks me out. I haven't owned anything in a skirt form for over 15 years other than my wedding dress. Are they really comfortable? You don't feel, exposed?

Fairest- I don't like things swishing as I work either. For my gear I would want it fitted as possible.
Cathy- I was looking at hydration belts or the hand-held earlier. I think in order to keep up the 6-8oz or so every 20-40 min I might use the hand-held. After having my pack on yesterday morning, it was very cumbersome and I kept having to adjust. That might have to go away.

Thanks you guys for all the encouragement by the way!

[Drince88]

The running skirts are shorter than a skirt I would wear in real life, but you're not any more exposed than wearing fitted shorts. In fact, I feel LESS exposed because I don't like to have my backside in fitted shorts without something over the top of it, and the skirt fulfills that need.

Regarding the hydration, try to listen to your body. One piece of guidance I've read is to weigh yourself (preferrably naked) before you go out for your run, keep track of how much water you consume, and weigh yourself after (in the same attaire). If you loose more than 2 lbs, you're not drinking enough. If you gain more than 2 lbs, you're drinking too much. Also make sure and include some electrolytes in there (for longer runs, anyway) to keep yourself in balance. I like nuun for that, because it's just the electrolytes (though it can be a pain to split a tablet on the go so that it fits into the neck of my water bottle!)

[CariBelle]

Is the compression so that it stays fitted or to help with circulation as you move?

After having my pack on yesterday morning, it was very cumbersome and I kept having to adjust. That might have to go away.

I wear compression socks because I get shin splints.

It took me a long time to get used to wearing a fuel belt, but I love mine now.

[stan4d_steph]

I don't wear compression socks when I run, but I do wear them after a long run as recovery. They help with circulation to get the blood flowing and flushing out the lactic acid.

I use the Nathan handheld 16-oz. bottle that comes with a little pocket. The pocket isn't really big enough to hold more than a gel or your keys, which is enough for me. It doesn't fit my iPhone.

[AVP]

I wear layers to deal with sweating and chaffing. My usual gear:

Top
Champion sports bra - I've tried EVERYTHING, and this is the only one that works for me.
Some sort of wicking undershirt - I have a variety
A t-shirt or wicking shirt - cotton for normal days, tech fabric for longer workouts

Bottom
Under Armor or some other compression short
Champion semi-fitted capris or yoga pant, depending on the workout

Feet
Thorlo socks OR Zensah compression socks. I don't usually workout in the Zensah socks, but I put them on after a long run.
Brook's Ariel shoes
Zensah compression sleeves if my shin splints are bugging me.

Gear
iFitness belt, though I'm going to look for a new one at Expo. I like the concept, but it has two problems that are forcing me to switch - it's not easy to plug my headphones into my Droid (the jack "rubs" against the top, which makes the headphone wires bend and eventually short out - I've ruined two sets already), and the loops aren't big enough to hold a package of Chomps or Sports Beans.
Sweatybands headbands - I swear by these things, and have about two dozen different colors. Earlier this year they announced that they designed custom bands for the Disneyland Half Marathon - I can't wait to get one.
Amphipod water bottle.

[adriennek]

I wear Zensah compression sleeves for my calves. I wear them during runs over an hour and I wear them after most runs. I also wear them overnight from time to time.

I get shin splints. And I hate shin splints. I love compression sleeves.

[ChurroGirl]

I have ordered a hand-held Amphipod bottle and found socks at Target.

When training and on the road/treadmill, how do you stay motivated? What music is on your MP3 player that just gets you pumped?!

[fairestoneofall]

Speaking of gear....
Our team shirts are scheduled to be delivered today. I'm so excited!

[ChurroGirl]

What color are they?!

I went and looked at some of the women's training gear...I plan on getting a couple of the men's wick tshirts.

[Drince88]

Target has Champion Brand women's wicking T shirts that would probably work better than men's shirts and don't have a huge 'female mark up' on the price. Even the V neck ones aren't cut super low in the neck and aren't made just for people who are already in fantastic shape (and you can wear a bra with regular straps without them showing). You want to make sure they fit correctly - and usually men have broader shoulders than women for the same size 'chest circumference' so the shoulders may not fit correctly on you.

Melissa's team's shirts are red.

[fairestoneofall]

What color are they?!

Red

ETA: Oops, sorry, I didn't see that Cathy had already responded to that question.

[Drince88]

I'm a fan of body glide for skin/skin chafing - and was just looking at a display this weekend (it caught my eye when I was looking for leg compression sleeves) - they now have a product aimed at women. Besides the packaging (and mention of bra on the packaging) the only difference I could find was the addition of dye. Really, women have to have PINK body glide??? Seems like that would be a bad thing to add, since in theory it could transfer to clothes!