Category: Runner’s Fashion/Attire

A Comment From RunDmoon

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runner's Fashion/Attire, Runners Accessories, Runners' Training, Running, Ultramarathon4 Comments

RunDmoon is one of the regular readers and “commentor” in this blog and I met him during the Adidas KOTR Run somewhere at Km-11 post during the race. He greeted me and we exchanged a brief conversation. While running, he told me that “I look so tall in my pictures but I look more handsome in person”. I just laughed and said “Thanks”. I tried keep in pace with him and two other runners but they were on a blistering pace and I just simply maintained my pace. However, he made a parting words of joining the Bataan Death March 102K next year.

He made the following comment on my post where I PRed last Sunday’s Milo National Finals Marathon: 

Hi BR. Can i request a post? I always notice from your posted pics that you are wearing a rolled scarf on you neck. Is that your anting-anting (amulet)? Also, you are wearing cycling shorts in most of your runs. Are there benefits of wearing a tight shorts? Are you trying to make a running fashion statement?

BTW, i’ve reached 999km today. I started Sep 29, 2008. Thanks for the inspiring people to run.

I will answer the first question about the rolled scarf or “bandana” on my neck. When I witnessed the start among the elite runners of the 2008 Badwater Ultramarathon Race last July, I observed that most of the ultramarathoners were wearing such scarfs on their neck. These scarfs are special scarf where a runner would roll into them pieces of “dry ice” that would keep him/her cool during the run/race with 110-125 degrees Farenheit heat along the desert. This was the “secret” of the early ultramarathoners in the early edition of the said ultramarathon race. Some of the ultra runners would simply tie the bandana on their necks to protect their nape from the heat of the sun. Others would simply tie around their head or forehead to catch the sweat dripping from their head. As for me, the rolled bandana/scarf is used as a “catcher” and “absorber” of my sweat from head, making the whole scarf as my “neck cooler” during road races. However, in my past posts, I suggested that those runners intending to run the Bataan Death March 102K would also use such bandana in their runs (training or races) to show support for the said ultramarathon event.

On your question about my running shorts. I am having a “chafing” problem when I use the regular running shorts (with side slits & at least 2 inches inseam) and lately, I only use this kind of running shorts during my training workouts. However, when I use this kind of shorts, I saw to it to apply petroleum jelly or Body Glide on my groin area or inner side of my upper legs. When I run on trails, I use the trail shorts (with pockets and longer inseams with at least 5 inches long). However, I usually use a BIKE compression shorts as my underwear. While I was in the US running those trails in Bulldog and Mt Wilson, I observed that there was a pain (not severe) on my left hamstrings and I tried to look for the famous CW-X compression shorts which has some positive testimonials from runners and triathletes with problems on their hamstrings. Not been able to buy one which is fitted to my size and for my needs while I was in the US, I tried to look for my old BIKE compression shorts which I bought in the early 90s and I was able to locate them and presently using them with my trail shorts. Since my arrival from the US last September, I prefer to use the biking/compression shorts rather than the regular running shorts because of the “chafing” problem; I feel like an “elite” athlete when I am wearing such during races where I can lift my knees higher and thinks that I am “aerodynamically” efficient when wearing it; the compression shorts absorbs more of my sweat rather than my sweat going down to my socks and shoes; it can keep a bottled water or Propel tucked in on my back; the tight feeling the shorts gives to my butt and upper leg muscles gives me the confidence of not having any problems of pain or cramps; and lastly, I wear a compression shorts if I feel I could break a PR for the said race. 

Fashion statement? Following one of Machiavelli’s Laws of Power, “Court Attention At All Cost”, I am a believer/follower of this law. Dress up properly and approriately to gain respect and attention…and let your appearance do the talking.

Congratulations for being one of the finishers of the “1,000-Km Club”. You will be the 7th runner to be awarded the Finisher’s T-shirt from the Bald Runner. That was an incredible feat on your part to finish the distance in two months! I am sure you are truly preparing for the Bataan 102K Ultramarathon! Just leave a comment where I could possibly award your prize with the proper photo-ops. 

The Bald Runner is always here to be of service to the running community and to everybody. Keep on running and run faster!

Cycling Shorts vs Running Shorts

On By kingofpotsIn Runner's Fashion/Attire, Running18 Comments

Miraclecello/Cecil, one of my regular visitors, asked me to write about the merits of using a cycling shorts or a regular running shorts in a road race. I tried my best to make a research on this one on published articles and running references but I haven’t seen any resources that deal on this topic. So, this a new thing to tread on and I’ll try my best to give my opinion on this one from my personal experiences and observations.

In my observation in past sports events and athletics events as seen on TV, Sports Magazines, and actual events, the cycling shorts or tight-fitiing shorts which has a leg length of at least six inches from the groin area or the length goes up to few inches above the knees, are used in shorter distance runs in oval tracks (i.e. 100-meter dash to 10,000-meter runs). Seldom you could see elite marathon/ultra-marathon runners using these tight fitting cycling shorts. I can surmised that this kind of shorts impedes ventilation to the groin area and upper legs, thus, this is not preferred to be used in longer distance runs like marathon and ultra-marathon races. The regular running shorts are used to these kind of races.

Most of the triathletes use the cycling shorts because they can use it in swimming to cycling then to running without removing from their body, thus, minimizing their spent time in the transition phase in between events

In my experience, using the regular running shorts in 10K, 20K, half-marathon and marathon races produces “chaffing” or skin rashes on the inside portions of the upper legs as the wet seams of these shorts stick to the skin and rubs the skin as the legs move during running. The cycling shorts don’t produce any “chaffing” or skin rashes as the upper leg portion is covered due to the longer length of the inseams. However, “chaffing” is prevented with the application of baby oil, body lotion, or petroleum jelly on the inner portion of the upper legs.

In last Sunday’s Mizuno Infinity 15K run, my New Balance running shorts produced some “rashes/chaffing” on the inner side of my upper leg due to the wet seams of my short that tend to stick to the skin. The body oil and lotion that I applied on my upper legs were not enough to prevent the “skin rashes”.

Also, in my experience, the cycling shorts absorbs more perspiration/sweat coming from the upper body, thus, preventing the sweat to flow towards the legs and your running socks. As compared to using the regular running shorts where most of my perspiration flows towards my running socks making my feet wet, creating a hard rubbing between my wet socks and my feet. This creates some blisters to my feet in longer distances. Petroleum jelly applied to the feet before wearing your socks would prevent any blisters to the feet.

Using tight cycling shorts could be aerodynamically more advantageous to elite athletes in shorter races or dash runs in the oval tracks and they don’t restrict natural leg movements while running. The regular running shorts could create restrictions in the leg actions while running and could produce more air resistance due to its loose appearance.

Lastly, using the tight cycling shorts need a “bold face” from the user as it invites others to look what and how big your “boil” in between your legs. If you don’t want to create suspicious faces from people when they look at your tight cycling shorts, better use the regular running shorts.

Bottomline? I highly recommend using the regular running shorts in longer distance runs (half-marathon to ultra-marathon) and using the tight cycling shorts in shorter distance runs.

Adidas Runner’s Shorts

On By kingofpotsIn Runner's Fashion/Attire, RunningLeave a comment

Finally, I was able to buy a “classic” Adidas Runner’s Shorts from SM City in Iloilo City. It is the same “cut and style” as the one that I had been using in the ’80s. The price was almost One Thousand Two Hundred Pesos but it is worth to have this kind of shorts.

My “cheap” Accel runner’s shorts are giving me problems as they cause rashes on my groin areas whenever I use them in my long runs even if I apply body oil or lotion on my groin and upper thighs. Even the latest New Balance runner’s shorts that I bought lately could produce rashes on my inner upper thighs during long runs. The lower edges of these shorts tend to rub and stick on my inner parts of my thighs when my shorts are wet from my perspiration. The constant rubbing is not noticed while running but the rashes becomes painful when taking a shower after the run.

Yesterday afternoon, I immediately used the newly bought Adidas Shorts and it did not give me any rashes at all after running a distance of 12 miles inside camp.

Lesson?…Being “cheap” is not good!

Finisher’s T-Shirt: 1st Infantry Marathon

On By kingofpotsIn Military, Pictures, Runner's Fashion/Attire, Running3 Comments

Being my first International Marathon Race since I started running in the early ’80s, I was able to preserve the Finisher’s T-shirt of the Inaugural Infantry Marathon held in Fort Benning, Georgia on the third Sunday of January 1984.

 Hereunder is the picture of the shirt which I placed in a frame. The back of the shirt is printed with the Badge of the Infantry with the words “Follow Me”.

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Accel Running Shorts

On By kingofpotsIn Runner's Fashion/Attire, RunningLeave a comment

I bought these Accel Running Shorts at SM City Iloilo for a discount price of Two Hundred Pesos ( P 200.00) each. I used the black one during the 5th Animo 10K Run last Sunday while the gray one is used during my practice runs in Jamindan.

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They are comfortable and light and I enjoy wearing them.

My New Shoes: New Balance 902

On By kingofpotsIn Pictures, Runner's Fashion/Attire, Running, Running Shoes1 Comment

I bought my new running shoes this morning at “Athlete’s Foot” Glorietta. It is “On Sale” with 20% discount. I have yet to try it on the road and oval track tomorrow at the Iloilo City Oval Track.

Since I am a loyal  and faithful “New Balance” Running Shoes Runner, I hope this will give me a better performance in my training.

This particular shoes was voted as the Runners World Magazine’s Editor’s Choice for the Month of March 2007. It is a lightweight trainer and considered as the “lightest training shoe” of New Balance. It weighs 10 ounces. I like the color, orange and the “Sure Lace” shoestrings!!

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Where Are Those Running Shorts?

On By kingofpotsIn Runner's Fashion/AttireLeave a comment

Four years ago, I was able to buy two (2) sets of running attire (singlet & shorts) from the Nike Store, colored yellow and black. For some time, I haven’t used these attire but when I showed them to my son, I felt that he liked them, So, I gave them without any hesitation with the thought that I could buy another set of these running attires. But to my frustration, I haven’t been able to locate and buy those running attire from the Nike Store up to this time.

During the ’80s, I’ve been using those Adidas running shorts and “copycats” from Botak Running attire. In the late ’90s, Speedo came up with running shorts with curved edges on its side which was made of water-proof clothing material. The Speedo shorts are light and comfortable. I got two of these and I am still using them in my practice runs. Later, Speedo came up with shorts which could be used for swimming and running and that’s the one I am using in my competetive runs.

I also have those stretchable cycling shorts made for running (without pads) which are being used by elite runners but I guess, the Filipino runners are not yet adapted and used to this kind of running attire. During my races in the US in the mid-’80s, I’ve been using these cycling shorts and sometimes tight & stretchable jogging pants during cooler months. Also in the US, I was able to wear those “mid-rib” shirts during summer months. Today, wearing a tight & stretchable “mid-rib” shirt and  a tight “cycling shorts” in competetive races in this country is a fashion statement!

Two months ago, after going through all the Nike Stores in Manila, Cebu and Iloilo, I accidentally browsed around inside the SM City in Iloilo and found a nice running shorts from Accel and it was cheap. The length is too short which resembles to the “old running shorts” in the ’80s. Although I have used it once in my speed play workouts, I found the shorts very comfortable and found myself to be back in the ’80s again.

My Running Shoes

On By kingofpotsIn Runner's Fashion/Attire, Running ShoesLeave a comment

When I was a cadet at the Academy, there was only one type of athletic/sports shoes issued to everybody, that was the Converse Rubber Shoes (Hi-cut), colored white, which was basically for Basketball. Yes, that was the running shoes we used in that long distance race where I had my first taste of competetive running.

During my first and second Alumni Homecoming Running Competitions in 1980 & 1981, I was using the cheapest Adidas Running Shoes which was made of soft leather and thin soles. Although it was heavy as compared in today’s running shoes’ technology, this particular shoes endured my long distance runs which made me one of the top runners among my peers.

My wife left for the USA on the later part of 1981 and since then I was getting a regular supply of “state-of-the-art” running shoes. She sent me the latest model of the New Balance Series 300. I guess, she had chosen New Balance because the symbol “N” on the sides of the shoes corresponds to the first letter of our last name. At that time, it was only the New Balance shoes that were exclusively “Made in USA” while Adidas Shoes were made in Germany then. Since 1981, I used at least two models of New Balance Running Shoes in my running practices and was able to finish three (3) Marathon Races up to 1983. I really liked New Balance shoes because it was the lightest running shoe at that time that provides comfort on the heel portion because of its thick soles and it has an integrated anti-pronation system. Up to this time, I am still using a New Balance Shoes for my practice runs. Although my shoes (NB 716) which was bought three years ago is already old, I still feel comfortable with it. This is the shoes I am using here in the mountains of Jamindan.

During the summer of 1983, I ordered from my wife the lightest running shoes in the market and specifically asked her an ASICS Tiger Running Shoes. Since then, I’ve been using ASICS Tiger Shoes for my racing days. Presently, I am using a “Cumulus” Model of ASICS Tiger which my wife bought last December 2006 at the Phidippides  Sports Center, along Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA. I really like and appreciate the staff of this sports store as they made me run for about 50 meters to observe my footwork. This is my fourth ASICS Tiger running shoes since 1983. If my recollection is right, I have been using ASICS Tiger shoes to finish another five (5) Marathon races since then.

So, as an old runner, my running shoes preference is limited to my New Balance shoes which I use for my running practices and my ASICS Tiger shoes which I use only for my competetive races.

Runners’ Fashion & Attire

On By kingofpotsIn Runner's Fashion/AttireLeave a comment

As they say, “Everything is Perception”. For so many years that I’ve been to running and joining/competing in road races, I can judge the capability and degree of proficiency of a runner by his/her looks and the attire he/she is wearing, to include the running shoes.

My picture in the 1st City of Angels Half-Marathon Race shows an old, worn-out and determined runner to finish the race. My cap is a golfer’s cap which I bought as a souvenir when I played a round of golf at Fort Ilocandia Golf Course in Paoay, Ilocos Norte in 2002. I have two pieces of this cap which I always use for my practice runs, as well as, during race days, obviously, to cover my bald head and it absorbs the sweat from my head, making it as my dependable “coolant”! My shirt is a “muscle shirt” from Bench which I usually used as my workout shirt in the gym. It is stretchable and cool to the body even if it is wet from my body sweat and I bought two of this one in 2003. My running shorts is Speedo, it’s a loose swimming/running shorts, which I bought with my Bench shirts in 2003 with 30% discount. I have two sets of this shorts and I usually use this  in my gym workouts. My running shoes is an ASICS Tiger shoes which I’ve been using for the past four years. I think I bought this shoes On Sale at Big 5 Store in Glendale, California in December 2002. After the race, I retired this pair of shoes and bought a new one which is an upgraded model of ASICS Tiger. The watch I am wearing is a Casio “Sea Pathfinder” Titanium which is light and water proof. It has a stop watch and timer functions whose digital numbers could be seen without my “reading glasses”. This watch was given to me as a Christmas gift by my younger brother in 1999 and had its battery changed only once. I am still using this watch in my practice runs and races.

The “yellow thing” tied with my shoe laces is what they call “runners’ chip” which activates and registers to the time recorder/computer once it passes the starting and the finish lines. Simply put, it registers your actual time of running from start to finish. In this particular race, it was used for the runners free of charge but for bigger marathon races, each runner pays a fee for using such “chip”. These “chips” are collected by the race organizers after you finish the rack.

At present, my running attire and fashion sense show an old runner whose legs and heart are still strong to finish any road race where he could compete. I consider myself as an average runner.