Running – Part II

So, I’m running and it’s fun, exhausting, exhilarating and sometimes more of a challenge than I’d really pretend is comfortable…but I’m having fun – in a kind of “warped sense of humour” kind of way.

But there’s more to this running than simply running!  Oh yes there is!  I foolishly assumed that all one had to do was don the tracksuit bottoms, the t-shirt and head off.  Well, that might be ok for the first few weeks, but sooner or later, you have to buy some proper running apparel.

You’d assume this was easy, but you’d be wrong.  Running fashion is an emerging market.  It is no longer just jump into something and run.  Oh no, there is an art to this and it begins at the door of the shop itself, before you have really started to understand all the challenges ahead.

In the “old days”, it was simply shorts and t-shirt, but now there are logos, pockets, zips, designer labels, and wick away moisture, dri fit (sic).  And to add to this mix, do you stay with the one label or mix and match?  Nike, Asics, Adidas, Haglofs, Sweaty Betty (really!), North Face – and those are just the ones that come to mind.

Shocking pinks, bright orange, striking lavender, jet black, slate grey, lime green, daffodil yellow and flourescent white stripes.  Zips and pockets strategically placed to assist with keys, iPods,  nanos and MP3 players.

Sigh – shopping used to be easy.

Now, the biggest issue here isn’t the clothes per say, it’s also the size of the clothes.  Are all runners midgets with a waist?  All the clothes seem to be small, extra small and (horror of horrors) fitted.  Hugging your every curve, if only one had curves to hug…  If ever one needed a lesson in humility – running apparel will do it every time.  I’m not yet sure if it makes me humble, motivated, depressed or suicidal when I try on some of these outfits.  In my minds eye, I do not look like that – loose the mirrors.

Suffice to say, I haven’t yet managed to buy lots of new clothes (yet)!

• Fitness
• Health
• Running