So, as promised, here goes part 4 of my What No One Tells You About Running Series!

Today we are focusing on CLOTHES. And specifically, what NOT to wear when your run.

We are very lucky now that there are TONS of great options for runners. I think back to the days when our fore-mothers like Kathryn Switzer had to make their own running “costumes” and wore rotten cotton that chafed, ill-fitted shorts that rode up, and bras with completely insufficient support.

Now we have almost too many choices and it can be hard to figure out what’s right for you. So here’s what’s NOT right:

Anything you have to tug at

If you have to pull it down, pull it up, pull it out, or readjust it while running it is NOT for you. I don’t care how good it looks. When it comes to running clothes, function has to come first! For me, that means a skirt with built in compression shorts because the way I’m built they don’t make the right kind of shorts that don’t ride up. But find what works for YOU.

Anything that scratches, itches or chafes

I have the thighs of a 46 year old German woman. Because I am a 46 year old German woman (with some Irish thrown in from my dad’s side). So I chafe in several places, specifically between my thighs and right underneath my bra line. I use two things to combat this: 1. wear running skirts with compression shorts attached long enough to cover the fattest part of my thigh and 2. use Body Glide on the offending areas. Most of us have had the lovely experience of finding out where we are chafed when we get in the hot shower after our run. Ouch.

Ugly things

I don’t wear ugly things when I run. Not even for training runs. I have a gorgeous wardrobe of lovely items, mostly from Skirt Sports, that I wear with pride and style. Running is hard! We all deserve to look cute while we’re doing the hard things! And for races, I prefer dresses. Yes, I said it, I like to race in a dress. Easy to access my shorts for pit stops, nothing to ride up on my middle (thank you to my twins for that little roll there)and I look just adorable. Right?

If you follow these guidelines, you’ll be all set. Oh, and I know you know this, but don’t ever try a new outfit for the first time on race day. Mile 8 of a half marathon is NOT the time to find out that your skirt has a tag that itches or that your bra is digging into your back. Not that I’ve ever had that happen to me (I have. I totally have).

Happy running!

Oh, WAIT, I almost forgot! Want to shop for some great new Skirt Sports gear?? You can get 20% off by using my code, JL20. HAPPY SHOPPING! Disclosure: I am a Skirt Sports Ambassador so I do receive some free product but no other compensation. And truly, I’ve been wearing their stuff since way before I was an ambassador so I feel pretty good telling you to shop with them:). And for extra bonus points you can listen to that time Nicole DeBoom (Skirt Sports founder) interviewed me for her podcast.