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Warning . . . Running Tights Must Be Worn Responsibly

For the safety sanity of innocent onlookers and passers-by! Running pants . . . okay, within reason, running tights however, should not, I repeat not be worn by any new runners who have taken up the great sport of running in order to lose a few pounds. They ought to come with a government health warning . . . for the people who see them.

Running Pants & Tights are essential for anyone who takes the business of running seriously, and there are thousands of people who do limber up every morning before downing a few raw eggs (yuk, I don’t believe it for a minute) and setting off into the morning frost for a quick couple of miles before a hot shower, bowl of granola and off to work. I am the first to admit that there’s nothing wrong with a pair of muscled legs carrying a well toned butt past me on my way to the newsstand, it fair gives you something to smile about in the mornings, but the sight of some lard ass wobbling down the street is enough to put you off your morning coffee, especially with a pair of rolled up socks pushed down the crotch. Please, have mercy on us all!

So what do you need to look out for when you go to buy your next pair of running pants or running tights? Can running tights actually help to improve your performance? What about trail running . . . will “any old running pants” do? And what about people who don’t actually run but just like to wear skin tight spandex at home in the evenings?

Running Pants & Tights

• Running is a strenuous activity, I don’t care whether you’re running a segment of the Appalachian Trail or running to catch the next bus, you’re gonna get a bit hot and sweaty. That’s why it’s important that your running tights or pants are made of a fabric which will transfer the moisture from the inside . . . to the outside where it will evaporate. How clever is that, but there are such running pants and tights around you know, just ask at your local outdoor activity store.
• Ventilation can also help to keep your comfortable whilst you’re running, so it’s a good idea to look for a style of running pants which have zippers on the bottom, it makes it easier to pull your pants on over your running shoes or hiking boots too. Oh oh, nerd alert . . . I’ve just had a vision of a Maz Wall like character in a pair of running tights and hiking boots . . . not a pretty sight.

No, I don’t think that’s really him either, but it’s still not a pretty sight is it?

• Runners go running at all times of the day, so it’s also pretty handy to have some sort of reflexive strip on your running pants. I know that you’re unlikely to get run over by a truck on the majority of hiking trails, but even trail runners have to run on the roads sometimes to keep themselves fit.
• Zippered pockets are a must for your running tights or pants. You need somewhere to keep your ID, energy gel or MP3 player. Do you have your own brand of “go faster music” . . . or do you have relaxing music to keep you at a steady pace which you can keep up for hours along the hiking path.

“Me think that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.” — Henry David Thoreau.

Okay, there are a few ideas for you, they might not be your favorites but hey, choose your own running songs.

• Running pants and tights must not be too tight, well, I suppose tights are tight, but tight with good flexibility so that they don’t restrict your movement in anyway . . . BUT, running pants must not be too loose either, you need a little support and if they’re too loose they’ll fall down around your ankles and trip you up. Oh, that must be why many running pants have a drawchord around the waist . . . good thinking.
   

Are you happy now?

Whoever said that running wasn’t a social activity . . . I didn’t see too many fat asses though, did you ?