Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Perfect Running Wardrobe

I have an opportunity to beef up my running wardrobe (lucky, I know). But I'm just not sure how many pieces I need. I run four times a week and do laundry once weekly. So maybe four tops and four bottoms? But I can't decide if that's excessive or not enough. Thoughts?

In addition, what are things that you are willing to wear more than once? For example, do you only wear your sports bra once before laundering it or wear it all week until laundry day (or longer!)? And if you extend the wear, is that out of necessity or because you just don't see the need in washing something that will get gross the next day? (I'll be the first to admit that while I generally wear a different top everyday, I'll reuse the bottoms before washing. Who knows why?!)

And finally, any good sources for discounted running gear? It's just not in me to spend $35 for a sports bra, extra money or not. Thanks!

9 comments:

Amber said...

for me, it depends on how sweaty I get. if I'm absolutely drenched, everything goes to the dirty clothes, otherwise I reuse shorts at least. I played soccer growing up so I have roughly one million tshirts that I jog in, so those get switched for every run.
as far as sports bras go..since I'm pregnant and my chest is getting bigger then I'm used to, I've been doubling up the bras, wearing 2 instead of one. I typically air dry them btwn runs unless it's been REALLY bad..but this is out of necessity rather then want..I'd rather have 10 bras to choose from!

Tall Girl Running said...

I'm a sweat factory so I don't have a choice but to wash my running clothes after only one use. That said, in the winter I do try to use my gloves, headband and outermost layer (usually a fleece vest) at least twice.

I'm a real frugal sort and have a hard time spending a lot of money on clothes that are going to be regularly drenched in sweat... but I still like to wear good running gear and think having nice-looking clothes helps with motivation to do my workouts. I've found quite a few pieces at my local thrift store for the fraction of a cost. In fact, my favorite Nike running bra and capris cost me all of $7.00. I've still bought a few new pieces to fill in the blanks but the majority of my running wardrobe is second hand. That way, I can afford to have more things to choose from and go a little longer between laundry loads! Definitely worth a look if you don't mind hand-me-down clothing.

Nicole on the run said...

I change my bra immediately after a run, but I'm sometimes willing to wear a top a second time. Pants, not so much!

In general I feel that one run is all it takes for a desperate run to the washing machine.

Anonymous said...

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Gina said...

runningwarehouse.com If you google for a coupon code sometimes you can get and extra 15-20% off.

Anonymous said...

Check out your Tj Max and Marshalls most of the time they have some kind o running gear and I've gotten some of my fav things for $10 or $15.

Anonymous said...

I hand wash bras after use and machine wash them once or twice a week depending on the amount of running clothes used. Bottoms I wear once or twice and then wash. Tops are worn once. TJ Maxx is a great source for running gear. I've gotten a lot stuff from there. Outlet stores are also great sources if you have some close by.

Badger Runner said...

Depends on time of year. During winter I wear bottoms multiple times and in summer only once. This is probably due to fact that in winter I wear underwear and in summer I rely on just the liner in the shorts. Winter I will wear my jacket several time and the shirt it will depend on a sniff test - but 2 times max. Summer always clean shirt. Winter and summer - always clean bra.

Anonymous said...

Sierra Trading Post has good deals on high quality running gear. If you subscribe to their deal flier, you get especially great prices. I'm a fan, for sure.