Operating hair—yup, it is a factor. Whether or not it’s too bouncy, whipping towards your face, slipping out of your elastic or sweaty on the roots, hair could be a problem while you’re understanding. However your locks shouldn’t be a distraction on race day or while you’re logging these coaching miles. And for some individuals, hair upkeep can stand as a barrier to operating or different workout routines.
We interviewed street and path runners with all hair sorts and textures for tricks to tame your mane whereas operating. Learn on to seek out out their methods and recommendation, from excessive puffs to double braids and every thing in between.
Be a part of the Dialog
What’s your go-to operating do? Share your favourite hairstyles or ideas with different runners on Conversations, REI’s on-line neighborhood.
Achia Floyd
Age: 33
Hometown: Atlanta
The place she runs: She likes discovering new trails within the metropolis.
Favourite operating second: One yr, Achia set a purpose to run a half marathon each month. She did 19 of them that yr. However her most memorable second was operating the Gasparilla Distance Basic in Tampa, Florida, with three different ladies.
Favourite operating hairstyles: “I’ve pure hair, so my favourite coiffure is a excessive puff. It’s simple to take my hair down after I run and go. I both do a excessive puff or as the times go on, I’ll do two puffs. I put on a Black Ladies Run! headband (I’m a former ambassador for the group) to maintain the sweat from soaking into my roots, which is vital to preserving my coiffure and making it last more. I train very first thing within the morning and transfer on with my day. I would like it to be practical. It’s simpler to keep up pure hair and work out. If I don’t need my hair out, I put on fake locs. They’re movable and so they’re not too heavy.”
Her recommendation: “By no means let your hair get in the best way of your general well being. Your hair is wholesome since you’re exercising extra so than not. When you’re caring for your physique, your hair will look nice.” One other tip: “Let your scalp fully dry earlier than you restyle your hair or your roots will puff up.”
Ricardo Bucio
Age: 41
Hometown: Chicago
The place he likes to run: Alongside the Chicago lakefront
Favourite operating moments: Operating the Chicago Marathon, particularly the primary time. One other spotlight: “Bettering my endurance and psychological capability by means of operating and changing into a greater model of myself every time I run.”
Favourite operating coiffure: “I usually put on a hat or headband. Once I don’t put on both one, I choose a brief haircut and I take advantage of pomade to carry my hair in place. Having your hair bounce up and down may be distracting. You don’t need your hair to get in your face. Hair isn’t just a difficulty for girls. Making your house extra snug while you run is what it’s all about. You don’t need to make the race harder than it may be.”
His recommendation: “Run at your personal tempo. Deal with your self. Maintain your eye on the goal.”
Colleen Quigley
Age: 29
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
The place she likes to run: Countless dust roads in Flagstaff, Arizona, the place she trains at excessive altitudes
Favourite operating seconds: Qualifying for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 after battling damage for nearly a yr earlier than the trials, after which ending eighth within the 3,000-meter steeplechase on the Video games.
Favourite operating coiffure: Two Dutch braids gathered collectively in a low ponytail
Her recommendation: “In the case of hair, it needs to be practical first. You’ll be able to’t have your hair distracting you from the race or exercise. However it will possibly even have this magical superpower of providing you with confidence and swagger when you’re making an attempt one thing laborious, like your first marathon or a PR (private report) within the gymnasium. Braiding my hair is part of my preparation routine, and simply the act of braiding it helps me really feel extra able to tackle a problem. It’s simply hair, nevertheless it’s actually a strong device for empowerment!”
Deanna Kwong
Age: 42
Hometown: San Francisco Bay space
The place she runs: Native trails such because the Marin Headlands
Favourite operating moments: Operating the Boston Marathon twice. She’ll do it a fifth time in April 2022.
Favourite operating coiffure: “My hair is lengthy, straight and thick, so I usually put on it in both one or two ponytails, and I at all times put on a hat or visor. It usually stays put. I attempt to put on two rubber bands in case one breaks. Currently, I’ve tried braids for racing and am excited to experiment a little bit extra.”
Her recommendation: “Hair is so individualized, like every thing else with operating. Discover what works for you. It’s about what makes you are feeling good.”
Leandra Taylor
Age: 27
Hometown: Killeen, Texas
The place she runs: Native trails
Favourite operating moments: “The primary 5K that I ran with my mother. That was very sentimental. It was nice to have the ability to exit and share that run with my household. Additionally, the primary time that I ran within the foothills in Albuquerque. I used to be within the Sandia Mountains, watching the sundown, listening to the birds chirp, seeing the deer come out. It was a pleasant second to catch my breath.”
Favourite operating hairstyles: “My go-to is the two-strand twist. It’s protecting for all of my hair however particularly the ends. I can depart my hair in a coiffure for a few weeks. If I’m sporting my hair in an afro, it’ll be up in a puff however that leaves me uncovered to getting caught in bushes (I’m six toes tall). I choose the two-strand twist as a result of I don’t come dwelling with as a lot nature in my hair. It’s a very good go-to for winter and summer time, and it’s sort of a cute coiffure that I can use on a regular basis. Typically, I take advantage of field braids. When my hair is straightened, I’ll normally use a scrunchie or Buff or tie a bandana round my hair. I don’t use elastic rubber bands as a result of they break my hair.”
Her recommendation: “There are tons of hairstyles that aren’t solely protecting however cute. I feel it’s essential to mess around. I realized the two-strand twist from YouTube and by watching pure hairstylists. It’s undoubtedly a sport of what works greatest for you and your hair.” Additionally: “Concentrate on how the moisture or dryness within the air or outdoors parts are impacting the moisture of your hair.”
Hannah Schultz
Age: 33
Hometown: Seattle
The place she likes to run: Round Seattle’s Lake Union, the highschool observe and close by trails
Favourite operating moments: Qualifying for the Boston Marathon with 45 seconds to spare.
Favourite operating coiffure: “Ponytail with two hair ties. My hair is so thick, I can by no means put it up and anticipate it to stick with one hair tie. Two hair ties are at all times a should. I prefer to put on my hair in a ponytail largely, however braids are additionally nice. I’m unsure what it’s about braids, however after I put on them I really feel stronger. They’ve a powerful look to them. The solely drawback with braids is I begin to get a headache after some time. My hair is just too thick and heavy to maintain them in too lengthy.”
Her recommendation: “When you solely have one hair tie and your hair is thick, put on your hair in a low ponytail. Then it is going to keep put.”
