Racer426969 wrote:I always had a bad race if I shaved my head the week heading into a race. I'm not sure if I am Solomon or something.
Perhaps you're Samson. I'm pretty sure you're not Solomon.
Racer426969 wrote:I always had a bad race if I shaved my head the week heading into a race. I'm not sure if I am Solomon or something.
Perhaps you're Samson. I'm pretty sure you're not Solomon.
runner who professee wrote:
I usually wear an Oregon hoodie which is legit because I grew up in Eugene.
I wear a replica U.S. national team outfit because I grew up in the U.S.
I know that having their athletes "look good" for races is actually a thing among some college coaches.
For example, I was good friends with a girl that was a sprinter at Penn State, who graduated within the last handful of years. She said her coach wouldn't require, but would sort of "strongly suggest", that the female athletes do their hair, wear some jewelry, do their nails, put on makeup, etc so that they would "look good" for their race. The theory was that if you know you look good, you are more confident in yourself, and being more confident in yourself would help your race better. My friend never really did this, as she wasn't really flashy and never really wore jewelry/makeup or anything, but she did say that it did work for some girls, who seemed to perform better after they adapted to their coaches way of thinking. Whether or not it was because they looked good who knows, but to them and their coach it played a factor in their heads, and 80% of the game is half mental
It makes a little bit of sense. For example, if I go out to a bar or something, and I like what I'm wearing, my hair looks nice, or whatever, I am a lot more confident than I would be if I had on crappy clothes and my hair was messed up.
Take it from a group of guys much faster than we are...
If you look good, then you feel good, then you run good.
Skip to 13:00 mark.
.Flagpole wrote:
JohnnyYoYo wrote:Do you get yourself "looking good" when you are racing? Men, do you shave and put a little wax/gel in your hair? Women, do you do your nails, shave those armpits a little closer than normal, style your hair...
I'll admit it. I try to look my best.
Man, I have never thought about looking good while racing ever. I'm so far away from thinking that way that I never would have considered that anyone who was serious about racing would ever give a crap.
"Looking good" is relative of course. But if you get in a race (let's think about road races... non team stuff, which have standard uniforms), I think it's reasonable to look like you care about racing. If you show up in cut-off shorts and a t-shirt and can actually perform well, you do a disservice to the sport by looking so sloppy. It's good to look like a serious runner, especially if you are. All you need do is simply wear a singlet and running shorts. If you have an outfit you like to wear that's good. There is something to the notion of looking good helps one feel good. And it looks better to spectators. You are performing after all.
I've noticed that most people who put all the time and effort into appearence and wear expensive brand-name gear very often come no wear near winning the race. I, on the other hand, prefer to look as deranged possible. I do not shave or shower before a race and as for clothing, I use the rattiest, old split shorts and singlet/cutoff (that is if I do not go shirtless). If clothing is torn, all the better. I also make sure that my hair is all over the place so that I convey the image of a recently escaped patient from the insanity ward (adds to the intimidation factor). I want to look like an animal and I want to run like primal starved beast, not a weekend warrior who has the extra cash to dole on apparel and let my times, not my looks, do the talking.
Yes I want to look good. Its a public forum and I'm likely to be collecting an age award.
And when I'm walking up to get the award, if a few people think, man that guy doesn't look that old or that guy looks great for his age, it pleases me. That is honest.
If I ever get to the stage where I don't give a d@amn how I look and how I present to others that will be a sad day for Conundrum.
However, no matter how I look when I start a race, those pictures taken at the end of long races ain't to hot.
Conundrum wrote:
Yes I want to look good. Its a public forum and I'm likely to be collecting an age award.
And when I'm walking up to get the award, if a few people think, man that guy doesn't look that old or that guy looks great for his age, it pleases me. That is honest.
.
Pics?
I have two points on this:(1) Its subjective, and between looking good or just believing that I look good, I'd chose the later. I'd much rather go through life thinking I look good rather than thinking I don't regardless of objective standards. (If you believe it, its true)(2) So many guys and ladies in the late 50's have let themselves go to pot (no reference to another thread) that its easy to be decent looking in comparison.
nameless faceless coward wrote:
Conundrum wrote:Yes I want to look good. Its a public forum and I'm likely to be collecting an age award.
And when I'm walking up to get the award, if a few people think, man that guy doesn't look that old or that guy looks great for his age, it pleases me. That is honest.
.
Pics?
there is absolutely nothing wrong with dressing with team pride. i wear weird sweaters/socks/ribbons off the track, so when i race i wear patterned team colored ribbons and socks too. helps me be me while also #lovingmyteam. and, shockingly enough to you i'm sure, i do all that AND foam roll before my race. crazy, i know.
all natural man wrote:
I've noticed that most people who put all the time and effort into appearence and wear expensive brand-name gear very often come no wear near winning the race. I, on the other hand, prefer to look as deranged possible. I do not shave or shower before a race and as for clothing, I use the rattiest, old split shorts and singlet/cutoff (that is if I do not go shirtless). If clothing is torn, all the better. I also make sure that my hair is all over the place so that I convey the image of a recently escaped patient from the insanity ward (adds to the intimidation factor). I want to look like an animal and I want to run like primal starved beast, not a weekend warrior who has the extra cash to dole on apparel and let my times, not my looks, do the talking.
I would like to point out that you are doing exactly the same thing as those who make an effort to "look good." You are paying attention to what your look is and what you are wearing.
Conundrum wrote:
I have two points on this:
(1) Its subjective, and between looking good or just believing that I look good, I'd chose the later. I'd much rather go through life thinking I look good rather than thinking I don't regardless of objective standards. (If you believe it, its true)
(2) So many guys and ladies in the late 50's have let themselves go to pot (no reference to another thread) that its easy to be decent looking in comparison.
What a copout. Pics speak louder than words. Post one or be done.
everyone should start wear the titanium necklaces! Thank you Kara
Ted Underhill wrote:
all natural man wrote:I've noticed that most people who put all the time and effort into appearence and wear expensive brand-name gear very often come no wear near winning the race. I, on the other hand, prefer to look as deranged possible. I do not shave or shower before a race and as for clothing, I use the rattiest, old split shorts and singlet/cutoff (that is if I do not go shirtless). If clothing is torn, all the better. I also make sure that my hair is all over the place so that I convey the image of a recently escaped patient from the insanity ward (adds to the intimidation factor). I want to look like an animal and I want to run like primal starved beast, not a weekend warrior who has the extra cash to dole on apparel and let my times, not my looks, do the talking.
I would like to point out that you are doing exactly the same thing as those who make an effort to "look good." You are paying attention to what your look is and what you are wearing.
A rather astute observation
nameless faceless coward wrote:
What a copout. Pics speak louder than words. Post one or be done.
You really want me to post or send you a picture of myself so you can see it? This is awkward, but I think you may have misinterpreted my post. I am very happily married and I am not gay. You know just because someone cares about appearance, that doesn't mean they are gay.
I am truly sorry to have mislead you.