Be honest - do you get yourself "looking good" when you are racing

Raptured wrote:

For a short race, I wake up as late as possible, throw on my race clothes and a sweat-stained hat, and go race. Being well rested for a race > showering and looking good.

You could try, you know, going to bed earlier or something.

I cringed when I read this post and the replies. To reiterate what Flagpole said, I never knew people focused so much on appearance for races. Do I say this to appear a more serious runner than others? No. Simply, race day is about one thing, giving everything I possibly have and finishing with the best place possible. Other trivial matters never even come into my mind.

I like to wear old-school looking clothes at races where nobody knows me. It's funny to get your picture in the paper wearing an oversized shirt, nylon pants, and gardener gloves while some guy in $400 of Nike kit struggles in the background.

Xfit_guy_the_real_1 wrote:

I typically do an arm/chest workout the day before and go for "the pump", thus maximizing the BUFF aspect of my appearance.

Don't you find the pump kind of goes away after about 30 minutes and leaves you looking a bit drawn with 10 minutes still to go in your 5k?

You should probably run for 30 minutes and then pause to do some push-ups before sprinting in. It won't make much difference to your final time.

whatever singlet is on the top of the pile and my favorite shorts. i try not to shave right before the race only because the sweat burns.

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.

Flagpole, not everyone is like us, able to roll out of bed and be a 10/10.

The concept of "Good looking" is all relative. In a pack of gaunt, neurotic misfits it might mean getting some sun, chilling out and donning a smile. Not hard to do, unless of course you're a lets run regular.

Bruce Denton. wrote:

I cringed when I read this post and the replies. To reiterate what Flagpole said, I never knew people focused so much on appearance for races. Do I say this to appear a more serious runner than others? No. Simply, race day is about one thing, giving everything I possibly have and finishing with the best place possible. Other trivial matters never even come into my mind.

I guess it depends... as I mentioned, sometimes the act of getting ready in the morning can be a sort of ritual that takes your mind off of the task at hand, which in turn improves performance. I think that taking yourself seriously and actively worrying if you look cool or sharp would detract. But following a routine is mentally relaxing.

Hardloper wrote:

Flagpole, not everyone is like us, able to roll out of bed and be a 10/10.

Not everyone rolls about of bed with a head full of "There's something about Mary" hair gel.

Bruce Denton. wrote:

I cringed when I read this post and the replies. To reiterate what Flagpole said, I never knew people focused so much on appearance for races. Do I say this to appear a more serious runner than others? No. Simply, race day is about one thing, giving everything I possibly have and finishing with the best place possible. Other trivial matters never even come into my mind.

I am a serious runner and I always get myself looking good when I am racing. Appearance is everything, Hair, make up, nails, and I am sponsored so I always wear good looking apparel/shoes.

Craig Virgin used to bring a comb to races to make sure he looked nice in interviews. True story (according to Craig Virgin).

Honestly...No. I get my gear on and run. I don't do anything else.

I try to look as slow and goofy as possible. That way I don't feel as bad getting outkicked by highschoolers.

Hardloper wrote:

Flagpole, not everyone is like us, able to roll out of bed and be a 10/10.

Ah...I see. Thank you for opening my eyes to this. It appears that you are CORRECT!

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. I used to put on fake tattoos in high school because I thought it was funny. I also used to wear a headband but my big head starts to heart after a while wearing one so I had to stop that.

For some - looking good is a part (small in most cases) of a larger picture. Taking a hot shower before a race wakes me up, gets me feeling refreshed. Looking good is a part of the equation of feeling good. If I feel good I go into a race more confident, etc.

I didn't think about it at all on race days, ever. Whatever school singlet, shorts, and warmups I was given in HS and college, I wore them. I brushed my teeth and combed my hair on race morning like every other morning. How I looked was the last thing on my mind that day. I was usually freaking out and trying to prepare myself mentally for how much pain I was about to put myself through very soon, wondering if I would win or lose, thinking of race tactics/strategies, etc. That was the only thing I could focus on, I couldn't help it. I had a good career, a lot of fun, but some of my races might have been better if I could have relaxed more and focused on something as frivolous as how I looked.

Quite the opposite. I crunch up my number and pin it to my singlet at an odd angle. I don't shave for a couple of days before a race. I make no attempt to look good because I'm hardcore.

in every race ... i'm just hoping i don't shit my pants.