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Monday, May 25, 2020

Summer Running Hacks? I Got a Few..


Running? Yeah, we all have our own way of doing it.

Some of us even have a few tricks up our (compression) sleeves. 

After all, why not? As much as we all love our dear sport of running, it would be pretty boring if there weren't a few shortcuts along the way. 

Here's a few of my favorites:

First of all, there's the shoes.  I sincerely hope most know to start with a professional fitting at a reputable running store.  And, I sincerely hope you are doing your part to support your local stores. That said, running shoes are expensive. After an initial fitting (and hopefully a purchase), you'll know what model is best suited for you. In an attempt to stay current with the trends, most shoe brands try to be constantly improving  their products. Often times, for me at least, I will fall in love with a certain model only to have it changed when a newer model is released. Sometimes, though, I have found the "previous season's model" (which usually is the current one I'm still loving) on various websites, including the actual shoe company website itself. The new models seem to premier in the spring, so late fall/winter, is the prime time to search for these older models...usually at a discounted price.  At one time, I had four pairs of the Brooks Adrenaline 18's (in four different colors). I'd bought the first pair from my running store, and then the others were all discounted several months later on the Brooks website.


How about the socks? I learned, a long time ago, that simple cotton socks were a no-go for running. I was gifted a pair of SmartWool no-show socks, and it was love at first run. The thing is, these socks are pricey (starting in the $18 range, and upwards). The socks are well-made, but often the big toe region is the first place to show signs of wear. My left foot is slightly bigger than my right, so that sock is usually the first to bite the dust. Did you know, though, that you can wear the compromised sock inside-out, and get a lot more wear out of it before it's time to toss it?

You're welcome ;-)

So many ill-fitting race shirts. Can I just say UGH? A lot of my race shirts have really cool graphics, but not a flattering or comfortable fit. On a whim, I got the idea to convert a short-sleeved shirt into a tank top, and presto! It was just a matter of cutting out the neck and shoulder/sleeves. I used a favorite tank top as a pattern, and all was good. This works best with tech fabric (cotton may fray). Want to give it a go? The detailed instructions are HERE.

My first-ever "Kim-ified" shirt

DIY arm warmers. Let me share a deep, dark secret...I LOVE arm warmers. I have some that were won (door prize), and a few pairs that were purchased at race expos. I think they cost $25-30, which may seem pricey, but I probably wear them at least a couple times a month, nine months out of the year. If you don't want to spend the money on arm sleeves, you can make your own from knee-high socks. For the Des Moines Half Marathon, several years ago, I bought a double pack of socks at Walmart, for less than $5. My original plan was to cut off the feet and use them as "throwaway arm sleeves." Well, I liked the color and pattern so much, I still have them. They have been washed & worn several times since.

Look closely....you can see the frayed edge of these DIY's

Say goodbye to boring shoes. Sometimes the selection of shoes may not be that grand, especially if you're perusing the previous season's options. Have you ever thought about simply swapping out the laces? For a few dollars, you can have your very own one-of-a-kind shoe.

full disclosure...not one of these is sporting their original laces

So, there you go. I'm a strong believer in keeping things within a budget. After all, don't we already spend a lot of money on races (well, in any other year than 2020)?

Here's a few related posts with hints/tips for summer running:

Any of these look like something you'd like to try? Do you have any hacks you've used for your running gear? Are you ready for summer running?

 I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up


I'm also linking with Debbie,  RachelDeborahLisaSandra and Jenn for the Runners' Roundup

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34 comments:

  1. I love your tips!
    I always buy shoes from "last" season - because the difference to the current season is usually marginal but the discounts are huge.
    I have never actually cut up a t-shirt or used socks as arm-warmers. But I do love the idea!
    In the past, I have used socks as gloves. It works quite well, too. ;-)

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    1. Unfortunately, with my high-maintenance feet, I sometimes can tell a difference from one season to the next with shoe models ;-( I'm happy to find a good shoe, though, that fits well and works for me...so the off-season thing turns it into a little bit of a "Search and Destroy" game LOL

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  2. Heh heh I could buy a lot of shoes with the money I've saved in racing fees this year! I need to try your arm warmer hack. I recently found a 2-seasons-old pair of my favorite running shoes on Amazon brand new for next to nothing. I've also scored some deals on name brand workout clothes on ThredUp for cheap.

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    1. I'm always on the look-out for funky knee socks for the arm warmer hack LOL The socks are actually warmer than the "real" arm sleeves, so I use them a lot (in winter) as an extra layer.

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  3. I do that arm warmer hack too! I mean, what do you do with the expensive ones when you remove them? I couldn't bear throwing them to the ground!

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    1. I have tied the expensive arm sleeves together (on the ends) and then tied the entire piece around my waist. Or, I have also rolled them down so just a small part of my wrist is covered. There's no way I'd toss them away!

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  4. Somehow my socks never wear out! Not my running socks, anyway. Thank you, Balega!

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    1. The only place I usually see any wear is on the big toe...from my toe nail, most likely. Sewing the holes works for awhile, but eventually the holes reappear, bigger LOL

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  5. These are brilliant! I always buy older model shoes (that I prefer anyway) and I'm amazed at the discounted prices versus the first price I bought them for. If I remember correctly, the last pair of Asics shoes I owned were only 25% of what I had bought my first pair a couple of years earlier! So basically 75% discount, LOL! I never like the fit of my race shirts so I'm going to have someone make a quilt for me using all of them.

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    1. I don't like the fit of probably 98% of my race shirts. The 1/4 jackets are sometimes iffy, too. I am also saving some of the really neat shirts (sentimental or great graphics) for a tshirt blanket...someday.

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  6. I love your DIY arm sleeves! I also agree in investing in good socks. I use Pro Compression low trainer socks and they last forever - definitely worth the money!

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    1. I have wondered about the PC low socks...are those ones made of wool? I'm so loyal to SmartWool that I really haven't tried much else (also why I prefer the calf sleeves vs. full compression socks).

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  7. love the sock hack :D I have to say though I wear toe socks mostly (if I'm not wearing compression) so ... not sure that inside out thing would work! haha!

    great tips - I've actually had shirts fixed or altered at my local seamstress - I can't even sew a button... and it's so cheap and supporting a local lady at the same time :)

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  8. Love the idea to cut a race t-shirt! Mine never fit well and I end up donating them.

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    1. I'm glad I came up with the idea to cut the race shirts...I've gotten a lot of use out of stuff that would otherwise be discarded

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  9. SmartWool are great socks! I did noticed that the big toe area would wear out first. I was annoyed by that. I never thought about wearing them inside out. I go through phases. Currently I am all about the Balega socks which I love too. Great idea about the shoe laces. Sometimes I use Lock Laces and hat gives them a splash of color.

    Thank you for linking up with us!

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    1. I seem to have the issue with my left big toe wearing through every sock LOL

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  10. I've never thought about turning a t-shirt into a tank top - great idea!!! I usually just pitch them when I get tired with them. Also, love a good running sock!

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  11. Love that you turn your race shirts into tanks. What a clever idea. And I love the idea of changing out the laces for colorful laces.

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  12. The race shirts never fit me correctly either. What a great idea to cut them into tank tops!

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    1. Very few of my race shirts fit me right...glad I can at least "tank them" LOL

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  13. I do the same with running shoes -- previous year models. This year I had to try something new, though. The verdict is still out!

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  14. Super fun! II love the arm warmers, and that you liked them enough to keep them!

    Collecting running shoes is kind of a hobby . You can do so much with the right pairs of shoes!

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    1. I need to find a few more knee socks to make into arm sleeves...

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  15. Cute hacks! Love the colors on the DIY arm warmers. Wonder when there would be the chance to get professionally fit running shoes? No time soon here. I do have some that I bought as regular shoes, perhaps they would still be good enough to try running in.

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    1. I'd be very cautious of running in "regular" shoes. Many people have a different foot strike walking than they do with running...

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  16. I love the idea of converting race shirts to tank tops! I wear those so much more in the summertime.

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    1. I seldom ever wear short-sleeved shirts...I just don't like the fit or where the sleeve length hits me...

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  17. Same here on the shoes. I loved the fit and color-combo of a certain Asics pair and once they moved on to the next model, I scooped up 5 or 6 pairs online at deep discounts!

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