Decisions Decisions Decisions

They say dress for the finish line. Deciding what to wear is not a light decision. There is some level of evaluation going on every time we want to dress up but dressing for your runs can get quite technical. This means there are right choices, and some choices are better than others. This post is a bunch of questions that will help you with your decisions of what to wear for your next run, next training session or even your race day pre-run, during-run and after-run. There are lot of factors you need to think through, and I hope that this post helps in making that process easier. What kind of run is it? Is it just a small training run or this is your speed day? Or is it the long run with friends on Sunday morning kind of day? Is it a race day and if yes how long is your race? Or is it the run where you will see one of your crushes and you need to look cute in the outfit without willing to take care of that chaffing or blisters afterwards? Is it going to be windy or humid today? If it is too hot or humid, have you picked up tops with some perforations which allows good air flow? Are the clothing articles light for a hot run and insulated for cold runs? How much you normally sweat? Does your gear have sweat wicking feature? What are the temperatures going to be at the start of run and more importantly what are the temperatures going to be at the end of the run? Will you need an extra layer at the start of run? Have you picked throw away clothes from local thrift store or saved some from the spring closet cleaning? Have you thought about the minute details like that towel hook in your shorts to wipe your sweat for a sunny day or the the watch hole in your inner layer to change music without struggling to raise your sleeves on a wintry day? What is your verdict on the headgear? The range is huge from visors to snuggly cap to the hat with pompom on the top or plain earmuffs. How about sunshades? Are you going to run in sundown hours? Are you going to run on the road with traffic? Does your gear have reflective strips? Is it a trail run and does your gear has pockets or hooks or backpack to carry enough hydration? Do you have enough pockets to fit in all the nutrition you need to carry with you for this run? Are you coming home straight from your run or stopping by somewhere? Will you have access to change your clothes after your run or you are going to layer something on top of your running clothes? Will you have access to shower, or you are planning to mask that ‘particular smell’ with range of sprays and wipes? It might seem overwhelming in beginning. Experience with some bad choices does make you a fast learner. Jokes apart better planning will help less chaffing, less blisters, encourage you to do the run again and have a better experience overall. I cannot help with all the answers to these questions as most of them are personal preferences. But going through these questions and making an informed decision will enhance your running experience vastly.