What should I wear to the Bellin Run?

April 29, 2013

Wearing proper athletic attire during a road race like the Bellin Run can spare you a number of unnecessary irritations – chafing, blisters, and more.

Nate Vandervest, a running specialist from Bellin Health Fitness & Athletic Performance, has suggestions on what to wear as you plan for your first or repeat Bellin Run.

“Runners often make the mistake of wearing too much or too little clothing for conditions,” he said. “For most of us, that mistake results in minor problems like discomfort or chaffing, but in some circumstances can lead to heat related or cold-weather related illnesses like heat exhaustion or frostbite.”

There is no perfect formula in determining what to wear, but the following tips should enhance your race day experience.

How Dry I Am
Wet clothes can be a nightmare for runners causing blisters and chafing. Once a shirt is wet, it stays wet and can be either uncomfortable and heavy in warm weather or dangerous in cold weather. Moisture wicking fabrics pull sweat away from the body keeping you dry and comfortable in any condition. By the way, your free Bellin Run T-shirt can be upgraded to technical shirt containing wicking materials (adult sizes only).

Cold as Ice
When running in cooler weather, don’t overdress. A good rule of thumb for chilly weather is to add 15-20 degrees to the current temperature when determining what to wear. This will compensate for how much you warm up when you start running.

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot
When temperatures rise, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes. Loose-fitting clothes cause less friction reducing the likelihood of chaffing. Lighter-colored clothes reflect more of the suns rays and introduce less heat to you as you train.

Blister in the Sun
Blisters are skin bubbles filled with clear liquid and are a bane to runners everywhere as they commonly appear on the feet. They can be caused by a number of factors including sweaty feet, too-tight running shoes, friction between your feet and your socks, and more. Avoid blisters by wearing shoes that are about a half size bigger than your street shoes and consider purchasing socks made of wicking material that pulls moisture away from your feet. Athletic shoe dealers like New Balance of Fox Valley can offer additional professional advice and get you prepared for race day.

Rainbow Connection
Although we’d like for it to be blue skies and rainbows every Bellin Run, we know that’s not likely. So be knowledgeable about race day weather conditions. We’ll also do our part to let you know what to expect in terms of weather. We hope to see you safe and ready to tackle the 2013 Bellin Run at 8 a.m. on June 8.

If you have questions, please feel free to consult any of our running professionals at Bellin Health Fitness & Athletic Performance. We can be reached at (920) 430-4756.