I have a very serious topic to discuss. This topic is crucial to race day performance and must be strongly evaluated along with training, fueling and recovery. Yes, you know what I’m talking about: running hair (Men: If you stop reading here, don’t worry – I get it).
Short hair, long hair or bangs – us lady runners need an efficient solution to ensure that our locks don’t become sweat magnets that slap against our face the entire race. I’ve never been one to wear make-up to a race or even having clean hair (hey – we’re about to get our sweat on after all), but I am very peculiar about how my hair is being held back.
In high school, it was a low bun, parted down the side, slicked back. I have no idea what I was thinking. These days, it’s a perfect combination of the following:
- Dirty hair
– Again, not going to waste time washing it - Two Goody hair ties to hold back a HIGH ponytail
– I use the ones without the metal. I don’t have thick hair, but I have a lot of fine hair and using two is the only way to ensure that I’m not tightening the pony every half mile
– Yes, these have to be high! If not, they brush against my back the entire race and drive me crazy. I’d rather have the swing of the high pony be my personal back fan. - Goody Stay Put Headbands
– This is the crucial element. I have a big head so these work really well for me and I only have to adjust about once or twice during a marathon. Note that they do stretch out, for those of you with smaller noggins, they may not be the best bet.
Chicken Face mocks me for my uber-high running pony; I reply with a simple, “You have no idea what you are talking about.” I think that keeps him quiet for long enough. The high pony, two ties and one headband combo is the perfect way to keep my head and back cool, the sweat out of my eyes, and holding the “baby fuzz” back. It’s simple, saves time and Lola approves.
So now I ask you, are you peculiar about your running hair? If so, what is your running hair?
Happy Running!
My hair is ridiculous to deal with because it’s really fine yet thick. Explain that? So hair ties fall out all. the. time. No matter how many times I loop them, which typically ends with me breaking them. So annoying. Right now I am twisting back two sections after it’s parted from the middle, clipping, and attempting the pony. This at least keeps my hair outta my face and I can catch the pony before it falls out. Ugh.
THANK YOU! My boyfriend always makes fun of me for obsessing over my hair before a long run or road race…but it’s ungodly annoying if one crucial element is off! PS DYING over the Lola pic, could she be any cuter?! I wish she could come to Boston but hopefully I will get to meet her at the SF Marathon 🙂
Guys totally don’t get it. 😀
I have pretty short hair so ponytails don’t work. I’ve never been much of a headband person but I definitely need to get one so I don’t have to keep pushing my hair back.
oh my gosh, this is great. In high school for track i HAD to have two french braids. For volleyball I HAD to have two messy buns. If I didn’t, clearly the world would end. I’d prefer two braids now but my braiding friends have long since moved away from me. 🙁 I like the high high pony if the humidity is low, otherwise my wavy hair forms this crazy hair clumb/snarled mass. So if there’s humidity I have to do a braid or twist and put that in a bun type thing. I should just hack off the hair.
just found your blog and i’m hooked!! i’m all about the high ponies too 🙂
HA I totally understand!! Hair can make or break a race. I braid mine (which makes me look about 8 years old) and use a hairband like yours!! Sometimes my hair annoys me and during a run I often contemplate shaving it all off!! It would save a LOT of time and effort…! 😛
Thanks for sharing your tips! I’m always looking for headbands that don’t slide back.
I have been wanting to try those goody headbands because I just used the old ones I had from college bball. I used to use pre-wrap during soccer and bball to keep those fly-aways in place. Now hair spray sort of works but my hair just gets all kinds of crazy!
my head must be extra slippery or shaped crazily because no headbands work on me and it drives me crazy! lululemon ones with the sticky plastic inside work for a little while, but as soon as I get sweaty, they fall right off. I’m a pony girl all the way. I like it when my hair is short but it’s too much of a pain to run with if I can only get half of it up.
I got frustrated with those headbands when they never stayed on my head. They’d always slide off the back. I’ll have to try those stay-put ones – renewed hope for my head!
I always wear my hair in a high pony, too. I hate having my sweaty hair touch my neck.
I had running hair issues yesterday!! I usually use a double band hairband from lululemon but I forgot it when I went to the gym. So I went for some bobby pins and I also forgot them. I had to run in a ponytail and my bangs got so sweaty and in my face yesterday. Terrible. Oh running hair! I do like twisting my bangs in the front, Lauren Conrad style, and then having a low bun. This method works out well for me.
I WISH my hair would look cute like yours does all the time 🙂 I love your high pony and headbands but they just do not stay put! When I had long hair I had to put it in a bun otherwise it would stick to my arms and make me insane!
As you well know, I am all about hiding my crazy hair underneath a hat 😉 plus it keeps the sun out of my eyes and off my skin a bit.
Wha?? How is your hair so cute like that?? Mine looks ridiculous when I have to secure it out of my face for working out, haha! You have gorgeous hair for sure! 🙂
The Goody Stay Put Headbands don’t work for me… they were my first clue that my head is smaller than the average person, haha! Oh well, this is why we have bobby pins. 😉
haahha ive found that TWO THICK hair ties does the trick for me!
When my hair was loooong I used to put it in a ponytail and then braid it to ward off the turbo snarl. These days I’m more of the headband and snug ponytail/bun persuasion. also, loved seeing your Boston goal time. hope you smash it to pieces : )
This is a great post and nice to see others struggle with this problem! 🙂 a twisted braid to keep the bangs off my face (big mistake the bangs) two bobbie pins, one goodie hair tie. No headband, I suffer from a small head as well. Great post and the cutest picture!
Headbands rarely stay on my head. I usually go for a ponytail for regular runs but I ALWAYS braid my hair for a race to make sure it stays put! I cannot imagine having to readjust while racing.
I love it! I agree, pony tail needs to be high! Thanks for the tip on the goody headbands! Your dog is so stinkin adorable!
Monkey buns with braids ALL THE WAY! the braids prevent fly aways and it adds a fun touch… also ribbon is a fun add too 🙂
Uh, you are my running hair twin. It’s official. Same exact goody bands. Except my boyfriend thinks its kinda cool… 😉
I keep meaning to do a post about running hair because mine will not stay put! I use two hair bands too and it still falls apart! Wish mine looked cute like yours!
now that i chopped off all my hair i literally have to do nothing to it before a run! i sort of feel like a boy, but it’s also low maintenance which is great. before, though, i swore by those stretchy headbands!
OMG lola. Too cute 🙂
this is a very important topic of discussion!
i have called off a run/workout because i forgot hair ties, so now they are permanent fixtures on my wrists.
i recently got bangs and have been trying to use headbands, but every brand i try slips. i can’t figure out how to make them stay – so i’ve resorted to running with a hat or visor to keep them out of my eyes.
I’ve figured out the secret to your blogging success…pics of your super cute puppy in every post!
Wow! Am I the only one who wears a hat? Sometimes, I just pull my pony through the back hole in the hat and leave the tie off. (unless it’s windy out). I use the high-hanging pigtail for yoga but lower for running. Funny, I know but I like my pony to swing. It’s like a propeller. When I was younger (much younger), I used to flat iron my (dirty) hair before a race so that it would swing rather than bounce. Thick hair, when it bounces, is SOOO annoying. A single braid is out for this very reason. I don’t want to be beaten down by my own hair when I’m racing.
No, I wear a hat every time I run because it’s almost always sunny! But I recently got bangs (because I do look better with them), but it’s a huge hassle when I’m not wearing a hat and I have to constantly “re-do” them because they get smashed and look awful!!! I’m having a huge conflic between the practical/runner side and the impractical/want to look good, side!
Awesome post! I’d love to know, what to do with your hair after a workout, and are headed to work? Do you wash and go to work with your hair wet? Do you blow dry it straight? Do you sometimes skip the shower and head to work with a hat, or wear it hair up? I love to shower after a morning workout, and run hot water through my hair – it’s so refreshing! But I’ve heard so many hair stylists say not to wash your hair everyday…
I would love to know your thoughts on post workout hair do’s when you have to head to work…
Thanks Paige!
Jill
Kind of late to comment in this article but for those who are having issues having a headband stay put, try sweatybands! They’re amazing! I don’t know if I have a weird head shape or what but headbands would never stay on my head for more than 5 minutes after I started running. With Sweaty Band, my hair stays put for long runs 🙂
sweatybands.com is the website.
I have a lot of fine hair as well……could you please explain the double hair tie? Do you do one on top of the other? I do Insanity and lots of other “jumpy” workouts……have yet to figure out how to prevent my hair from flying all over the place.
Yup, I just do two hair ties and that seems to do the trick. But make sure to use the Goody hair ties that don’t have any metal. Those are the best for me.