Lose the cotton, dude
Comments (4)
Monday, April 30, 2007 | 04:24 PM ET
By Peter Hadzipetros
Caught a colleague trying to fall off the sedentary bandwagon last week. There I was, waiting for a streetcar named Queen, and there he was, gasping and wheezing to a stop after a session in sneakers.
It was clearly early in a renewed effort to rekindle fitness levels of not too many yesterdays ago. But he was getting off on the wrong foot.
Got into work and fired off an e-mail. "Congrats on the effort," I suggested. "But lose the cotton shirt, dude."
Not that I wanted to see him shirtless. It's just that cotton's a no-no if you're getting back into working out. Especially running. Especially when you're building up the time and distance.
Cotton holds in the sweat, keeps the moisture right next to your body. That's bad, whether the weather's warm or cold. Cotton's a recipe for pain that you will only discover later in the shower. Damp cotton rubbing against your skin means chafing.
Not that you have to fork out a fortune for the latest trend in exercise duds. Drop by one of those discount clothing stores and there's a good chance you'll find something appropriate made of one of those synthetic materials that helps move sweat from the body — at a reasonable price.
Same goes for shorts suitable for exercise. You don't need to pay designer prices.
Most of those big-name athletic-wear makers also operate factory outlet stores where you can find a reasonable deal.
"Thanks," the colleague wrote back. "Any more tips?"
Yeah, easy does it. Add no more than 10 per cent per week — mileage and time. Make sure you're wearing the right shoes — get fitted by someone who knows what they're doing. If your shoes are old or are the wrong type, you may be setting yourself up for injury and the risk that you'll give up your new exercise program.
Can't run far? Alternate running and walking until you feel more comfortable running. Gradually increase your running time.
You may be hacking and wheezing at first, but within three weeks you'll notice significant differences.
It helps to keep track of your progress. Record your sessions in a log. That way after you come back from what you feel is an awful run, you may realize it really wasn't that bad because two weeks ago, it took you substantially longer to cover the same distance.
Be patient. Don’t expect to run a marathon in three months if you've spent the last five years engrossed by every reality show on television.
Most of all, you've got to like what you're doing. If your exercise is routine, chances are the couch will lure you back.
Stick with it long enough and — before you know it — you'll be moving to the next hole down on your belt. Maybe your clothes will feel like they fit a bit better. Maybe your energy levels will rise a little.
Maybe you've taken a big step towards a healthier you.
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Peter Hadzipetros is a producer for the Consumer and Health sites of CBC News Online. Until he got off the couch and got into long distance running a few years ago, he was a net importer of calories.
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Comments (4)
John
Victoria
I've found that getting the expertise and support of other through the many clinics at rec. centres is great. I did learn also that not all of us are meant to run. I had to take the advice of my Doc and revert to some good fast walking to reduce the effect of my weight on my knees.
I've done two 5k's and the Victoria 10k. It feels great to be out there. Espeically when you see all the folks doing it, it's awesome.
Posted May 14, 2007 11:03 PM
Richard
Lindsay
I have been a runner for many years. My first run was to the end of the driveway. I have run at all distances and in races where some wore canoe costumes and others wore shoes and nothing else.
I was sorry to see the comments about new runners in cotton. I wear cotton and technical shirts each about half the time and I don't care (so maybe its me the columnist saw!) I get chafing as much from technical fibres as anything else - when I forget the petroleum jelly. As I look back at photos of my finish lines I can't find any in which I'm wearing a technical shirt.
Real runners, when they see a newbie in cotton, hawaiian, or top hat and spats wave and say "good for you." Columnists say "no runner here - wrong shirt."
Runners at their staring line need only good shoes, lots of desire, and no one to judge them.
Posted May 10, 2007 12:42 PM
Jim
Timmins
I ran quite a while before I got to the point where I gave up cotton, but I do remember the exact moment. I had worked and trained for my first half-marathon with the conviction of any man looking mid-age in the eyes. I belonged to a group of friends, who I didn't train with regularly; but were always quick to give me very good advice when we socialized. I had training schedules, methods, shoe features and many of the other advice you mentioned in your blog - except for the cotton rule. On a warm May afternoon, 3 weeks before the event I did my "event run" - approximately the distance of the race at a fairly aggresive pace. Once I stopped, I became painfully aware that not only was my beloved cotton shirt heavier than i could have imagined, but it had managed to effictively remove a good layer of skin from underarms, and my nipples. In a moment of panic, I made the situation worse by jumping into the shower to try and wash the sweat off. Then I became very aware of many other spots on my body were equally worn. One in particular was a spot that made me walk like a cowboy after a rodeo for many days after. Since that day I pass on the my experience with the evil of cotton to any runner who will listen. Here's another tip along the same lines - wear underwear and socks inside out. Then tags and seams will be away from the skin and less likely to wear on you. The thing I love about the running community is I find it amazingly supportive. I often see frontrunners at a race telling others "good job" and clapping.
Posted May 3, 2007 02:24 PM
Dan
peterborough
I would add one thing to that email and that's do one of the 5 or 10K races that are around. It's good for the spirit to know that there are all sorts and and sizes of runners. That finnish line is a great place to be part of.
Posted May 1, 2007 09:36 AM