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Nothing new on race day? Even new shorts?

davemunger
davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
in Social Groups
I know the mantra is "nothing new on race day," but I just got a new pair of shorts that I like a lot and would like to wear them for the first time at a 15k tomorrow. Is that a crazy idea? I don't think chafing should be an issue because I wear compression underwear underneath. Plus a 15k isn't a very long distance so it really shouldn't matter too much if I end up not liking them.

What does the MFP crowd think?

Replies

  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    I wouldn't risk it. Granted I'm a girl, so my legs are different than yours, but I went out for a 13 mile run on laundry day a couple of weeks ago. I wore a pair of shorts that I've worn before, even on long distances in the past that never gave me a problem. In the past couple of months I probably only wore the shorts for 3-5 miles. Anyway at mile seven of the 13 mile run, the pain started. I pushed through, but my runnung partner wondered why I became incoherent.

    Needed aloe and vitamin I when I got home. And this was from wearing a pair of shorts I wear!
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    Thinking you look good = being enthused = good performance.
    Yeah, you might get chafed. You have probably run through that before.
  • jturnerx
    jturnerx Posts: 325 Member
    I practice a lot more caution about trying something new if it's something I'm eating or drinking. Or new shoes. If the shorts give you a mental edge, go for it. A 15k is short enough that if there is a chafing issue you can suck it up and lesson learned.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    What if they bind at the legs?
    What if the won't stay up?
    What if they chafe the small of your back?
    What if they inexplicably try to twist themselves around?

    But hey, it's your race. :wink:

    :laugh:
  • camrunner
    camrunner Posts: 363
    Pfft. They're just shorts. What could possibly go wrong?
  • Cooriander
    Cooriander Posts: 2,848 Member
    I always (90% true) wear new outfits on race day. But maybe changing that will make me faster.
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    Thanks for the advice, everyone. I ended up running with the new shorts and they worked out just fine. A bit of a risk, but this wasn't a target race for me so I felt like it was warranted. Here's a photo of me wearing them during the race. Don't I look fast?

    Dave_lungstrong.jpg
  • twinmom_112002
    twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
    Super speedy picture!
  • Cooriander
    Cooriander Posts: 2,848 Member
    You look fast and awesome! those shorts definitely helped :glasses:

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