Run Run Away

Question:

Povl H. Pedersen spoke the following words of wisdom: : Masseurs are most often male around here… Damn. Greetings, der Joachim — Computational linguistics student at Tilburg U., the Netherlands http://www.der-joachim.myweb.nl/ Servant of reality my hairy ass! (H.P. Derleth, Hollow One)

Response:

BarryNL spoke the following words of wisdom: : … it’s  easier to get post race/training massages without all : that hair in the way. Uhm… is it because masseurs think that men with smooth legs are more sexy? Please excuse me while I steal my sister’s Ladyshave. Greetings, der Joachim — Computational linguistics student at Tilburg U., the Netherlands http://www.der-joachim.myweb.nl/ Servant of reality my hairy ass! (H.P. Derleth, Hollow One)

Response:

Really. It seems symptomatic of an ever increasing narcissism.  It’s one thing with women shaving their legs, but that’s been part of my culture since I was born. Do men really need to follow suit?  The notion of shaving so that your muscles are better defined seems a rather sad hobby. As to the notion that they might feel like they’re running faster, that’s great, but do they feel like they placed higher?  Times will tell.

Well, I don’t think it’s something the casual runner would do.  Does feeling faster turn into faster times?  Who knows.  But who knows if any of the other weird stuff runners do actually helps them.  I think it does.  For many people believing in something outside themselves helps them summon that last bit of effort at the end of a race.  Whether what helps them is a special pair of shorts, carrying their racing shoes on their warmups, brushing their teeth before a race, or whatever else it all leads to confidence and confidence is good. -jeff

Response:

good point jeff i wear tiggers on my shoes  ,,,, it brings out the TIGER in me ggrrrr plodzilla – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Really. It seems symptomatic of an ever increasing narcissism.  It’s one thing with women shaving their legs, but that’s been part of my culture since I was born. Do men really need to follow suit?  The notion of shaving so that your muscles are better defined seems a rather sad hobby. As to the notion that they might feel like they’re running faster, that’s great, but do they feel like they placed higher?  Times will tell. Well, I don’t think it’s something the casual runner would do.  Does feeling faster turn into faster times?  Who knows.  But who knows if any of the other weird stuff runners do actually helps them.  I think it does.  For many people believing in something outside themselves helps them summon that last bit of effort at the end of a race.  Whether what helps them is a special pair of shorts, carrying their racing shoes on their warmups, brushing their teeth before a race, or whatever else it all leads to confidence and confidence is good. -jeff

Response:

Really. It seems symptomatic of an ever increasing narcissism.  It’s one thing with women shaving their legs, but that’s been part of my culture since I was born. Do men really need to follow suit?  The notion of shaving so that your muscles are better defined seems a rather sad hobby. As to the notion that they might feel like they’re running faster, that’s great, but do they feel like they placed higher?  Times will tell. There may be some merit in the concept of keeping wounds clean – so I can understand that. Glad you’re not shaving though…  common sense prevails! As for Rick – hey do whatever you feel like.  I assure you you won’t be the only one, no matter what.  There are a lot of interesting individuals at any race. As for me, "I yam what I yam" (and that’s hairy and slightly overweight, with full but irritating straight hair and large feet (maybe due for podosuction) and a skijump nose (maybe due for rhinograding) and kinda knock kneed (kkkoplasty?) etc., and just enjoying life anyways) Be yourself, and have a great race, where effort and determination count for everything, and looks not at all. d – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There’s a few of reasons why runners might shave their legs. First, you’re putting in all those miles to condition your legs but you’re hiding them with a bunch of fluff.  Shaving your legs makes the muscles appear more defined.  That’s why the people in the magazines and catalogs generally have their legs shaved. Also, it makes some people feel like they’re running faster.  The cool air gliding across bare legs can be invigorating I guess (I wouldn’t know). This psychological reason is also part of why swimmers do it. I know of several runners that do the steeple chase that shave their legs. I’m not sure if this is because there is a greater likelihood of falling and getting a nasty cut, or what.  Obviously, if you tear off some skin it would be better not to have a bunch of hair getting in the way of cleaning it – this is why some bikers do it. Finally, the massage thing might make sense although any professional massuse would probably have a supply of oils on hand to take care of this problem.  Maybe it makes it easier for quick, track-side massages though. -jeff Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this. Sorry for the strange question, but I just got my wieght down and my endurance up to were I am doing my first 5 K this Memorial day. I don’t want to look like the only hairy bear there

Response:

I know this may sound rather absurd to some people, but is it that you’re looking for somebody to say "Yes, shave your legs!" so that you can?  Ok, ok….If this isn’t the case, don’t hunt me down or anything…It’s just every angle should be looked at, correct?  I’m not saying it is, but if so, post the exact same question on a beginner’s women’s running newsgroup…you’ll get the answer you’re looking for… Sean Chester Vancouver Island, Canada P.S. Sorry if it’s not… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this. Sorry for the strange question, but I just got my wieght down and my endurance up to were I am doing my first 5 K this Memorial day. I don’t want to look like the only hairy bear there

Response:

Forrest Gump didn’t shave and look how well he ran.

Response:

Imagine how well he would of ran if he did.  *smiles* Sean Chester Vancouver Island, Canada – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Forrest Gump didn’t shave and look how well he ran.

Response:

A serious cycling friend of mine told me the main reasons most cyclists do this is that it makes wounds easier to clean up when they fall off and it’s easier to get post race/training massages without all that hair in the way. I guess the second reason might apply most to professional runners. — Regards, Barry Running & Stuff: http://distancerunner.tmfweb.nl "The woods are lovely, dark and deep; but I have training logs to keep; and miles to run before I sleep".

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this. Sorry for the strange question, but I just got my wieght down and my endurance up to were I am doing my first 5 K this Memorial day. I don’t want to look like the only hairy bear there

Response:

Rick spoke the following words of wisdom: : Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines : and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real : runners do this. I heard about some men who shave their armpits for reasons of hygiene. They run a lot, sweat a lot and with smooth armpits, they feel cleaner. I must admit never having seen a male runner with shaved legs. Then again, I haven’t been on a massive event before. Greetings, der Joachim PS: I do not even shave my face prior to running. Too painful if the sweat goes into the little wounds. — Computational linguistics student at Tilburg U., the Netherlands http://www.der-joachim.myweb.nl/ Servant of reality my hairy ass! (H.P. Derleth, Hollow One)

Response:

There’s a few of reasons why runners might shave their legs. First, you’re putting in all those miles to condition your legs but you’re hiding them with a bunch of fluff.  Shaving your legs makes the muscles appear more defined.  That’s why the people in the magazines and catalogs generally have their legs shaved. Also, it makes some people feel like they’re running faster.  The cool air gliding across bare legs can be invigorating I guess (I wouldn’t know). This psychological reason is also part of why swimmers do it. I know of several runners that do the steeple chase that shave their legs. I’m not sure if this is because there is a greater likelihood of falling and getting a nasty cut, or what.  Obviously, if you tear off some skin it would be better not to have a bunch of hair getting in the way of cleaning it – this is why some bikers do it. Finally, the massage thing might make sense although any professional massuse would probably have a supply of oils on hand to take care of this problem.  Maybe it makes it easier for quick, track-side massages though. -jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this. Sorry for the strange question, but I just got my wieght down and my endurance up to were I am doing my first 5 K this Memorial day. I don’t want to look like the only hairy bear there

Response:

Real Runner’s Run ……Some shave some even bathe…some don’t. Bob/Run2th – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this. Sorry for the strange question, but I just got my wieght down and my endurance up to were I am doing my first 5 K this Memorial day. I don’t want to look like the only hairy bear there

Response:

hope this helps ,,,, my bro run ,, cycles ,, swim ,,, he shaves his legs ,,, i run/swim/climb i do not shave ,, i have thought about it ,,, my swim coach says a should  cuz it does ’shave ‘ time off your swim ,,, half the females say yes ,,,, half say no ,,, half the guys say yes ,,, half say no ,,, hope this helps clodzilla – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this. Sorry for the strange question, but I just got my wieght down and my endurance up to were I am doing my first 5 K this Memorial day. I don’t want to look like the only hairy bear there

Response:

It’s true that they show hairless runners in mags. I once asked rthe same question to this newsgroup. The answer, as far as I know, is no. The only people who had shaved legs (not the rest) at races happened to be triathletes who did it for their cycling. Bicycle racing (which I used to do), and I do mean *racing*, is a sport where everyone shaves. There’s a rather long tradition of that in it. The reasons usually invoked are massage (something that runners get too, mind you), and the treatment of scrapes ("road rash") from falls (unfortunately a part of the sport!). I don’t shave for running. So there’s no need for you to shave. There’ll plenty of hairy bears around you! Good luck! Daniel Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this. Sorry for the strange question, but I just got my wieght down and my endurance up to were I am doing my first 5 K this Memorial day. I don’t want to look like the only hairy bear there

– Daniel Pierre-Antoine   Dept. of Political Science Carleton University 1125 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6

Response:

Rick,         It is entirely your choice as to whether you want to shave before your race.  Over 5km is may *sudden urge to use the same pun as Mario did earlier* take 12 seconds off your overall time, if that.  I know a lot of world class sprinters do, as the .013 seconds, or however much it is, is really relevant in a race that short.  Unless you plan to place first overall, I don’t think 12 seconds here or there will make too much of a difference.  I’d be more concerned about making sure it’s a fun, worthwhile experience, so as to make sure you’ll want to do it again. Sean Chester Vancouver Island, Canada – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this. Sorry for the strange question, but I just got my wieght down and my endurance up to were I am doing my first 5 K this Memorial day. I don’t want to look like the only hairy bear there

Response:

Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this.

Sounds more like a rec.swimming question!  No, no runners I know shave their body hair.  And I’d never shave my face before a race.  Freshly shaved face burns a bit too much when doused with salty sweat. Your apparent neighbor in twcny.rr.com land, — Josh Steinberg

Response:

Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this. Sorry for the strange question, but I just got my wieght down and my endurance up to were I am doing my first 5 K this Memorial day. I don’t want to look like the only hairy bear there

Response:

Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this. Sorry for the strange question, but I just got my wieght down and my endurance up to were I am doing my first 5 K this Memorial day. I don’t want to look like the only hairy bear there

Shaving my face for a race is bad enough – and I don’t always do that. You ever see a bear run? They’re actually pretty fast, although I don’t know how much endurance training they do. I’d love to be mistaken for a bear. Rob

Response:

Does anyone shave just for running’s sake.  It looks in the magizines and the catalogs like everyone shaves their body hair…… Do real runners do this. Sorry for the strange question, but I just got my wieght down and my endurance up to were I am doing my first 5 K this Memorial day. I don’t want to look like the only hairy bear there

From your opening statement, I couldn’t tell if you were talking about running magazines and catalogs.  If I assumed that you were talking about running magazines and catalogs, I would have to disagree with you regarding the shaving of body hair. Reals runners are very individualistic and don’t follow the general populace. If shaving hair would be something you’d like to do to really stand out, you may want to shave one leg and leave the other unshaven.  However, most likely very few would notice it.  Most probably wouldn’t even care. Some would say, "That’s cool."  Others would say "That’s strange." Real runners are people who blend in with the general populace.  So the majority of women I know in the US shave legs and underarms. And many of them are not runners.  Some people might say that they’re wannabe runners. That person most likely would be a runner.  Others would question that since most real runners don’t have time to judge who are real runners and who aren’t.  They’re too busy running  and looking at what they can do to continuously improve or to run injury free to care. With regard to men, a large percentage of them do shave their body hair on their faces. So the truth is that many male runners shave their facial body hair. Some of them only shave portions of their facial body hair. Come to think of it, I have no idea what a real runner would be. You are opening questions that have been circulating at rec.running since I first came here in ‘94 and which probably were there long before that. If I were a real coach, I’d probably have you forget about such a distraction and go out and enjoy a great Memorial Day 5K.  And then I’d be sure to tell you to come back after and tell us what your experience was. Also I’d have you check out other runners and joggers and see how many of them shaved their body hair.  That would keep you distracted until the run so that you wouldn’t get nervous.   If I were a real coach, I might tell you to start a few seconds a mile slower than your training pace so that you wouldn’t blow away in the first mile like many unthinking runners do.  If you went out too fast, it would take you the next mile or more to recover and you would feel crummy. Shaven hair would be the last thing in the world that would come to mind. The pain in your lungs and your legs would be paramount. You’d recover about a half mile from the finish line and you’d sprint the last 100 yards glad that it was over and pleased that you’d finished your first 5 K.   You might even think about doing another one, but starting out a little slower just like a real coach would have told you. Run well, have fun, and think about shaven hair to keep you calm. — In health and on the run, Ozzie Gontang Maintainer – rec.running FAQ http://www.faqs.org/faqs/by-newsgroup/rec/rec.running.html Director, San Diego Marathon Clinic, est. 1975 Mindful Running http://www.mindfulness.com/mr.asp

Response: