Clean running starts from the inside out, from head to toe, from your nutrition to your outerwear, from how you look to how you sound as well as how you carry yourself. Clean running means going that extra mile to represent runners in a most positive light. It means inspiring others to do the same. Clean running doesn't necessarily mean you will magically feel better while training in the extreme heat and humidity but it can mean the difference between challenging vs. disaster. Clean running is a state of mind which leads to an awesome state of body. As I have quoted in the past..."To look good is to feel good and you look mahvelous!"
Let's start from within and address nutrition. When you think of clean, think of clean-burning fuel, and by that I mean whole foods, plant-based as much as possible! How can anything else be "clean" if it is derived from animal sources??? As we all have learned by now, digesting animal products can be very taxing on our organs, possibly leading to disease and/or medical complications. With such a wealth of plant-based pre/during/post workout energy drinks, gels and snacks, why try anything else? May I suggest Vega Sport, Genuine Health Vegan Proteins/ActivFuel+, Sun Warrior, Nuun, coconut water, Fuel 100 Electro-bites, Pro Bar Bolt, Gu, Cliff Shots and Gels, Hammer Gel, Pocket Fuel, Salt Sticks/S-Caps and Drip Drop. Wow...that's a lot!!! Even if you're not completely plant-based, why not use natural fuel sources for increased bioavailibilty/digestibility rather than animal-based/artificial counterparts? Clean products help you to maximize efficiency, aid in recovery and reduce fatigue after a long hot run! Better for you, the enviroment AND the animals!!! If you typically run with a water bottle, especially in hotter months, why not make it a reusable handheld one that is contoured to fit comfortably in your palm, as an extension of you. Ones by Amphipod and Nathan are both affordable and ergonomic, with pockets provided for your Nuun tablets, gels, money, keys or even your cel phone.
Next up...hygiene. Just because you look like you just stepped out of the shower after less than a mile into your run doesn't mean you shouldn't be clean before heading out. I don't mean shower right before, but do a quick rinse the late afternoon or night before so you are still basically fresh prior to hitting the stifling, pea soup air. Note that showering/bathing too often can deplete the skin of natural oils as well as good bacteria. Being clean does NOT mean dousing yourself with perfume or cologne to mask your natural scent. Perfume can be offensive, even suffocating, especially if you are running with others. Clean running means being considerate of others. Clean means just that...CLEAN, from skin, to hair and body parts so that when you do start to sweat, you might stink a little bit but you won't reek. Hairy armpits...gross! More hair equals more trouble! Truth be told, I struggle with mainstream anti-persperants/deoderants vs the healthy, natural ones...the latter never seem to work for me, especially with the amount I sweat and the region where I reside (I'm a "schvitzer" from way back). I'm willing to risk my health a bit for the sake of humanity! Hairy legs, not cool...ever (unless you are a Ve-dude)! As for the hair on your head, a little dirt doesn't hurt and is actually beneficial (overwashing can be damaging) for a run as long as it doesn't smell nasty...just dab a little conditioner or leave-in product with SPF and neatly tie it back before heading out the door. And don't forget your hat and sunglasses, not to mentiion the waterproof/sweatproof sunblock if the sun is unavoidable, for added protection. I recommend natural, cruelty-free products from companies like Kiss My Face, Jason or Alba Botanika.
The clothes make the girl, right? I don't mean the fancier/pricier the better but rather the cleaner, neater and matching the better! Whether running alone or with a group, once you put on fresh, clean, comfortable technical apparel, you are already one step ahead of the game. Clean running means clean lines and sleek designs, paving the way to streamline running. The better the fit, the better your performance. In addition... the more you cover, the less problems you will have in terms of sun damage, dehydration and chafing. Running with just a job bra and shorts for VeGALs and shirtless for Ve-dudes is not advisable on long runs since it can lead to overexposure to the elements. Lightweight, dry-fit clothing can keep you cooler and dryer rather than running essentially "naked. " Ill-fitting clothes, either too snug or too loose, can lead to added chafing. And speaking of chafing...If you struggle with this issue, why not give Uberlube (found online on Amazon or Walgreens) a try? This silky, non-greasy, odorless, scentless and tasteless product is all the rage! It's made with friendly, inert ingredients. This quality lubricant can also be used for other creative activities, wink wink. What a great investment
It's true that running apparel can be very costly but as long as you wash them with naturally-sourced, biodegradeable detergents like Method or Seventh Generation and avoid the dryer, your hallowed running clothes will last through several seasons. Before throwing out a very stinky, expensive running bra, try adding distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle. I recommend shopping online at Oiselle or Lululemon in the sale or "we made too much" section for your running apparel. Road Runner Sports (RRS) also has a wide variety to fit your needs with great VIP discounts and sales. Once you know your size, who cares if you buy last season's stuff at half price! I like to buy Moving Comfort's running skorts made with recycled water bottles and coffee grounds at RRS. I also like the durability as well as the selection that Brooks has to offer. On very long runs, you may wish to pack a clean outfit/fresh shoes to change into midway through your run to avoid the inevitable stinkage (which could ultimately get you kicked out of your local running club) or serious chafing (which gives way to screaming in the shower once the hot water hits your burned flesh- OUCH!).
We've covered head so let's jump down to toes...running shoes, that is! The rule of thumb is to change your shoes every 3 months or so, depending on your mileage. Wearing nasty old running shoes is not only a turn off but can be associated with several types of running injuries if the soles are worn down too much. You may wish to alternate shoes, depending on the type of workout, to extend the life of your fave pair. BOGOs can be available either online or at your local store so stock up whenever possible! Your shoes may not be worn out just yet but they can still stink to high heaven in which case I suggest tossing them in a delicate wash cycle and letting them air dry. A trick my running partner suggests is after a hot and sweaty run when your shoes are water-logged, try stuffing them with newspapers and storing them in a cool, dry place for a day or two. Carry a pair of flip flops to change into immediately after your run to air out your shoes as well as your stinky feet. If all else fails, there's always Febreeze!!!
Another aspect of clean running beyond your nutrition and overall appearance is your voice! If you are running with others, make sure to keep your volume down to avoid distracting others as well as annoying neighbors in nearby residential areas. In addition, be careful of content and try to avoid adult or awkward topics that may make random passers by uncomfortable. Watch out for language that may be inappropriate for younger runners, especially during family-oriented race events. Control sudden outburts of laughter or swear words, if you can. To that end, if you listen to music and like to sing along, be mindful of the volume...if the music is too loud, then your voice will automatically be too loud. Rule of thumb...music should be kept at a soft enough volume so that you can still have a conversation as well as hear ambient noise (safety first). The newest annoyance out there is cel phone music playlists on speaker, especially at races. Ughhh...that's so rude! YOUR taste is NOT MY TASTE and I DON'T want to hear your crappy music!!! I'm not trying to take all the fun out of running (if you know me then you know my fowl mouth lol). I am merely suggesting that you show some tact and decorum out there (I should take my own advice). Others may not, but you will be proud of yourself when you show some class while you kick some ass!!!
And finally, there's running style to address, which is essentially, how you put everything together to make yourself a clean, mean running machine!!! Of course, running is a very individual sport, but there are some common characteristics/principles that runners try to adopt such as good posture, form and stride. As much as we strive to be as efficient as possible, we cannot help but incorporate our own natural style into every step we take, thus making us a little more prone to injury. As long as it works for you then don't worry about fixing it. However, there are those instances where a runner should question their gait at which point, their running economy may be compromised. My biggest pet peeve on the road is hearing a fellow runner scrape or "shuffle" one or both feet. The occasional scrape is okay- I even do it from time to time, kind of like a wake up call to switch gears or step it up. But there are those runners out there who desperately need to listen to their own sound and re-adjust their gait, if applicable. Clean running means QUIET running, not scraping your feet like nails on a chalk board!!! Clean running means being able to sneak up on runners ahead of you who never heard you coming! That's always fun. My running partner and I like to amuse ourselves and rate runners passing by in terms of degree of shuffling on a scale from 1 to 10. Sounds a bit childish bordering on cruel, I know. But all that noise can really be bothersome to us, especially when we are trying to escape, clear our heads and relax on the road. If you think you might be a shuffler then ask yourself if your shoes are right for you. Perhaps you are a heel striker and those big clunky heel to to drop shoes aren't ideal for you. Shoes with more fore/midfoot support may help you to get off those heels. Maybe you are leaning too much to one side. I'm not exactly sure what causes the shuffling, I do NOT claim to be an expert. But common sense tells me that if you are making lots of noise while running, then something might be wrong. Landing too hard is another pet peeve of mine. Think of being light on your feet, like floating through the air, to reduce all the extra pounding/wear and tear. Maybe you need more cushioning, or perhaps less. I recommend looking into a Chi Running course which can help tweak your form, reduce injury and maximize your running efficiency. Clean running also means arms are comfortably by your side, loose and relaxed, not flailing. You certainly don't want to wack someone as you pass them! Or do you? (I feel like that sometimes lol) Keeping your head slightly lowered while bringing your arms in and keeping them close to your body makes you a more aerodynamic runner, enabling you to move through the thick, hummus-like air with ease (just keep telling yourself that).
So there you have it...your survival kit to becoming a clean runner! Pretty simple, huh? Clean running is just the survival kit you need to get through the summer and achive success throughout the year. If you can put all the pieces together as you put yourself out there, you will represent all runners in a very positive light, which will hopefully inspire both new and existing runners to do the same, giving way to a more courteous and respectful running community overall. To sum it up, clean running is how you prepare as well as present yourself as a runner, from head to toe, from the inside out, from how your move through space and how you win the race!
