Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!

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2012-09-16 1:36 PM


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Subject: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!

I just did a half marathon today, which I signed up for last second as I'm traveling for work and my friend in the area wanted me to run it with him.

 

I forgot my running shorts, but oddly did bring bike shorts in case there was a hotel gym bike, and since they fit really well on the bike, figured it'd be no big deal to just run in the bike shorts.

 

Wow that was a HUGE mistake. I started chafing at mile 4, and by mile 8, it was bad enough to be the biggest worry on my mind despite a very hard running effort. It didn't slow my run down, but I definitely will pay the price in the next few days.

 

I've not got big, angry welts on my backside at the edges of the pad where it rubbed. They're so painful in the shower that it literally feels like I'm pouring boiling oil or fire on my skin if it comes into contact with water. Yeeouch!!

 

I also can't walk normally at all because of the chafing fabric. So now my new colleagues at the work conference probably think I have a medical abnormality causing this.

 

I now also know why triathlon bib pads are often made of thin felt - for this exact reason. 

 

So bottom line - if you're planning to use bike shorts, even well fitting ones, for runs of HM distance or longer, I'd StRONGLY advise you to reconsider.

 

Luckily enough though, race went well. I ran a 1:37 last week at a half ironman, and despite having dead legs all this week, ran a 1:29 today with a solid negative split. Still got passed by hordes of men and women - scary how many people run sub-7 minute miles.



Edited by yazmaster 2012-09-16 1:38 PM

2012-09-16 1:57 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
yazmaster - 2012-09-16 2:36 PM

 

So bottom line - if you're planning to use bike shorts, even well fitting ones, for runs of HM distance or longer, I'd StRONGLY advise you to reconsider.

 

I'd strongly advise people to reconsider running in bike shorts ANY distance.

2012-09-16 3:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!

Or buying bike shorts.  I can't stand a big huge pad.  Find a saddle that works for you and a good pair of trishorts should work fine.  It's a lot more comfortable for sure.

2012-09-16 3:57 PM
in reply to: #4413494

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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
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2012-09-16 4:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!

I did a century ride and decided to hop into a BRICK of only 4 miles.  Bad idea for the reasons listed above.  I don't mind bike shorts for century rides but even a 4 mile run got my jibblets a little warm.

 

2012-09-16 4:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!

Ouch.

 

So are the triathlon shorts different than regular bike shorts? Padding?

 

Thanks.

2012-09-16 4:05 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
siouxcityhawk - 2012-09-16 4:02 PM

I did a century ride and decided to hop into a BRICK of only 4 miles.  Bad idea for the reasons listed above.  I don't mind bike shorts for century rides but even a 4 mile run got my jibblets a little warm.

 

Yeah, Dollar store or Thrift store shorts would be a better call

2012-09-16 4:54 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
Ouch! I wouldn't even attempt a mile run in my bike shorts. Honestly I've only gone 50 miles at a time on my bike and prefer my tri shorts over bike for those distance. After awhile its tough to get comfortable in aero with the thick pad of the bike shorts
2012-09-16 5:00 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
fenderperry - 2012-09-16 4:04 PM

Ouch.

 

So are the triathlon shorts different than regular bike shorts? Padding?

 

Thanks.

Yes--much smaller/thinner pad.

2012-09-16 6:11 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
FuryUs - 2012-09-16 5:00 PM
fenderperry - 2012-09-16 4:04 PM

Ouch.

 

So are the triathlon shorts different than regular bike shorts? Padding?

 

Thanks.

Yes--much smaller/thinner pad.

Yep, I've run a stand-alone marathon in tri shorts. Probably a fashion faux pas, but I was cimfortable.

2012-09-16 9:16 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!

Just to clear the decks, I own no bike shorts...

Tri shorts only, and haven't looked back. 



2012-09-16 9:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
fenderperry - 2012-09-16 4:04 PM

Ouch.

 

So are the triathlon shorts different than regular bike shorts? Padding?

 

Thanks.

Yes. Lighter, thinner smaller pad.
2012-09-16 9:45 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!

Wait.  I feel bad for asking this question...but how did the thought enter your mind, "I will just run this half marathon in a pair of shorts that has a huge pad in between the legs" instead of just wearing normal shorts?

2012-09-17 5:34 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
lifejustice - 2012-09-16 9:45 PM

Wait.  I feel bad for asking this question...but how did the thought enter your mind, "I will just run this half marathon in a pair of shorts that has a huge pad in between the legs" instead of just wearing normal shorts?

 

Didn't have normal shorts in my luggage at all. Only bike shorts. Figured that since they fit so well on 70+ mile bike rides, and this time I have no weight on them, the worst chafing I'd get would be mild. Also, given that I've used trishorts for longer races no problem at all, thought it couldn't be THAT much worse.

 

Clearly I was wrong on this one - the seat on the bike actually keeps that pad more or less stable, whereas when you run, the pad is in the area of maximal motion for your pelvis, so it basically maximizes chafing. Ouch!

2012-09-17 6:17 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
tcj103 - 2012-09-16 8:16 PM

Just to clear the decks, I own no bike shorts...

Tri shorts only, and haven't looked back. 

x2!
2012-09-17 6:33 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!

 too bad there weren't any sporting good stores near by to buy a pair of running shorts...

2012-09-17 1:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
FuryUs - 2012-09-16 5:00 PM
fenderperry - 2012-09-16 4:04 PM

Ouch.

 

So are the triathlon shorts different than regular bike shorts? Padding?

 

Thanks.

Yes--much smaller/thinner pad.

 

Thanks.

2012-09-17 1:24 PM
in reply to: #4413494

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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
On a similar note, running a half marathon with scissors in your hand and a sucker in your mouth is also a bad idea.
2012-09-17 3:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
the bear - 2012-09-16 6:11 PM

Yep, I've run a stand-alone marathon in tri shorts. Probably a fashion faux pas, but I was cimfortable.

Ditto.  I've run my last 4 standalone marathons in my trusty De Soto's, and I have no plans to go back to traditional running shorts - they just feel too weird and loosey-goosey now.

Cheers, Chris

2012-09-17 3:38 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike shorts for half marathon - TERRIBLE idea!
A good pair of tri shorts is hard to beat for running these days. I never could wear the low-cut running shorts without something beneath them for chafing; since discovering tri shorts a few years ago I have never looked back. Even on trail runs. They rock.
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