Running in costume

Hi All

It's been a few months since I was on here (didn't get in this year so I've been sulking!). Anyway I'm doing the Bath Half next month in a dog outfit (for Guide Dogs) & was wondering if anyone else had done anything similar. I've not run in the costume yet & being aware of the mantra "nothing new on the day" I feel like I ought to get at least a couple of miles in before the day. Any words of advice would be lovely. Ta

Before you ask, it seemed like a good idea back in October!

That's great - good on you! I've never done any running in a costume before (I'm fairly new to running generally), but I know someone who did run in costume before, and it's definitely worth trying out before the big day, just so you've tried it with the added weight of the costume, reduced vision from having the head on, and the extra heat of the costume.

Good luck with the race!

Interesting! haha. I've never run in costume but for something like that definitely try a few runs to get used to the weight on your head and the bulk on your body, you might find your usual running balance is a bit strange. Be careful to keep well hydrated, possibly with an electrolyte drink too as you are likely to be sweating like an -insert inappropriate phrase- ;) within a short amount of time.

Oh My! 

Yes, I agree, going on the rule of nothing new on the day, you should really do at least on one your long runs fully 'dogged up' (that sounds wrong some how!)

Good luck, I'll be looking out for you and your pack on the day. 

I'm worried I'll get arrested if I got out training on my own "dogged up"!

Haha I love that costume! I'm of the opinion that everything is better in fancy dress!

Everything?

Great outfit !!  I'm planning on running the VLM in fancy dress, but nothing as big and heavy as you are going to run in.  I'm just wearing a wig and some accessories (as per my profile piccie), so I'm going to run a half marathon wearing the outfit just to see if I can cope with wearing a wig.  I strongly advise entering another race of some kind (maybe a 10K) as I'm sure you don't want to go out during a training run dressed up . . . or maybe you do

Going to do a treadmill session this week at a friends house. I really don't think I can bring myself to go out pounding the streets dressed like that. I'm not going for a PB here so I may as well enjoy the day. Plenty of lamp post based humour to be had me thinks!

P.S. If anyone's feeling generous!

www.justgiving.com/Ben-Turner0

Ta!

Everything!

Don't need to pound the streets in it - try your local parkrun, or find a 10k you can enter - you can use that race for some extra fundraising, create a bit of local media exposure for your fundraising efforts, test drive your costume, and all while outwardly appearing perfectly legitimate so you can be untroubled by self-consciousness .

Crikey!

Not every form of fancy dress involves a dog costume... :D

I think Robs idea is good, even if it's just a 5k race it will give you a feel for the costume and you will feel less of a numpty than just running the streets!

That costume is AWESOME! Best of luck 

As long as I am wearing something that I don't need to keep adjusting and hoisting up, and something that doesn't make me too hot, then I don't mind what I wear.

Might be worth testing it our in different weather too - it was hammering down when I did my first half marathon on Sunday, so I can imagine if it got wet, it'd add a bit of weight to the costume. Hopefully you'll have better weather than that though! Good luck with the race.

The time for worrying has passed. Not running now until raceday (Sunday). I'll get a swim in this week but probably won't wear the outfit for that, nobody likes the smell of wet dog do they? Thanks for all your advice, I'll let you know how it goes! If anyone else is running come up and tickle me behind my ears!

Ta!

Good luck, I'll look out for you! Hope it all goes well.

Definitely mate - good luck again.