How will you wear your hair for the race?

[leeshiebean]

This might sound, I don’t know, kind of superficial or something, but I’m curious how a lot of you wear your hair while exercising, specifically running. The half marathon is a week from tomorrow (GAH!) and I want to have my hair up in a no-fuss kind of style. A simple ponytail is not a no-fuss style for me when I’m running because no matter how tightly I have a hairband on it, my hair is fine and it always manages to slip off, even the super grippy kind. And I have a ton of baby hairs along my hairline, and shorter hairs beyond that, which all curl and frizz up when I sweat. So I have tried a few different kinds of grippy stretchy headbands, and they all slip off too. Basically, by the end of my run I look like like crap, and I’m pretty annoyed along the way about having to constantly re-do my ponytail whenever the hairband slips off. Any suggestions on how to wear my hair when I run? I might just do braided pigtails if all else fails, I just wanted something “up” and away from my face.

[liznboys]

I have lots of "baby hair" in front too, it never grows past a certain length, so annoying! I wear mine in a ponytail and use product on those front hairs to keep them down as best I can. I've started using the super grippy ponytail holders and they work better, though I still get some slippage. (I know you said even those don't work for you.) I start the ponytail as high as I can without it being on the very top of my head.

I had heard about Bondi bands and was really excited to try them. I bought them and they turned out awful for me. They totally slipped off my hair right away, just like every other headband I've tried. I was so disappointed, I thought they'd be great based on the reviews.

The only thing that definitely works is my ear band, but I only use that in the cold weather of course!

I think I will always be looking for something better, you are not alone.

[sunshine girl]

I wear my hair in a ponytail. Usually when I finish running, it looks more or less the same as when I started! My hair is not thick and heavy, but it is long and I too have the baby hair in the front that can create flyaways. Here's how I do it:

I ONLY use scuni brand no-slip grip elastic bands, which are a little thicker and they have a grip strip of rubbery stuff on one side. You can't find them everywhere, but I'm pretty sure Walmart carries scuni.

I get up before the race and take a shower. While my hair is still wet, I put in some leave-in conditioner (I like Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-In Cream... but you need just a small amount), which helps control the flyaways and weighs hair down. Then I firmly brush my hair straight back into the ponytail. Then, while it's still wet I spray the front to death with hairspray (I use Dove b/c it smells tolerable... the "flexible hold" one is good, the "extra hold" can create white flakes).

That's about it... I don't always bother with this routine, though, because I really don't mind the crazy hair post-run. It's a sign of a good race!! :sunny:

All that being said ... lately I've been wearing a hat because I am becoming more aware of the dangers of skin cancer and especially sun exposure when running... a hat can solve your ponytail problem too! This year I think I'll be wearing a hat, and some ribbons. Maybe pink. :)

[G&GMom]

I have similar hair and I wear it in a ponytail when I run. I think I use the scunci brand ponytail holders and I go thru them constantly. I am always pulling them so tight that the elastic just gives out. Anyway, I also wear a running hat. It hides my flyaway hair, keeps the sweat out of my eyes, protects me from the sun, and hides my red face.

[Sarah_Rose]

I also have the problem with my hair going all crazy and frizzy when it's in a ponytail - if it's the slightest bit humid out, it looks awful by the end of my run.

Easy solution? Cute visor. When running at Disney I have white one with Eeyore on the front and my name on the side - it always looks good in pictures, and keeps the sun (or the rain in the case of the half marathon this year!) off of my face.

[Bookwood]

When I started running my hair wasn't long enough for a pony tail so I did really tiny french braids- one on each side to keep the hair off my neck. As my hair got longer the braids started to bother me so I did a bun on the very top of my head (kept some of the baby flyaways off my face and barretted the rest) now my hair is pretty long so a pony keeps it off my neck as long as I actually move when I run (tredmills still get a bun). Fly aways are always a problem but my hair is blonde and I never look good in a photo (as I always look bald) so I don't worry about it.