What’s the Deal with Running Underwear, and Does Such a Thing Actually Work?

January 31, 2019

Here, there, [r]underwear.

Few body parts are more susceptible, and sensitive, to cold, and chafing, than your groin. After all, there’s a lot that goes on down there.

Runners typically fall into two camps. The first are runners who go no base layer, or commando. The second are runners who consider a base layer mandatory. But, did you know that most running-specific shorts have a build-it liner that acts as runderwear? Don’t be surprised if you talk to fellow runners and find out they go full-commando most of the time; an additional underlayer just isn’t necessary, and is often uncomfortable with the inner-liner.

Not all shorts have a built-in liner, and runderwear becomes particularly relevant in the winter, when you want a thin yet warm base layer to keep your groin and legs warm, and protected from the wind and elements. Runderwear can also be beneficial in the summer, adding an additional medium between your shorts and legs.

Although most major outdoor sports brands make underwear, most aren’t necessarily running-specific. Essentially runderwear qualifies as featuring moisture-wicking, tighter-fitting and stretchable under garments for activewear. Most come in boxer brief form for men, and briefs for women, with varying amounts of coverage for specific conditions and temperatures.

So yes, runderwear does exist. They work, and they’re important. Below, we’ve rounded up select underwear products from leading brands to give you a sense of what’s out there.

MEC T2 Wind Boxers – $29.99

Best for: cold, windy conditions.

The MEC T2 Wind Boxers offer the thermal protection you need for a Canadian winter.

The extra-long fit (to just above your knee) is great to keep you warm and the panel covering the groin is tougher nylon to protect your legs from the wind and cold. Fortunately, the boxer is light enough to slip under a pair of tights or pants, but the T2 is strictly for colder weather, and would be too warm and unnecessary in milder conditions.

What the T2 Wind Boxers had above all else was additional groin protection from the wind and elements, making it the number one choice among the products tested for a base layer.

lululemon Always In Motion Boxer ($28) & License To Train Boxer $34

Best for: milder, calmer conditions.

It’s not surprising that the folks that made activewear across the country and North America cool make awesome base layers.

With the new Always in Motion Boxer and License to Train Boxer, both are fantastic hybrid products for both running and for a runner’s active lifestyle during time when they aren’t in their running shoes.

Instead of going the low-cut route, lululemon’s two products for this review featured a 7” inseam for milder conditions. This line of underwear is ideal for those who wear longer shorts in the summer, or for those who prefer to wear a base layer under their shorts to the gym. The main difference is the License To Train Boxer is meant for performance while the Always In Motion Boxer is designed for everyday lifestyle.

As an added bonus, and it just shows the lengths that lululemon goes to, the product comes in a reusable bag, perfect for a toiletry bag, or a to-go bag to enclose your headphones, wallet, credit cards and any other hand held items you may have on you.

Running Room Wind Front Boxers – $49.99

Best for: cold, windy conditions.

I have to admit that I had reservations about Running Room’s underwear given the fact that I don’t have a whole lot of the Canadian brand’s products in my current running attire lineup. However, I was immediately impressed by the feel, fit and cut of the Running Room Wind Front Boxers. This specific line is made for conditions colder than -5 C, and was tested in temperatures as low as -20 C. The boxers are on the lengthier side, with a 6” inseam, covering the groin area as well as to about halfway down the thighs, leaving just the top of the knee exposed.

The inner is super soft with an additional panel across the front for added protection against the toughest conditions. The Wind Front Boxers perform particularly well on days with deceivingly cold wind chill, and can be used all winter long, including during the coldest months. And note: for the dudes out there, boxers with wind protection is a much better alternative than a sock. (Yes, that’s a thing.)

The Wind Front Boxers are the most expensive of the products tested, retailing for $49.99.

Under Armour ArmourVent Boxerjock- $35

Best for: milder, windy conditions and cooler, calm conditions.

The Under Armour runderwear is the softest and comfiest of any products tested for this review. The Under Armour ArmourVent Boxerjock, which comes as short as a 3” inseam, is ideal for milder temperatures, and are versatile enough for colder conditions with more favourable winds, as there’s no additional protection against the wind, like runderwear from MEC and the Running Room.

The advantage to having a shorter cut is that it best mimics going full-commando, the preferred choice of many runners when it comes to bottom attire. The minimalist feel doesn’t add any extra material across the front of your thighs, and keeps warm the most susceptible anatomy. The shorter cut also bodes well for minimizing chafing as there’s no coverage between the knee and the top of the thigh.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. In fact, almost every sportswear brand out there—from Nike to Smartwool—offers some sort of base layer, whether they classify it as underwear or some sort of compression short alternative.

So, whether it’s for protection against chafing, to stay warm in the winter, or simply to have a comfortable pair of under garments, your legs will thank you for owning runderwear.

Earl’s Pearls: Icon Earl Fee Takes Your Running Questions

Ben Kaplan

January 31, 2019

Earl Fee is a racing icon, a legend, who has more world records than any other living racer and who, at 90, plans to compete at the World Master’s Games in Poland this March. It is extraordinary to announce that Mr. Fee will now take on the mantle of iRun Advice Columnist, so that if you have any questions about running, life, training, psychology, recovery, endurance or anything else that a runner might ponder, send your questions to his assistant, Ben Kaplan, at Ben@iRun.ca, and we’ll get them to Mr. Fee. In the meantime, here’s a Q&A that we conducted recently with the GOAT (greatest of all-time) to get you focusing on running hacks and concerns.

Ask anything, Earl knows all.

iRun: You’re going to be 90-years-old when you arrive in Poland. What can you possibly be competing in?

Fee: I’m planning to break a couple records there, particularly in the 400m and the 800-metre races. If I have enough energy I might also try for the 200-metre record on the last day.

iRun: That’ll be a game-time decision?

Free: Yeah. The events are very close together and there might be some problems with my legs or whatever.

iRun: You don’t sound overly concerned. How are you feeling?

Free: I’m feeling pretty good. I can probably break some of those records today.

iRun: No aches or pains or nagging injuries?

Fee: Well, I hit a problem a week ago. I was taking dance lessons and this particular move did something to my knee, so I’ve been resting for a week. I think maybe I’ll stop the dancing until I get back from Poland.

iRun: What kind of dancing?

Fee: Merengue.

iRun: What is the secret to your extraordinary life?

Fee: I don’t think there’s a secret. Running tires out your legs so to go dancing after running isn’t a good idea. Common sense might be part of my racing plans. When I have problems with my hip, I go to the chiropractor. Running curves on the track puts you out of balance, but I’m doing very well. I can’t complain.

iRun: How often do you run?

Fee: I don’t overdo things. I run three times a week, mainly on a track near my home. I don’t run outside. It’s too hard on the knees, running on the roads.

iRun: I bet 90% of our audience runs on the roads.

Fee: The marathon people, most of the runners, have to run on the roads—they’re stuck with that. I like to run on the track, it’s a little softer, or run on the trails.

iRun: So what should we do?

Fee: Run half on the road and right afterwards, run in the water. Save your legs; running in the water requires the same exact effort.

iRun: That’s a good tip.

Fee: It’s in one of my running books, How to Be a Champion from 9-90. I’ve written five books, including books of poetry. My autobiography will be out in a few weeks actually, Tell Well.

iRun: Everyone reading this article—buy Earl’s books!

Fee: [laughs].

iRun: You’re going to be our advice columnist and that’s very exciting. What other tidbit of advice could you offer before the questions start rolling in?

Fee: A lot of the shoes now have heels that are lowered. To me, that’s not good. It makes the arch collapse. I put an insert in my shoe to raise the heel, this prevents the arch from collapsing and could help prevent plantar fasciitis.

iRun: Do you have a favourite shoe brand?

Fee: I mainly like Asics, but I think it doesn’t matter too much as long as they’re comfortable. I like a light shoe that’s not too stiff. The real stiff ones are heavier. If you’re wearing orthotics on top of that, it can effect your speed—like an extra three ounces.

iRun: What do you like about running?

Fee: The feeling of freedom.

iRun: Nice.

Fee: With my running, I meet a lot of nice running friends, and there’s also the compliments you get when you’re running well. Some people don’t admit it, but the accolades give me incentive to keep going.

iRun: Do you find running hard work?

Fee: Some of the intense intervals are hard work but I like the results.

iRun: I can’t believe you’re 89-years-old and running intense intervals.

Fee: Interval training improves speed.

iRun: Aren’t you afraid you’ll get hurt?

Fee: If you want to be courageous, pretend to have courage. The mind is often an athletes weakest link.

iRun: So what’s an Earl Fee workout actually look like?

Fee: I’ll run 400 metres at race pace, then walk 70 metres, and repeat. That’s a good workout, so I do that and take a short rest, maybe 60 seconds, and then run 200 metres faster than my 800 metre pace. Then, jog for half a mile, but the key thing is, and here’s more advice: I always do this after warming up on the bike for 10 minutes, then stretching, then running half a mile easy. Then I’ll do my workout, then run a few laps and stretch again. (And sometimes I’ll do short or long strides to loosen up the body).

iRun: I don’t do any of those things.

Fee: They’re important, as if the cool down. I notice this also with weight training. Most people don’t do any warm-ups before, and that’s a mistake. Warm up the body, jog and stretch, it’s important for the muscles. There’s little things we can all do to make our running much easier.

iRun: What’s your favourite stretch?

Fee: Leg swings. They loosen up the hips.

iRun: How many records do you have?

Fee: 56 world records. This is since 1987.

iRun: You should’ve started in 1977, you would’ve had 75 world records by now.

Fee: Maybe, or else maybe by having a long rest of 30 years which I did after university I saved my knees. And also my enthusiasm. To keep going for 50 years, you have to have enthusiasm.

iRun: I think maybe you need enthusiasm to do anything.

Fee: You’re probably right. Running has added to my longevity, for sure, and exercise will make you live longer.

iRun: What should runners know about you as our new advice columnist?

Fee: I’m happy to help out and offer runners my thoughts but I don’t want to go back and forth with people. They can ask a question, I’ll answer, but then it’s up to them to take it from there.

iRun: OK, sounds fair.

Fee: I give my opinion and that’s it.

To ask Earl Fee a question, regarding anything, email Ben Kaplan at Ben@iRun.ca, and he’ll give you a response. Photograph by Tyler Anderson.

A Runner’s Life Raw and Real

Training

January 30, 2019

David Findlay and Charles Phillibert-Thiboutot have been best friends since high school. Having followed his friend’s career all the way to the Olympic Games Findlay decided to finally create a documentary-style short film that captured Phillibert-Thiboutot’s engaging personality and the gruelling lifestyle he leads to compete. From travel to training, here’s the unscripted inside track on what it means to be an elite runner in 2019.

Why Runners Need to Make the Mind Body Connection

RunningForAReason

January 30, 2019

Bell Let’s Talk Day is a great initiative that gets people talking about mental health and the physical part of us that dictates our mood, our motivation, our personality, our decisions and who we are. Our brain. Our brain is the organ that controls our mental health and is so closely tied to our physical health as it is the control centre for our body.

As runners we are perhaps more in tune with the connection between brain and body than others. We often feel how mood or motivation can affect our physical performance and how we are physically can affect our thoughts, emotions and decisions. Brain and body are connected and there must be a healthy balance for best performance. For runners, the mere act of getting outside or on a treadmill to sweat and put in a few miles can help deal with a days’ stress or simply make things feel better. The act of sweating, exerting the body, setting endorphins free, forcing air in and out of the lungs and having an opportunity to be alone with one’s thoughts can be almost a therapeutic experience for some.

Therapy can also be a way to deal with one’s mind and the issues surrounding work, life and love that we all encounter in our lives. Being unhappy with any of these aspects of existence can have a huge impact on one’s desire to run. Runners like to run. Talking with a therapist can allow someone to let out their worries, stress, emotions and help resolve issues over time. Talking with friends or family can often help as well. A few people have put together the connection between running and mental health and suggested that for some, running and talking could be a great combination. They call it Running Therapy. Whether you seek out a professional who can run and talk, you find a friend to talk to on a run or you combine running with therapy sessions

To be the best you whether in life or at the start line, you need to be healthy in mind and body. You go to a doctor, physiotherapist or massage therapist for help with injuries. You need to treat your brain, your mind the same way and look for help and therapy to keep it healthy and working. Sometimes talking, sometimes running, sometimes both can be a healthy approach to keeping things balanced.

Never be afraid to reach out and talk to someone about your mental health. It is the first step to getting back to a healthy you. Running will help keep your body happy and help with your mood and stress.

Advice for runners struggling with mental health.

Realize the brain and body are connected
Taking one step can be the key to breaking free
Reach out to family, friends or professionals
Treat the mind – therapy
Treat the body – exercise
Remember running and therapy are alike – they both take time to show result

There is less and less stigma around mental health and mental illness, as there should be and are many programs out there to help people who are struggling.

Keep talking, keep running.

Noel Paine is a long-time runner, father and has been a mental health advocate after dealing with depression at one point in his life.

iRun Radio

Why I Run

January 28, 2019

Dr. Lowell Grieb talks about how to approach cold weather running and what you need to stay warm. Then a member of the RCMP, who fulfilled her goal of running Boston explains why she runs for her physical and mental health. Plus, find out if women really are less likely to quit than men.

A Runner’s Takeaways from the New Canada Food Guide

Nutrition

January 24, 2019

The new Canada’s Food Guide was revealed this week. Among the changes, it is the first time that the guide has been presented in a plate format that has some nutrition and health experts excited about the picture perfect representation.

For runners, food is fuel, and in order to go the distance, a solid nutrition plan or a roughly outlined framework can make or break your next PB. Here’s the rundown on the latest version of Canada’s Food Guide and how it can help take you beyond your next finish line.

Watch Your Portions

While making smart food choices is key, how much we eat is just as, if not more important. With fruits and vegetables taking half the plate, whole grains and a variety of protein-rich foods are each one quarter of a new balanced diet, and there’s a clear desire for Canadians to eat a variety of food.

Drink More Water

Runners already know that water is a big deal. Without proper hydration in any weather, you’re in big trouble. This time around the Food Guide calls out water as the main beverage of choice for everyone. While sport and electrolyte drinks have a place after more than an hour of running, unless you’re training for long distances or running a marathon, your body does best with what’s on tap. Plain and simple.

Eat More Garden Varieties

Canadians can never eat too many fruits and vegetables. In fact, most of us are hard pressed to get in the currently recommended 7 to 10 servings. It takes effort, and maybe some extra planning, but it’s not impossible. Reaching for apples and oranges and tossing spinach into your morning smoothies are pretty basic ways to maintain a balance of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, and stay fuelled—whether or not you’re in training mode.

Alternative Protein

You’ve heard it somewhere before, protein is the building block of life. That said, even health experts have found that we don’t need as much as we originally thought. Even more of a change in the Food Guide are the basic options for protein. Lean meats and fish are still on the plate, but options also include a focus on nuts, seeds, beans, lentils and soy products. Vegetarian and vegan athletes (including runners) are increasingly more common, and even elite athletes have proven you can go the distance without a huge chunk of steak.

Is Dairy Really Gone?

It’s official, the cows have been let out to pasture. That is all. While that’s not exactly true, dairy is no longer one of the food groups with a recommended number of servings as it once was. That said, low-fat dairy is still part of the Food Guide among protein food options. As runners, we know that low-fat chocolate milk is a great recovery drink, and low-fat greek yogurt is a terrific protein source, so you’re likely to still find these foods at the finish line, along with your favourite bagels and bananas. Currently, the Dairy Association is aiming to amend these guidelines and milk and dairy products remain in the news.

What do you think of the Food Guide changes? Will they change how you eat, what you drink, your approach to how you train? Let us know, as the first iRun Eats & Drinks issue drops online March 1.

Almond Overnight Oats & Chia Pudding with Cherry and Dark Chocolate topping

Nutrition

January 22, 2019

We know you’re always looking for new recipe ideas for your morning meal but the start of your day can sometimes be pretty heck to say the least. So we’re featuring one of Julie Miguel’s overnight recipes that’s as healthy as it is lip smacking delicious! It’s the perfect addition to your weeknight meal prep and practically makes itself so you’ve officially have no excuses! For more great breakfast recipes featured in Julie Miguel’s #22DaysofHealthy check out Daily Tiramisu.

Makes 2 portions

INGREDIENTS

½ cup gluten-free quick oats

1 teaspoon chia seeds

¾ cup Almond Milk

¼ cup chopped almonds

1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)

2 Tbsp Cherry Jam

2 Tbsp dark chocolate, chopped

DIRECTIONS

ONE: Add oats, chia seeds, maple syrup and almond milk into a medium-sized bowl and mix together.

TWO: Add in almonds. Mix to combine.

THREE: Separate amongst two small mason jars and store in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

FOUR: Remove from fridge and top with Cherry Jam, dark chocolate and more almonds.

Julie Miguel is an iRun food contributor, where you’ll find a selection of weekly recipes and food ideas. She is a home cook, and food influencer and has worked with a national television, print and online media outlets. You can also follow her food discoveries and travel adventures at Daily Tiramisu.

Why Women Don’t Quit (When the Running Gets Tough)

Ben Kaplan

January 21, 2019

The New York Times op-ed from April titled “Why Men Quit and Women Don’t” is so tantalizing, isn’t it? It implies an answer to a question and I was sure that it would provide me with a witty quip-laced-with-fact to interject into the many conversations about gender and sport I seem to get myself into. The caveat to the title is that women generally don’t quit less often than men (very awkward), in fact, under ideal running conditions the rate of women quitting during the Boston marathon is higher than men. When it comes to extreme weather, that’s when women climb inside their pain locker and persist while some men give up.

So, the question really is, why men quit when the run gets tough, and why women power through to the finish line?

There are several viable theories presented in the article as to why this occurs, including pain tolerance, body fat composition, decision-making tendencies, childbirth and risk aversion, but the one that spoke to me on a deep level, was the tribalism of women. This is not a biological, genetic, or inherent quality that we as women have, it is born of our history, our protest, our oppression and our progress. This is the learned evolution of women understanding that we have to empower one another to achieve our goals both as individuals and for our gendered group.

The Boston Marathon, in particular, embodies the story of women fighting through gendered adversity, societal disregard, and exclusion in sports. Kathy Switzer, the woman who became the first female to run Boston as a numbered entrant, registered after her run coach told her that women were “too fragile” to run that distance. Switzer entered using her initials instead of her given name and become widely immortalized in the picture of her being grabbed by an official who was attempting to rip off her bib.

To me, the relation between Switzer’s action and the article is the “why” factor. Why did Switzer do this, why do women push through? I believe that it’s in large part for the good of women as a whole. Switzer did this in response to her run coach’s remarkable affinity for sexism and stupidity, not so that she could prove that she alone could do this, but to prove that WE could do this. That of course women weren’t too fragile to run a marathon. What did the coach think would happen, our ovaries would fall out?! Perhaps this is why women push through under extreme circumstances, we’ve been told for centuries that our minds are too weak, that we are frail and fragile, so when faced with the worst of the worst, we finish at all costs, because there is a cost.

Where this article fails me is in author Lindsay Crouse’s choice of experts used to untangle the question. Crouse refers to women and some of the things they’ve said, but when it comes to experts she relies on a psychologist, distance coach and author, all of whom are men. This is where I get lost because I don’t really care about the expert opinions of men in this case, or the science behind why men and women are psychologically or biologically different. Don’t worry, I’ve heard it all, and understand them.

I want to hear about the current systems and the ones that have been dismantled that have forced women to continually prove our worth and prowess, be it athletic or otherwise.

As a vocal feminist, I understand the compelling need to prove my opinions through fact, and man-approved science because it helps to combat gaslighting, accusations of bias, and “unproven” critical-cultural opinion. We can have opinions and we are the experts.

Let’s talk about the stuff that may not be proven, that may not be visible but that resides within us. I want to hear from women like Jacqueline Gareau, who had her first place stolen by Rosie Ruiz in 1982 and continues to be a force in the running community. I want to hear why Bobbi Gibb ran Boston un-numbered in spite of women not being allowed to race. I want to hear the opinions of women and moms like Krista DuChene and why she pushed through in 2018. Let’s make space for athletes of colour to tell their stories, let’s hear from our trans sisters, and those in transition, and what we can do as allies to empower them and give them the room and agency they need.

These are the experts that I want to hear from, but I also want to hear from the women scientists, authors and psychologists. This is how we can make sure women always persist, even when the run gets tough. Is that too much to ask?

Lindsay Van Gyn is the marketing manager of GWN Events and the Divas Race Series. Their website is RunLikeaDiva.com.

iRun Radio

Why I Run

January 21, 2019

This week, Mark’s guests talk more about the mental and emotional aspects of the sport, along with some great training advice for keeping it real. For coach Phaedra Kennedy, training her clients is as much about the mental and emotional guidance as it is about the physical training. Then, one Ottawa executive explains what he has learned from talking to others about running marathons. Plus, Canadian Olympian Dylan Wykes gives his recommendations for taking your training one step at a time, especially at this time of year.

Dry January, Day 18

Ben Kaplan

January 18, 2019

Last night I had a dream I was drinking a pint of beer. It was about 9:45pm. I go to bed real early since giving up alcohol and everything else bad for me in January, and replace it with food. Like, as much food as I can possibly eat. Even when I’m stuffed. (Which, I admit, I also did when I was drinking, but somehow it registers more now).

My colleague says she’s sleeping better without wine or cocktails. I’m not entirely sure that’s true for me. I never really sleep that well but I can say my eyes look clearer and I have more energy. I may have more energy because I’m having coffee more often and it’s just the caffeine, but I’m definitely wasting less time. The problem with that is: I’m working more. There’s got to be other things to do with the time than just being a workaholic. I should be exercising more, and I was, at first. But January is an ugly time to quit drinking. It’s freezing outside and even with the best high-tech running gear, the temperature does not inspire one to hit the streets. It inspires one to hit the bottle.

So, OK: Dry January. I am saving money, for sure. And reading more. And taking better care of my teeth. I haven’t flossed this much since I was 15. I guess it’s all part of taking better care of myself, but I do miss having that release. Running does provide relief, and I’ve had nice runs, overlooking the water, with the city sparkling, and feeling like I’m the most powerful man in the world. Today I’m going to try and run twice. (I went to bed last night around the same time as the kids and got up at 4:20, which used to mean something different to me than time to wake up).

In general, it’s a great experiment. You want to have control over your decisions, and make sure your lifestyle isn’t just mindless habit, and that your kids don’t say, “Look, daddy. It’s your store,” when you drive passed the LCBO. That’s not good, whether or not you edit a running magazine. They should think my store is a library or the homeless shelter where I volunteer. I’ve skipped a friend’s book launch and a hockey game and substituted both things with the YMCA. Really only two nights were super hard: one, when the kids were driving me crazy after schlepping them all over town (and again, January—what a month! Any parent knows that the gloves, hat, scarf, snow pant, boot, scarf uniform makes dressing each morning as if for Halloween; plus, have we reached the point where it’s too cold to ice skate? What are we supposed to be doing with the kids now on Sundays, read?)

The second time I can’t really remember, so let’s just count all the niggling little occurrences as one combined great big one.

I’m proud of myself, hence this little story. I rarely post after five tall boys, a Subway hero, and two Jameson’s. It’s funny, though, how many other people are also doing this. You reach the end of the holidays, when cocktail hour keeps getting earlier and you’ve enriched the bottle collectors and basically holiday-partied from the middle of November to New Year’s Day. You reach the end of that like: enough. And so you hit the first week of Dry January with vigour. But now, the waning days, and it’s getting restricting, as if the natural order of things is crying out to be restored. In that sense, it’s like the urge to walk at the end of a marathon. Do we do what impulse tells us to do or do we will ourselves to the finish line? I trudge forward, telling myself that all this repression must not lead to a February, á la Mötley Crüe.

I control this, it doesn’t control me. I’ll drink Perrier and chocolate milk, floss, and count down the days until I break free from this contract, which is basically make believe, but has become my north star for 2019. For now, if I have to have a golden pint of amber, I’ll just save it, until the 31st, for my dreams.

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