Dealing with Obsolete Gear

I run quite a bit every week. Usually 10k or a little more, depending on the weather. To do that you don’t need much, but you do need a few things, especially in the heat here in Texas. Super light running shorts and shirts that wick moisture are a must have. You’ll broil and get soaked in cotton. You want light colors as well. I see people out on the trail walking and running in all black, sometimes with long sleeves. I don’t get that when it’s over 100 out. Saw a dude the other day in a full black track suit and a black hat. That there is a recipe for heat stroke.

Generally, in a Texas summer you want to wear as little as you can get away with.

One of the things you need, if you’re a dude, is a jock strap. You want to keep those brass boys from clanging whilst you run. At least I do. But mine was years old, and another item of clothing that I wasn’t supposed to just chuck in the washer. So it’s in rough shape, and really isn’t doing it’s job as intended. So I needed a new one.

I had a hell of a time trying to find one. I was at Academy buying boolits, and thought I’d swing by the sports aisle and pick one up. Nope. All they had were ones to hold a cup and none in my size. Something I don’t need since I’m not anticipating impact to the manly hydraulics when running. So I went back to Amazon. Not a lot there either. What they had were these:

Compression shorts for running and sportsball. They’re for men, but they don’t really look like it, do they? Certainly not for those better off than Michaelangelo’s David. With little better choice, I got them.

I don’t like tight clothing. They are hotter than the old school way, and they don’t support the same way. Sure, they keep things tight, but noticeably so. I guess they take some getting used to. I don’t care about the phone pocket whatsoever. I like that feature in my biking shorts, but I don’t need it running where I run. Maybe it’ll come in handy at a 5K, although I have an armband for that.

They weren’t great for running in the heat. They give you champion level butt sweats, compared to the airflow with a strap that’s only covering and supporting one’s doodads. They do keep anything from the waist down from giggling. Sort of like Spanx for men.

That said, the other day running, it was cloudy and way cooler so running in these things wasn’t bad. I’m sure they’ll be better in the winter. We’ll see.