Every step towards the marathon finish line begins with the right preparation. That's why [Your Brand Name], your trusted partner in running apparel, has teamed up with a leading sports nutritionist to bring you an exclusive webinar designed to supercharge your race week nutrition strategy.
Our comprehensive webinar covers every angle of marathon nutrition, ensuring you're fully prepared when race day arrives. Here's what's on the agenda:
Ready to take your marathon performance to the next level? Register now for the "Marathon Nutrition: Race Week Boost" webinar. Spaces are limited to ensure an interactive experience, so don't miss out on this opportunity to optimise your nutrition strategy for your best race yet.
Understanding busy schedules and the importance of flexibility, we are offering the webinar on three different dates. Select the one that best fits your calendar:
Use the code 'RUN20' to unlock an exclusive 20% discount.
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This year's National Running Show marked a milestone as it featured the launch of the National Running Podshow – a podcast series dedicated to bringing inspirational stories, expert advice, and insider insights to the running community.
The first episode kicked off with none other than the legendary British middle-distance runner, Steve Cram, interviewed by Jamie Smalley, founder of runderwear.
Jamie Smalley, the co-host of the National Running Podshow, welcomed Steve Cram to the inaugural episode. Steve, who is not only a former world record holder but also a renowned commentator and personality in the world of athletics, provided insights into his remarkable career, training techniques, and the importance of mental strength in running.
runderwear, was proud to sponsor this groundbreaking event to bring high-quality and engaging content demonstrating our commitment to the running community.
Watch the first episode below:
My target was to go quicker than Manchester and smash another pb. I was confident I could run a low 2:40s marathon so I set myself a target time of around 2:42 which would mean I would have to knock over 3 minutes off my current time of 2:45.
I started my marathon training first week in July which would give me a 13 week block going into the race on the 15th October. I enjoy marathon training during the summer, the warmer climates, the lighter mornings and evenings, it really is my favourite time of year to run!
For the first few weeks it was just a case of easing back into things and slowly increasing the volume and intensity. I managed to bank some solid marathon paced sessions during this time. I am strong believer that the majority of your training sessions should be at target marathon pace, which for me was 6:10 per mile. Your body needs to get comfortable training at this pace, so it doesn’t feel like such a shock come race day.
As the weeks progressed, the aerobic endurance continued to get stronger and I was starting to feel sharp. I was regularly running 20 milers at the weekend with some marathon pace miles incorporated into these runs.
I was also racing in a summer cross country series which were great training runs, these kind of races really do help to build leg strength and fitness. The weekend before I started my training I managed to run 33:59 at a local 10k race which was a huge confidence boost and the first time I had ever run under 34 minutes for a 10k.
I was consistently running 70 mile weeks and the body was feeling strong with no niggles. A typical week consisted of a hard marathon pace session Wednesday (around 10-12 miles in volume), then a 20+ mile run at the weekend, with all others runs just easy pace. This is a formula that works for me.
I decided to book Battersea Park Half Marathon as my pre marathon tune up race, this was 4 weeks out from race day so was perfect in terms going for a fast time and having enough time to recover. It turned out to be a tough race. It was already 20 degrees at the start, and was a lapped course, meaning you were constantly overtaking other runners which meant it was pretty congested in places. I fell short of my target here and didn’t manage to get a pb which I was disappointed with, but considering the heat and race conditions it was still a really solid workout so I knew it would only benefit me going into Amsterdam.
I flew into Amsterdam on the Friday so had a few days to chill out before the big day! I headed to the expo as soon as I arrived to pick up my race number. I had a few friends over there with me doing the marathon and we decided to head to the local Parkrun Saturday morning and run it as a pre-marathon shakeout. It was a such a beautiful course which took in some trails along a lake and the atmosphere was amazing with so many marathon runners buzzing in anticipation of the following day.
So despite a less than ideal build up, the race got underway. The first 5k went by with no dramas, I managed to get away and get into a nice rhythm early on, settling into marathon pace and feeling pretty comfortable. Things continued in this vain and I was running in a nice little pack and the miles were flying by. I was taking gels every 30 minutes and the body was feeling good. I went through halfway in 1:21:44 which was bang on target time. The toughest part of the race followed this, there was a section around a big lake which was into a headwind and heavy rain which lasted for around 3 miles. I just tried to stay focused and not drop pace too much, luckily I was in a little group of runners so we were able to work together and share the load.
The feeling when I came into the Olympic stadium with 400 metres to go was one of euphoria! I crossed the finish line in 2:42:09 for a massive new pb. Finishing a marathon really is an emotional experience, I was overcome with joy and I was a little emotional realising the time I had just ran. I had executed the race perfectly and achieved a lifetime ambition of a sub 2:45 marathon!
So the big question is where do I go from here in my marathon journey? I have been accepted into Boston marathon in 2024 which is very exciting and that will complete my 3rd marathon major. I think it would be rude not to target a sub 2:40 for this! Keep pushing and embrace the grind as you never know where it might take you.
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Well we've got you covered. Whether you're looking for the best marathon for beginners or the fastest marathon courses for a PB, we've put together a list of our favourite London Marathon alternatives for Spring 2024, right here in the UK.
Hopefully this gives you some inspiration - and don't forget to check out our free marathon training plans here, too!
ROAD, CITY
Fast, flat and super-friendly - this mid-April marathon has an incredible atmosphere with fantastic support throughout! It's a good one for a PB, too - although it does sell out quickly so best get your entry in soon!
https://www.manchestermarathon.co.uk
ROAD, CITY, COASTAL
Starting at Preston Park in Brighton, this is a mainly flat route which takes you through the city centre and along the seafront. Lots of support and the third biggest marathon in the UK.
https://www.brightonmarathonweekend.co.uk
ROAD, CITY, COASTAL
A little later on in the year, the Edinburgh Marathon offers GUARANTEED entry to anyone who failed to gain entry to the London Marathon. Another fast one, with some iconic landmarks to take in and some beautiful coastal scenery.
https://www.edinburghmarathon.com
ROAD, TOWN
This marathon doesn't rely on its famous namesake's reputation for entries. Billed as 'the fastest marathon in the UK' why not head off to Lincolnshire next April?
https://www.bostonmarathon.co.uk
ROAD, CITY, COASTAL
A firm favourite in the Welsh running calendar, with a city route combined with some scenic viewing of the Gwent Levels, some coastal wildlife and medieval villages. And it's pretty flat!
https://newportwalesmarathon.co.uk
ROAD, COASTAL
A 2-lap course which is pretty much entirely along the famous Blackpool sea front. This means again it's pretty flat, but it can be quite windy!
https://www.runblackpoolfestival.com/marathon.html
ROAD, CITY
Another 2-lap race through the city that starts and finishes in the natural amphitheatre of Campbell Park - with it's own "finish-line festival". A great atmosphere and a nice route showing off the city's green credentials.
ROAD, CITY, COASTAL
A nice, varied 2-lap route through the city - starting and finishing at the Guildhall, taking in the docks, the Solent coast and even running through St Mary's Stadium!
https://www.southamptonmarathon.co.uk/abp-southampton-marathon
ROAD, COASTAL
A beautiful run along the Welsh coastline - a fast and friendly course that showcases the best of the coast and country in West Wales.
https://www.greatwelshmarathon.co.uk/
TRAIL, COASTAL
A curveball close to runderwear HQ. A trail run with absolutely beautiful scenery along the Jurassic coast, starting from Corfe Castle and finishing in the seaside town of Weymouth - with optional camping at the end. Just the 1340m elevation to take into consideration!!
https://www.ultrachallenge.com/jurassic-coast-challenge/
Or you could try for a charity place in London, of course! Either way, you'll want to be training and running chafe-free and blister-free!
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As we know exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression and mood by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. Running and other forms of vigorous exercise does provide a number of mental health benefits, and as little as 10 minutes of regular exercise a day can help alleviate depression.
That's why this year we want to bring everyone together to mark the day, and talk about how running has helped with mental wellbeing;
“I've navigated some real darkness in my battles with mental health problems in the past, but I've found running has been crucial to my perseverance and recovery. Running gives me a clarity and space I often can't find in the rest of the busy world. It helps me feel free and alive, gives me a space to process and time away from normality. I've found that running through dark times has led to the 'light at the end of the tunnel' feeling much closer and more in reach. It's been a hard journey over the last couple of years but running has also helped me remember just how tough I can be when things get dark. Every journey starts with a single step and that is true not only of my journey from couch to ultrarunner but also my journey through depression to a life lived in much greater light.”
Fiona English, Runderwear Ambassador
“It is not so much the pounding of pavements itself that helped me with my mental health, but the connection it brought. Running forced me to listen to my body and become reconnected with what it needs (mostly carbs!), but more importantly it helped me become reconnected with other people. Depression had seeped into my social interactions, and I quite happily accepted the lie it told me that I was completely on my own. Creating Run Talk Run was the first step in discovering understanding from others in a similar position to myself, and running with this community opened up a far less intimidating vehicle for being honest about how I was really feeling. Moving forward lowers my inhibitions enough to talk more freely about my darker thoughts, and I'm grateful for that.”
Jessica Robson, Founder - Run Talk Run
“Let me start off by saying running is not always fun, it’s not always easy but one thing for certain is that you ALWAYS thank yourself afterwards for getting it done. Often the runs that feel the best are those ones you were dreading and unsure of doing. Apart from the physical benefits running brings to you, it also provides huge mental benefits too. This is more important now than ever before given the current pandemic. I’ve outlined below some of the benefits I find from running with hopefully you can relate to some of the points too;
Running is a gift and if you’re lucky enough to have the ability to do it, be grateful and embrace it. Like I said, it’s not always easy, but one thing I can guarantee is you is that you’ll thank yourself and feel better after."
Nick Bester, Running Coach - Just A Lil Bester
“Running has been a key part of managing my mental health. I had battled with depression for years due to high pressure jobs and working long hours, in 2015 it really came to a head when the stress and 80-100 weeks almost caused me to take my own life. I went to see a doctor and was given antidepressants... In a brief moment of clarity, I threw the tablets in the bin along with my cigarettes and called my boss and quit! I went out the next day, got myself some cheap running shoes and managed about 1 mile that afternoon... I have not looked back since and, along with my 2 baby sons that have come along since and an amazing wife supporting me, running has been a cornerstone of keeping my mental health in check.”
Nick Hancock, Runderwear Ambassador
Making positive changes can seem hard, especially during uncertain times. And sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. You’re not alone; talk to someone you trust. Sharing a problem is often the first step to recovery. We hope you can take the opportunity this World Mental Health Day to share how we all can start a positive journey to a healthier self.
GETTING HELP
If you are concerned that you are developing a mental health problem you should seek the advice and support of your GP as a matter of priority. Alternatively, you might have a feeling that you need somewhere to talk, but you don’t necessarily want to go to a GP or therapist, then we’d suggest heading to Run Talk Run.
]]>We’ve come a long way, mental health is discussed more openly than ever. But while this is an encouraging fact, the statistics are still bleak; 1 in 4 of us will suffer with poor mental health in our lifetime, with suicide being the leading cause of death in men under 50. So, it’s likely that someone you care about is suffering from poor mental health right now, perhaps even you.
Of course, if you are suffering from poor mental health the first thing you should do is reach out to a professional who can ensure you are correctly supported. It’s important to remember that mental health and physical health are extremely akin, in the same way that we must stay active to maintain our physical health it’s important to take steps to maintain our mental health on a daily basis, before we reach crisis point.
Exercise is a proven way of managing mental health, particularly running. The natural endorphins released through running are often referred to as a “runners high”, with good reason. That feeling of utter euphoria after completing a run is unparalleled and many people feel it sets the tone for the remainder of their day. Not only this, but running provides much needed respite from the stresses of daily life; it’s an opportunity to connect with nature and experience true peace as you pound the pavement with no distractions. Despite being considered a solo sport, you’ll never feel alone when out for a run, there is always a fellow runner ready with a smile and a nod to spur you on, it truly is the most supportive community to be a part of!
With so many clear synergies between running and mental health, here at Runderwear we were incredibly excited to be supporting community group Mental Health Mates as part of our Festival of Running. Mental Health Mates was set up by Bryony Gordon and their mission is to provide a safe place for people to come together and connect without fear or judgement by taking part in community walks. For many people, the gateway to running is walking, which is why the alignment between Runderwear and Mental Health Mates felt so natural to us. You may feel that the idea of going for a run is completely overwhelming, whether that’s because of your physical fitness or the battles you are facing with your mental health. So, go for a walk. Take each step at a time and when you feel ready try a gentle jog and see for yourself what all the fuss is about!
]]>Respect the run, protect the planet.
]]>The best just got better, here at runderwear we are excited to be moving all our production to 92% recycled yarn, bringing you the same award-winning performance underwear, whilst being kinder to our environment, so it’s still there for the run!
Respect the run, protect the planet.
Introducing a new generation of runderwear, for a new generation of run.
By its very nature of being spun in a seamless design, runderwear has always been a highly efficient product when it comes to keeping the waste to a minimum.
No pattern cutting involved, plus no tricky labels, means we don’t have offcuts to dispose of and we only see absolute minimal product waste on our products.
Our team however, are on a mission, and have been working behind the scenes to bring you an even more eco-friendly product, which not only continues to use this great eco-efficient seamless technology, but now uses recycled yarn.
This is our sustainable running underwear made from 92% recycled polyamide, making this the most environmentally friendly performance underwear on the market.
Here come the facts…
We now are proud to use waste products discarded by other textile brands and consumers, diverting waste that would usually go to landfill to produce the yarn. This process means:
✅ Less water used
✅ Less energy used
✅ Less fossil fuels used
✅ Fewer carbon emissions
✅ Less landfill used
✅ Less waste created
✅ GRS approved
GRS Certified
Our material features the Global Recycled Standard seal of approval (GRS). This ensures that at least 50% of the product content is made up of recycled yarn, and it is processed in a more climate-friendly, and socially and environmentally responsible way. The GRS also means that the recycled content of the material is fully traceable from origination to the final product – the textile equivalent of ‘farm to fork’, if you will.
This means that you – our running community - can shop with confidence that you are buying an environmentally responsible garment. So now you can run chafe-free knowing that your sustainable runderwear is giving back to our planet – the ultimate home of the run.
Not stopping here?
We love a good course record, PB or a darn good medal, so it will come as no surprise that we are always looking at how we can improve our product for you, the runderwearer. We want to deliver you the very best runderwear possible, in the most sustainable way and we are excited to take our runderwear community on this journey with us.
Small changes add up to a big difference and we will continue to build on this mission to reach 100% recycled products with minimum waste. Our goal is to cross the finish line on this one before 2023 is out!
We strongly feel that if you respect the run, you must protect the planet. We can all do our bit, and we can’t wait to share our next steps with you, as we continue this journey and find more ways to help make a planet-positive impact.
]]>Celebrating a decade of runderwear, Co-founder Jamie is going global for 2023 and taking runderwear to Tokyo for his final marathon of the Abbotts World Marathon Majors series.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors is a series consisting of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world, Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. For many runners, it’s a bucket list goal to tick off all six marathons and earn the Six Star Medal and a place on the hall of fame of epic runners around the globe!
runderwear Co-founder, Jamie, is set to run the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday 5th March 2023. This will mark Jamie’s sixth (and final) marathon in the Marathon Majors, earning him the prestigious status of a Six Star Finisher!
To add to the challenge, we’re packing Jamie off with just the bare running essentials; his runderwear running kit, marathon day essentials, and a toothbrush – let ‘Tokyo and a toothbrush’ commence! We’ll be tracking Jamie’s journey to Tokyo in a YouTube and social series, where we’ll be keeping up with his training and travels from start to finish.
Make sure you’re following us on Instagram and YouTube to be the first to know how it goes!
Instagram: @teamrunderwear
YouTube: @runderwear
10 years later, we're now the first aid kit that should be in every runner's underwear drawer! Forget the messy barrier creams, jelly-based products, and uncomfortable plaster, runderwear's award-winning performance running underwear is the answer you've been looking for.
It's simple really, our performance underwear. Our products are a carefully considered blend of technical fabric, runners' expertise, and years of vigorous testing, which combine to create the best performance underwear to enable you to run in comfort.
runderwear men's and women's performance running underwear is designed on a 360 seamless machine, meaning products are constructed using one piece of fabric that's woven in a singular, circular motion. This eliminates all bulky seams and irritating labels rubbing against the skin. The smooth, sleek fit of our seamless products allow complete freedom of body movement during your run, so nothing is holding you back.
The little things often make the biggest difference, so we never skip the details. Micro-perforations allow our underwear to breathe all year-round and improve airflow, which means you won't overheat. Keeping you cool and comfortable, whatever the weather.
Check out our running socks to improve your next workout.
runderwear's super-soft, lightweight blend of materials remove moisture from your skin quickly. Tried and tested in the most extreme of climates, sweat is wicked away from the surface to keep you dry during even the most intense workouts.
The seamless design, breathable and moisture-wicking fabric combine to create 100% chafe-free performance underwear. We're so confident in our chafe-free design, that we offer a guarantee. So, if you experience any chafing in runderwear (you won't!) we'll offer a full refund, it's that simple. But our guess is you'll be coming back to order more - once you've ran in runderwear, you won't settle for less again.
Our award-winning underwear has evolved to include three different styles of sports bras; the Power, Energize and running crop tops. Offering excellent support, our bras are proven to significantly reduce breast movement by 72% during exercise! Super-soft and lightweight, there’s a reason we were voted ‘Best In Category – Sports Bra’ at the 2021 Women’s Running Awards. No more red marks, discomfort or over bouncing.
Created with comfort in mind, runderwear socks are designed to eliminate distractions and keep you 100% blister-free, guaranteed. The double-layered design offers protection perfection for you and your feet, with carefully positioned micro-perforations to increase airflow and keep you cool.
We've come a long way since the 2013 London Marathon Expo, but one thing remains - our passion to protect runners and keep you chafe-free, bounce-free and blister-free. So you can ditch the first aid kit and full up your underwear drawer with the best running underwear you can get. Bring on the next 10 years of ultimate distraction-free running!
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Like most children, runderwear CEO and Co-founder Richard Edmonds was introduced to running through school cross-country races and sports day. At 13 years old he joined the local running club and was immediately hooked; he’d found his sport.
At 18 years old Rich chose to study at Loughborough University so he could train alongside some of the best runners in the country, including many of our Olympians - what an opportunity!
Keen to find out how good he could be, Rich was dedicated to getting faster and pushing himself to achieve his goals. It was this dedication gave him the opportunity to win races and compete in national competitions like the British Championships.
On his first day at Loughborough, Rich met Jamie, who would become his best friend and fellow Co-founder of runderwear -we’ll get back to that. Whist at University Rich also met fellow athlete, Liam, who had been performing a dance show to fund his own Olympic dream. He encouraged Rich to join him and the two of them set off the next day to Coventry to dance on the street with their busking show. This would fund their massage, physio and everything else to train and compete at a high level.
In 2009 that small street show gained huge exposure when they appeared on Britain’s Got Talent. Their act, Faces of Disco, reached the semi-finals, conceding to Stavros Flatley, Susan Boyle and the 2009 winner, Diversity! The next few years whizzed by as Rich, and Liam performed all over the world from Tokyo and Rome, to America.
Wherever Rich was in the world, he would always run. It’s the best way to see somewhere new.
Rich and Jamie had been running together and after Jamie chafed during the New York Marathon they had searched high and low for underwear made for runners, to help avoid chafing, but to no avail. Armed with Rich’s family history in the hosiery industry, they decided to find a solution to chafing for good.
2013 saw Rich and Jamie launch runderwear at the London Marathon Expo where they sold out of stock – demand for chafe-free running underwear was high, and runderwear was born.
10 years into the runderwear journey and it's not just runners that are benefitting from runderwear products, our underwear, socks and bras are used for all sports including rugby, yoga, hiking and even swim! We say we are born by runners, made for activity. The ultimate comfort next to your skin.
Like Rich, runderwear Co-Founder Jamie also enjoyed sport from a young age, including football, hockey and cricket to a representative standard. Jamie’s first experience of competitive running came at the Poole Minithon when he was just 10 years old. The trophies were displayed in the local library in the lead up to race day and the first, second and third placed were huge and he wanted one! Jamie remembers asking his dad to enter him into the competition. In that first race he loved the feeling of running, pushing yourself and that unique post-run endorphin rush. The running bug was caught!
After finishing school, Jamie went to study at Loughborough University and continued to play competitive football. Running became an essential part of Jamie’s training but in his words he “certainly wasn’t the calibre required to represent Loughborough”. However, he did enjoy soaking up the knowledge of amazing athletes and sports scientists within his circle of friends, including fellow runderwear Co-founder, Rich Edmonds. Jamie was inspired by Rich’s dedication to running and found it fascinating to have a glance behind the curtain of some top athletes and how they ate, trained and lived.
After graduating Jamie moved back to his hometown of Poole for a year to train as a Personal Trainer with a view to moving to London to work. During this time he was looking for a physical challenge and saw the opportunity of entering the long-distanced triathlon Ironman UK as a once in a lifetime. Having not swam properly since he was 13 years old and not owning a bike, it was certainly going to be a challenge! In that year Jamie immersed himself in swimming, cycling, running, physiology, strength training, nutrition, sleep & recovery techniques. Jamie completed the Ironman on a Sunday and moved to London on the Tuesday. His new life awaited.
On arrival Jamie joined the local running club and began competing in track, cross country and road team relays all over the UK. It was during this time that Jamie ran the New York Marathon and suffered bad chafing, with no solution on offer Jamie made it his mission, along with Rich, to make sure other runners didn’t suffer the same fate.
As Head of Product at runderwear, Jamie travelled the world to find the best factories and most technical materials, to deliver world class performance underwear.
Now we want to support as many athletes regardless of their sport; run, train and compete chafe-free, blister-free in comfort around the world with our world class underwear, bra’s and socks.
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For many, the thought of setting fitness goals for the New Year can be quite overwhelming. Whether you’ve never ran before, or don’t know where to start, we’re here to support you. This January we’re committing to getting fitter, stronger, and healthier with the runderwear & Her Spirit ‘Give Me 5’ walk-jog challenge
Starting on 2nd January, we’re kicking off an 8-week programme with the Her Spirit coaches to support, guide and motivate you all the way to taking part in a 5km walk, jog or run. So if you’ve never taken on a 5k before, or you’re not sure how to train for one, then this is the challenge for you.
The runderwear and Her Spirit Give Me 5 isn’t about finish times or pounding the pavement, it’s a programme designed to help you with everything from what to wear, to breathing, posture and building strength. Unlike other 5k plans, you’ll have access to an exclusive community of likeminded people, as well as expert coaches that will guide you. At the end of the 8-weeks you will be cheered on by the runderwear and Her Spirit community as you take part in the Give Me 5 virtual 5k walk, jog or run.
With Christmas festivities in full swing, most of us are eating and drinking much more than usual (rightly so!). But amongst all the festive fun it can be really tricky to maintain any sort of exercise routine, which if you’re anything like us can leave you feeling a bit sluggish and out of sync.
As a team we’ve decided not to wait for January, we’re committing to 12 Days of Fitness in the lead up to Christmas – and we’d love for you to join us!
To make things really easy, runderwear Co-Founder and CEO, Rich, has recorded a short workout which we’ll be following over the next 12 Days. This is something you can do with no equipment, first thing in the morning, on your lunch break with colleagues, or at the end of the day – it’s a quick, convenient workout that can be adjusted to suit your ability and goals on the go.
Head over to the runderwear Instagram to watch Co-Founder and CEO, Rich, talk through each exercise and how to make it work for you. This is a workout that can be adapted to suit everyone, so for some of you that might mean completing one of the below exercises per day, for others you might build up until you complete the full workout (shown below), on the final day.
Throughout the runderwear 12 Days of Fitness we’ll be giving away spot prizes to people who like, comment and tag us on social media letting us know that they’re completing the challenge too. Plus, we’re giving every participant the chance to win £100 worth of runderwear! Get ahead start on your 2023 fitness goals with award-winning kit and a strong fitness foundation thanks to the runderwear 12 Days of Fitness.
This competition is now closed.]]>
Combining breathable, moisture-wicking fabric with a seamless design to keep you chafe-free and comfortable, these are the pants on every runner’s Christmas list. Plus, we have just launched our brand-new colours, wine and teal - the same award-winning quality, in a new and exclusive style!
Perfect for gifting, you can now add a unique message to your Runderwear that will celebrate, inspire or motivate the active person in your life, or even yourself. Whether it’s “Lucky Pants”, nicknames, finish times or milestone markers such as “London 2023”, there’s a message for every challenger, to suit every occasion.
A stocking filler staple for every runner, gift the socks your loved one actually wants this Christmas. Runderwear’s Anti-Blister socks are an award-winning favourite amongst runners because of their double-layered feature, designed specifically to reduce the risk of blisters and provide the ultimate comfort and protection on every step of your run.
If you’re spoilt for choice there’s the fool-proof option of a runderwear gift card. We know runners can be fussy about their kit, so give the gift of choice this Christmas.
*Discount not applicable on the wine and teal range or e-Gift voucher.]]>Multi award-winning, double-layered running socks made with 50% recycled yarn. For comfortable, cushioned protection against blisters and fresh feet. £15 £11.25 with code GIFT25
Multi award-winning seamless running boxers made with lightweight, technical fabric and an 8" inseam. For coverage, protection and ultimate comfort. £23 £17.25 with code GIFT25
Multi-award winning running underwear made with super-soft, lightweight fabric and an 8" inseam. For coverage, support and ultimate comfort. £23 £17.25 with code GIFT25
Keeps you warm without overheating thanks to dynamic heat control and removes sweat from your skin quickly. Provides ultimate comfort and protection against changing weather. £55 £41.25 with code GIFT25
Keeps you warm without overheating and features roll over hand-mitts for those cold winter runs. Provides ultimate comfort and protection against changing weather. £55 £41.25 with code GIFT25
Super-soft, moulded cups with fully opening back for easy-on and off. Provides high-impact support and control where you need it most. £55 £41.25 with code GIFT25
Check out our other Gift Guides below:
]]>The world's first seamless Merino running briefs. For support, ultra-soft feel and unrivalled comfort. £30 £22.50 with code GIFT25
The world's first seamless Merino running boxers. For support, control and unrivalled comfort. £35 £26.25 with code GIFT25
Quick-drying, super-fine and ultra-soft. To protect the feet from moisture and odours. £20 £15 with code GIFT25
Keeps you warm without overheating thanks to dynamic heat control and removes sweat from your skin quickly. Provides ultimate comfort and protection against changing weather. £55 £41.25 with code GIFT25
Keeps you warm without overheating and features roll over hand-mitts for those cold winter runs. Provides ultimate comfort and protection against changing weather. £55 £41.25 with code GIFT25
Award-winning comfort where you need it most. Enhanced design now provides more control and support than ever before. £50 £37.50 with code GIFT25
]]>Multi award-winning seamless running briefs made with lightweight, technical fabric that sit higher on the waist. For support, super-soft feel and ultimate comfort. £18 £13.50 with code GIFT25
Multi award-winning seamless running boxers made with lightweight, technical fabric and a 5" inseam. For support, control and ultimate comfort. £20 £15 with code GIFT25
Lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking with slightly compressive feel. Padded protection for your feet. £12 £9 with code GIFT25
Keeps you warm without overheating thanks to dynamic heat control and removes sweat from your skin quickly. Provides ultimate comfort and protection against changing weather. £55 £41.25 with code GIFT25
Keeps you warm without overheating and features roll over hand-mitts for those cold winter runs. Provides ultimate comfort and protection against changing weather. £55 £41.25 with code GIFT25
Super-soft, moulded cups with fully opening back for easy-on and off. Provides high-impact support and control where you need it most. £55 £41.25 with code GIFT25
]]>Getting the right sports bra is important, but why? Firstly, a well-fitting bra can make a huge difference to your physical performance by removing any distractions, which is a great way to really accelerate your training for the best results. Secondly a great fitting sports bra can also enhance your body confidence and your mental performance to boot!...
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Finding the right kit with the right fit is crucial for anyone getting active, but can be particularly challenging for women, given the additional requirements for support in the boob department!
Getting the right sports bra is important, but why? Firstly, a well-fitting bra can make a huge difference to your physical performance by removing any distractions, which is a great way to really accelerate your training for the best results. Secondly a great fitting sports bra can also enhance your body confidence and your mental performance to boot!
Studies at the University of Portsmouth have also found that not having the right support when it comes to finding a supportive sports bra has been proven to be a significant barrier to entry, for women getting active.
We’ve put together this feature based on some of our frequently asked questions, and popped them all in one place, to help get you up and running quickly.
Why do you need a sports bra?
Boobs are unlike any part of your body - they don’t have any muscles or bone. The only support structure is the Coopers Ligaments, which are very weak, and if left unsupported can become quite damaged, and this is something that cannot be repaired or reversed, so a great fitting sports bra will go a long way to protecting your boobs from unnecessary damage. Your boobs move during a workout considerably more than you might think.
During a run for example, your boobs (depending on your body shape and size) can move up to 15cms even on a light jog, so reducing movement/bounce is essential to the health of a women's body. Boobs are unique – we're all different, which is why you need a bra that fits your body and is suitable for the level of impact you’re setting out to achieve.
Excessive breast movement can also lead to pain as well as embarrassment during exercise, which can put some women off exercising. As we age, we also experience that natural boob sag, and by working out without the support of a well-fitting sports bra, you could unintentionally speed up the aging process of the breast!
I don’t have large breasts, do I really need a sports bra?
Even smaller boobs move during a run or workout – your boobs, no matter your size, will move side to side, up and down and back and forth – in fact, technically, your boobs move in a figure of eight as you run, regardless of size.
No matter your shape and size, every woman should be aiming to support their breasts during exercise, to avoid damaging those irreparable Cooper’s Ligaments, help prevent an accelerated age sag, and avoid any pain, discomfort or embarrassment during exercise.
Every woman needs a sports bra, but depending on your body shape, size and intended level of activity, every woman will need a different level of support to suit.
Can a sports bra improve my workout performance?
Without the right level of breast support during your workout, the University of Portsmouth have found that your upper body muscles could work harder, during your workout, which means you would fatigue more quickly.
The same study also found that when you wear a great fitting and well-supporting sports bra, you benefit from a more efficient running style and improved performance. Although this was only tested in the run category, it’s likely that this would apply across other sports and activities.
Our Power and Energize sports bras have been created with this in mind, and our extensive range of cup sizes really helps to ensure that every woman can have a bra that fits them well, giving their boobs maximum support and comfort with minimal bounce and minimal distraction.
How do you find the right sports bra?
It’s important to remember that just like breasts, no two bra brands are the same when it comes to size and fit, so whether you know your bra size or not, it’s always worth a quick check on your sizing before you order. At runderwear, you can do this over on our Bra Size Finder, as well as an international bra size chart if you just need a quick search.
When you’re browsing for bras you’ll need to consider the impact level you are intending to use the bra for, the level of support that is likely to work for your body size and shape, and of course, any personal preferences in terms of style and fit.
Why choose a runderwear sports bra?
Here at runderwear we care about making a real difference to your workout, your challenges, your fitness goals and your confidence – in fact, runderwear only exists to solve three problems; chafing, blisters, boob support and distraction-free, confidence-inducing workouts!
As a performance underwear brand, we only deal in the essentials; we are your first layer and second skin, and so with our focus hot in these areas, our bras are designed by runners, for activity, so we won’t let you down!
Focusing purely on underwear means we are dedicated to making bras that fit your cup and band size. When you need serious boob support, it’s usually the case that a small, medium or large simply will not do the job.
We have 3 core bras in our bra range at runderwear. The Power bra is our more structured bra featuring moulded cups with encapsulation, a high elastane content, a wider underband and full breast coverage. According to the University of Portsmouth, these five features are what defines a great high impact bra. Our Power bra provides outstanding support for cup sizes D-H, giving stand-out support for higher impact activities like running, dance and team sports.
Our Energize bra fits cup sizes A-E; Energize offers a compression style and is another great support for higher impact activities. The runderwear Balance bra is a less structured crop-style bra, which some smaller breasted women like to run in, but also offers fantastic support for activities like yoga, strength training and hiking. Balance is a great rest day wear too!
How do I know if my bra fits properly?
There are some key details you are looking for when ensuring your new sports bra is the correct fit. Your bra should feel snug and supportive on the loosest hook and eye – this means that over time, as the bra wears and loses a little elasticity over time, you’ll be able to tighten your bra to the next hook and eye, ensuring you get the most wear. The underband should be a snug fit and should sit flush against the skin, with just enough room to get two fingers underneath the underband.
Your boobs should fill the cups but not create overspill over the top of the cup. You also shouldn’t see any side boob – the cup should fully support your breast. The fabric should sit smoothly with no dimples or wrinkling.
Your bra straps should sit smoothly and comfortably on the skin, and should neither dig in, nor slip off. You should feel comfortable, confident and well supported in a well-supporting sports bra.
If you have any questions on fitting your runderwear bra, you can speak to our bra fit expert Molly, who will be happy to give you a call and talk through both measuring and fit.
To ensure you do find your perfect fit, we also offer a ‘perfect fit guarantee’ with every bra purchase, which means that not only will we work with you to make sure you find your perfect fit, but we will also provide free exchanges and returns until you find the right size and fit for you.
Sports bras can feel like quite a big investment – should I go for a cheaper sports bra?
Getting the right bra is crucial for breast success. (Yep we said that!) When you’re looking at sports bras it’s worth considering buying one great bra, rather than working your way through numerous cheaper options that simply don’t have the support or comfort to give you the best results.
Cheaper bras don’t usually have all the components required for full breast support, so whilst they might hold your boobs in place, it’s highly likely they won't support you properly, or retain the comfort levels over time.
This is because the elastane often degrades in washing, and sports bras will lose their initial support. A cheaper bra may also rub and make you sore under your boobs or under your arms – typically known as chafing.
It's most likely that a cheaper bra won't have been tested for activity hour after hour, or tested for their ability to keep the bounce at bay!
Ultimately, within reason, you usually get what you pay for when it comes to sports bras, so it’s worth investing that bit more in a decent, well-supporting, high-quality sports bra that will see you through some serious challenges. Let’s face it - you cannot put a price on protecting your breasts and enhancing your workout performance.
Do I need a different sports bra for different activities?
We recommend finding a fully supportive sports bra that’s made and tested for activity - once you have the correct fit for your body, your sports bra should support you for all your sporting and workout challenges.
To ensure we continue to bring you the best in support, we recently carried out independent bra testing at the University of Portsmouth on our Power and Energize sports bras. During testing the team at the University of Portsmouth found that our Power bra reduces bounce during running by 72%, but what does that mean in more relatable terms? It means that the support of the Power bra reduces breast movement from 9.3cms to 2.5cms during a treadmill run.
During recent research, the University of Portsmouth also found that a great high impact sports bra has 5 key components. These are an adjustable underband, moulded cups, encapsulation, a high neckline and a high polyester content. The runderwear Power sports bra ticks all 5 of these features.
Our Energize sports bra was highly rated as soft, comfortable, lightweight, easy to put on, and easy to adjust. The Energize also provided great support in the treadmill tests and was highly rated by participants.
You can read more about our bra testing here.
Whilst we didn’t test our Balance bra at this time, we’ve had fantastic reviews from our community of runderwearers who rate it for anything from running to yoga, and spin sessions to rest-day chill. The fit and feel of a sports bra is a very personal choice and we’ve found that some of our customers like to switch it up depending on the activity.
To get supported and distraction free in your next run, workout, hike or ride, head over to our bra fit finder to get started on your runderwear journey, or browse our bras.
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Over the coming months we’re joining forces with Her Spirit, a community of like-minded women that enjoy life running, cycling, swimming and walking together. With dedicated virtual running groups lead by expert coaches, as well as regular virtual challenges, Her Spirit is an inclusive community that exists to support women in building a healthy lifestyle.
Back in October we supported Her Spirit through the challenge of their lives, as they took on Lakes to London in aid of Breast Cancer Now. Holly, Mel and Sarah each swam 5km across Lake Windermere, cycled 453km to London, just in time to run the London Marathon (26.2miles/42km) – yes, you read that correctly, that’s 500km of non-stop activity!
We were in awe of these women and knew they had enough on their plate without needing to worry about uncomfortable kit, so that’s where runderwear stepped in. Kitted out head to toe in runderwear, they were armed with the most comfortable and award-winning sports bras, performance underwear, socks and base layers that could endure the toughest of conditions alongside them.
The challenge was brutal, with added wind and rain for good measure, but thankfully their runderwear kit was as tough as them and all three ladies were kept chafe-free, blister-free and comfortable throughout (well, as comfortable as you can be during such a gruelling challenge)!
By joining forces with the Her Spirit team during Lakes to London, we realised that uncomfortable kit is not the only barrier that women in particular face when exercising.
For many, there is an inner voice of doubt that stops them from experiencing the joy of sport, whether this is through lack of confidence, nerves about trying something new, or a lack of support network. Women are being held back, and we’re determined to do something about it.
That’s why we are now launching an official partnership between runderwear and Her Spirit, and together we’re going to achieve our collective goal of inspiring more women to get active!
Over the coming months we’ll be working with Her Spirit to break down the barriers women face that prevent them from experiencing the joy of sport.
Because with the right kit and a support network by their side, we know women are capable of achieving any challenge they put their mind to. So, watch this space for lots of exciting and inspiring things to come with runderwear and Her Spirit’s partnership!
Use code RUNDERWEAR50 for your Her Spirit Ultimate membership at a fantastic 50% off!
Need a reason to freshen up your runderwear? When you buy with us using code HERSPIRIT10 we'll donate 10% of profits to Breast Cancer Now*.
*Excludes all personalised products.
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So first off... let me put a song in your head that you now won't be able to stop singing for the rest of the week!
"TRAGEDY!! When the feeling's gone and you can't go on, It's TRAGEDY, When the morning cries and you don't know why, It's hard to bear, With no one to love you, You're going nowhere..."
Yep, this just happened and that really IS a snippet of lyrics from Steps' rendition of Tragedy!
I hear you ask, "why the heck is this bloke talking about Steps: Tragedy?"... and now I hear you ask, "Why can't I stop singing this stupid song!! Argghhhhhh!"
Well, when I stood on the start line and heard the MC say "I hope you like Steps", it was exactly this song that I expected them to start playing on the loudspeakers... that didn't happen and I was momentarily confused!
Then... the horn sounded and we were off!
So, I was booked in on the "Long" course for this past weekend. I would normally have done the Ultra distance, but this was a race I had to be sensible about the distance chosen because I have an 80km in just 4 weeks' time and this 46km was a perfect distance to race in the build-up to that!
The course started off flat as a pancake and lulled you into a false sense of security. So much so that I went off at what felt like a comfortable pace only to see the first 4 miles on my watch clocking off at a sub-3 hour marathon pace! Along sandy trails at that too! Oops!
It was a strange experience to start with because all 4 distances (short - 11km, medium 26km, long 46km and ultra 54km) all started together, so it was hard to know who was doing what distance unless you asked them! Turns out some people looked a bit miffed being asked what distance they were racing when they were blowing hard at the start of the race!!). It wasn't until the course splits started to happen and the two shorter distances peeled off that I became aware of who I was racing with/against.
The first 12 miles passed by what seemed rather quickly... probably because the start speed was so fast and the course at this stage was relatively flat in comparison to the middle section... we ran along these flatter parts of the course with varying terrain, everything from sandy trails to some areas where the mud had started to form with recent rainfall to some rockier, woodier technical climbs and passing through farmland.
Image: Jake Baggaley via Maverick Race
Then we started to hit the coastline trails, part of the glorious Studland area of special conservation and some of Britain's most epic cliff tops and dramatic views were there to be had! If I hadn't been racing, I would definitely have spent loads of time taking photos!
The weather was beautiful! Apart from the brutal winds on the coastline (so fierce that at the time of writing this the left side of my face still feels like it has windburn!), it was near-perfect running weather. There were some sections where it started to rain lightly but otherwise, it was a stunning day!
And then this is where we come back to my earlier point about Steps (are you still singing the stupid song!?!). It now clicked in my mind as I got to "The Steps"... all 182 of the things... that I realised what the MC was now on about at the start!! Luckily, I actually love and excel on hills but even for someone that loves hills, these were pretty tough! Great fun though and the reward at the top of the climb was stunning! The views down to Kimmeridge Bay were a joy to behold!
The 2nd checkpoint was here, just passing through the Kimmeridge Bay car park was where the course split again and the "Ultra" distance runners carried on along the coast, whilst the "long" course I did took a turn right back inland and, thankfully, with a nice little tailwind to push us up the gentle and final major climb up Ridgeway Hill with stunning views (again!) over the Purbecks!
This was then a long and gentle descent for most of the rest of the way past Knowle Hill, West Hill and through the incredibly majestic Corfe Castle, before a relatively flat and varied terrain finish, again crossing some farmland with a herd of Highland Cows (slightly daunting for someone who is a bit scared of cows! Those horns could do some damage!), some woodland with twists and turns a plenty, but a final run in through forestry land and some road sections that were all very runnable, even on tired legs by this point!
A fantastically marked course... actually I want to just emphasise this point a little... I mean WOW!! I've done a fair few ultras and trail marathons, but when Maverick say they "pride themselves on their course marking", they weren't kidding! For anyone worried about getting lost (which is usually standard fayre for me!), it's almost impossible at a Maverick race!
All this was finished off with a great finish area, fully branded with Terrex flags, music playing, people cheering and one of the best pizza vans I've ever eaten from (that chorizo BBQ pizza was unreal!).
Image: Courtesy of Nick Hancock | Maximum Mileage Coaching
Finally, a personal point for me... well, I managed to win the "long" course! My family have been through a pretty tough year after my wife was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer earlier this year. It's been a rough time but she is coming through it now after an excellent response to treatment! Our two sons, 5 and 2, were there at the finish line to greet me and I just had to go and grab them and carry them across the line! This was a family win, not just mine!
The course had everything, as a trail race some small sections of road were quickly forgotten about with beautiful rolling hills, towering climbs along the coastline with stunning views across The English Channel & White Cliffs of West Dorset And Devon.
I would highly recommend Maverick races. The pre-event set up was ace! adidas Terrex tent was there letting people "rent" (for exchange of an ID until you had finished your race) some of the Terrex range of trail shoes, selling Terrex clothing, giving away headbands and tees, some awesome stalls with coffee and pre-race snacks and sweet treats, music, a really cool vibe and, crucially, loads of portaloos!!
My GPS clocked up 30 miles (slightly more than the 36km billed but GPS is never 100%) and 3900ft of climbing which was just about what was billed.
If you want a challenging race, then this one is for you, although the cut-offs were very generous for all-comers so a great race for all to get involved in!
Image: runderwear ambassadors Nick Hancock and Fiona English at Maverick Race, Dorset
I have been using runderwear kit now for at least the last 5 years, maybe more, and for the last 2.5 years I have been lucky enough to be supported by runderwear as a #teamrunderwear ambassador.
This particular race I ran in the the Merino Wool Socks and, my favourite item of kit, the Ultra-Light Shorts. Had the weather been cooler, I would've been in the running base layer too, but that was in my back in case of emergency! Needless to say, I managed the 30-mile course chafe-free and blister-free.
Feature by Nick Hancock, runderwear ambassador, ultrarunner and running coach.
Find out more about how Nick can help you hit your next run goals here.
Sign up to your next Maverick race here.
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Do you have a gift buying occasion coming up? From birthdays to Christmas, setting a new PB or finally achieving that bucket list medal – there’s always a reason to gift the active person in your life. But if you’re anything like us then trying to find that ideal gift is often more sweat-inducing than doing a full-on triathlon, so what do you buy the runner, hiker, cyclist or even yogi, that seemingly already has it all?!
That’s where we can help; our men’s and women’s underwear can now be personalised with unique messages to celebrate, inspire or motivate your loved one, bestie or that super inspiring colleague. Whether it’s your ‘Lucky Pants’, ‘Go Dad!’, or milestone markers such as ‘London 2022’, there’s a message for every challenger, to suit every event or occasion.
And if you’re shopping for yourself, why not go the extra mile and treat yourself to some personalised undies too? Whether you’ve just run your first mile or first marathon, or maybe you’ve simply earned yourself a reward for nailing that challenge - don’t let the miles or the milestones go uncelebrated! Be it run, walk, cycle, hike, swim, dance or otherwise.
Celebrating our heritage
Our co-founder Jamie was the first to don a nod to our personalisation on his running underwear circa 2015, in order to get our fantastic new-at-the-time product out there. As you can see, there were no limits to the determination of our fine leaders when they knew they had found a concept that runners the world over, could and would truly benefit from. For a little more on the history of runderwear, and some more great pictures to boot, you can read on here.
If you’re new to the runderwear community, you may not have caught Dame Deborah James, Bryony Gordon, The Scummy Mummies and many other inspirational women leading the way for change, in the Vitality ‘Celebrate You’ campaign. These incredible women stripped down to their undies to run in celebration, and to raise awareness of body positivity for Vitality’s 10k back in 2019.
Photo credit left: Dame Deborah James via @bryonygordon / Vitality 10k Celebrate You. Photo credit right: Dame Deborah James via @bowelbabe
Deborah and the Vitality 10K Celebrate You team 2019, were the very first to get their hands on runderwear’s personalised pants, which came about following a request specifically for this event. Our team at runderwear team were inundated with requests for personalised chafe-free undies!
We’re excited to say that we are now offering your very own personalised, celebration or milestone pants, and it’s all thanks to this great idea that came about for this iconic event with Deborah James, Bryony Gordon and the ‘Celebrate You’ team.
Photo credit: Celebrate You Vitality 10k campaign
So, if gifting the active person in your life wasn’t enough of a win, £1 from the sale of all standard black Runderwear boxers and briefs personalised or printed in white or pink print will be paid to Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK. All other print colours and third party pre-branded products are excluded. Cancer Research UK is a registered charity No: 1089464 in England and Wales, SC041666 in Scotland, 1103 in the Isle of Man and 247 in Jersey. Charity promotion ends 31st December 2022.
We’re so pleased to support of the great work the fund does to raise awareness and support the treatment of bowel cancer, continuing the outstanding efforts initiated by Deborah and her magnetic energy!
Don’t have time to think about your very own witty wording? Then why not steal one of our slogans such as ‘Go Mum!’, ‘Go Dad!’, ‘PB Pants’ or ‘Lucky Pants’, to get started?!
To get our personalisation range up and running, we treated our team at runderwear to their very own personalised or ready-to-go, inspired undies.
To get them motivated for their forthcoming runs, challenges and life in general, we asked our team to capture the greatness of their new active underwear – we think they did pretty well, right?!
Our personalised pants are available in our Mens running underwear and Women's running underwear available now for your perfect personalised gifting!
Click below to solve your gifting conundrums today and wow the active person in your life today!
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We all waited with bated breath to see if this years’ Great North Run would go ahead as planned, following the sad loss of our great Queen Elizabeth II. We found the images of the observed silence truly moving – well done Great Runs!
Photo credit: Chronicle Live
Whilst we, with the rest of the nation are taking a moment to reflect on this loss, we were also delighted for all the runners out there who had been training hard for the Great North Run. To know that they would be able get that PB, fundraising, or even a race finish in the bag, was the boost we all needed given the sombre nature of the nation.
As a sponsor of the Great Runs (you can find us on the reverse of your Great Run race number!) here at runderwear, it was great to see so many of you had donned your ‘hidden advantage’ in the form of your runderwear anti-chafe underwear and blister-free socks, to take on the 2022 Great North Run.
From an already impressive 12,000 runners, when the Great North Run launched in June 1981, the run now boasts a whopping 60,000 runners each year, taking their places to run the iconic Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields route. It is our pride and joy to be able to help many of the 60,000 runners to complete the Great North Run blister and chafe free – what an accolade! In fact, we’ve lost count of the sheer volume of runderwear we’ve spotted in the #greatnorthrun feed – this is what we live for here at runderwear HQ!
Do you have a Great Run on your bucket list? If you’re a runderwearer and you’ve made a purchase in the last couple of weeks, make sure you check your junk mail, as 6 lucky customers have been chosen at random to win a FREE entry to the Great Run of their choice! Any runners not confirming will be removed from the draw, and we’ll draw again. So check your junk mail – it could be you!
You can still register for a Great Run near you, or on your list – get along to the Great Bristol Run on 25th September 2022, The Great Scottish Run on October 2nd and the Great South Run on the 15th and 16th October, or you can look ahead to Birmingham and Manchester respectively, in 2023.
For any of the 60,000 not wearing runderwear last weekend check the back of your run number for your exclusive Great North Run runderwear discount code! We’d love you to join our running community, leading the chafe-free and blister-free revolution, with awesome runderwearers – here are just a few that we already spotted @runningwiththeprobetts, @ju5tkeeprunn1ng, @dunntherun, @runningandburgerclub, @launderandpress, @tasharunstings, @mcpaul_road_to_london, @run_with_bainesy, @_runningdopey and post-race teamies of @laurajadehenessy.
If you ran last weekend and didn’t tag us already, re-post with #iamarunderwearer and you could win a ‘congratulations’ gift in our monthly lucky dip – get tagging today!
Don’t forget to tag us in your next Great Run or any other race you’re running to show off your hidden advantage – we’re with you all the way!
]]>Maxing your marathon training, pushing for your PB, testing those time trials? Whatever your main objective, there are two key elements to success when you’re getting race-ready; energy and focus. So how do you ensure optimum energy and maximal focus? We’ve partnered with Kendal Mint Co. to help athletes everywhere do just this.
Kendal Mint Co. (KMC) are formed from the oldest manufacturers of the Kendal Mint Cake bar – the original energy bar, now coupled with the very best in sports nutrition. Kendal Mint Cake is quite literally a taste of history, helping explorers and athletes hit landmark achievements the world over.
From Ernest Shackleton’s trans-Antarctic expedition in 1914, to Sir Christopher Bonington’s Everest climb in 1975, the original energy bar really has done it all! In fact, in 2019 Ewan McGregor and Charlie Bowman included Kendal Mint Cake in their supplies for their 2004 round the world motorcycle trip ‘The Long Way Round’.
Fast forward to present day and the KMC range has evolved to include protein powders, rolled oat bars, hydration kits, and our favourite, the energy gels, including a reusable pouch system, helping customers do their bit for the planet they love to explore.
KMC’s number one mission is to empower you to achieve your goals with their Everest-conquering sports nutrition. Any old gels simply won’t do. Your basic protein powder just won’t cut it – we want you to be race-ready with no compromise and our friends at KMC are here to help you do just that.
With the right nutrition fuelling your body, and the perfect first layer under your run kit keeping you chafe and blister free, we believe this truly is a partnership for your strongest hidden advantage yet!
This British-born partnership are working together to help athletes across the globe uncover exactly what they need to thrive and excel at every event.
Get up and at ‘em with Kendal Mint Co.’s very own coffee blend ahead of race day. KMC promise to bring out the best in your body with the best in energy products for the best in taste, texture, performance and sustainability – no compromise.
Layer up with your runderwear race day essentials keeping you chafe and blister free. Pair your running underwear with KMC’s energy gels – essential for your on-the-move energy boost, and a rolled oat bar in case you need some solid foods on your way. Together we’ll max on your mid-race nutrition and keep your energy levels excelling!
Post cool down we recommend checking out KMC’s hydration mix, and why not grab a post-race rolled oat bar. Slip into your good old trusty runderwear base layer and long shorts for your wind down and recovery relaxation treat – you earned this!
Ahead of your next race, head over to Kendal Mint Co. to pick up your race nutrition to help get you over the line.
Use code RUN15 for your exclusive 15% off KMC!*
Pair those KMC energy gels and rolled oat bars with our runderwear race day essentials keeping you refuelled, recharged and running chafe-free.
Use code KMC15 for 15% off runderwear.
Together, we will help you go further, faster.
*One time use only, redeemable at kendalmint.co.uk Excludes clearance, trade and subscription items. Expires 30/09/2022
]]>Each week in the lead up to The London Marathon we'll be focusing on a different topic relevant to marathon training, from training plans to nutrition and running in the heat. So you'll have all the marathon insider knowledge in one place - your go to training hub!
Here’s a link to previous blogs you may have missed:
Cross training is great for three key reasons (among many others!):
Running is an extremely high impact sport, which means over time it can take a toll on your muscles and joints. By cross training, you’re able to strengthen your muscles and connective tissues so that they’re better prepared for the high-impact nature of running. This also gives your joints a rest, while still allowing you to build endurance and fitness.
Although it might feel counter intuitive at first, swapping out a run for a cross training session will likely improve your running performance. Specifically when it comes to weight training and targeting legs, as stronger legs will improve running efficiency, form and power. So while times aren’t everything, if you’re going for a new PB it’s a good idea to incorporate some strength work into your training plan.
Finally, cross training acts as a great motivator to keep things interesting. No matter how much we love running, if it’s the only thing we do then the likelihood is that our enthusiasm will waver. Especially with marathon training, where running can seem to take over your life, switching things up and introducing other activities can be a great way to maintain enthusiasm and enjoyment.
Marathon training is already extremely taxing on your time and routine, so the idea of adding in more activities might feel overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to. Incorporating cross training could mean cycling your commute a couple of times a week, a Sunday swim to unwind, or committing to 20 minutes of Pilates during your lunch break.
We’ve previously partnered with Pilates instructor Kate Cadbury, who has shared some amazing Pilates content with us that’s specifically designed with runners in mind. Head to the runderwear YouTube channel to watch this and start your cross training.
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Each week in the lead up to The London Marathon we'll be focusing on a different topic relevant to marathon training, from training plans to nutrition and running in the heat. So you'll have all the marathon insider knowledge in one place - your go to training hub!
Here’s a link to previous blogs you may have missed:
When it comes to running a marathon, getting your nutrition right really can make or break your race! As an ultra-marathon runner and award-winning nutritionist, no one understands this better than Barbara Cox, so we asked Barbara for her top tips and recommendations on running nutrition.
It might seem obvious, but so many people get this wrong. On average you need between 1.5 and 2 litres of water a day, regardless of whether you’re running or not. Barbara recommends that on top of this you drink an additional 500ml to 1 litre of water for every hour of running. There are of course other factors to consider, such as the weather and your personal size/weight but this is a good rule of thumb to go by.
Carbs give us energy, so don’t be afraid of them! But Barbara reminds us there are good carbs and bad carbs. Things like brown rice, sweet potato, oats and rye breads are great sources of carbs but Barbara recommends steering clear of things like white bread, because they can spike your blood sugar levels and give you energy fluctuations – which you really want to avoid during a marathon!
Barbara has given us a simple equation to work out how much protein you need a day on average – 0.8 grams of protein per kilo of body weight, so a 65 kilo person needs an average of 52 grams of protein a day. Protein builds muscle, aids muscle recovery and also speeds up the metabolism, so it’s crucial in a runners diet. Examples of great protein sources are beans, lentils, pulses, nuts and seeds, as well as good quality meat and fish.
For a month meal plan, Barbara recommends trying to include 150 different ingredients, because the more variety of food you’re eating, the more variety of vitamins and minerals you’re taking on. A tip is to meal plan to avoid eating the same things and getting meal fatigue – which is often when the junk food starts creeping in.
Barbara suggests that you get creative in the kitchen and cook from scratch where you can, rather than reaching for ready prepared meals. This means you can monitor the salt, sugar and artificial ingredients and gives you much more control over your diet.
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Runderwear Marathon Training Series
Each week in the lead up to The London Marathon we'll be focusing on a different topic relevant to marathon training, from training plans to nutrition and running in the heat. So you'll have all the marathon insider knowledge in one place - your go to training hub!
Here’s a link to previous blogs you may have missed:
Marathon training is not only taxing on your body, but also your schedule and routine. You’ve committed to the challenge, now you’ve got to show up for yourself day in and day out to make that happen. We spoke to our four marathon runners to see how they fit the high mileage into their busy lives and to ask for any tips they can share.
For Linda, a great way of fitting everything in is combining socialising with marathon training. Linda schedules one long run a month with her running group, Black Girls Do Run UK, which means she can catch up with friends while staying on track with her training.
Not only this, but running with friends provides the perfect support system for when things start getting tough and you need someone to pull you through and remind you why you’re doing this. Even if you run solo 90% of the time, we really recommend following Linda’s lead with monthly group runs.
Immie’s holy grail when it comes to fitting marathon training into her routine, is planning the week ahead on a Sunday. We’ve all heard the saying “failing to plan is planning to fail”, but that’s really something to remember when it comes to all aspects of marathon prep.
As the Co-Founder of runderwear and a Dad, Jamie is no stranger to juggling a busy schedule – add marathon training into the mix and he’s definitely got his hands full! Luckily, we’re big fans of lunch time runs at runderwear, so if Jamie hasn’t managed to get his miles in that morning he’s likely to maximise his time by spending his lunch break ticking the training miles off. This is also a great way to stretch your legs and re-energise during the working day, setting you up for a more productive afternoon.
Kev rarely gets to 9am without already banking some miles, it’s literally the blue print to a good day for him. When it comes to marathon training this means Kev’s mornings are getting earlier and earlier as he fits in those longer runs before a full day of work – it’s definitely not easy, but the early mornings will be worth it when he crosses the finish line at London with that PB in the bag!