Stuff I Like : Running in Sweatpants

dressing for my emotional state.

Lately I’ve been wearing sweatpants for my runs. Specifically a pair of well worn Splits 59 sweats I got during the great stock up of 2020. I used to wear them to pilates, before I realized they’d become slightly sheer (apologies to whomever was on the reformer next to me). They’re the right amount of loose, the fabric the right amount of worn that make them absolutely perfect for running.

If I were to wear my emotions on the outside of my body, the size of my pants would be an external barometer of my sensitive state. The bigger the better; I want to be covered - so much so it leaves someone wondering if, and where there might be a body inside.

I woke up on New Year’s day angry. Like seeing red raging. Some of it was the emotional hangover from an argument the previous night, one triggered from a stupid misunderstanding, escalated by the exhaustion that comes with parenting a toddler during the holidays with no breaks, when schedules become non-existent and daycare has been closed for 457 days. I lost my temper during what felt like the millionth time convincing a toddler peeing is, in fact, a necessary bodily function, slammed a door and declared I was going for a run all before 8am. An hour later I felt marginally better but it’s a month later and I still carry a lot of anger. I’m angry every time I read the news, every time I log onto instagram, every time I read/see/hear about one more archaic and inhumane policy being passed by a government people felt compelled to elect all because the price of eggs was too high.

I’ve tried and failed to write anything intelligent or articulate for the past month due to this rage that has been simmering just below the surface. Any shitty rough draft I write has contained a few too many fucks, ironic because I feel like I have so few to give.

The year that is January has finally ended, and while I was hoping the chaos would settle a bit I’m not overly optimistic. I think I’ll be running in sweatpants for a while. So in case your psychological state is as fragile as my own, and your emotional support animal right now is also fleece, my Stuff I Like post for February, features all the best loose pants for running.

1. Sweatpants :

   I’ve been wanting to have a Rocky moment for a while, but instead I’m going to channel Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967.

   Kathrine ran Boston at a time when men thought women were too delicate to run 26.2 miles (and were probably worried our uteruses would fall out). Let my sweatpants be a quiet F-U to the patriarchy that seems so intent on limiting + controlling my rights.

   My Splits 59 sweats are ideal because the material is soft, the fit loose but they aren’t too heavy: perfect for running in the ‘California cold’ that is an S.F. winter. Should you run somewhere it *actually* gets cold, a pair that is soft and fleecy wouldn’t be terrible.

   

   me, far left in my old splits 59 sweats, pruzan LS top + new mizuno neo zens. free people movement, new splits 59, donni (sold out), and a pair of cut off free people movement sweat shorts i’m not mad about.

2. Untight Tights :

   The few times I have put on tights in the past month or so, I’ve reached for ones that aren’t tight all the way from top to toe. I don’t love a flair (on me) but I have been loving an ankle zip situation that I can leave fully unzipped for a look that says ‘I’m mentally so exhausted by the state of the world I can’t be bothered’. I also recently paid myself with a pair of men’s Bandit pants that while meant for running also serve as a fantastic non-running lounge pant alternative. Had I bought these in a smaller size I might attempt to wear them for running as well; they’re the first looser pant of this ilk that doesn’t make me look (and feel) like a postal worker.

   

   bandit system-R track pants, pruzan zipped flare tights, unna everywhere tights, free people movement let’s bounce pants

3. Pocket Bras :

   The only issue I have with running in sweats is storage, or lack thereof. While some still have pockets, I’m not a fan of storing my phone or keys in places that aren’t tight to my body because the bounce factor is real, and annoying. Enter in the pocket bra : a tool belt for your chest. Pocket bras make it super easy to choose whatever bottoms you want because like the women they’re designed to support, they can do it all.

   

   brooks 3 pocket bra, bandit scoop neck bra (hands down my absolute favorite - i store my keys in the gel pocket), oiselle flyout bra

Another indication of my emotional state, aside from the width of my clothing: after a 6 year hiatus I’ve recently taken up boxing again. I can only run out (out run?) so many of my thoughts; the anger that has been simmering now needs a stronger + safer place for release. An alternative would be throwing glasses against the wooden fence in our side garden, however I think it might raise some concern with our neighbors.

*k