If you’re a runner with long hair, you always somehow end up with extreme flyaways, your ponytail falling out and hair sticking to your back or even in your mouth. My long hair even ends up wrapping around my armpit some days. According to statistics (that I made up), sloppy or boring running hairdos slow you down. Here are five hairdos to try on race day to make you look good, feel good and knock a few seconds off the clock.
Braids into a ponytail
My go-to race day look is dutch-braiding the top of my hair and securing the rest in a ponytail. I love the look of braids, but find that a braided ponytail ends up whacking my neck or back–which hurts a surprising amount. I find with this look, I can get away with having loose or imperfect braids that still look cute and stay out of my face all day.
Braids into a high bun
If your ponytail in the previous hairdo is still long enough to stick to your neck on hot days, the next step is to wrap your hair into a high bun. A low bun will bounce around and unravel–the high bun, with the help of elastics and bobby pins, is your best friend. This hairstyle will be a little tougher for those with thick hair, which will make your bun heavy, but the final look will be both elegant and intimidating, leaving your competitors in awe.
The slick-back
This hairstyle is popular in a non-running setting, completing the trending “clean girl” esthetic, slicking back the flyaways and frizziness that likes to sit as a halo around your head. This simple, neat look (my backup hairdo when my hair refuses to be braided) is perfect for taming your hair on race day. It also takes minimal effort–all you need is a hairbrush and some hair cream or gel. You can complete the look with a regular or braided ponytail.
Space buns
Space buns are hands-down the most adorable hairstyle you can have while running. The sport isn’t a very cute activity, but if you are rocking two little buns while hitting the road, you will capture the hearts of many onlookers. Low buns can be a little messy while still looking sweet, but will need a bit of extra security from elastics and bobby pins to keep from bouncing out of place. High buns create more of an intense look and will be a lot more secure, but you can’t get away with having as many imperfections here and there, so be sure to slick your hair back well and double-check your part.
Bubble braids
If your hair is long, with limited layers, don’t hesitate to try a bubble braid. This look is fun and pretty, adding volume to your hair while making you look like a pro. The look is simple: put your hair in a ponytail (slicked back or not) and add mini-elastics down the length of your pony, spaced one to two inches apart (depending on how many bubbles you want). Then, pull the hair in each bubble, starting from the top, to loosen it and bring on the volume. You can also use colourful elastics to spice it up even more.
