Help this athlete!

[CaliRose]

Hey everyone. I'm hoping to find some tips on how to avoid the CRAZY tangles and frizz I get after running. I run long-distance and my races are always outside. The combination of humidity, rain, water that I dump on my head on warm days (it's necessary sometimes!), friction, and constant movement turns my hair into a giant dreadlock that takes so long to get out. Generally, I end up slathering my hair in conditioner and rinsing/repeating/combing with a wide-tooth comb until I get all the out. Is there anything I can do to alleviate this at all? I've tried standard french braids, double french-braids, braided ponytails, and regular ponytails. I'm open to putting it in a bun, but I find that they eventually always fall down, usually pretty early on in the race. My hair is 2a/2b/M/iii waist (except for couple inches of tapering in front from grown-out bangs) and doesn't usually frizz in everyday circumstances.

Thanks for any thoughts or advice!! :)

[MeganE]

I've no idea how you're doing your french braid now, but maybe try doing your french braid with very small sections of hair? Seems like smaller sections can give you a tighter braid, which stays in place better. Or depending on how fast a braider you are and how often you run, you could try doing three braids on each side and then braiding those braids. At that point I'd probably bind the ends of both of the side braids together. No idea if that would work, but I would try it in your shoes.

[Safira]

I use oil and scarf. I have to wash my hair after exercise, so I don´t care much about streching washes. First comb your hair, oil it, french braid and put scarf on.


Maybe you should think again about your condition methods. Some people do well with moisturizing condioner, but if I don´t have protein treatments, my hair gets so messed it´s like a tangleball. And some people can´t deal much of protein.

[danceri110]

have you tried twin braid on each side of your head?

[ddiana1979]

I'm a runner & triathlete. I have to keep my hair up off of my back, or it ends up really, really tangled from the friction. The best thing I've found is French braid down the back, with the tail rolled up into a low bun (high enough that it's off my back, low enough that it rests below my bike helmet). If I'm swimming, I just leave it French braided under my swim cap (with the tail folded up towards the top of my head), then when I transition to biking, I roll the tail into a bun and clip it with a rounded butterfly clip or put a two-prong comb in (RasaOm's on Etsy are water-proof). If you get the teeth of the clip or the prongs of the fork anchored underneath the braid, it's pretty darn rock solid. It looks messy by the end of a workout, but it's not tangled.

[rocket_surgeon]

What part of your hair is frizzing out? I run, cycle, and have a really physical job, and folded French braids are pretty much my go-to style for all of those things. So, I'm a little curious as to what parts of the styles you mentioned weren't working for you.

I'd also like to second the question about your braiding technique. Are you adding really large sections into your French braids? Adding smaller sections does, in my experience, make a tighter braid, as does starting with a small section very close to the forehead. I've also found that Dutch braids are a little easier to make very tight. You could also try adding a bit of product, or aloe vera gel or flax mucosum to your hair before you put it up, to give it some hold.

That said, I usually just opt for a dorky-looking headband rather than battling escaping hair with product. Keeps sweat out of the eyes, too. :D

[ingvild]

Hmm. Well, I have shorter hair than you so I don't know how well it will work for you. But I have found that if I do a cinnabun that I fasten with an elastic first, and then secure it even more with a hair stick (or in my case, a wooden knitting needle), it holds really well. I hate the feeling of my ponytail or bun swinging around and bumping on my head while I run.

Another suggestion: How about a crown braid? That also holds really well for me.

[ingvild]

(Double post. Bah.)

[MandyBeth]

For running, TIGHT French or Dutch braid, then bun the length with spin pins. I interlock them despite the warning.

[CaliRose]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I am definitely going to continue with the two french braids, but this time bun or roll the length! And I'll definitely have to try oiling and look into some protein treatments! :)

[WinterButterfly]

I find it very hard to put my hair up for exercize. If a bun or braid isn't secure enough it can cause severe head jarring and headaches. But it is hard putting it up so it won't pull either. A little oil or a leave in helps. What I do is I put it in a pony. Then I braid the pony. Then I twist and wrap part of it and secure that part of the bun down. Then I wrap up the rest and secure it. I then put a few extra hair tyes on the thing followed by a scrunchie. I use stron streachy elastics. And I usually need at least 5 of them. But for me this holds.

[MinderMutsig]

I'm no runner but I would probably try french braids in a bun, secured with spin pins. I doubt those will come out but if they do, your hair will still be contained so you can finish the race with minimal annoyance.Spin pins are also pretty cheap and easy to replace if they are lost.

[Slamca]

Ha, this is great advice for me as well. Last year I ran regularly and never really bothered with hair - I just put them in a high ponytail, even though it did lead to a mess of hair. I'll be trying the french braid to low bun thing now for sure. Thanks :)