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I need to shave mine soon, as I am getting ready to gear up for a marathon, but I don't own any cart razors.
As such, I figured I'd come to the authorities and ask:
Any tips? Common mishaps? Things to look out for? My legs aren't pretty as it is, so, getting them cut up and covered in red dots would not add to my appeal... :)
Karl
Question: Why would you shave your legs to "gear up" for a marathon?
inquiring minds want to know:D
And where in Ca are you?
He wants to run with the girls!Quote:
Originally Posted by JMS
Is the hair on your legs so heavy that it causes that much drag!
Is it a charity event or something? You have to run 26 miles AND shave your legs. That's too much!
Are you going to shave your head as well ? Unless your swimming is there really an advantage to shaving the legs for running, or is that an old Myth ?
I know it's really common in cycling, and swimming like you say, but never running!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike257
Still, every little helps I guess.
I remember going to spectate the London Marathon (which my dad did several times) and seeing a bloke nip in to mac donalds and come out with a big mac meal, the cramp must have been vicious!
I'm more of a short distance guy (although I did do a marathon) some guys shave for the massage after the marathon.. or if you need to use tape you should better shave...
Maarten
I'm in the Monterey Bay area.
I shave because sweaty hair rubbing back and forth is not a pleasant sensation for me.
Really, it's that simple. However, I'm probably going to shave a few times so that the day after, I don't have the common itching and red areas. Not pleasant.
Ah um. Why not just wear panty hose?
Because I honestly don't enjoy long pants when running.
Shaving your legs isn't a big deal with a straight, especially since most of the skin is tight already. The back of the leg can be interesting, but as long as you keep your angle good, it's easy. Just give it a whirl- if you can get this thing over and around your neck, legs are a piece of cake.
I'd kinda been wondering if there were other guys who shaved their legs. I just shave the thigh when I am going to be using that area for my insulin pump. Ripping tape and adhesive off after three days is a bit painful at best.
OMG somebody please just answer the fella's question, a guy can't get any straight answers in the ladies corner unless a lady answers:roflmao
Tape your nipples too, my friend. I've only run one marathon so far, but seeing the guys with bloody nipples made me feel like even with my aches and pains I wasn't as bad off as they were.
Chris L
Marathons sound like so, so much fun.
That's nothing to say about the poor guys and gals with feces running down their legs, but I won't go there.:rofl2::roflmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by Bruce
Chris L
I used to swim and would shave my head, chest, and legs so I'm with you. I've never tried it with a straight but one thing I discovered was that there was no need for me to shave ATG. It didn't improve my times remotely and it was so much easier and more comfortable to just go WTG.
The way to permanently get rid of the inner leg hair is to run 5 miles every day in fatigues and combat boots on the beach so that the sand and water get in there and rub everything raw. :rofl2: Sucks but it works! Best of luck on the marathon!
HA HA HA!!!!!:roflmao:roflmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by Chris-L
The poor guy asks the ladies for tips and gets all this from you guys...........
How nice...................
Lynn
My apologies to anyone who may have been offended by anything I said in this thread. The taping I spoke of is a recommended and commonly utilized practice when running to prevent very painful chafing and bleeding. I've had to use it myself training and running. As such, I can honestly say I offered the recommendation in the interest of offering help to him.
Chris L
Actually, Chris, I often use medical tape to secure the skin prior to putting on a cotton shirt; this isn't my first marathon, just my first in a while!
Good to see other runners here.
Yeah, not much advice from the ladies, huh.
that made my nightQuote:
Originally Posted by Lynn
Okay, you lot are totally useless. Hush up and let a female handle this one. :P
Regardless of the type of razor I'm using, I shave my legs the same way: one pass against the grain. Depending on how hard your water is, and thus, how long-lived your lather is, you may want to split each leg into four sections: calf front, calf back, thigh front, thigh back. Mind the knees and the achilles tendon area, as the skin tends to bunch and bulge in odd ways, catching the blade. You'll probably find that leg hair is less coarse than facial hair, so be gentle with the blade until you know just how much pressure you need.
The easiest area to shave, I've found, is the outside of the calf where there are fewer concave surfaces and the skin is tight. Since your muscles are probably better-defined than mine, though, I'm not sure if the same will be true for you (the concave bit, not the tight bit).
Good luck! Post pics!
I was a cycling racer and shaved legs. Its not for any speed advantage...but if you crash it is much easier to clean and bandage. Alos much neater for that post race leg massage.
My sons swam (one still doing so) division 1, and they shaved for the big events followoing a taper (methodical reduction in training before race)....referred to as a "shave and taper." The shave does little (a silicon cap is better as is a long 'fastskin' suit - cost about $550).
In cycling and swimming the shave is a ritual and somewhat psychological; routine prep for race day. It works.
My .02$
Jim
The one thing I would ask is, hook point vs half-round vs full-round?Quote:
Originally Posted by LilithParker
Thanks, Lilith. I appreciate it.
I'm guessing that shaving one's legs below the knees isn't too much of a problem, but may be more easily done with a DE razor than with a straight. But, guys, if one wants to be smoothly ready for whatever competition athletic or otherwise one may wish to engage in, how best does one shave one's back? There are, after all, those of us who may be attempting to grow a sweater.
:rofl2:
I resemble that remark!:gaah::rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce
i think this is my favorite thread ive read to date.
just because i know people who do that kind of preparation but its for swimming.
when my friend was in college he was about to race and i stood up and yelled "anthony the next time you shave your legs shave your ass couldnt you wear a longer bathing suit jesus christ"
right at the "longer" in the above quote i started to crack up but still kept my composure to finish the rant.
he started cracking up on the diving pedestal and the coach gave me the stink eye.
so this thread has sentimental value to me,
I just gotta suggest that you shave a day or two before the race or the salty sweat might irritate your legs. Don't shave too soon or the itching as the hair returns might be uncomfortable and distracting too.
X
Quote:
Originally Posted by midgho
I don't think there's much of a difference. I rarely get to the tip of the razor doing my legs, since most of the surfaces are convex or can be made convex by stretching the right way.
I'm a cyclist though not competitive. However, I do ride centuries and I like to ride hard. I shave my legs mostly for hygiene reasons for cuts and because I found the wicking properties of the shorts to be better. I also shave my arm pits for no other reason than wicking on the jersey and I really don't like the dribble feeling going down my arm when I ride.
Also note that having any kind of hair protruding from the shorts when removing them can be a uncomfortable hair pull.
As for shaving I have yet to try the straight as I am still new applying the technique to my face. Follow the advice given by other members for the straight razor application. But I can tell you a good, warm lather and even soaking your legs in warm water for a while or after a shower makes the process a lot smoother and less irritating. Also, I wait about 1 day after shaving before riding because as mentioned the sting is not pleasant with sweating and in some cases can break your concentration.
I hope this helps you out.
Well... I used to shave my legs for sports (Football), but it was long before starting with straights, the hardest part to me was the ankles and the upper part of my feet, yes also my feet needed shaving, they look now like hobbit's feet...
for those who wonder why the shaving?, is just a precaution in case of an injury, the hair makes the bandages slip and is easier to clean an open wound when you sweat, so the medic instructed us to shave...
For what its worth, my wife has shaved her legs with a straight now at least 5 times and each time she used a spike point with no damage.
I do my share of bicycling and always reach for my Gem Featherweight. Works as good as a straight, only more gentle.
Ernest
If I had to shave my legs for any reason - and I do understand all the reasons stated here - I would do so with a DE, not a straight. And this goes to say of my admiration for the ladies who manage to shave their legs with a straight... :)
Good luck for the marathon!
I'm a guy but I've shaved large leg areas with my straight before having tattoos.
You'll find the hair wipes off extremely easily, but that the longer hairs can sorta gum things up a little (yes, I managed to clog a straight razor :D)
I think that came about because of the very long strokes that are possible on a leg. I'd maybe go for the widest blade that you have.
If you have hair clippers or a beard trimmer, maybe buzz that over the area first so you're only shaving stubble.
I ran cross country and used to shave my legs for the long races (15 and 20k) The only essential part to shave (for my running stride at least) was the thigh. To repeat others, shave 2-3 days before the race- enough to get used to the sensation, but not enough for stubble.
Chafing is a nightmare, as many of you know. Running with chafed thighs and bloody nipples makes it a memorable experience.
:gl: