To go for a run and not wash my hair?

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

I'm desperately trying to fit exercise back into my life, and the only viable way I can see to do this is to use my lunch-time to go for a run twice a week. I really can't be gone for more than an hour, and I can get changed, go for a 30 minute run, have a quick shower and get dressed and back to my desk in that time, but I definitely can't wash and dry my (below shoulder length) hair. Is it really grim to run and sit with the sweat in my hair in the office all afternoon? I think if I tie it up in a tight bun while I run it'll look ok, but I'm worried it might be socially unacceptable, so thought I'd put it to the famously sensitive noses of the vipers...

I'd have to wash it after a run personally, would feel grim otherwise, but I never dry my hair after washing it, and almost always whack it up in a bun for work so no one would bat an eyelid.

Completely fine.

I do this on my lunch. If your hair is clean before going for a run, it doesn't look bad at all. Mine just goes a bit frizzy round the roots. I usually put dry shampoo on it before running (even on clean hair) to prevent the frizz a bit

A dinosaur responds...

A long, long, time ago (actually for most of the entire existence of human beings until the last 25 years or so) people used to wash their hair once a year, once a month, once a week at most. And they used to do hard physical work and some of them even sweated.

No one will notice, OP. The world will go on. Worry about something more important.

I don’t wash my hair every time I exercise. It’s really long and thick so it takes ages to wash and dry.

I use dry shampoo and straighten so it looks tidy

Do your colleagues regularly approach you and sniff your hair?

@Patnotpending thank goodness someone else has got some perspective here!

OP, unless you work in a job where appearance is vital- front of house, beauty counter, model, or you are a dentist or beauty therapist leaning your head right down near other people’s, nobody will care and it certainly won’t smell bad to others. It’s great that you are motivated to do this, don’t let unfounded fears put you off.

All these 'you won't be that sweaty' comments are making me feel v unfit - I definitely was after today's run! I am on week 6 now, so past the point where c2k is mostly walking

Absolutely fine! No-one will know.

You might get sweaty but your hair will not smell when the sweat dries, at least not to the extent that you can’t last an afternoon without your colleagues being revolted!

All these 'you won't be that sweaty' comments are making me feel v unfit

actually being VERY sweaty can mean you are very fit and work harder!

Your hair still won't stink if it was clean to start with.
People don't wash their hair after going to a food place even when you can smell the food or cigarette smell on the clothes when you leave...

It would be a great shame not to exercise because you only wash your hair a few hours later!

You'll be fine. I exercise daily but wash my hair three times a week. I'd just blast it dry and stick some dry shampoo on it.

You'll be fine! I do kickboxing at lunchtime, end up very sweaty, but don't usually wash my hair in the shower afterwards (though always need to shower). The exercise means I can think much better in the afternoon too, would definitely recommend!

I'd have to wash it and leave it wet. Doesn't really bother me having wet hair though.
At the end of c25k its 40 minutes too so you'll be even more pushed for time.

I don’t always have time to rewash hair after a run. Just have a body wash and stick it in a bun! Exercise is important so if this is the only way you can fit it in then it’s fine!

I would do a fringe wash and dry but tie the rest of it back / up.
I think that’s more socially acceptable than going back to your desk with sopping wet hair.

My hair is usually soaked with sweat (menopausal!), so I rinse in shower with conditioner as it's going to have to dry anyway. Otherwise I shampoo in shower and use leave in conditioner but that takes a minute more!

Oh you will be totally fine a bit of dry shampoo if need be

Have your hair cut shorter

I'm just back from the gym. No intention of washing my hair! It looks nice and isn't sweaty. I refuse to wash dry and style more than twice a week. You'll be fine OP.

My hair gets soaked through with sweat after 30 mins of exercise.
I do wash it when I run at lunchtime, but it's short and dries on it's own after a towelling.
When I run after work I often don't wash it until the following morning.