Reader To Reader: Running to work
This week's reader wants to run to work, but what does he do with his suit? Here's what you suggested
Running to work may be a time-efficient and cost-effective way to commute, but how do you get your work clothes to the office – and how do you freshen up once you're there?
"I'm currently looking for a new job closer to home. My aim is to
reduce my commuting time, but also to run and/or cycle to and from work at least a few times a week. Even if my new employer has changing facilities, how do I get my suit into work when I run in, and not look like a tramp when I get there? I've searched the internet for a waterproof, backpack-style suit carrier, but with no success. Someone please hurry up and invent one so I can buy it off you!" – Aberford Mark
Your best answers
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Get an Eagle Creek clothes pack
I cycle to work two or three days a week and run in my lunch hour. The commute is 11 miles each way, and the run 3.2 miles. I cycle with a backpack and use an Eagle Creek trouser/shirt pack thingy. You fold up your trousers and shirt using the supplied flexi board, place your clothes into the packer and slide it into your backpack. I do leave a pair of shoes under my desk. – Craig Llewellyn
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Roll up your work clothes in a backpack
I keep a suit and work shoes in the office. When I want to run in, I run eight miles to the station with my shirt rolled up in a backpack with pants and socks, plus a clean T-shirt to change into on the train and use in evening. I use a shower at work, but would go down the sink/wet wipes route otherwise. – ebenezer
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Run home instead
Why not just take your running shorts/tights and shoes in to work with you, then run home in your work gear? Then you could carry your work trousers home in a backpack and not worry about them getting creased, and put a cagoule on over your shirt. So what if it all gets sweaty? You can put everything into the washing machine when you get home. As for suits, have more than one per working week and take them to the cleaners at the weekend! – Ali Baby
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Petition your work to provide a shower
You should start a petition with the government about getting larger companies to provide shower facilities. Check out this site: Petitions.gov.uk. The company I work for provides showers for men, but not for women! – Lil Ms Squirrel
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Keep a few spare clothes at work
My desk has trainers underneath, trousers in drawers and shirts on hangers dotted around the office.
I usually cycle to work and run either at lunch or home. If I run at lunch, it's a strip-wash in the disabled toilet! Go to work one day with enough clothes for at least two days. If you need a backpack, get a decent one with all the straps and support. – Jamie Leake
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Run long at the weekend
Keep shorter runs for weekday evenings and longer runs at the weekend, maybe a Saturday morning run and a Sunday evening run to give your body the greatest possible rest time in between. I don't think there'll be an easier solution untill you find that job closer to home, and/or with shower facilities. – Philip Hatton
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Whip out a flannel
In my old job, when I lived four miles from work in an urban area, I used to get the bus in and run home every day. I'd stick my work clothes in a bag on my back and leave my work shoes under my desk. Sometimes I'd cycle in and out, carrying stuff in panniers. There were no showers, but a flannel did the trick. In my new job, I work 22 miles from home, so I run in my lunch hour and am lucky to have access to a shower. – SJS
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Get on your bike
Carrying stuff on a bike is loads easier – I tried it whilst running and hated it. So I combine running and biking (bike to and from work, and run three lunchtimes per week). Each Monday I take a towel and trousers for the week, and every day I carry a shirt and underwear. I always leave shoes at work. – Kezz
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Take your pick
Some options... 1. Run at lunchtime and use wet wipes 2. Run when you get home and have a late dinner 3. Have an early morning run (I'm still unable to do those) 4. Adopt more flexible working hours. I'm London based, but with a two-hour commute. But at least I can run along the Thames some of the way home... beautiful! – Ginger Monster
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Run from station to station
My train to work stops at several stations on the way, so I get off at one and run to the next. That means different distances and terrain, depending on where I get off. You could even turn it into a time trial, and try and reach a station in time to catch the next train. – Quick Silver
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Join a gym near work
I leave a spare jacket and shoes at work, and run with underwear, shirt and trousers in a backpack. There are no showers where I work, so I've had to join the local gym. It's not exactly the cheapest option, but it means I get decent shower and changing facilities. The commitment is an incentive to run regularly, and in theory an incentive to cross-train... well, one out of two ain't bad. – Ivan Wadeson
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Discuss this article
Like many people I have far too much on in my life and running often comes off second best to my work commitments, family, and social life, but it shouldn't have to!
I currently work over an hours drive from where I live, so running to work isn't an option. However, I'd love to run at work in a lunchtime, but we don't have any changing facilities. Companies over a certain size are obliged to provide kitchen or catering facilities for staff, so why not shower and changing facilities as well. The government wants the nation to be healthier, so why doesn't it help us keep fit by encouraging us to exercise during the day. This is especially important in the winter when it is dark in the morning and evening, and if you live in rural community then there are no street lights.
Secondly, I doubt my first plea will spark any nationwide initative in the near future, so I am in the process of seeking a new job closer to home. My aim is to reduce my commuting time, but also ideally to run and/or cycle to and from work at least a few times a week. Even if my new employer have changing facilities, or they are near a gym to change in (thou rather expensive for just a shower), I'm still stuck! How, do I get my suit into work when I run in and not look like a tramp when I get there? I've searched the internet for a waterproof, back pack style suit carrier but with no success so far. I realise I could always take stuff in at the beginning of the week and be prepared, but this isn't very practical.
If someone hasn't already invented a waterproof, back pack styled suit carrier, then please hurry up and make it so I can buy it off you.
Many thanks
Mark
Posted: 27/01/2007 at 22:35
Hi, I thought I'd chip in on this one, as it became an issue for me when the clocks changed and diving down country roads in the dark didn't really appeal to me.
I live about 6 miles from where I work, a nice distance for a trot but unfortunately we have no showers at work either and I don't like the idea of running in with all my clothes (+ vain girl items like facewash, makeup etc etc...) on my back (would be like a tortoise carrying its house on its back... and just as slow).
During the winter when it's been too dark before and after work I am able to take longer lunches (up to 2 hours) a couple of times a week and just make up the time elsewhere (shorter lunches, earlier/later start). I drive home, get a quick run in (anything up to about 45-50mins) then quick shower and back at my desk for a sandwich.
My standard hours are 8:30 - 5:30 but we finish at 3 on Fridays anyway so I can always run then, and then both days at the weekend, so I manage to get in between 4 and 6 runs per week depending on workload.
I think it's always worth asking about more flexible hours, perhaps ask for a later start time a couple of days then work through lunch/later at end of day? My boss runs too, so he can empathise with my need to get out there, which helps a lot.
I need fresh air even more in the winter when it's so dull, I just don't think I could cope purely on treadmill sessions (I am nosy as well and like to look at things when I run).
Hope you find a way around your problem!
Susie
Posted: 04/02/2007 at 10:11
Mark,
Similar situation and soon to be in reverse? At the 1st job (5miles away, with shower facilities):Shoes and suit jackets always stay at work, so only trousers and shirt to carry. In this job(13 miles away, no shower, 1hr plus in peak traffic) I have joined a council leisure centre in the town I work. They do not open till 7:30 but I start work at 8:30. So my solution. . . leave home at half past stupid, car loaded with suit (and all shower accesories!?)enjoy my planned run 1-2 hours, by that time they gym has opened and at 8 I go for the shower and into the suit. Yes, this costs me an extra £25 a month but at least now I have no peak traffic/ road rage, I'm 'fresh' for work and I get to do this 5 times a week. Oh and if the weather is naf or want to do cross training I have gym membership.
My new job starts soon, which is 30 miles away (no showersbut again I have checked out the local leisure centre (like MS has said) and again it would seem my above approach is going to be the best way forward.
Posted: 05/02/2007 at 13:31
Aberford Mark, You should start a petition with the government about getting larger companies to provide shower facilities. Check out this site: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/The company I work for is somewhat sexist in that they have showers for men, but not for women! I'm now lucky enough to work from home but it would certainly annoy me a whole heap more if I was in the office all the time.
Posted: 07/02/2007 at 09:30
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