Bad Angel Rule #88

You Can Leave Your Hat On.

On a recent Saturday morning on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail, I conducted a completely unscientific study. My findings concluded that I am in the minority as a hat-wearing female runner.

Horns and a hat = race photo magic

To those of you in the majority, I gotta say, you’re missing out on some outstanding benefits.

1. It shades your face. I still wear sunscreen and sometimes sunglasses, but oftentimes, the brim of a hat is all I need to keep the sun’s glaring rays out of my eyeballs and off my not-so-young-anymore skin.

2. It keeps your hair in place. I appreciate this feature 10 times more now that I’ve chopped my locks to chin length. Rather than mess with barrettes or headbands that never stay in place, I can just shove my hair up in a hat and pull my tiny stub of a ponytail through the back hole. Problem solved.

3. It soaks your sweat. All running caps these days have wicking fabric across the forehead to keep the salty sweat from dripping into your eyes. Good thing, because that shiz can buuuuuurn.

4. It acts as an umbrella. Hats are a must if you’re running in the rain. When you watch those drops roll off the brim and away from your face, you’ll be thanking me.

5. It looks good. Sure, some women will say they’re not “hat people.” I propose that all women can be hat people on the running trail. Plus, all the combined benefits listed above equate to better race photos. Trust me. — Mags