[sistergoldenhair]

After paying $ to take a summer's worth of chlorine out of my hair and cutting off more than I'd like, I bought a silicone swimming cap.<br><br>
This is a stupid question, but is there anything I should know about putting it on, getting my hair to fit under it, taking it off, maintaining it, etc.? I'm sure it is a simple matter, but do not want to look like an idiot poolside. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/surprised.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Surprised">

 

[hahaoya]

I've only worn one once, and that was race-day. Heh.<br><br>
I've been considering using one, though. When I breathe the water form my soggy hair gets in my face and I occasionally get a mouthful. There's no sexy way to put on a swim cap.

 

[McTortle]

I usually put mine on right after the shower so I show up poolside already zippy and ready to go. . .

 

[Mustang Sally]

Sister, I'm new around here so don't know how long your lovely locks might be:<br><br>
Here's how I manage the cap: In the shower before I go in, I get my hair wet - saturated - with tap water. If you have long hair, get it into a pony tail and stick the wet pony on your head. Otherwise, just get the shower to push your hair where you want it. Then:<br><br>
Take the cap, inside out, and fill it with water. Place the inside-out, full, cap on the crown of your head, and pull it gently down over the hair and ears. The weight of the water helps distribute the cap Just Right over your head and you don't have to tug on it.<br><br>
My silicon cap is a little snugger than my latex one, so I never never never wear earrings. First, they could snag the cap and break it, and second, they hurt.<br><br>
When I'm done with it, I just pat it dry on both sides and put it back in my bag.

 

[runinbehind]

MS, I'm so glad you responded to this...thanks for the advice. I've recently been using a silicone cap, but never sure about the right way to don it <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">. The pool I use has a <i>lot</i> of chlorine and my hair, though short, is a tangled mess when I get out.

 

[theia]

This makes me smile.<br><br>
I tried Mustang Sally's trick tonight. It worked!

 

[roots]

I wear a bright colored one, when in the lake, for safety purposes to avoid being hit by motorboats or jet-skis.

 

[hahaoya]

What a nifty trick. I'm going to try this today. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[fox-runr]

ha! that's the professional way. I broke my cap and while the group was sitting getting instructions I asked if someone had an extra. More than one person said "did you try putting it on without water". My newbieness showed <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad10.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="sad10">

 

[wipaddler]

another good tip for putting on the cap is I always ALWAYS wet my hair first and then put some conditioner in it. It makes taking the cap off less painful and it coats the hair so that the chlorine smell is less noticeable. This was a tip from one of my coaches when I was 10 or so and I have been doing it ever since.

 

[Auntie Moe]

Except for races, I always wear a nylon/lycra one. Much easier on the hair. But then, I have short hair, so I rinse it, put it on and then wash my hair when I get out. I get it cut so often, i don't get a lot of chlorine damage even when i'm swimming alot.

 

[CactusTri]

I've tried, and have gotten used to it when swimming in the lake for safety reasons. I haven't gotten comfortable with it on, and I don't have a lot of hair to deal with. I tried a few times at the pool, but the hassle isn't worth it there (when no motorboats to run me over <grin><img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">. I have gotten comfortable enough that when I need to wear one on race days, it doesn't bother me enough to impact my race.