The Escape Running Story
When I started running in Jan 2022, it was mainly to get fit. I wanted to lose a bit of weight and have more energy for my two little boys. Very quickly, though, I felt the mental benefits too. Running became an escape from everyday stress - a bit of time for me to focus on myself and forget about everything else. It transformed from something I forced myself to do because I felt like I should - to something I wanted, almost needed, to do regularly.
In 2023 I joined Northwich Running Club and was inspired by the inspirational runners there and their stories. In 2024, I enlisted James at MYALL Coaching to help me train smarter and get faster. Running can be a slippery slope but I was loving the ride! Now I was running more, further, and faster... but I ran into a problem: my shorts.
In October 2024, I was in the shower after a long run when I realised I’d rubbed through another pair of shorts. It was the fourth pair I’d gone through that year and I was sore - and a little annoyed. I really didn’t want to have to take any time out of my training to recover from chafing. I’d bought what I had thought would be decent kit and I felt let down.
I’ve been a software developer (or consultant) for years, most of which is essentially creative problem-solving, so I got to thinking about what other problems I had with my running shorts and how I’d fix them:
First, the chafing had to stop. The shorts I’d been wearing had seams on the inner shorts that faced one another. When I run at an easy pace, I think I get a bit lazy form-wise and run quite narrowly so those seams rub together and after a while disintegrate. Then those broken seams chafe my poor inner thighs. The solution here was simple - move the seams.
The other problem I realised I had with my shorts was storage - and this was a bit trickier. None of the pairs I’d tried had anywhere I was happy carrying my phone. Some of them had slip pockets on inner shorts but I felt lop-sided tucking it one of those and found it bounced around or wasn’t secure in any other pockets. Same with my keys. I’d bought a couple of running belts not long after starting running and resigned myself to using them for every run - but this wasn’t the perfect solution. They move over the course of a run, can feel a bit heavy on your stomach, and if you pull your phone out during a run (photos are almost mandatory at my running club!) then I found it never sits quite right again after. I also have a vest harness which is great for carrying water or mandatory race kit (collapsible cup anyone?) but overkill for the vast majority of runs.
I thought about where my phone felt best, the small of my back, and how to keep it there. I’d bought a pair of shorts that had a pocket there, but my phone flapped about even walking so this wouldn’t do. Nobody wants to be slapped on the backside every step - that’s not my cup of tea anyway! No judgement here… Incorporating a pocket high in the shorts felt achievable though, a chunkier waistband would hold it still and whilst this might add a little weight, probably still less (and more comfy) than wearing a running belt on top. A little zip pocket inside one of the ‘main’ side pockets would hold my keys - and if this pocket was shallow they wouldn’t jangle about - and slip pockets would do fine for gels on longer runs or in races. Sorted.
Shower over, and somehow I’d talked myself into giving this a go. I’m not sure whether it was madness, arrogance, or desperation… likely a mix of the three... but I set out to make my ideal pair of running shorts.
I spent the next few months working how to go about making the dream a reality - how to convert the ideas in my head into designs, then how to take those designs to an actual product.
By early 2025 I had several prototypes, some of which showed real promise. I'd also developed a couple of women's options too, and matching running tops.
After a few iterations, I had a pair of shorts I liked so much that I decided to run my first marathon in them. It was a big test but they passed it with flying colours... they were brilliant. My phone was comfortable throughout, the slip pockets held half a dozen gels easily, and I didn't chafe at all - even after three and a half hours. With the concept thoroughly proven, I committed to bringing my idea to market - to try to solve the same problems for any other runners who suffer from them.
As I write this, about 48 hours ahead of preorders opening, I feel a lot like I do before a race. I'm excited, nervous, and I have no idea what's about to happen... but I can't wait to get started.
If I can improve the experience of running for even one other runner out there then all of this was worth it.
I really hope you like these products as much as I do - and I'd love to hear from you, either way.
Simon
