Girls track team turns to skirts to improve results
The article makes total sense to me. If the skirts are being used to help the girls feel more modest, and hence more comfortable with themselves, I think that is fantastic. What I thought was horrible is that with adults around at a meet that boys were allowed to get away with the comments they made, but that's a whole other can of beans.
Anyway, after reading the article I thought hard about why I have such a distaste for the idea of a running skirt. Many women have told me how comfortable they are, they come in a myriad of colors and designs, and just how fun they are to wear.
Then it finally hit me why I don't want to wear a skirt when I'm running.
When I wear a skirt, I feel pretty and cute.
When I am running, I am neither pretty or cute.
On a run, I don't want to feel pressured to look pretty or cute.
The other day I was out on a run in 90+ degree heat with my Run Club. My buddy Ali and I were running with each other when I looked back, leaned over and spit. Within about 30 seconds, she did the same. Then, I blew my nose using the bottom of my sweaty running shirt. My running isn't pretty. It's filled with weird sounds - cracking and wheezing, lots of random bodily fluids, and it isn't very graceful to watch. I like the fact that it's okay, too - because I'm running.
It's okay for me to look like crap out on the road in my Kinvaras - to be covered in sweat and blowing snot rockets. I don't want to do it in a skirt! I run so I can wear short skirts when I don't look like crap - when I actually do feel pretty and cute.
In a way, I guess I have the opposite reaction to the skirts that the track team in the story had. I feel that a skirt puts me on display in an environment where I would really just rather do my thing. At my age, unless you are a pro, you're probably not wearing the "bun hugger" running shorts described in the track story anyway. The skirt isn't worn for modesty - in fact, I would feel much more self conscious in a short skirt running than I would in my trusty umbros.
I read a story posted on another blog (which I was trying to locate, but can't seem to find now!) that made a comment about "running skirts being flattering to all body types." Really? You been to a race recently? (Sorry, here's where the catty in me comes out.) I had the unfortunate experience of running behind a young lady last year wearing a running skirt. Her body type was not meant for the skirt. Myself, and everyone behind her, had a full view of everything she was trying to cover up. The shorts stitched into the skirt were stretched to their absolute max, making them near translucent. The skirt rested on the top of her bum rather than covering it.
I felt horrible for her - did anyone in her life not have the guts to tell her that the skirt was anything but a horrible fashion choice? It wasn't flattering for her in any sense. Is this the way all ladies look in the skirts? Absolutely not - but it was not a flattering impression of skirt culture.
And I feel horrible for saying that. BUT, if she wasn't wearing a skirt, I never even would have noticed her running in front of me. SEE???
I would love to hear why you love running skirts. Or why you, like me, don't love them.
The skirt seems to be here to stay for a while - I see them more and more at each running race I do. In full disclosure - I've never even tried on a running skirt. Part of the reason is that I'm afraid I would like them.
Let the discussion begin - to skirt or not to skirt?
PS - If convinced enough, I may even go try one on :p
