Girly Girl Running

Okay, I've sneered at them in the past, but finally had to ask myself...why? In good conscience I can't condemn something absolutely until I've tried it. And that's why I shelled out $60 and bought a...running skirt.

I've struggled with running shorts for years. I can't stand anything tight around my waist, makes it too hard to breathe right. I can't stand a bunch of fabric flapping around my legs and the feeling of constriction some shorts have. The skirt solved all those issues. It is incredibly lightweight, cut low, has built in briefs, and really "sets free" these legz that run. Nice addition is a small pocket on the side with a velcro closure.

Well, I broke in the skirt on my final 20 mile training run prior to the Twin Cities Marathon in two weeks. It's weird enough to be heading out the door into a still black morning at 5:15 on a Sunday morning to go subject my poor, aging body to 20 miles of one foot in front of the other. To be doing so with an Ace compression wrap on my knee, a blinking red light around my ankle, a tie-dyed bandana on my head, iPod earphones on my head and yes...a skirt. For once, I was grateful for the darkness, not too sure I really wanted to be seen in this get up.

Surprisingly, I found this run enjoyable from the start. My little part of the planet has been shrouded in seemingly endless days of thick fog but this particular morning presented a backdrop of stars and a crescent moon. The skirt was light weight and I felt only the occasional touch of fabric brushing the tops of my quads. As the day brightened, about six miles into the run, I began seeing people. Some cruising by in cars would jerk their heads around in surprise...others appeared not to notice. Some were smiling broadly...most likely laughing at me :-). The skirt was a winner for 20 miles, a absolutely had a wiggle in my gait as I climbed the final hill towards home.

Bottom line? I'm hooked. Next comes the dress!!!