A Running First
Today I had a first. I went running without a shirt, twice. About two miles into my morning run, wearing an obnoxiously neon outfit, I wanted to take off my pink shirt not only because it was already warm out, but because my outfit was just a bit too loud for 6:30 am.
In the past, I refused to take off my top on no matter how hot it got because I felt that a) I didn't want the world to see my jiggle and judge me for it and b) I didn't want anyone (i.e. creepsters) to actually like what they saw.
I always said it was my dream to have flat enough abs to run in just a sports bra and shorts.
Well you know what? I'm in probably the best shape of my life and my body is still not perfect.
I workout a lot and eat my share of fruits and veggies, but I also eat cheese and dessert a few times a week. I have jiggles and bumps and let's face it, I have a child size torso and long legs so any ounce of fat likes to hang around my mid region.
The point is, when I stopped letting that belief I needed to be perfect hold me back, I felt really free. The second half of my morning run felt awesome. Sure, folks headed to work got an eye full of my neon, pasty white self and new blue Brooks Pure Cadence shoes. Hello, love...
But if they didn't like it, who cares?
When I see other women running without tanks/tees with less than "perfect" bodies, I think "good for them." So why not good for me?
At lunch, I went on another short run because I had plans to listen to music outside with friends tonight. By 12:30 it was already 80 here so what do you know, I took my shirt off again and ran to my heart's content.
Yep, I still feel self conscious and vulnerable sharing my body with the world, but I also feel a bit liberated. I can't say I'd take my shirt off during a group run, but there's something about a solitude run - it belongs to you and you only. You can't let anyone take that away from you.
What's your stance on the shirt/no shirt running debate? This body confidence thing has definitely been a work in progress - baby steps.
In the past, I refused to take off my top on no matter how hot it got because I felt that a) I didn't want the world to see my jiggle and judge me for it and b) I didn't want anyone (i.e. creepsters) to actually like what they saw.
I always said it was my dream to have flat enough abs to run in just a sports bra and shorts.
Well you know what? I'm in probably the best shape of my life and my body is still not perfect.
I workout a lot and eat my share of fruits and veggies, but I also eat cheese and dessert a few times a week. I have jiggles and bumps and let's face it, I have a child size torso and long legs so any ounce of fat likes to hang around my mid region.
The point is, when I stopped letting that belief I needed to be perfect hold me back, I felt really free. The second half of my morning run felt awesome. Sure, folks headed to work got an eye full of my neon, pasty white self and new blue Brooks Pure Cadence shoes. Hello, love...
But if they didn't like it, who cares?
When I see other women running without tanks/tees with less than "perfect" bodies, I think "good for them." So why not good for me?
At lunch, I went on another short run because I had plans to listen to music outside with friends tonight. By 12:30 it was already 80 here so what do you know, I took my shirt off again and ran to my heart's content.
Yep, I still feel self conscious and vulnerable sharing my body with the world, but I also feel a bit liberated. I can't say I'd take my shirt off during a group run, but there's something about a solitude run - it belongs to you and you only. You can't let anyone take that away from you.
Sign on the back of the Hayward Field grandstands - still hanging even though all the other remnants of #Tracktown12 have been packed up and shipped out.
What's your stance on the shirt/no shirt running debate? This body confidence thing has definitely been a work in progress - baby steps.
Comments
2. I had all the same hang-ups about doing this and finally said eff it and now, while I don't make a regular habit of it and certainly would never run a race sans top, I def don't let those hang-ups stop me on a regular run if it's a bazillion degrees out.
BE FREE!!! :)
Love the new shoes!
I’m the same way, I always wear a shirt. BUT, I have been trying to mentally prepare myself to accept taking my shirt off during my race this weekend. I think I’m going to be so hot and tired by the time I’m running.