Running in skirts
Running skirts provoke a violent reaction in me.
I know from previous comments that some of you readers find them comfortable and practical. My reaction is more along the lines of . . . ummm . . . wtf?
Now there are probably several good arguments in favour of running skirts. I'm first to admit that running shorts are not the best friend of anyone over a size ten. I run in a rather nasty combination of bike shorts with another pair of shorts over the top. It’s not flattering, but it’s more flattering than the Lycra shorts alone.
However, I cannot bring myself to run in a skirt, particularly after perusing this site. I read with fascinated horror.
And not only can you kit yourself out in a polka-dot or camouflage design skirt before running, you can even purchase the same for your daughters.
I quote: "These little running skirts are perfect for mother daughter races and fun runs, mommy and me fitness classes, or just another day at the park or playground."
Because shorts are not perfect for those often-occurring mother-daughter fun-runs. There's nothing like mother-daughter pairs wearing matching outfits, right? Surely it could only be cute.
There are a couple of practical reasons for my aversion to these skirts. To start with, I know the cut of the oen the right would look dreadful on me. More to the point, the under "briefs" or even the "athletic" shorts covered by these lovely little skirts would be too short for me. I like my bike shorts long so they don't ride up my thighs and give me god-awful chafing.
But mainly, it’s just because I would feel ridiculous in a running skirt. I respect the right of other women – or hey, even men – to wear said skirts when pounding the pavement, but I cannot countenance joining you.
Aside from my practical objections, I’m not sure what’s at the root of my issue of running in a skirt. Could it be that it feels too girly? Well, yes, but I am a girl and despite a distaste for floral prints, I still manage to dress like one.
Too wussy? Perhaps, but surely it doesn’t matter if you look like one as long as you run a good race. Reminds me of a guy I encountered running in board shorts and a massive T-shirt, who had spent at least four hours running just for something to do that day.
Maybe my skirt aversion is to do with the notion that running is above material concerns such as how ugly I might look. Because if I let it worry me, never mind donning a skirt, I might stop running altogether. Not so much because of my outfit but because of the fire-engine red face, sweaty hair and the awful, awful photos from every running event I've ever done. But I favour the old Nike slogan - Run yourself ugly.
What do you think about running skirts? Or have you spotted some particularly unusual running outfits?
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Running skirts could surely only work for those whose thighs don't rub together... I wish they didn't, but not matter how slim or fit I am they still do.
Its the 'maternity' running skirts on that site that really freak me out Ann! I think the only pregnant woman I have ever seen in a mini skirt would be Jordan...enough said. As for the mother daughter ones.....*shudders*
I would like to try one in a non-pregnant state - if i could find one that fitted and was comfy I would give it a go but I somehow feel the same aversion as you do...is it that running skirts are the swimming equivalent of those girls who come to the pool in their string bikinis (not sporty bikinis, i have no problem with them) to do lengths? I think maybe the running skirt/bikini says "look at me" rather than "i am a serioius sportswoman"? That you care about looks more than performance?
My favourite running shorts are a bike shorts style. They probably do make my bum look big but I don't particuarly care, they are by far my most comfortable running shorts, so i guess I probably go for comfort over looking good. Is that wrong? And have the string bikini/running in skirts brigade got it right? So many questions!
Eeee, definitely not my thing. I think you need concave thighs to wear a running skirt. It does seem kind of wrong somehow.
Ann, you have written several times about the lycra bike pants with running shorts over the top combo. Have you ever tried on a pair of Nike knee length running shorts?
http://www.teamplatinum.co.nz/products/WOMPERFAPPL.html
Personally, I don't like giving brands a plug, but they really are very comfortable and quite flattering for those of us with normal thighs. They sit firm and quite high in the waist, so no slipping down mid-run. I have two pairs, each of which has gone through the wash 3 times a week for the last 9 months - they both still look brand new.
I remember coming down Wainui hill a couple of years ago to be passed by a woman in a sports bra (no top..) and teeny tiny shorts with her long curly hair loose and flowing (sounds like a bad ad no?). She jogged perkily past me whilst I and every other person on the hill at that time truged past her looking like eskimos we were so rugged up - but then it was 5.30am on a winters morn.... I did wonder if she was someone who just severly over heated but as I am one of those and was wearing at least 2-3 more layers than her.. well it was her choice and certainly got her lots of attention (and probably shocked the heck out of the nearly asleep people driving over the hill). Was entertaining.
Running skirts are an abomination. That is all.
Give me my bike shorts any day while out running - minus the skirt though. I'd be more inclined to wear something like that skirt to the gym during a weights session. It would be different, yet functional. As long as it didn't make my backside look fat or hips look wide.
I find it a real struggle getting good run gear. Most of the shorts that Nike or Adidas do for running are too short, leading to between thigh chafe. In summer I find the longer ones too hot. Then there's the problem of underarm chafing, so I can't wear any of the singlet running tops. Frustrating!
I run in a skirt most of the time, and like Kate find them really comfortable and practical. I prefer to do my long runs in a skirt and did the Abel Tasman in one last year, and it was great. Getting food out of the roomy pockets was much easier than fossicking in my backpack, despite the so-called 'chipmunk hips' that happen when you've pack the pockets with Gu and museli bars! Luckily that's one aspect of my running attire that looks better as an event goes on! My skirts are about the same length as my bog-standard Orca shorts, so the actual length isn't much different, but it took me a while to get used to wearing a skirt above my knees: I haven't worn a mini since I was a toddler! I had to make a bit of a mental adjustment from "Oooo that's a miniskirt!" to realising that I wouldn't wear shorts as short and lightweight as my running shorts in civilian life, either. The skirt's just another bit of running gear now. Anne I am sooooo with you on the camo and polka dot designs and mother daughter matchie-matchies. I wouldn't go there or take my daughters there in shorts and there's no way we'll go there in skirts! Mine are respectful Wellington black and one grey with a hint of red for those days when I'm feeling adventurous :)
I'd never heard of running skirts before, and when i saw a girl on a bike in a skirt on Taupo all i could think about was chafe, but i see now on the website they have longer skirts for cycling!! Mmmmm, i think I'll stick with my shorts - but has anyone actually ridden a bike any distance in a skirt?
Just a blokes two cents here. While I would never wear one, running skirts are hot.
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I love my running skirt! It's comfortable and cute. I'm a big size 10, but I find the shorts comfy enough- and at least when they ride up it doesn't show!
I'm totally not one to dress up for exercise, and I will go comfort over cuteness every time, but I do love the feeling of putting on a new training or racing outfit that makes me feel fit, fast and awesome, and the skirt does all that for me and then some. Wearing a fun running skirt is no different to wearing a neat coloured visor, or a pink tri-suit, or choosing the lime green bike over the boring black one, and as they take off, I think they'll stop being a symbol of vanity, and just become another option in people's training and racing wardrobes.