Grow up, Miss Shorty Pants!

Seriously, I've heard enough controversy about running skirts. What is the problem with them?

Prior to this spring, I had never worn one but not because I was judgemental about them or the women who wear them, only because I just hadn't been introduced to them yet. I found one on a clearance rack and thought I'd try it on. In the fitting room, it felt comfortable and looked decent, so I thought I'd give it a try on my next training run, knowing that even though it felt okay in the fitting room, it may not suit me on the road.

Well, it DID suit me and it felt GREAT! No more worrying about my shorts riding up and exposing too much thigh! No more noisy fabrics rubbing together! It was great. Eventually, I ended up buying a few more and I haven't run in shorts since. Not that I won't at some point, but honestly, I don't see the point when I have a piece of clothing that does everything I want it to.

My current fave, the C9:





I remember the first race to which I actually wore a skirt, and I felt like everyone was looking at me because of all of the "skirt" controversy. "REAL RUNNERS DON'T WEAR SKIRTS!" That has got to be one of the most ignorant statements and a testament to the confidence level of the woman who actually thinks that. I'm a real runner and I do wear a skirt. I don't wear it because it makes me look cute. I wear it for comfort. I wear it because pre- and post-run I can get on the ground and do my stretches and spread my legs and not have anyone catching a glimpse of my private parts! I wear it because it makes me feel good and contrary to what an e-mailer said in the comments section of October's Runners World issue, if I am comfortable working out (whether in a skirt, or shorts), I CAN push my body. She's plain wrong and I find it interesting that I haven't heard ANY men say anything negative about the skirts...just some women. That speaks volumes.

To all of you women who have a problem with running skirts, mind your own damn business. It's not that serious! We feel good in them and that will help our training. That should be what matters to you, as we should be focusing on supporting each other, not belittling each other based on apparel choices. You don't hear the skirt wearers demeaning YOU, do you? Maybe it's because we feel so much better and LOOK good doing it.