A Passion for Running

Welcome to the home of Mark aka The Running Blogfather – a 40 year-old dad, husband and marathon runner who's beaten injury and is on the comeback trail!

can we have a serious, heart-to-heart talk?

passion for running category: running on Monday, April 24 2006

Hi everyone. This is a hard post to write.

I’m feeling a bit…sad about the way this whole challenge thing has gone over with some people so I think it’s time to clear the air.

This running skirt thing was never meant to offend anyone. Nor was it meant to somehow challenge the strength, power or running prowess of women. It was not some dastardly plan designed to make you more girly, thereby somehow taking something else away from you.

Over the past while, I’ve been surprised to see some people summarily dismiss the notion of running skirts – sometimes with a dose of belittling toward women who might happen to like them – the implication seeming to be that running skirts have no practical value and that wearing them would only serve to denigrate women.

The information I have read (subsequently supported by some commenters and now by Susan) is that running skirts do have practical use and that they could be a good thing for some women. That’s why I started that first post – to, in a humorous way, bring what might be a good product, to light.

And I wondered why so much was being made of it all – even as I realized the reaction was probably my fault for framing the discussion in the faux-sexist way I had. I had expected people to know I was being tongue-in-cheek. Many of you did. Some of you did not.

For that, I apologize.

But, even as I’m apologizing, I’m not going to back down because my intention all along was to try and do something good – I really wanted to help Cindy and Christy get the word out about their product plus tying everything in with charity was, in my mind, an outstanding opportunity.

Finally, I always wanted this to be fun so in that vein, I leave you with this…

I tried on my skirt. It felt nice. Mostly, I liked having no fabric between my legs and could see how it would save me the chafing I can only avoid when I wear lycra shorts. That said, I have to admit, the skirt felt nicer. It made me think that if kilts were big here in Canada, I’d be wearing them on long runs – maybe just not a pink one.

So there. :)




16 Comments

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Comment by Jon in Michigan

Monday April 24, 2006 @

It felt good huh? Oh, Mark. This is not a good sign. What if you like it so much, you don’t want to take it off? What will the guys say at work? They should atleast send you a skirt in cammo colors.

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Comment by 21stCenturyMom

Monday April 24, 2006 @

As someone who initially took the holier-than-thou-you-naughty-sexist road I’d just like to say I now think I was wrong. Those skirts seem quite practical (if slightly unaffordable) and not sexist at all. The runningskirts women are kind enough to focus on the athletic utility and fun factor as opposed to some other group that claims they ‘bring out your hoochie mama’ which makes me gag.

Anyhow, I think your charity challenge is awesome and I hope people get over whatever it is that has their under the skirt panties in a twist and cough up some money or some time for a good cause. Pics of you running in a skirt is nice bonus.

Thanks for being such a great sport, Mark.

ps – your kid is adorable.

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Comment by Susan

Monday April 24, 2006 @

Oh Jon – someone needs to send you a skirt!

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Comment by jeanne

Monday April 24, 2006 @

Oh dear, i’m sorry if it’s come to this! I hope I didn’t contribute to any distress … i’ve read runnersusan’s review, PLUS, have seen Bex run in one, and both looked awesome! Plus, more importantly, both loved running in them (Bex will be posting her review soon!) I think maybe some of us just had a gut response to the notion of taking a step backwards …-but clearly this is not the case … mostly I was just joshing you! I hope that came across, if not, I too apologize. I don’t know if running skirts are for me or not, but I say: to EACH HER OWN. No judgments. (or HIS own, in your case :) )

In any case, YAY you for not backing down. This IS fun, and so worthwhile. You rock, Mark. You ARE doing good, while doing well, too.

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Comment by Susan

Monday April 24, 2006 @

Just testing to see if my gravytar is working

10310

Comment by Susan

Monday April 24, 2006 @

and it’s not

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Comment by Deene

Monday April 24, 2006 @

i applaud you for taking the high road and sticking with the challenge while maintaining the humor despite it all. there will always be plenty of personal opinions but that’s just what they are, i’ve seen plenty of girls this weekend with running skirts – there’s a company here that makes them as well.

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Comment by jkrunning

Monday April 24, 2006 @

Mark, I am so sorry that some people are being like that. It’s silly and in my opinion, well nevermind, I’ll just keep that opinion to myself. But I do think that you are doing a great thing and I’m glad to see that you are not letting a few nay-sayers get you down.
The skirt ladies are getting a lot of exposure, which is good for them. I am now considering buying a skirt from them instead of the one I was going to get, so good for you and them on that.

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Comment by Dawn (aka Pink Lady)

Monday April 24, 2006 @

Ditto what JKRunning said. I love the idea of the skirt. I just wish it came in my size. *sigh*.

I also love that you are helping to promote a product and charities with your skirt challenge.

Let’s look at this from a different point of view. You simply stated you would like to see more women running in skirts. I see nothing wrong with that comment at all. After all I’d rather see more men running in spandex than baggy shorts. :-)

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Comment by 21stCenturyMom

Monday April 24, 2006 @

Oh my gosh! Cindy & Christy are playing, too! That is so awesome! Mark you need to include the text of their comment under that lovely picture of you in the skirt so everyone knows!

signed,
Your bossy 21stCenturyMom :-)

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Comment by LouBob

Monday April 24, 2006 @

Pffftt! People! If they haven’t seen the humour in all this that’s what’s sad.

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Comment by beverly

Monday April 24, 2006 @

I don’t know how anyone could not see the humour and the good in this??

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Comment by Pamalamadingdong

Tuesday April 25, 2006 @

no preliminary photos?
TEASE!

(as IF people were pissy…come on! gah! mind you I pissed off a whole bunch of people with a broke back mountain post at Zoots)

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Comment by a.maria

Tuesday April 25, 2006 @

aaaah well. some people just don’t live the funny as easily as others!

i’ll be making my donation here soon.. and with susan’s great reviews, i might even buy one of those suckers for myself!

way to be mark, keeping this challenge going. you WORK that skirt boy! you WORK it!! ;)
(and may i suggest… bootilicious. by Destiny’s Child. i’m thinkin’ the skirt and the song just really go hand in hand!)

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Comment by bex

Wednesday April 26, 2006 @

Good for you not backing down. As for some of the folks who don’t approve of running skirts – I wonder why they reacted so strongly. Methinks those women doth protest too much. I laughed to myself when I saw how they were belittling those of us who like running skirts. I think you hit a nerve with those women, Mark ….

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Comment by Jen from RunningMania.com

Thursday April 27, 2006 @

Given that I own two running skirts, I’m obviously in favour of them. They’re comfortable, flattering (I’m not skinny and they hide quite a few flaws) and practical (don’t ride up.)

Sorry to hear some people didn’t get the humour at first. Good for you for sticking to your plan!

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