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!

runningbanana.com – custom quotes & inspiration on technical running shirts you can actually RUN in

passion for running category: running,running apparel,running gear,running gifts,running shirts on Thursday, June 8 2006

What is runningbanana and why are they so special? RunningBanana makes custom running shirts. Before you jump to conclusions, I’d like to tell you that they are not a cafepress ripoff – they are better. Specifically, they are better for runners.

The reason they are better for runners is that they’ll put custom graphics on technical running shirts. Yes, shirts that are cool. Running shirts that wick sweat away from your skin. Running Shirts you can run in. Running Shirts you can race in. And guess what else? They have gift certificates!

How great is that?

I know you’ll support runningbanana’s great product and I’m hoping you’ll support completerunning by buying the designs we’ve set up with them! Our designs are mixed in with some of runningbanana’s inspirational graphics so check the link often because more of our designs are in the process of being added!

Oh! And in case you didn’t know, these same designs can also be found at our cafepress store. The shirts at cafepress are not designed for running, but they are really cool – if I don’t say so myself. ;) So, now you can have a running shirt and a hangin’ around in shirt with a completerunning design on it.

One last thing: At runningbanana, you can even upload your own graphics to be placed on a shirt. It doesn’t get better than that. Does it?
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June 22 edit: I forgot to mention that throughth3wall has some great triathlon shirts too!



a manly man’s review of his pink running skirt

passion for running category: running,running apparel,running gear,running skirt challenge on Tuesday, May 9 2006

That title has all kinds of problems. However…

Ok. Let’s get the first question all you ladies have out of the way: Yes. Dagnabbit, the running skirt was extremely comfortable. In fact, it’s the most comfortable thing I’ve ever worn while running. No kidding.

Specifically, the reasons it was comfortable were:

1-Nothing rubbing between my legs. I could easily imagine doing a 20 miler like that sans chafing. I know that for some women, that still wouldn’t solve the chafing problem but I imagine just as many would be in heaven.
2-Perfectly fitting, comfortable waistband. The skirt hung on my skinny male hips very comfortably. Of course, the place it sat was right below my love handles so seeing the pics and video has sent me to a body image specialist. You women will likely not have that problem so ignore what I just said.
3-Cool. I was in the skirt for a good hour and a half and it sure was cool down there while doing the running around. Perhaps that would add to the non-chafiness of the skirt? I’m not sure but I sure did like the cool running.

I did experience one area of discomfort. Oddly, my explanation will only make women more happy about the skirt. My boys were held in place pretty tightly by the built in high-quality mesh-like moisture-wicking panty. Really tightly. My butt felt good. My boys did not. When I first put the thing on, I imagined the lifting effect to not be unlike the effect a push-up bra has on women’s upper…endowments.

Sadly, in a pink skirt, this is not the effect a fella should be after (no, I haven’t forgotten a fella shouldn’t even be in a pink skirt). Based on all the comments I received referencing my “cajones” and the “package poking” that was going on, I was correct. So pronounced was this effect that the following conversation took place between myself and my wife during the first skirt fitting:

Lori: Oh my god. You have to do something with that.
Mark: What do you mean – do something?
Lori: You have to hide it somehow.
Mark: And how am I supposed to do that?
Lori: I don’t know. Strap it down with something?
Mark: I am NOT going to strap it down.
Lori: Well, you will look ridiculous if you don’t.
Mark: And I’ll look less ridiculous strapping it down? You want me to try to hide it in this pink skirt?
Lori: Good point.

Point: If you saw my little video, you were witness to alot of jumping, spread-eagle shenanigans. I put that skirt through it’s paces and nothing came out of place. Nothing. Everything was secure, well covered and comfortable. I imagine the absense of certain gear under your skirt will make you feel even more secure and comfortable than I was.

So, where does this take me? It takes me back to the beginning – I (still) wholeheartely endorse running skirts. For women that is. And this time, I can do it with a some perspective!

Oh, and fellas: If you are so inclined, by all means knock yourself out. But, maybe get a black skirt – pink is just…too much ;) . Better yet, get a kilt. I hear women love those on men.

Thus endeth my review of the runningskirts.com running skirt. What are you waiting for? Go buy one!
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Bra Review:

Ladies, you have my utmost respect. I love the way bras look on women but those things are dang uncomfortable. Don’t get me wrong – I’m sure the one I got from runningskirts.com wasn’t any worse than any other bra, but an hour and a half in that and I was ready to crawl right out of my skin!

Maybe if I went for a fitting… ;)



down another pound+30 fivefinger minutes

passion for running category: running,running apparel,running gear on Tuesday, April 25 2006

I dropped another pound and am down to 174. That makes four pounds in four weeks which seems a little excessive to me. What do you think? I have been doing a lot of running lately but, still.
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In other news, I’m continuing to test the vibram fivefingers shoes. Today was another 30 minute jaunt into the river valley – same as last time with 15 minutes on pavement and 15 on the dirt, gravel and wood chip trails. I had a blast on those trails!

I took it pretty easy today (had to after yesterday’s long run) and focused on relaxed form. The vibrams performed exceptionally well, and the bonus is that the blisters I got in them last week did not return on today’s run.

Today’s run solidifies my positive review of the shoe but – be warned because this is not a shoe you can just jump in to – you have to begin slowly with short durations of walking or running.

fivefingers.jpg



running underwear

passion for running category: running,running apparel on Friday, April 21 2006

Flash has a good post on what to wear under your running shorts (or skirt!). It’s good, basic information most suited for new runners but a warning – be careful viewing the last picture in the post. It’s sort of r-rated.



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