A Passion for Running

Another Mark has fallen victim to the pink running skirt! Mark is also doing this for charity (or so he says). Great job Mark!

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!
————-
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…

Okay, so if you’ve been paying attention, I posted pictures and a video of me in the running skirt outfit and due to enormous pressure (okay, it was three of you), I will post a review of the running skirt shortly.

Oh, and we’ll figure out what we’re going to do with my skirt and bra shortly!

Stay tuned.

Ummm…here it is as a Quicktime mov file (H.264 codec) and as an avi file (divx codec). They’re both pretty big downloads - 25 and 28 megabytes respectively, but the first file (the .mov file) is a bit smaller with better quality. May 8 edit: I have uploaded one more version of the video file - here is an mp4 videoclip.

They should work with the latest up to date version of Apple’s Quicktime Player and might work with Windows Media Player. If you can’t play them, do yourself a big favor and download the free VLC Media Player - one of the best things out there for playing virtually anything. If you have problems viewing or hearing, get in touch with me and I’ll see what I can do.

Everyone, I can’t thank you enough for your donations. You rock. Totally.

Oh, in case you’re new here, I don’t make a habbit of this kind of thing (honest!). Here’s the explanation. Please read it. PLEASE!

I haven’t done the tally yet but, at best, we made it to about 70 people making donations.

Let’s focus on the fact that we got 70ish donations! Yay for you!

So, in honour of everyone who donated, I will don the skirt tomorrow post a video sometime this weekend. It may take till Sunday evening because I’ll want to do some editing and add some music and stuff.

THANKS EVERYONE!

Well, with only hours to go we’re at about 68 donations for the running skirt challenge but don’t worry. All is not lost because there is a consolation prize in the case we don’t get to 100.

The deal is this: Even if I don’t race in the skirt, I will run around in it tomorrow and have Lori take video. Truthfully, I think this might turn out to be better anyway since it will be easier for Lori to take video of me hamming it up alone compared to trying to do it around a race crowd.

I’ve already got some really fun ideas for the video (which will be set to music) so that I can honour every penny you wonderful people donated to charitable causes.

So, “yes” I will run in the skirt and “yes” (for you Susan) I will put the bra on and “yes” I will even wear pink socks.

It’s going to be a lot of fun so stay tuned.

Thank you everyone!

P.S. I’ll do a final tally this evening.

To let me know about your donation and get on the next update, click here and leave a comment. Here’s the growing tally of people who’ve donated or who have committed to donating. Thanks so much everyone!

1) RunnerSusan to the Monticello and Flower Mound Animal Shelters
2) Nancy from Run Big is supporting four, count’em four charities including the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
3) Dawn aka the Pink Lady from Dawn on the Run is donating to the Breast Cancer Foundation
4) Jeanne from Not Born to Run to Lance Armstrong’s LiveStrong Foundation
5) FirstNations donated to WomenCare Shelter
6) jkrunning donated to the Marine Corps Association
7) After she gave me a hard time , 21stCenturyMom got on board with a donation to the Revlon Walk for Cancer
jcerunner from Spaniard Runner in the World is giving to a Church Association in Madrid
9) Jack donated to the Christian Children’s Fund
10) Rob of clatterbuck is giving to Believe in Tomorrow
11) Mia the Goddess is supporting Mike’s Team in Training effort
12) Lebeth from seemamarun to http://www.ashoka.org/
13) Jeanie Mackay - friend of Dawn and Karen’s donated to CARE International www.care.org
14) Elizabeth from Run With Me bought a rowdy dines shirt and contributed to both Bolder and Steven’s Livestrong fundraisers.
15) Karen from All Downhill from here will volunteer her time to a Calgary charity of my choice.
16) Linda http://completerunning.com/lopingloubob/ to Breast Cancer
17) Pam at Running Commentary
18) Susie at Finally Running bought rowdy dines in support of animal shelters and is also donating to Massey Cancer Institute
19 Karen http://ncmunchkin.blogspot.com/ to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
20 Beverly from One Step at a Time to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society
21) Russel is kicking in extra into his wife’s charity walk
22) Bella from Striving to Run Further is making a generous food bank donation
23) Ben from sillyoldbear
24) Elle from Runon is donating to her provincial SPCA and a local women’s shelter
25) Deene from Tenderfoot Diaries donated to this family going through a tragedy
26) Katy from ihatetoast i hate toast rowdy dines
27) Tammy from notry bought rowdy dines in support of animal shelters
28) Cindy & Christy from runningskirts.com donated to the Susan G. Coman Breast Cancer fund
29) Amy from the Masson Family Blog is donating to Tails a Waggin’
30) Jess is donating her time to Planned Parenthood. Donating your time is a-ok people!
31) Tortuluga from no jetpack is giving to food for lane county - they are involved with food banks and community gardens
32) Liam from Ramblings of an Irish Runaholic is donating to www.silentmasses.com
33) Britt from Running Stitch is looking for the right Cancer cause in her area.
34) Anne from Run DMZ is donating to Bare Essentials, a San Diego non-profit that raises money and donations for families after they leave a battered women’s shelter
35) Lara from Running in Place is sponsoring an animal for 3 months at the wonderful shelter where she got her cat
36) Louping LouBob donated to Russ’s wife’s charity walk and to Lethbridge Breast health through Runner’s Soul.
37) Mike from Love2Run Canada donated to the Cancer Society.
38) The Running Chick Dianna is donating to the Connecticut Lion’s Journey for Sight
39) Rob from RobRunner is in for an unspecified destination
40) Rebecca from Another Big Loser is donating to Avon Walk for Breast
Cancer
41) Jeff The Amazing Hip is in for an as yet unchosen donation destination
42) Bolder from Bolder in Boulder gave to Steven’s Triathlon Station LAF ride
43) Kate from Finally Past the Pudding Stage is supporting Rowdy Dines.
44) RunninMomma Michelle is donating to Vera Bradley’s Ribbon of Life for breast cancer.
45) Big Valley Strider Brendan is donating to a hospital fun in Virginia.
46) Little Miss Runner Pants a.maria is donating to Bolder from Boulder’s cause.
47) Simba’s Mom from Unpublished Opinion is donating to the International Rett Syndrome Association
48) April Anne from It’s a Beautiful Life is giving to Christian Summer Camp Scholarship program.
49) Annalisa from I am Running out of Lifetimes is giving to the U.S. Humane Society.
50) Jon, the chocolate runner himself is donating $25 to the American Cancer Society
51) runnergirl is donating to Team in Training through the Leukemia & Lymphomia Society
52) adkvincent is donating to Susan G. Komen foundation for Breast Cancer
53) Charlie donated to a local hospice and to Asthma U.K.
54) Warren from Salty War is donating to the Baby Button Educational Fund, in memory of Ian Button (http://nmsc.org/ for detail)
55) Stacy is donating to Relay for Life - American Cancer Society
56) Britt from Running Stitch donated to the March of dimes
57-60) Cindy from runningskirts.com tells me three donations were made on behalf of the women(?) buying their skirts

That looks like everyone but please let me know if I missed you. Oh, and Dawn says that multiple donations count as…multiple blogs. Was that the deal? I don’t think so?

Anyhoo, I was thinking I’d cut the tally off as of Friday at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time so please make sure you get your donation to me before then.

Thanks so much everyone!

I’ve had a swamped weekend so I was unable to do a tally of the challenge but I am pretty sure we’re at about 60. I’ll provide details later this evening.

Thanks everyone!

I will get an running skirt challenge update done tonight (and will respond to your terrific comments/emails) but, just so you know, it looks like we are probably up by about 8 donations and are at about 50 total donations so far.

Thanks everyone!

To let me know about your donation and get on the next update, click here and leave a comment. Here’s the growing tally of people who’ve donated or who have committed to donating. Thanks so much everyone!

1) RunnerSusan to the Monticello and Flower Mound Animal Shelters
2) Nancy from Run Big is supporting four, count’em four charities including the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
3) Dawn aka the Pink Lady from Dawn on the Run is donating to the Breast Cancer Foundation
4) Jeanne from Not Born to Run to Lance Armstrong’s LiveStrong Foundation
5) FirstNations donated to WomenCare Shelter
6) jkrunning donated to the Marine Corps Association
7) After she gave me a hard time , 21stCenturyMom got on board with a donation to the Revlon Walk for Cancer
jcerunner from Spaniard Runner in the World is giving to a Church Association in Madrid
9) Jack donated to the Christian Children’s Fund
10) Rob of clatterbuck is giving to Believe in Tomorrow
11) Mia the Goddess is supporting Mike’s Team in Training effort
12) Lebeth from seemamarun to http://www.ashoka.org/
13) Jeanie Mackay - friend of Dawn and Karen’s donated to CARE International www.care.org
14) Elizabeth from Run With Me bought a rowdy dines shirt and contributed to both Bolder and Steven’s Livestrong fundraisers.
15) Karen from All Downhill from here will volunteer her time to a Calgary charity of my choice.
16) Linda http://completerunning.com/lopingloubob/ to Breast Cancer
17) Pam at Running Commentary
18) Susie at Finally Running bought rowdy dines in support of animal shelters and is also donating to Massey Cancer Institute
19 Karen http://ncmunchkin.blogspot.com/ to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
20 Beverly from One Step at a Time to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society
21) Russel is kicking in extra into his wife’s charity walk
22) Bella from Striving to Run Further is making a generous food bank donation
23) Ben from sillyoldbear
24) Elle from Runon is donating to her provincial SPCA and a local women’s shelter
25) Deene from Tenderfoot Diaries donated to this family going through a tragedy
26) Katy from ihatetoast i hate toast rowdy dines
27) Tammy from notry bought rowdy dines in support of animal shelters
28) Cindy & Christy from runningskirts.com donated to the Susan G. Coman Breast Cancer fund
29) Amy from the Masson Family Blog is donating to Tails a Waggin’
30) Jess is donating her time to Planned Parenthood. Donating your time is a-ok people!
31) Tortuluga from no jetpack is giving to food for lane county - they are involved with food banks and community gardens
32) Liam from Ramblings of an Irish Runaholic is donating to www.silentmasses.com
33) Britt from Running Stitch is looking for the right Cancer cause in her area.
34) Anne from Run DMZ is donating to Bare Essentials, a San Diego non-profit that raises money and donations for families after they leave a battered women’s shelter
35) Lara from Running in Place is sponsoring an animal for 3 months at the wonderful shelter where she got her cat
36) Louping LouBob donated to Russ’s wife’s charity walk and to Lethbridge Breast health through Runner’s Soul.
37) Mike from Love2Run Canada donated to the Cancer Society.
38) The Running Chick Dianna is donating to the Connecticut Lion’s Journey for Sight
39) Rob from RobRunner is in for an unspecified destination
40) Rebecca from Another Big Loser is donating to Avon Walk for Breast
Cancer
41) Jeff The Amazing Hip is in for an as yet unchosen donation destination
42) Bolder from Bolder in Boulder gave to Steven’s Triathlon Station LAF ride
43) Kate from Finally Past the Pudding Stage is supporting Rowdy Dines.
44) RunninMomma Michelle is donating to Vera Bradley’s Ribbon of Life for breast cancer.
45) Big Valley Strider Brendan is donating to a hospital fun in Virginia.
46) Little Miss Runner Pants a.maria is donating to Bolder from Boulder’s cause.
47) Simba’s Mom from Unpublished Opinion is donating to the International Rett Syndrome Association
48) April Anne from It’s a Beautiful Life is giving to Christian Summer Camp Scholarship program.
49) Annalisa from I am Running out of Lifetimes is giving to the U.S. Humane Society.

Well, we are basically half way there. Did I miss any of you? Thanks everyone!