I remember glancing through an article in Runner’s World a couple of months ago.  It wasn’t an article that I actually took the time to read.  I think it was titled “Fastinista.”  Get it…  like fashionista, but fast?  Anyway, it talked about the new fashion trends in running.  It discussed women wearing “sassy and stylish athletic wear” to set personal records while gaining attention.  One of the new trends is the running skirt.  When I see them I can only picture Serena Williams out on the tennis court.

Let me just say that when I am out running on the street I do not want to gain attention.  For one thing, people tend to criticize my running form.  On top of that, I don’t want people looking at any of my jiggling parts.  Then, there is the concern of the tangled hair that looks like a home for a bird.  If I wanted people to look at me then I would wear a big sign on my back that says “Look at me, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

Fortunately for me, I don’t have to worry about finding a date or a soul mate.  I have my man.  I can kind of see how some women may dress up all “sassy and stylish” to lure in an athletic fellow with ripped abs and a nice butt.  Yet, isn’t that what the gym is for?  Most of those runner dudes out on the street are a bit on the skinny side and tend to be shorter in stature (well, I do feel pretty tall when I am waiting at the starting line of a race). I can see how single women at the gym might need those tight yoga pants and strappy tanks and tend to actually add more makeup before they arrive at the gym.   And I suppose the cougars are just looking for some young love.  Sure, I don’t want to look like I buy my gym clothes at a second hand store (wearing someone else’s nasty sweat just doesn’t appeal to me), but I don’t go out of my way to “dress up” when I go out for a run or hit up a class at the gym.

However, for some reason I still don’t understand, the other day I walked into Target and glanced through the clearance rack only to come across a running skirt for $8.   Wow, that’s a steal!  I should just try that on.  Why not?  So, I picked up the skirt and walked into the changing room.  I put it on and looked at myself in the mirror and thought that it looked rather cute.  Then I realized something.  I was trying on athletic wear and calling it “cute.”  It was actually something I thought I should wear for a day out on the town, not while running through town.  I started running in place and wondered how I could tolerate the swishing on my legs. Practicality took over at that point and I placed the skirt back on the rack.  That was silly.

But do not make fun of me if you see me wearing a running skirt someday.  It just might happen…