Working the "Run"way

As I'm gearing up for this marathon on May 1st (just 7.5 weeks away!), I've been thinking a lot about running lately. Duh. 


When I was folding laundry a few days ago, I started to chuckle at the amount of running clothes that I possess. So I thought, "Hey, maybe it'd be neat to do a post or two about running clothes..."


Now, don't get all excited, this will not become a fashion blog. At all. Not because I don't like fashion blogs. (This one's one of my favs!) 


But, it's hard to give fashion advice when you are the one who should be receiving it. Don't get me wrong, I can dress cute if I want to. I even got my first pair of skinny jeans last September. (I didn't work up the courage to wear them until about December, but that's a whole different story. Now, I love 'em!)


But, most of the time I'm just not motivated to dress well. I don't know if it's because I "dress up" every day for work, or I'm just lazy, but I'd rather lounge around in yoga pants and an old sweatshirt all day. (Now don't assume because I wear yoga pants that I am an active participant in the sport. I've only tried it about once and quit due to the fact that my abs were screaming at me. But I've heard it is good for runners. Maybe I'll attempt it again someday.)


Anyways, today I decided to focus on my favorite part of my running wardrobe: the SHORTS! Over the years, my choice in running shorts has come a long way.


When I started running when in high school, I wore a lot of these:

Imagine "CHEER" plastered across the tushie... cute, right?

I was also a cheerleader for two years in high school, and practically lived in these shorts. We had probably a half dozen matching pairs across our squad. With "CHEER" written on the butt, I thought I was hot stuff.


So, naturally, when I started running, I ran in the shorts I already had. Which just happened to be cotton, elastic-waisted Soffe shorts. 


Now, I don't know about you, but in my opinion, cotton is awful for running. (At least for your bottom half.) It chafes, you get "chub rub", and come home with big red sores all over your thighs. (At least for me.) And, these shorts rode up like crazy! They'd end up around my belly button on every run. And I ran in them ALL THE TIME! For two years! Nutso.


Finally, when I went to college, I was introduced to "real" running shorts. It seemed like every girl on the team had a pair of black Nike tempo shorts. So naturally, wanting to fit in, I went out and bought some the first chance I could get. And then I discovered the joy that is the Nike tempo. And I've never looked back.

They are just the best shorts in the world. Here's why:

• They're made of a Dri-FIT material that wicks away sweat and keeps you dry, no matter how sweaty you get. 
• They have a liner on the inside so they don't ride up around your belly button. (Or if you like to run commando... not that I've ever done that...)
• They have a teeny tiny pocket on the inside of the front. Perfect size for a key, an iPod, money, even a hotel room key.
• They're soooooo comfy!

I pretty much live in these shorts all summer long. (Because professional clothes are so not necessary in the summer... when you're a teacher. :-P)

Here's my collection... one for every day of the week!

To complete the rainbow, I still need a yellow and a blue pair. If anybody's wondering... I wear a size small. :-)

Great for bike rides (and runs, of course)!

Also great for jumping pictures with friends. Btw, we made those tie-dye shirts. How awesome is that? Home-made tie-dye never turns out that good.

Now, Nike tempos are great for everyday running, but what do I wear when I race? Let's look back...

Getting ready to receive the hand-off at the annual 4xFUN relay. There was one meet each year where everyone would run a 4x400m. Including the throwers. It was always super-fun. Of course I got my butt whooped by my BFF (in pic) even though I had a 75m lead on her. My legs are just not good for short speedy distances.

Shorties! College running introduced me to the wonderful little spandex bun-huggers. Who knows if they actually make you any faster, but they make you feel faster. Positive thinking, people. I may have just accidentally "inherited" a pair when I graduated. Should I break 'em out for the marathon??


Happy running to all! I've got 16 on the agenda for tomorrow, with some of the miles at "goal marathon pace"... guess I better go figure out what my "goal pace" is. Ha!