Saturday, July 2, 2011

Running Skirt... My New BFF

So, I finally caved in the other day and bought a running skirt.
I'd been contemplating getting one for awhile now. After reading multiple reviews y'all have posted (almost all of which RAVED about them), my interest was piqued.

When I was shopping at Old Navy, I came across a cute charcoal running skirt with bright pink stripes down the side. And it was on sale. I knew it was a sign that I had to get it and finally try out a running skirt for myself. Normally, I'm not a fan of wearing skirts or dresses- I'm a bigger girl and, well, my thighs touch. I mean, they touch even when I don't want them to, like, when I'm standing still. It's not flattering when walking and things shorts start to ride up because of one's thighs rubbing together and it's definitely a rough case of chaffing waiting to happen. I usually wear men's long compression shorts under my running shorts because it cuts down on the chaffing and if my running shorts ride up then I don't really care as much. These were some of my concerns as to why wearing a skirt to run in didn't seem like the best of ideas for yours truly. But, I opted to give the skirt a fair try and see if I liked it.

This afternoon my family and I were invited to a 4th of July picnic. The house was only about 2.5 miles from where I live, so I figured what better time to get in a run and test drive the new skirt? I set out at about 12:20pm (probably not the best time to go running in the sun, but whatever) and made it to the house by 1pm. It was a good run, even though I had to tackle a monster hill (I don't know if you have realized it yet, but I live in a very hilly town). The first thing I noticed about the skirt was that I didn't feel nearly as constricted, like I had a wider range of motion. Maybe it's because I'm wearing compression shorts most of the time, but my legs often feel like sausage in a wrapper. The skirt made me feel looser and I very much enjoyed that. There are built in running shorts in the skirt which took care of my chaffing concern (and they didn't ride up at all!), so another point to the skirt. While I was running I got 3 compliments on my skirt, and when I got to the picnic, everyone thought it was adorable. I guess the running skirt is as amazing as everyone makes it seem. Honest. So, it didn't increase my speed or anything but I didn't feel as self conscious while running and was able to enjoy myself more. Plus, it did make me feel kind of pretty while running- and that's always a nice bonus (cause goodness knows I'm nowhere near a pretty runner).

Also, I have to mention some more interesting stuff I saw while on my run today:

1. An ant carrying a dead worm. How did I happen to spot this? Well, it was during one of my walk breaks, I happened to look down and saw this curled up worm moving (rather rapidly) across the sidewalk. A closer look showed me that an ant was actually carrying the worm. Circle of life at it's finest.

2. A dead bass or some kind of medium sized fish on the side of the road. Remember how I just mentioned that I live in a rather hilly area? That area is nowhere near ANY bodies of water. I'm not sure where the fish came from... or for that matter, where it was going to, but it didn't make it. Poor fish.

I'm considering starting a separate page on here for all of the weird stuff I see while running (remember the guy on a pedal bike carrying an AC unit? Priceless.)

What're some of the oddest things you've ever seen?

20 comments:

Meg O @watchmegorun said...

Yayyy glad you like yours, you know I'm obsessed with mine! Eek to the creepy things you saw. Oddest I've seen: a dead skunk, ew!

Lisa said...

I truly appreciate your "review" of the running skirt from a bigger girl's perspective - always wondered how they would work out for ALL the reasons you mention - #1 chaffing & #2 riding up! Glad you felt good about yourself while running.

I do think you run into some crazy stuff out on your runs. It would be worth tracking them in some way - either page or sidebar. The biker with the AC was really hilarious!

Happy 4th!

Unknown said...

Those were some pretty creepy things you saw today! I have nothing to add in that department, thankfully, or at least nothing I can think of now.

LOVE my running skirts. I had absolutely no idea you could get one from Old Navy. That is great. I have gotten great deals on my running skirts too, one was "free", I got a REI gift card on the spot for applying for their credit card, which I used to buy one, got one from their garage sale, and another from the NB store sidewalk sale for $10! I LOVE deals!

Falon said...

Wow. I don't see much running... cars and a few deer maybe. Oh and yay for feeling pretty while running.

Chelsea said...

Hooray running skirts! Hooray pink! Weirdest thing I've seen on a run is a baby being pushed on a skateboard...weird.

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

So happy you like your new skirt! I love running in skirts I think you are right they feel freer!

KT80 said...

The ant carrying the worm is super cool, but all of my schooling has been in Environmental Science so that explains that.

Enjoy the running skirt! I might have to check out Old Navy! I have a few that I really like, but I guess they aren't quite my size right now because they do ride up and I can feel my thighs. Which reminds me, I want to try out the lanolin today on my run to see how it compares to the feel of the Body Glide.

KT80 said...

Oh, and way to go for running to the picnic! That's awesome!

Nej said...

I've lost a bunch of weight running the last year...but my thighs will probably always rub together. (Ugh!) Anyway, I usually wear compression shorts as well, and have tried a few skirts with built in shorts...with no luck. They still ride like crazy!! With this new running skirt you bought....are the shorts longer or shorter? Are they tight (like compression shorts) or really really loose?

Liz said...

So thanks for the tip! I didn't even realize old navy sold work-out clothes. I went to mine yesterday and both compression capris and running skirts were on clearance! I got an awesome price and I'm loving them.

Anonymous said...

I found a whoopie cushion on the side of the road the other day. No, I didn't pick it up... :)

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Anonymous said...

Hi, is that the skirt you bought at Old Navy in the picture at the top of the page?