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| Asics 2170 |
But I'm not a huge loyalist to any brand. I also bought a pair of Nike shorts (dark green) on sale for $14 (!) and was excited that the Small size fit me. I'd noticed that my shorts are all looking baggy and shapeless in race photos. I'm not fashion forward when it comes to running or anything else, but I do like to look like my clothes fit. I'm still a little worried about what my friend Kathy calls the "thigh-valanche" in race pictures (and the more thigh you show, the more likely this is--I decided NOT to include an example of me illustrating this phenomenon). But I've decided to take the chance.
Speaking of fashion, I had a discussion with the guy who fitted me for the shoes about attire in women's running. He's a running vet who described his Boston Marathon experiences back in the 70s. Summary: neither he nor I is a fan of the "swimsuit" that elite female athletes wear these days in races. We both like Desiree Davila's look much better. I don't think I'd dress in the running swimsuit even if I looked like Shalane Flanagan or Kara Goucher, which I freely admit I never will. It's their choice--maybe they do feel they run better dressed like that--but I'd feel naked.
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| Shalane and Desi running in the Trials. What would you wear? They both have Olympic speed and endurance..... |
I'd love to hear what you think!
Ohhhh I couldn't pull of Shalene's look at all! I like coverage on the thighs and tummy :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I always thought the Speedo look was weird! I doubt it makes you THAT extra super fast. I'm also a bit of a prude, though. There was a gratuitous bikini shot on my FB feed today and I wanted to tell the person (she's 30 and a mom!) that she should cover her entire breast with her swimsuit. Bleck.
ReplyDeleteThe reason the male running Speedo has not caught on is marketing. Ladies and, particularly, gentlemen, I introduce to you here today the Marathong (feel free to use that in marketing without--nay preferably without--attribution, nor will I look for future royalties).
ReplyDeleteno chance you would catch me in Shalane's outfit even if I looked like her..no I am more on the Desi look!!! my shorts are too big and it is ok..they stay up with the drawstring!!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's hard to find a running short that "works"....probably why I own an entire fleet of Nike Tempo Shorts, because they're the one that does work for me. Well, would work better if I lost these 10 annoying lbs :). I could never wear the bun huggers that Shalene wears, but I do like a more fitting top in the heat (though one that covers my gross twin bearing stomach!).
ReplyDeleteNice score on the bargain shorts and new shoes always are awesome!
Yea for new shoes! Um and no you will never catch me in something that skimpy...in fact other then tri short I just for the first time wore shorts to run last year...I still won't do it if there will be many people around. And I'm always surprised when I see someone at a tri running in a swim suit, I've seen both men and women.
ReplyDeleteI know, I can't even imagine wearing a speedo thingie! They're so tiny....AND I'll never be able to pull them off either hahaha.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah Shalane does look great in hers.
I used to like Nike Tempo shorts, but they began to feel like too much of a diaper, so I wear some more streamlined Nikes now.
Hahahaha.... And am I EVER so grateful that speedo trend has not caught on. While I might sometime in the future be brave enough to rock only a sports bra with my shorts, I won't be rocking a bikini during a race anytime soon. Thigh-valanche or thunderthighs or quads of fury - whatever you call them, they are staying covered......
ReplyDeleteThighvalanche...never heard that term before, but it's perfect. Ugh, unfortunately! I love my Asics trail shoes, which are desperately in need of replacement...funny, but until this post it hadn't occurred to me that I could get their road shoes, too. :) Whatever I get, this time it won't be the same type of Nikes that have made me miserable on long runs!
ReplyDeleteShalene looks amazing but I'm Desi all the way. Her normal shorts and tank didn't seem to slow her down at all!!!
ReplyDeleteJust breaking in a new pair of shoes this week - ahh, good to have a little spring again!
I don't even like running it short shorts - I definitely couldn't wear the swim suit look! Congrats on the new shoes and shorts!
ReplyDeleteWere you a writer for Seinfeld or something?! ROTFL!! This comment justifies this post entirely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mandy!
ReplyDeleteHa!! If Steve will run a race in a Marathong, I will run one in bunhuggers. Wait, did I just say that???? No photos!
ReplyDeleteGood shoes are key! Asics have become my tried and true foot friends.
ReplyDeleteI used to do the sports bra alone thing 15 years ago, but I think that ship has sailed.
ReplyDeleteYes, no more diapers for me! Hopefully these new ones won't chafe.....
ReplyDeleteThose tri folks are crazy....There were some multi-colored Asics at the store today that I asked about. I was told they are aimed at triathletes. He actually said, "Triathletes are...different." :&)
ReplyDeleteHooray for new shoes! I just got a pair but I don't think my legs are ready for a more minimalist shoe yet... made my Achilles hurt. :( I need to figure that all out this week, because I am overdue on shoes. Totally with you on the elite running atire!
ReplyDeleteThere is no way I could wear the bikini running outfit. My inner thighs (TMI??) rub together so I need some kind of short on to prevent that. But I suppose if I were that thin, my legs wouldn't even come close to touching.....
ReplyDeleteMaybe the speedo gets the man's junk all in a bunch. It's definitely not good to look at.... :)
You will never catch me in bun huggers. I am shorts gal and sometimes they show too much!
ReplyDeleteHA, I was in the Hanson's Running store on Monday and I had the same conversation with one of their staff persons. I love to show off my six-pack while I'm running.............. LOL
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you! As I was watching the Olympic Trials, I just kept thinking how uncomfortable I would be wearing that for 26.2 miles. :)
ReplyDeleteHa-ha..."thigh-valanche"..I never heard it called that before, but definitely know what you are talking about.
i would dress like desi. don't they get wedgies wearing swimsuit bottoms???
ReplyDeleteThe wedgie factor...Another excellent point.
ReplyDeleteCoach Ken--Tell the Hansons thank you for keeping their female runners looking like runners who just want to be runners, not fashion models.
ReplyDeleteThe bathingsuit thing doesn't seem particular comfortable to me either. Plus, they really should get a spray tan or something to even out the tan lines -- I have no idea really but the tan lines bug me.
ReplyDeleteLoyal Asics 21xx fan here!
ReplyDeleteAs a non-runner this isn't my expertise, but for active wear in general I prefer clothes that do not let me learn another persons feminine grooming routine.
ReplyDeleteI do like the old skool look that Desi wore...to me it's more badass. it says - "see I have have a bit more wind resistance and I can still kick your a$$". When I was riding the Triple Bypass several years ago - a guy passed me on the top of Loveland Pass riding a Schwinn Stringray. Gotta love when someone is using "less efficient equipment" and still killing it. But with that said - if I had the figure that those girls have - I might be tempted to wear the "swinsuit" look. But at my age - I don't think I'll ever worry about having that quandary. ;)
ReplyDeleteI find the whole "running in a swimsuit" terrifying. I mean, yeah, most of the ladies that run in them- are ABLE to totally pull it off...NOT ME. But even if I was built like an amazing athlete- I still would have to put the kibosh on wearing one of them...at least in public. I am a modest human being, I don't think the world needs to see my goods ;) for me to run well ;)!
ReplyDeleteWhy do the thighs look so icky in rumning pics? I know what you mean there. Was an asics fan until about a year ago, and discovered Mizzuno, and there is no going back. Only problem is that they arent EVERYWHERE, so i cant just run to the nearest place to get a replacement, i have to plan. Which i am terrible about.
ReplyDeleteLooks like some great new shoes; woohoo! I agree that the swimsuit look is bad; those bottoms look awful. If it were me, I think I'd opt for something in the middle. Say, boy shorts and a longer fitted top. I give major kudos to Desi for running in what's comfortable, even if it's different from moat others. I think she rocks!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think the running swimsuit is nobody's friend. Would much rather wear what Desi does.
ReplyDeleteCute shoes!
I need to see this thigh-valanche you speak of...
Asics 2170 in Italy are the shoes of 2011 (voted by runners and experts). I wear Asics Gel Cumulus and at the moment this is the 3rd pair.
ReplyDeleteIndeed also in Italy only women wear speedos.