I've always wanted to be a runner who could run shirtless. I used to tell myself, "One day, when I'm fit enough, that will be me." My primary reason for setting this goal is that running in Florida is hot and every layer makes a difference. You wouldn't think shedding one thin, breathable layer would make much difference, but it really does. My primary reason for putting the goal off? I didn't think I looked fit enough to "deserve" to run shirtless.
Running shirtless is a topic we see a lot in summer, and a couple awesome women in the Sub 30 women's sub-group decided to host a virtual event that encouraged the ladies in our group to celebrate freedom from the shirt on the 4th of July. Men don't think twice about whipping off their shirts when it's hot out; why should we?
When this event was first announced, I decided that if I kept waiting for "one day", I'd never really feel ready. So I decided to run shirtless before I felt ready (fake it 'til you make it, right?), and since that first run I've found it easier to make it a habit. I've felt lighter, cooler, and weirdly...more free.
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| Real bodies; real women MOVE. |
It's been really amazing to see so many strong women with a multitude of athletic accomplishments under their belts shed their shirts and embrace their bodies. I honestly can't tell you how inspired and motivated it has made me. The strength and support of other women in this movement helped me stomp that naysaying voice into submission.
The thing that stops many of us from running shirtless is that we don't think we look good enough to pull it off. Well, who cares if you don't look "good enough"? What standards are we even using to measure what good enough means?
I'm sick of being uncomfortable when I run because of some self-created fear that people might judge me. If they don't like it, they don't have to look! My body doesn't exist for the eyes of others; it doesn't exist for their pleasure. It's a strong body that has gotten me through dozens of 5ks and 10ks, 10 half marathons, and three marathons. It supported me through Ragnar. It allows me to get up and go to work and live my life.
Looking at the women who participated in this event, it drives home the point that insecurities are rarely about what we actually look like. I don't understand why any of these women are self-conscious because I think they all look great. As they posted their photos, every comment confirmed what I felt: "You look awesome!" "You look confident!" "You look strong!" The stories accompanying the photos were full of self-realization and empowerment.
I remembered that the flaws we see in ourselves are rarely visible to others.
You wouldn't think running shirtless would be as freeing as it turned out to be...But it is. I've wasted a lot of time hoping to someday be "fit enough" to run shirtless, and now I know that when I say women of any fitness level deserve to wear whatever they want, it applies to me, too.
I talk a lot about body acceptance and appreciating your body for what it's capable of. I need to work harder to apply that thinking to myself. Why not? For all I know, maybe people see me running shirtless and think, "If only I had that confidence."
Somedays I still feel weird about running without a shirt. I know each summer, after winter running dictates I need a shirt due to weather, this will be a renewed battle. But I also know that this kind of confidence (even if I'm faking it sometimes) is contagious, because Elizabeth has followed suit and run shirtless with me a couple times now, and that makes the discomfort worth it...because I want all women to feel comfortable enough to run shirtless whenever they want!
If my step forward helps others get there, then that's a good thing for everyone. And I couldn't have done it without the community of women who encouraged each other to rock our bodies. Thank you for joining in and inspiring each other, ladies! And a special thanks to the women who were willing to let me share their pictures today: Meaghan, Tory, Tina, Dianne, Cathy, Candace, Patricia, Meagan, Kim, Nancy, Tovah, Kirsten, Chelsea, Steph, Honore, and Kara!
Whether you feel ready or not, taking a step outside your comfort zone is how we grow...and how we grow stronger. I'm glad I've stopped waiting for "one day" and am learning to be comfortable in my skin sooner rather than later.
Do you run without a shirt on?
What's a risk you want to take but don't feel ready to?
When's the last time you left your comfort zone?
ABK
Well, the SUP was a bit outside my comfort zone. :)
ReplyDeleteI've only run shirtless once -- and that was INSIDE! Baby steps. But this was a great post and you make a lot of great points!
I hope that if you ever WANT to run shirtless outside, you feel encouraged to do so. Some women just don't want to, and that's fine, but it's a shame that so many of us want to but feel too ashamed to do it.
DeleteI like this! I never run without a shirt on for the same reason, I just feel uncomfortable. I know it's totally dumb and when it's over 90 degrees out and I'm feeling the heat that extra layer really does make a difference. Maybe I'll go ahead and run shirtless tonight!
ReplyDeleteThe first time I ran shirtless, within the first mile I'd forgotten about it. I just felt so relieved to be a little cooler! And now it's much easier, even on days when I don't feel I look my best. If you want to run shirtless, I encourage you to do it!
DeleteBravo Ali! I applaud your courage, and I am very glad that you are comfortable to run outside without a shirt on! Way to go!! We need more of this encouragement !
ReplyDeleteMy sister last year told me that she felt weird when I chose to run without a shirt on, she said my exposed ( and stretched jiggly) belly made her feel uncomfortable and she didn't understand why I did it. Granted she had NEVER SEEN ME WITHOUT A SHIRT IN PERSON, she had only seen my IG pictures. I was a bit shocked, this coming from MY sister! but I calmly explained to her that when I was running, my biggest concern was to keep running and if during a race, to move faster. And I told her that I honestly didn't think what anybody thought of my flabby belly, her included.
It's a shame that your own SISTER would tell you that your body makes her uncomfortable. I honestly can't even imagine that. My sister and I have very different body types - she naturally has a lot of muscle definition - and we've gone to the beach together and shopping and things and she's never made an unsolicited comment. We talk about our bodies and working out sometimes, but...Like, I am honestly shocked and so sad that your sister would be so thoughtless and unkind.
DeleteI'm glad you told her that you don't care what she thinks and that you aim for comfort during runs. Obviously her comments have more to do with herself and her body issues than you. You are awesome!
I've only ran in a sportsbra type tank during the RNR VA beach half marathon a few years back because of how hot it was. Sure I felt comfortable at the time but now when I look back at those pictures from race day I cringe in discomfort because I don't like the way I looked. Of course this gives me more incentive to work on my abs!
ReplyDeleteRace pictures and action shots are NEVER flattering...but I do think improved comfort can lead to better racing, which makes it worth it :) The only race I've run without a shirt didn't have photographers but I rarely like how I look in racing pictures anyway. I hope I could say I'd look back on those pictures and be proud of my accomplishments in the race instead of focusing on what my body looks like. Someday I'll test that theory!
DeleteI think it's societies image of the shirtless runner that I'm trying to live up to. You know the one on all the magazine covers, the olympic athlete....that one. I only did it once during a race because it was so darn hot...and swore I'd never do it again. I high-five you for stepping away from that fear and being able to run topless!!! YAHOO!
ReplyDeleteCurious...what was so bad about running shirtless once that you swore you'd never do it again?
DeleteI definitely think those elite runners put an idea in our heads about what we "should" look like, but most of us aren't elites! We have lives outside of eating and training, you know? So we're going to look different.
I think you have gotten SO fit and muscular in the past year or so and look freaking fantastic! I bet you have abs of steel.
I am glad you got over your fear and just DID IT!! I want everyone who WANTS to run shirtless to just have the guts to do it. Some people don't want to, and that is fine. But for the people who do want to, I wish them the confidence they need to just go ahead and do it!
ReplyDeleteI do run shirtless because it is nice to not feel the sticky, wet, shirt on me. Okay here is what I want to do: There is a clothing optional race at a nearby adult resort and I reaaaaaally want to do it sometime! I want to have the confidence to do it! I just think running naked outside would feel very good.
Agreed - if someone WANTS to, I want them to be able to!
DeleteA clothing optional race sounds terrifying to me! I feel like it would be uncomfortable to not have a bra on because of the bouncing! But I'd do an underwear race, for sure!
My boobs don't bounce! But if they did I am sure that would hurt w/o a bra!
DeleteWay to go Ali! You and these other ladies are awesome. It's real bravery to stand up to body-judging culture and claim what should be a universal right- the right to dress skimpy when it's hot regardless of gender, age or physique. For guys there is still some pressure and risk of judgement around the shirt-or-not decision... which is sadly ironic because the jiggliest men most likely to overheat quickly and benefit from shirtlessness are the ones most likely to be shamed to have to wear a big baggy shirt. I always run shirtless but I'm trim and buff so it's not too risky for me. One thing that was a challenge for me was wearing a speedo snorkeling on my honeymoon. Embarrassing pale legs. No pictures were allowed.
ReplyDeleteI definitely see body-shaming of men, too, but think about the recent praise for the "dad bod"...You don't ever see anything like that for women. And the "mom bod" DESERVES praise because women earn that body by growing a baby, unlike dad who just...earn that body by being themselves haha. But yes, I wish our culture would be more accepting of all bodies all the time.
DeleteI'm so happy for you! What an amazing step outside of your comfort zone. I don't run shirtless but I do have a mesh top from Brooks that is see through that I wear on the very hottest days. I always feel self conscious when I first put it on, but when I'm sweating it out in "feels like 100" degree weather I don't even think twice about it anymore. I guess my survival instincts kick in :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how quickly we forget to be self-conscious when we're really focusing on just NOT DYING on the run haha!
DeleteI commented on one of your previous posts on this topic and how I FINALLY was able to strip off the shirt and run! It must be a thing right now and it is amazing! I can't however bring myself to do it at a race just yet. I am working on it but I still just can't. Someday though, I will and I will do it with pride.
ReplyDeleteI am always out of my comfort zone while running. Everyone that knows me can tell you I do not wear shorts outside of my house. So running is that moment in time that I feel free to wear whatever the hell I want too. I have just recently been able to start going to the store in my shorts but still will not go to any actual events/activities other than races.
I think this summer I've seen more women going, Oh SCREW IT and ditching their shirts, which I LOVE.
DeleteRunning really is a step outside our comfort zone. I think it's great that you embrace shorts when you run! I hope someday that confidence bleeds into other parts of your life and you wear shorts whenever you want! Your legs are FAST and strong and should be flaunted :)
Looking back from the ripe old age of 63, I can advise you that someday you will look at your pictures and say, "Wow, I looked great! Why was I so hard on myself?" And not only looking, but FEELING great and fit. We come in all sizes, and it's awesome.
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest change in my mentality has been that I'm feeling stronger, so even if I don't look how I really WANT to look yet, I at least feel good enough to know that inside, my body is ready.
DeleteThis is awesome and what a fun event!!! I know I shouldn't be self conscious but I am and never run without a shirt. But I do like what the previous commenter said ^^ and I think that as I'm getting older, I'm caring less. I can foresee a shirtless run in my future :) lol!
ReplyDeleteEspecially in the heat of AZ, you DESERVE to run shirtless if you want to! I think age has something to do with this, too. I just...don't care as much anymore. I don't look like a svelte 20-year-old, but I'm not 20. I'm a grown woman and my body reflects that!
DeleteAwesome post! I noticed in your IG photos that you started running shirtless and I thought that was absolutely amazing! I don't know if I would ever run shirtless, I think one day I could but I love to use my shirt or tank top to wipe the sweat off my face! Even with a headband, I sweat more than normal people and I have to have something to wipe it off!
ReplyDeleteThank you for a great post!!!
I know so many runners who use their shirts to wipe their faces, but it almost seems easier to just carry a towel in your waistband or something! I hope if you want to run shirtless someday, wanting to wipe your face doesn't stop you :)
DeleteLove this inspiring post! You and all these other women look strong, awesome, and beautiful, and it's great that it felt so freeing. I think I wouldn't have much issue running shirtless but I use my shirt a lot to wipe sweat, even though I also have a small towel wrapped around my hand. I sweat buckets.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you would sweat less if you lost the shirt...It's like a chicken-egg conundrum ;)
DeleteWeirdly enough, although I sweat during runs FOR SURE, it's when I stop that my entire face seems to just turn on a faucet or something, and then I'm drenched! I always keep a towel or shirt in my car for afterward.
Love this! And you can totally pull off running without a shirt!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't... and mainly because I don't think I can just run in my sports bras (or I have to find one that supports like a real bra, but looks more like a workout top.)