tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post8852974057923771870..comments2024-03-18T15:51:55.843-07:00Comments on Hit the Ground Running: Freedom from Fear (and Shirts)Ali K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-19360728468952327672016-07-13T14:45:27.916-07:002016-07-13T14:45:27.916-07:00Love this! And you can totally pull off running wi...Love this! And you can totally pull off running without a shirt!!<br />I 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.)Sanhttp://theinbetweenismine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-66753118054700765702016-07-09T20:03:46.976-07:002016-07-09T20:03:46.976-07:00My boobs don't bounce! But if they did I am su...My boobs don't bounce! But if they did I am sure that would hurt w/o a bra!Meg Go Runhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11707890742715926971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-87583336117439352902016-07-07T10:38:46.070-07:002016-07-07T10:38:46.070-07:00I wonder if you would sweat less if you lost the s...I wonder if you would sweat less if you lost the shirt...It's like a chicken-egg conundrum ;) <br /><br />Weirdly 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.Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-8364472789687033862016-07-07T10:37:08.303-07:002016-07-07T10:37:08.303-07:00I know so many runners who use their shirts to wip...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 :)Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-19743689113966487612016-07-07T10:36:03.139-07:002016-07-07T10:36:03.139-07:00Especially in the heat of AZ, you DESERVE to run s...Especially 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!Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-27842341885864290542016-07-07T10:34:50.712-07:002016-07-07T10:34:50.712-07:00I think the biggest change in my mentality has bee...I 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.Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-13579330197317674012016-07-07T10:33:45.785-07:002016-07-07T10:33:45.785-07:00I think this summer I've seen more women going...I think this summer I've seen more women going, Oh SCREW IT and ditching their shirts, which I LOVE. <br /><br />Running 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 :)Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-13529393594983489272016-07-07T10:31:22.216-07:002016-07-07T10:31:22.216-07:00It's funny how quickly we forget to be self-co...It's funny how quickly we forget to be self-conscious when we're really focusing on just NOT DYING on the run haha!Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-90814843216105912312016-07-07T10:28:54.828-07:002016-07-07T10:28:54.828-07:00I definitely see body-shaming of men, too, but thi...I 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.Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-37740632737144647882016-07-07T10:26:16.257-07:002016-07-07T10:26:16.257-07:00Agreed - if someone WANTS to, I want them to be ab...Agreed - if someone WANTS to, I want them to be able to!<br /><br />A 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!Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-54827235442964478442016-07-07T10:25:25.426-07:002016-07-07T10:25:25.426-07:00Curious...what was so bad about running shirtless ...Curious...what was so bad about running shirtless once that you swore you'd never do it again?<br /><br />I 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.<br /><br />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.Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-22674971741755201802016-07-07T10:23:48.873-07:002016-07-07T10:23:48.873-07:00Race pictures and action shots are NEVER flatterin...Race 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!Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-26620889360132282142016-07-07T10:13:55.639-07:002016-07-07T10:13:55.639-07:00It's a shame that your own SISTER would tell y...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.<br /><br />I'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!Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-28961009268607754492016-07-07T10:08:56.868-07:002016-07-07T10:08:56.868-07:00The first time I ran shirtless, within the first m...The 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!Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-21013911245095849052016-07-07T10:07:56.758-07:002016-07-07T10:07:56.758-07:00I hope that if you ever WANT to run shirtless outs...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.Ali K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15736472530374069410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-79172240716437452052016-07-06T18:34:27.663-07:002016-07-06T18:34:27.663-07:00Love this inspiring post! You and all these other ...Love 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.Jennifer @ Dashing in Stylehttp://dashinginstyle.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-958116569279714302016-07-06T13:51:06.886-07:002016-07-06T13:51:06.886-07:00Awesome post! I noticed in your IG photos that you...Awesome 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! <br />Thank you for a great post!!! Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04975156527926120864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-84174263409761901672016-07-06T08:58:10.450-07:002016-07-06T08:58:10.450-07:00This is awesome and what a fun event!!! I know I s...This 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!Helly on the Runhttp://www.hellyontherun.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-34122017265619089942016-07-06T08:37:16.639-07:002016-07-06T08:37:16.639-07:00Looking back from the ripe old age of 63, I can ad...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.<br />Gulf Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02675865831805128926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-63413666071359137602016-07-06T05:38:59.699-07:002016-07-06T05:38:59.699-07:00I commented on one of your previous posts on this ...I 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.<br />I 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. Stacihttp://www.thisgirlruns.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-72717069842418164622016-07-05T17:59:06.417-07:002016-07-05T17:59:06.417-07:00I'm so happy for you! What an amazing step out...I'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 :) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06179559611541634740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-74512894926642026752016-07-05T17:49:16.975-07:002016-07-05T17:49:16.975-07:00Way to go Ali! You and these other ladies are awes...Way 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. James Douglasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15380226220764974087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-21437834983399262712016-07-05T14:31:20.153-07:002016-07-05T14:31:20.153-07:00I am glad you got over your fear and just DID IT!!...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! <br /><br />I 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.Megan @ Meg Go Runhttp://www.meggorun.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-9571373987824993882016-07-05T08:51:48.221-07:002016-07-05T08:51:48.221-07:00I think it's societies image of the shirtless ...I 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!RunnerGirl_Fitnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08288771483578903319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417693555590736116.post-24862721129669464992016-07-05T08:28:55.476-07:002016-07-05T08:28:55.476-07:00I've only ran in a sportsbra type tank during ...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! Fairytales and Fitnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11771224209536216240noreply@blogger.com