the superficial...

a 40 mile week, however felt like i didn't at all do that much running.  (it's a sickness, i know.) 

the coordination of my running attires is properly considered and contemplated- thus, nary a hair out of place even during nightly speed work.  to be a champion, you must look like a champion- dress the part.   perhaps it began with my obsession for matching skiing gear back when i was 10 or 11- my skis, boots, bibs, jacket, poles- everything had to be smartly matched, and that was the end of it.   i do not carry this philosophy with me into my civilian life... or what i refer to as my "undercover runner" form.   ripped, stained, dirty jeans and an old t-shirt will almost always be the winning combo for non athletic events such as work, the bar, date night, and of course, shopping.  i pull off the "homeless chic" look effortlessly, and it's a rare day that my socks match.  this balance is key- channeling obsessive compulsive energies into one direction while being mostly lax in reciprocating elements.  otherwise, i'm convinced that i would spontaneously ignite. 

  going back to the issue at hand- don't think for a moment that i am the only one who devotes so much time to my running fashions.  i have been a loyal follower of What I Wore (On My Run) from the very beginning, and draw a bit of my inspiration from what i see in Runner's World and at race expos.  and the facts are these:  I am wearing running clothes.  the garments that I wear were designed for runners- and to be worn for running.  my skirts, bras, tops, compression socks, shivers, headbands- all of it.  and yet, it never fails- i get stares and comments while i'm working out because my clothing matches.  is it so jolting to people to see a runner dressed fashionably?  this is Newport- the outfits women dress themselves in on a daily basis are usually of questionable taste to begin with, and yet it's my running ensembles that inspire critique.  "a skirt?!  what are you?  some kind of cheerleader?"  people are idiots.  actually, a friend of mine told me that i look like a My Little Pony, but i won't fault her for it because I really like My Little Pony dolls.  quite a lot, actually. 

So knowing how I feel about my workout pieces, it probably isn't surprising that don't like it when things become wet, muddy and dirty, as this upsets the whole look.  i'm a road runner.  not some type of cross country hippy.  today on my run, i probably wasn't even three miles into it when i kicked up some mud on the side of the road and some spots went onto my sock.  i stopped dead in my tracks, cursed at the mud, wiped it off as best i could, cursed some more, and then continued on.  years ago, this would have been okay.  years ago i was not so cosmopolitan of an athlete.  years ago, i was a staunch warrior of the elements.  no, i've paid my dues.  those days are over for me.  i'm much faster now.  i'm snobbier, and maintain it's all a matter of dignity.  i can go to the treadmill if i want.  i have options.

so it will probably sound hypocritical of me to announce that i am entertaining the notion of competing in a mud race.  i've been asked to join a preexisting team... and it isn't the mud i'm concerned about.  it's being seen wearing an outfit that i deem unfashionable enough to become ruined by tons and tons of filth.   this is a decision i will have to run on.  stay tuned.