i run like a girl

This week, for the Runner's Lounge Take it and Run Thursday series, they’ve asked us to share our favorite running tee shirt phrases. This is my contribution.

Emblazoned on the back of my hot pink technical shirt, iRunLikeAGirl was my mantra for my first half marathon. Wearing that particular shirt was actually a game time decision. Naturally, like any preparation queen would, I had my race day outfit selected, tested, cleaned, and laid out about a week before the race. Lo and behold, on the very night before the race, this fabulous shirt entered my life (as a birthday gift from E, S, & B!) like a little ray of sunshine. As soon as I saw it, I knew that I had to accomodate a wardrobe change and wear this (with pride) for my initiation into the half mary world.


Turns out, this shirt was the best thing to happen to me in that race. It proved to be the most amazing conversation starter, which is one of my favorite aspects of the road racing community... the camaraderie. As people would pass me (I mean... as I would pass them), many took the time to chat for a few minutes about the shirt. It kept me distracted and fueled and in 13.1 miles, collectively with a dozen or so fellow racers, we came up with a number of scenarios that could be tagged onto I Run Like A Girl.

I Run Like A Girl ...perfectly.
I Run Like A Girl ...cuz Duh.
I Run Like A Girl ...but I drink like a man.
I Run Like A Girl ...faster than a cheap pair of panty hose.
I Run Like A Girl ...who just beat you.
I Run Like A Girl ...whose got something to prove.
I Run Like A Girl ...and am damn proud of it.

It was awesome!

It is a great shirt and the company offers a wide selection of colors, styles, sizes etc. (Sorry boys, as far as I can tell... they only offer iRun gear in female sizes... though... there are a lot of men that would/should rock an iRunLikeAGirl jersey! Haha!) And the mission is not just about CUTE shirts or GIRL POWER... though that is what I love about it.

"It's all about the heart in women. iRUNLIKEAGIRL Celebrates Ageless Spirit in girls & women of all Sizes, all Ages, and all Sports Levels. The iRUN team has traveled to many places, passing along our message to races throughout the country. Thanks to many of you, this positive lifestyle brand was embraced. We laughed. We listened to your inspirational stories. We ran. We walked. We cheered. We had fun. We’ll continue to hit as many races as possible in the months ahead."

As much as I like to compete with the boys and am always proud when I outrun a man... I am damn proud to be a chick and I will not be discouraged or intimidated by any hormonal or anatomical differences.

(Just pardon the tears that flow after a big race.)