tan lines
For all you dermatology advocates (you know who you are!), just close the browser now. Navigate away from my page. You will not be able to handle my audacity (which can be defined as courage or nerve... I am using it as NERVE in this instance).
You're still here? Fine. Suit yourself but don't say I didn't warn you. =)
Its summer, which means lots of running, grilling, wiffle ball, kayaking, beaching, playing, etc... spending quite a bit of time outside, in the glorious sun.
The sun is my favorite natural element of all. We have this incredibly intense relationship and really, I am convinced that I could not live without it.
I've talked about this before... but, there is something medicinal about the sun. And, I can't get enough. That's part of the reason I LOVE running outside. The feeling of the sun is irreplaceable.
And, fortunately, in case you didn't know, running is very good for you. Overall well being. Health. Fitness. Blah blah blah.
However, the sun is only good for you in small doses, through a filter, aka sunscreen... which I wear on a regular basis. Nothing less than SPF 30.
But, fact of the matter...
With all this running outside, in the sun, sunscreen and all, I have developed some my oh-so-sexy tan lines.
From the uber pastey white upper thigh region (generally protected by my not-too-short running shorts), to the visor line, to the watch band line (which strangely... I kind of like), to my various singlet / tank / sport bra combo lines (which leaves a whole mess of blotchy awkwardness on my chest) to my absolute favorite iPod Nano Nike Arm Band hunk of a line. That line can't even be called a line - its a tan block.
I could wear a stronger SPF, I suppose but I feel sort invisible when running. Super human almost.
And I justify my ignorance by claiming all the cliche things:
- I am darker skinned (by darker, I mean darker white... if that makes sense)
- I rarely burn
- I run before the sun is strong... before 9am on most occasions
Stupid excuses, I know.
To boot, I am mostly of Irish heritage (80%). And we all know those folks are prone to fair skin and sensitivity to the sun. My Dad (100% Irish) has had a slew of troublesome sun spots that he's had removed, checked, screened, etc. So I should be more careful. But, then there is my Mom, part Irish, English, and French. She has a darker complexion like me and has been in the clear her whole life. No worrisome spots. So, yet another justification for me.
Despite my boneheadedness about being careful while running in the sun, the running tan lines are quite comical.
And, know what? I flaunt those suckers with pride.
15 comments:
I have the same non-chalant attitude about the sun and my tan lines as well. Even though, it would be a shame to work so hard to have such a strong body but then die of skin cancer.
Why Does The Sun Shine?
(The Sun Is A Mass Of Incandescent Gas)
by They Might Be Giants
The sun is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
where hydrogen is built into helium
at a temperature of millions of degrees
Yo ho it's hot
The Sun is not
a place where we could live
but here on earth there'd be no life without the light it gives
We need it's light
We need it's heat
We need it's energy
Without the sun
Without a doubt
There'd be no you and me
The sun is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
where hydrogen is built into helium
at a temperature of millions of degrees
The sun is hot
It is so hot that everything on it is a gas
Iron
Copper
Aluminum
and many others
The sun is large
If the sun were hollow a million earths could fit inside
and yet the sun is only a middle-sized star
The sun is far away
About 93 million miles away!
and that's why it looks so small
And even when it's out of sight
the sun shines night and day
The sun gives heat
The sun gives light
The sunlight that we see
The sunlight comes from our own sun's atomic energy
Scientists have found that the sun is a huge atom-smashing machine
The heat and light of the sun come from the nuclear reactions of
Hydrogen
Carbon
Nitrogen
and Helium
The sun is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
where hydrogen is built into helium
at a temperature of millions of degrees
I always wear sunscreen if I'm going to the beach, but almost never think of it for running. Which is why I have the same awkward tank lines all over my body :)
Yeah, I have to admit I love the silly tan lines like the watch lines and the Ipod lines precisely because they help provide a measurement of how tanned I've become.
I think you are probably already pretty darned good compared to most runners if you always wear sunscreen...and by "most runners" I mean mostly me :(
Oh ya, the all so sexy tan lines. At least running tan lines are better than soccer ones. There is nothing worse than just having tan knees and arms.
I never wear sunscreen (Eeeekkk) I know it's horrible but I always say to myself "What? You never burn. Your Momma's a Pacific Islander. You were made for the sun.) I'll be looking like a handbag at age 35 :-X
I am horrible about the sun. I live in Hawaii, exercise outside 6 days a week, work all day in the sun, and then spend even more time at the beach. Dumb dumb dumb but I rarely wear sunscreen. Why are we so stupid?
LOL there was a week where i was scrubbing around my ankles after runs because i thought they were dirty... nope just a sock tan line :) now i have the shorts one, tank top one, watch one... but you gotta love them :)
I LOVE the sun too! I hate tan lines, I try to change the tops I wear to avoid them (this is what we did in highschool on the waterpolo team, we wore suits with different strap patterns to avoid the dreaded "speedo lines.") I, like you, rarely burn, tan very easily and am a "darker white." I should see the derm...but haven't.
Keep flaunting your lines and be sure to put on the sunscreen...you should be okay.
Sun, glorious, sun!
I got some more defined tan lines this weekend. Woohoo! Go sun!
hi! first time visiting your blog and i really like it, yeeeee! i love tan lines! its almost like the darker they get the better you feel because that means u have been working out more and more..i swim so i also have lines everywhere, and i definitely love my watch tan!! love your post! hope ur off to a great week!
I'm diligent about sunscreen at the beach, but not so diligent about it when I run, so I've got some crazy tan lines, too. I try to get out early in the morning, but even at 9:30 the other morning the sun was crazy strong. I'm so ready for fall!
Yes, I will be paying for the lack of sunscreen later in life. Vanity has a price I'm willing to pay I guess.
I wear 30 on my long runs, but i still get the creepy shorts tan lines. The worst are the socks! Then I put on flip flops and have these crazy white feet. ha!
I must say that I absolutely love the sunshine. Water is my fav element but the sun does heal things. That is why in the winter everyone is more tired, cranky and less likely to be seen out. The sun must give us something we need- A vitamin boost? In addition tan lines are amazing, sexy and just make you feel better. I say no matter what who cares for the 'health hazard'. Your happiness and sanity are waaay more important.
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