Hump Day Giveaway: Skirting the Issue

A showdown at the starting line.

You either do or you don’t. Or you’ll try it or you won’t. I’m not talking about going vegan, getting a Brazilian, teaching your infant sign language or any other slightly divisive topic.

I’m talking about a much more serious subject: running skirts.

As much as I cringe to admit this, I notice what others wear, especially when it comes to running. I’m human–and female–after all. I notice who matches their running outfits, who tries to slide into the crowd by wearing a race tee and black shorts, who is bold enough to go with just a sports bra, who wears bun huggers. Unless there’s a glaring fashion don’t–a sports bra that is not doing its job or buns that are falling out of their huggers–I pretty much use my observations for research, not judgment, noting what companies are well represented, what styles are cute, what trends I should follow (or not).

And I, like anybody who has been on a race course in the past few years, have noticed that skirts are big. We spread the gospel of skirts pretty loudly in RLAM: they don’t create that unfortunate crotch-bulge;  they’re much more universally flattering than shorts; they remind you not to take yourself too seriously. I wear them exclusively while spreading the RLAM love during book events, but I’m not ready to give away any of my shorts. These days, my running feels serious, and most days, I’m not in a fun, flirty mood when I head out. I’m in shorts, and I’m all business.

I may be in the minority because I equally embrace both shorts and skirts. Monica, who interviews the running world’s movers and shakers for her blog, regularly asks the question “Running skirt: friend or foe?”and the answers are solidly yes or no.

Kara Goucher answered this: I have to admit this to everyone. I modeled one for a Nike catalog in 2007 and I really liked the skirt. I wore it a lot, even in the Olympic village! I got a lot of compliments on it. But I could never wear it for a hard serious workout, I just couldn’t.

Writer Liz Robbins said this: When I run, I want to wear shorts. When I play tennis, I wear skirts. When I played lacrosse and field hockey, I wore tartan plaid polyester skirts. Enough said.

Writer Rachel Toor simply proclaimed: BFF.

According to Skirt Sports, you can save the world in this skirt. Seems possible.

Where do you fall in the skirt debate? Does it add to your run or subtract from your seriousness? Have you tried one or will you never? Do you own more than you can count? Let us know and a random winner will take home–huge surprise here–a Gym Girl Ultra from Skirt Sports, the company that got this whole flippy party started six years ago. The GGU, their most popular style that is available from XS to XXL, has a modest length, shorts underneath and two pockets–one on either leg–for music, gel, keys and other essentials. Promise, regardless of your skirt stance, you’ll smile just putting it on. (If you win and you’re firmly anti-skirt, you may convert. Or you’ll make one of your running buddies very, very happy.)

So do you skirt? Why or why not?

P.S. Winners of this giveaway and last week’s running allowance one about budgeting in running in tough times–a $100 Asics certificate–will be announced on Friday. Promise.