When it's hotter than hell out and sweat is dripping down your face, do you keep your shirt on?
In all my years of running I've never gone "shirtless" until last year while training for the marathon during the summer. It felt a tad cooler to not have the extra bulk of a shirt on while cruising up and down the lakefront.
So I bought this Nike sports bra today with a Macy's gift card that's been burning a hole in my pocket since Christmas and it got me thinking should I ever just wear a sports bra and shorts for a race?
Asides from the insecurities of letting it all hang out and my uncanny resemblance to the female version of the Pilsbury Dough Boy, I don't feel badass enough to roll up to the start in booty shorts and a sports bra. I'm not in the same league as those super fast ladies... Yet. Nor would I want to give the impression that I am totes badass...
I have this Brooks D'lite mesh tank which is kinda see through and super breathable. I love it.
BUT as the number of super cute sports bras in my wardrobe increase along with the temperature, I can't help but ponder if I should go "topless" for a race**
Guys and ladies- have you run a race shirtless?
Would you?
*Generally I refrain from the usage of totes, OMG, adorbs etx but felt it was the correct terminology to get my point across on how I feel about the cuteness of the sports bra.
**I cringe to think of how the race photos might turn out... But should I even care if I feel more comfortable?
- xaar
1) That sports bra is adorable and I'm super jealous.
ReplyDelete2) I've yet to *race* shirtless, but in the summer, I'd say 75% of my runs are shirtless. For a short race, I doubt I would ever (you can do anything for like 20-40 min, right?). That being said, I haven't raced a 10+ mile distance that has been so hot that I've felt it was warranted.
Practically speaking, where would you put your bib?! They're usually too big to fit on my shorts.
Shit. You bring up an excellent point about the size of the bibs being much larger than our chests...
DeleteDidnt think of that. Derp
I'd only consider it for a longer race- 13.1+
could you fit the bib on your shorts? also, I've seen runners fold large bibs so only the number is showing, and then pin it on their top or shorts.
DeleteGo topless! I would, in a race. That is why I pinned by bib to my shorts last weekend - in case I ditched the top. I keep the shirt soaked with cold water so I didn't need to.
ReplyDeleteThe key is to have shorts that cover your flub! Ha! That is why I don't wear the booty shorts! I favor shorts with a waistband and a 7" in seam. They hide my gut a bit and let me run topless :)
Adorbs is totes approp for for this post.
Also, I can't wear bras like that. I nip out too much. I have to have pads or seams that cover le nips. Sad.
Go.
Topless!!!!
Because, duh, that top is so cute it NEEDS to be seen!
Do it. I do all the time. In fact, the race where you kicked my ass, I was nearly nekked: http://www.kellytheculinarian.com/2012/06/karhu-5k-chicago-race-report.html
ReplyDeleteAnd at Ragnar, not a single eff was given: http://www.kellytheculinarian.com/2013/06/ragnar-relay-race-recap.html
I don't think anyone is going to mistake me for Jillian Michaels, but when it's toasty outside, I'm taking off all I can.
haha I absolutely love your confidence :) I usually train shirtless on the lakefront (and hope i dont see anyone I know)
DeleteBoth Chicago 2010 and 2011 were done in Lulu bra's.
ReplyDeleteHot is not fun. And who cares? Honestly I think we give ourselves WAY too much credit to think people are actually looking at us.
They might look, but they dont 'see'
THIS.
DeleteYou make one of the best arguments June... and i cant believe ive never thought of it that way :) You are so right to say people arent probably looking at us (yet in our minds we think people are noting every single detail..)
do it. do it. do it. do it. who cares what anyone thinks, if you're hot you're hot! that's my logic. if it bothers people, that seems like it's more of their problem and not yours. and please woman, you are NOT doughy ;) i think many eons ago when i started running without my shirt on there was the initial discomfort for those around, but honestly you get used to it after awhile and then it just is what it is. AND, it makes for less laundry to wash so seems pretty easy for me to not wear a shirt!
ReplyDeleteand the bib dilemma, yes they are big but most of them you can somewhat fold and tear off all that extra stuff to just barely fit over the ample bosom. as long as you keep the safety pins on the outside of the sports bra it usually isn't an issue even if the bib takes up a lot of room. promise.
and that bra is super cute! yes, show it off!
Imma totes gonna run shirtless this weekend for the half. There. I said it. :)
DeleteThe laundry issue is a great point also, because those shirts, shorts, socks, sports bras certainly do pile up quickly in the summertime and I HATE doing laundry.
I did it...once...in a race far away from home where I didn't know anyone and was dying from being so hot. I'm not comfortable enough to do it regularly but see absolutely nothing wrong with it!
ReplyDeleteId feel less self conscious if it wasnt a race in my hood.:) but i do usually train out there w/o shirt in the summer so whats the difference? :)
DeleteAs a guy, it stops becoming about looks and becomes more about nipple chafing after 5 miles. Unless I want to apply liquid bandage and tape to wear a shirt, shirt is off.
ReplyDeleteGet a nice discussion over here on a running forum: http://redd.it/1g1o6b
Just wear sunscreen!
function over fashion. I like that. I need to check out the forum...
DeleteI had to google totes adorbs.... But yes that bra is! I say go for it!
ReplyDeletehehe I think for this race, I'll go for it :)
DeleteGirl, the sports bra is adorable. No, I've never gone shirtless and I probably never will. I hate v-necks because I think they show too much neck. Heh.
ReplyDeleteThats my concern about this one too :)
DeleteLove that sports bra and I actually have that Brooks top. When I first got the top I was nervous at how see through it was, but now I wear it all of the time and I love it. I have never gone shirtless in a race because I am super self conscious, but I am getting more brave. I never even used to run shirtless in my neighborhood, but I can do that now.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same as you- it took me sooo long just to run shirtless while training.. once I did it felt amazing. Its amazing how self conscious we are here compared to other countries :)
DeleteI can't because it would be frightening, however you are super cute and you could do it
ReplyDeleteNah- you could totally pull it off. Seriously. We are so prude & too worried here. When I was in Brasil it was just inspiring the confidence I saw in people flaunting their bodies.
Deletelol on this whole thread. In high school cross country and track practice sometimes we would run shirtless on training runs, but no way I would ever do that now haha. For one, having to put sunscreen all over would be really annoying, and I don't want to draw attention to myself. My casper the ghost farmers tan is frightening lol
ReplyDeletehaha i second the thoughts on the sunscreen and the drawing attention to my white Buddha belly :)
DeleteThat sports bra is totes adorbs!!! Love it!!! I vote that you show it off!!! =)
ReplyDeleteI am personally too self-conscious to go shirtless. Not to mention that once when it was super hot out, I did go shirtless on a whim... only to run into one of my managers from work. AWKWARD. Go figure that the one time I go shirtless is the one time I see someone I know!!!
Dude! That bra is super cute! I just bought two new Nike ones but I usually buy the same style. You might have just inspired me to go funky. Like everyone else, I say DO IT! Running without a tank top or singlet in the summer is really liberating. And come on, there are definitely those sticky hot days when you don't want to wear any clothing haha. I'm pretty sure I'll be sporting a sports bra and shorts at the Chi Women's 5k this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI have never felt lean enough to go shirtless...even with a recent weight loss, I feel like there's just too much jiggle going on! I bow to anyone who can pull it off, though!
ReplyDeleteI've done a few runs in just a sports bra, and so far I've only ditched my top for one race - the RnR Half last summer. I started the race with a shirt, but pinned my bib to my shorts and made sure to wear a bra that wouldn't be see through after lots of sweating/pouring water on myself. I think around mile 4, I took off my top and just stuck it in the back straps of my bra (like a "cape".) Also, I passed a couple, er, "healthy" dudes with lots of back hair who were running shirtless and I was like, if they can do it, what I am so self-conscious about?
ReplyDeleteI think I feel more self-conscious running shirtless during a solo run, because I feel like I'm more on "display" then. During a group run or race, I feel a bit more protection within a group, even if I'm the only shirtless one.