Skirt Runner


The term “skirt chaser” has never had a good connotation.  In the past few years it has taken on a new and better definition with the advent of running skirts.  I discovered running skirts about a year into my running life.  Before that, like most women I had run in regular old shorts.  Then one day I saw an article about running skirts and thought, hey that could be really fun.  The first one I found was pretty pricey but I was able to find the same one (a Champion brand) at Target.  With that a devoted skirt runner was born.  

My first running skirt

I have added a number of skirts to my wardrobe, a dozen to be exact. I haven’t worn a pair of short for running in a number of years.  If you see me out and about, most likely I will be wearing a running skirt and race shirt.  It’s my non-work “uniform” and a lot more fun than the skirts I wear at the office.  In 2009 as I made a return visit to London and Paris I got quite a few looks and comments.  The craze hadn’t quite reached the other side of the pond yet.

Skirt on vacation on the Seine in Paris

Even Princesses wear skirts to the palace

For a while, even here in the US, it was hard to find them.  None of the sports stores carried them.  I mostly found them on-line and increasingly at expos before races.  Now just about every store has them, big sports labels have them and there are hundreds of companies that make just running skirts.  You can get plain old hum drum ones, or you can get ones with some really awesome prints.

My skirt collection

There are all different kinds of running skirts. Short ones.  Longer ones.  The big difference between skirts is the undergarments that are built in.  Some are small like cheerleading bloomers, other are longer spandex shorts.  There are even some running skirts that have full length pants.  I have one skirt with the bloomer type underwear.  Those are my least favorite,  They tend to bunch up in “cracks.”  There is nothing fun about running on a windy day and realizing that your USMC tattoo is there for everyone to see when you skirt flies up.  I have to admit a couple of my favorite are my shortest ones.  

My two favorite skirts

It does make me sad that now, years later, a few of my skirts are stretching out and I can’t really run in them anymore without spending time pulling them up.  Those will be retired, or passed along to someone who can wear them without the slipping problem.  One other admission, and it took me a while to get where I could do this, it is best to go commando with running skirts (if you know what I mean).  After all the undies ARE built in.

 I do not recommend the bloomer type

 Short spandex

Longer spandex

Why do I like running skirts?  Easy, because they are girly!  I love the sensation of my ponytail and skirt swishing as I run … especially when I am passing boys :-)  Sorry, guys.  To quote one skirt site “Women should never have to sacrifice femininity for performance in their workout clothes.”  I agree.


You can even make it so your running outfit suites your race

My military outfit for the Marine Corp 17.76K at Quantico, VA

I think my favorite comment that I received about my skirt was at the end of the Army 10 Miler last years.  As we crossed the finish line a guy tapped me on the shoulder.  “Thank you,” he said.   “I was getting tired about mile 7 and you passed me.  From that point on I used you as my pacer and told myself … just keep following the swishing red skirt.”  


Here are links to couple of my favorite running skirt sites:


Spots Skirts: http://www.skirtsports.com/shop/
Running Skirts: http://www.runningskirts.com/
Lululemon: http://shop.lululemon.com/products/category/women-skirts-and-dresses?pagesize=All
Running Warehouse: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/catpage-WRSK.html

Okay so the Redskin's cheerleaders have on tiny non-running skirts, but this is on of my favorite post race pictures ... after the 9-11 Memorial 5K

I suggest that all my girlfriends try running in a skirt at least once.  I think once you try it you will never go back to wearing shorts.  One other thing I want to do some day is to participate in one of the Skirt Chaser 5K races.  At these races the women start 3 minutes ahead of the men.  It is the mission of the men to chase the skirts.  I think DC is way too politically correct to every host one, but if they did I would want to start with the men  I would rather give them a skirt to follow :-)

Me and My Shadow


Last weekend I was able to spend about 48 hours in Wisconsin with my 2 nieces and my nephew (all under age 5), also known as the munchkins.  I don’t get to see them very often since I live on the east coast.  I treasure every minute I get to spend with them.

The one thing you learn quickly about children is that they are little sponges.  They pay attention and remember more than we think.  My oldest niece Ava knows I am a runner.  In the past she has told people “My Aunt Molly runs REALLY far!”  She has also been known to ask if she can ride her bike next to me when I run.  She is my little runner in waiting and I love her interest in it. 


I get up fairly early to run even when I am on vacation at their house.  Last weekend was no different.  The first morning I was getting ready to run and Ava asked me if she could go running with me.  Of course Naomi, age 2, chimed in that she wanted to go too. I explained that I was going for a big people run (that always sounds kind of condescending to me).  She was disappointed but I told her we would have a special kids race later on the day.  That seemed to make her happy.  So after getting kisses and high-fives from all 3 of them I headed out.  They watched, with their little faces pressed up against the window as I waited for the Garmin to catch a satellite and then took off.  When I returned from my run Ava did what she always does as I walk in the door … she ran up to give me a big hug.  She doesn’t seem to even notice I am usually sweating like a pig.


That afternoon we decided to head to the animal park.  I told her that while we were there we would have our race. She picked up the running jacket I got her for Christmas and was ready to go.  We had to convince her that she didn’t need her jacket to run.  It was pretty warm outside.  Once we had visited some of the animals we went to play in the park and to have our race.  We did some running back and forth and then I let her put on my Garmin so she could do a timed run.  I promised her I would upload her run to Daily Mile when we got home.  She, Naomi and even little Simeon took off.  She was so proud of herself.

Later that day we decided to ride bikes, well Ava and Naomi rode their bikes and I walked along side of them.  We just went around the block a few times because Naomi is just learning to ride and has not mastered the whole stopping thing.  They both can go pretty fast.

I am so glad I got to spend time doing activities with my munchkins and I am happy that they love to be active.  That sets a good path for a healthy future ... and for lots of fun with Aunt Molly when she visits.