Last night I broke down and headed to Dicks to buy a much desired Nike running skirt.  I needed a little extra motivation for these 4:30 am wake up calls to exercise and I had yet to reward myself for completing my first marathon. I was also in dire need of a few more summer running outfits since my training schedule is increasing for my upcoming events.  If you do not know about my latest challenge I am shamelessly promoting to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, you can read about it here >>>Goofy Challenge.

I had to sit through a dinner at Cici’s and  purchase of a new super frisbee, but I won my hour at Dick’s Sporting Goods. My little guys are good negotiators to say the least.

Where did you get that skirt?!?

Now, I am somewhat known, maybe quite to the embarrassment of my friends and relatives, for chasing people down on the race courses to find out “where did you get that skirt!”.  I stopped a girl on an airport runway on a Bahama island, awkwardly interrupted a conversation, and even raced ahead to look like I was casually running past someone to ask the question (only to pretend to stop at a water stop, to hide my need to collapse in an out of breath mess). It is a problem. I admit it.  Although I have little or no fashion sense, I have secret dreams of looking like one of those sweat free running girls on the cover and ads of magazines. My event photos always seem to contradict that. But what if, I was dressed like them, maybe, just maybe I could look that good? A girl can dream.

Running is an expensive sport!

 So off I went to the Toy’s R Us of adult sports, Dicks Sporting Goods.  I headed straight for the women’s Nike running section, which was conveniently located right by the front door, and went to town.  One hour and 22 minutes later I walked out with the single most expensive bottoms I now own.  No cute pair of jeans with sparkly back pockets for me, I instead drop $55 on a running skirt. I tried to get one in purple to match the Team in Training colors but I just fell in love with this green color.

Now please note, there is not a frivolous bone in my body when it comes to fashion. Every article of clothing to this point has been purchased on super discount with multiple coupons. I shop at outlets, use my free running shirts from events and purchase the remaining outfits at Marshalls or Target. But I spend so much of my time in athletic wear, just once I wanted to buy my dream running outfit.  I think the purchased worked for motivation sake. I leapt out of bed this morning at 4:30 am to try out my new outfit, but alas, it was not my morning to go. Jeff and I switch off on mornings so we can both get our rigorous training plans in. His is for the 2013 Lake Placid Ironman, and mine for an upcoming Mohawk Hudson marathon in October and the Goofy Challenge in January. It was his morning for early morning training.

But I could not get back to sleep. I felt like a little girl again on the first day of school, needing to go through my new backpack and school supplies. I pulled out my new running outfit and examined it. The skirt had an extra inside running pocket I missed when I tried it on, and a back zipper pocket. 

Maybe the Nike running skirt will keep my from looking like this guy!

The tank had a small loop in the back to help control headphone cords. Maybe I will not look like the Modern Marathoner in this blog picture.  I could not resist, I put the outfit. I had secret hopes of sprinting out in a quick run before work the second Jeff came home from his morning workout.  But alas, scheduling, heavy rains, a sick child home with a rash put my trial plans out the window.  But the outfit feels so fabulous, maybe I will just savor this awesome goodness and work in it all day. One of the benefits of telecommuting 😉

So Nike, if you are reading this, and you have a few extra skirts lying around you do not need, I am happy to take them off your hands. This hard-working mom of two really wants to dress pretty on the course and I am afraid I will need a promotion to continue this habit.

Love,  Jennie

Disclaimer –  please note that Nike, Dick’s nor any of the companies mentioned above solicited me to promote this topic. This blog is just a shameless attempt to draw attention to my current goal of raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In January 2013, I will run 39.3 miles in the Disney Goofy Challenge. You can read some back ground HERE>>>Goofy Challenge or about my most recent fundraiser HERE>>>My Hero Fundraiser. Or if you would like to make a donation of any amount, you can go to Jennie’s Team in Training Fundraising page.