When I saw that shirt at the Lift Your Sole booth at a recent marathon expo, I knew I just had to have it. And, heck, why not buy some for friends? When I posted it on Facebook, even my non-running mom friends wanted one.
(Special note: I have an extra one that I will be raffling off in support of Relay for Life. Check out the link and info here.)
Even though, at one point in my life, I didn't want children, I've been a mom now for 12 years (almost 13, as I'm sure my son would be quick to remind me!) And, although-at times-it can be one of the most head-scratching, head-banging, nail-biting jobs, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Since I only started running a few years ago, I never had to deal with trying to fit in running around my son's nap and feeding schedule. So, I'm not sure I ever really identified myself as a "running mom." (Although, I did have the jogging stroller--does that count?)
However, women (and that would include moms, right?) are now making up a large percentage of the running population. In 2011, more races have been comprised of female runners in every major race category except for the full marathon. In fact, women make up almost 60 percent of the runners in 5K's and half marathons. For 10K's, it's 54% and that drops to only 41% of full marathon runners.
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It wasn't that long ago that women first took to racing longer distances. The first recorded female run was from 1896 when a young Greek woman ran the Olympic marathon at an unofficial time of 4:30 because she was denied the opportunity to participate.
Fast forward to 1967, when Kathrine Switzer became the first female runner to officially enter a marathon. Challenged by her coach because he didn't think a female could run a long distance, she entered the Boston Marathon using only her initials. She says that although there was not a box to check on the form about gender and there were "no rules written saying it was a men's only race," it was frowned upon for women to compete in a lot of sports.
Furthermore, all athletes were encouraged to have a note from their doctor before they participated and Kathrine did that. Luckily, she had a doctor who didn't believe that for women such "arduous activity would mean you were going to get big legs, grow a mustache, have hair on your chest and your uterus was going to fall out." (It's worth a listen to her video of her talking about that and here's a link to an excerpt from her biography detailing the events of what happened as she challenged the notions of the sport.)
And, while most of the men running around her were enthusiastic and supportive, a race official tried to push her off the course at mile 2. Fortunately, Kathrine's All-American football player boyfriend came to her rescue and with a "massive body block and sent him flying out of the race." She finished the race in 4:20 although she was eventually disqualified from the organization that governed the sport and she got lots of hate mail. Luckily for her, the positive feedback and fan mail outnumbered the negative ones and she later went on to win the 1974 New York City Marathon (in the female category) and also qualified for the 1984 women's running Olympic team.
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But, she changed the face of running forever. Today, according to RunningUSA, more than 7 million women finished a road race in 2011. Along with that growth, there is now an entire industry geared towards female runners. They offer all kinds of opportunities to purchase jewelry, clothing and more. There are even runs and websites dedicated strictly to women (and moms!) who run.
The first attempts to market towards female runners are quite funny, including the first running bra that was called the "jockbra" (eventually changing its name to the "Jogbra")...and yes, believe it or not....was made out of two male jockstraps!
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Not so today. "According to Running USA’s 2012 Women’s National Runner Survey, 65% of the female respondents spent more than $90 on running shoes last year and 80% spent $100 or greater on running apparel in the last 12 months." (I'm sure I fit easily into that category!) All the major sports brands have female only lines and there are even companies who cater just to female runners. (Some of my favorites include Athleta, Lululemon, Skirt Sports and Running Skirt.) (Many times, I think that's why I actually run--so I can get very cool looking athletic wear.)
And, the smaller companies (like Lift Your Sole with the "Motherhood is the Ultimate Endurance Sport" shirt) haven't missed out either. Here is some of the merchandise available to women and, specifically, moms who run:
From One More Mile (another one of my faves...and the first place I ever purchased a running shirt!), they offer products with the following slogans--
- Forget the Glass Slippers. This Princess Wears Running Shoes.
- Girls Kick Butt. Or, you can "upgrade" to Women Kick Butt.
- I Know I Run Like a Girl. Try to Keep Up.
- One Bad Mother Runner
- Some Girls Chase Boys. I Pass Em.
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| http://projectm80.com/modules/mod_mainmenu/tmpl/running-charms-jewelry-i1.JPG |
If getting a girls run in is something that appeals to you, there are tons of them to pick from, too. The larger ones include:
- Nike Women's Half Marathon where participants can run in San Francisco or DC and receive a Tiffany's necklace presented by a fire fighter in a tuxedo!
- Disney Princess Marathon where Disney-themed dress and tiaras are pretty much a requirement.
- More/Fitness NYC Half marathon
- Diva Running Series where runners get a "blinged out medal"
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So, why do women run? I have no doubt that the reasons for a female to run are about as plentiful as the number of women who run. But, in general, women report they run because it's easy to fit into their lifestyles, especially when they have children. As the survey in RunningUSA says, "This convenience of the sport is an appealing factor to women and all the challenges they face with taking care of family, work and other stresses." Plus, it's a social opportunity so women who might otherwise have to choose between networking and exercise get to do both.
Moreover, the popularity of running itself has attracted more female runners. Maybe that seems to be a "duh" fact, but as the number of runs have increased, the number of charities supporting the running movement has increased. Plus, along with that, comes the opportunity for women of all shapes and sizes to sign up with a team that will provide motivation and support for them along the way. (Obviously, men can get the same benefits, but studies show women gravitate more towards these causes.)
I'm proud to be a mom (and wife!) I'm proud to be a runner. And, I'm proud to be a running mom.
Catch you again at the back of the pack!
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