The Sweaty Girls Rock had a great weekend working at the "irunlikeagirl" booth at the recent Optimyz Health and Wellness Show in Halifax.
Debbie invited us to join her in promoting our new favourite apparel from www.irunlikeagirl.com. Not only did we get to spend time with each other, we got to support and promote something we all believe in.
The booth had magnetic appeal - the moment someone realized what it was about they were hooked. "This would be perfect for my daughter!" "Oh, I need to get one for my mom. She just started working out and I'm so proud of her." "I need one for me. I'm hoping to run my first 5k this spring!" We heard many inpsiring stories over the two days - a reminder that a girl's spirit truly is universal, ageless and endless.
It was especially inspiring to receive support from our male visitors. Two young fellas in particular approached to buy a couple hoodies. Assuming it was for a sister or girlfriend, I was what size she would need. Imagine our delight when they both responded: "These are for us! We'd be honoured to wear this in the Bluenose!"
The few snide comments or raised eyebrows we did receive weren't entirely unexpected or even disheartening. Changing perceptions or ideals, especially when it comes to those based in gender, doesn't happen over night. And as I observed the few skeptics walk away, I could only assume they have never had the humbling experience of running in Queen Bee's wake. God help them the day they do.
In a world that bombards girls with negative images, gender-based assumptions and unattainable ideals, this type of message is one to be celebrated and each time we put on our irunlikeagirl shirts, we do just that. It allows us to wear what we believe in on our sleeve. Literally.
In the February issue of Runners World, I read with great delight this month's installment of "The Newbie's Chronicles" in which the author shares how his running, or as he refers to it, his "gasping efforts," inspired his 6-year old son to run as well.
Reading his story, I couldn't help but think of my niece Paige and how after being there for me at last year's Saint John Marathon, instantly decided she too wanted to run it this coming Fall. What I hoped wouldn't lose steam has in fact turned into an 11-year's determination to wear her own bib number in September.
The two-page story "A Mile in His Shoes" concludes with a rather inspiring thought - a thought that goes far beyond running. It's a much-needed reminder that we not only have the power to impact those around us, but that we do impact those around us...whether we realize it or not. Something I think we often forget.
The writer begins to wrap up by quoting a study (Christaks/Fowler) that appeared in the New York Times: "If you want to improve the world with your good behavior, math is on your side. For most of us, within three degrees we are connected to more than 1000 people - all of whom we can theoretically help make healthier, fitter and happier just by our contageious example."
The writer then went on to conclude his article in his own words: "No one is an island. No one runs in a vacuum. There is always someone watching you leave the house, dig it out, come back, and do it all over again. You are being watched by a roommate, brother, a spouse. The driver of every passing car. You are being watched by future generations. My grandmother ran in college! someone might say of you one day. My great uncle took it up in his 30's and ran marathons into his 60's! We are inexorably entwined within each other's influence. You may run by yourself, but no matter how early you start, no matter how remote your location, you never run alone."
I never thought of it that way before and by no means had I expected my "gasping efforts" could set a positive example but after reading the article, I have a different perspective - someone is always watching.
In my case, it happened to be the watchful eyes of my 11-year old neice who I can't wait to watch cross the finish line this fall.
