I’m a sucker for a cute running outfit. I’d rather buy a new pair of shorts than a dress, and dashing out for a workout in new gear simply makes me feel better. But innovative moisture-wicking technical fabrics and fluorescent colored running shoes weren’t always available.
In my first marathon, ending on a picture-perfect day in Central Park, I ran in striped nylon (very short) shorts emblazoned with a dolphin, blue stockings—hey, had to match the dolphin—a white cotton long-sleeve shirt, and gardening gloves. This was apparently my go-to racing outfit in those days, as I sported it again for a 10K in 1982 (pictured above with my father). That getup was pieced together from an almost non-existent running wardrobe, as the concept of running-specific gear for women didn’t exist back then. It was either cotton tees and sweatpants or, if you were getting really fancy, LIFA shirts made of polypropylene knit and GORE-TEX suits designed for men.
Underneath the T-shirts of yesteryear, the story was even sadder. While the first exercise bra was invented in 1977 they were still hard to come by in most stores in the early 1980s. So, everyday undergarments became athletic wear. In the famous 1984 photo of Joan Benoit Samuelsonwinning the first-ever women’s Olympic marathon in Los Angeles, a slipping bra strap didn’t sidetrack her from making history. As for shoes, the one specialty running shop in my area only carried men’s sizes, which made me look like I’d borrowed my husband’s shoes.
In time, the industry caught on to women athletes, many of whom were leading the charge for women’s running attire that was comfortable, functional, and appealingly designed. With that came the fast-drying, eco-friendly fabrics now found in all types of athletic wear. In the town where I live, one new specialty shop opened and then another—to service the growing market and offer the latest in Running in the Cold.
Running Supports This Marathoners Sobriety Health - Injuries in Emmaus and Nazareth, Pennsylvania, reminisced about the bad old days of pre-modern running garb.
“I think the focus on quite a few of the brands today is for the customer to wear their running clothing and be functional while they run, but then also be nice enough to hang out a little while and to go grab a coffee or stop at the grocery store,” he told me, as I sat at my desk in nylon-Lycra blend yoga pants. “It crosses over much better today than in years past when running clothing was only good to run in and you didn’t want to stay out in public with it on.”
Love to shop? Visit a local specialty running store near you for proper shoe fitting and the latest available performance apparel.
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Lori is part of the Runner's World Challenge (soon to be Runner's World VIP) group headed to the Marine Corps Marathon. To learn how you can be part of the RW VIP program, visit runnersworld.com/vip.
