Goodbye, 'Jogbra'...

May 2015: First up, though I still try to put up blog content whenever I can, it has been easier to more regularly visit the the Twitterverse. Follow me at @barethomas10 and let's keep the shirtless running flag flying. Of course, the blog still attracts very interesting comments, and good discussion. Keep it up.

Second, in the years since this venture launched, and as shirtless running among women has gone increasingly mainstream, the term "jogbra" has clearly declined in use. I will thus prefer "sportsbra" henceforth - as has already been the case on Twitter, and in recent posts here.

I continue to welcome guest posts (sent to barethomas@gmail.com) on any related topic, including from those who would discourage stripping to the waist. I am myself of course a fervent convert to the joys of running bare. But let all voices be heard!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

When too long shirted...

It's been a month now since I've hit my route in just shorts and shoes: I've just been too busy. As a result, I've noticed a peculiar mental phenomenon.

When I consider the prospect of heading out again, shirtless, there is an increasing sense of apprehension. From this, I have to conclude that those of us who want to go barechested need to keep up the practice, in order to keep away the cobwebs of 'shyness' or embarrassment. Some of it has a certain basis in logic: If we cease to exercise for too long, our bodies become flabbier. But this is multiplied in the mind, until we become paralysed with uncertainty.

I'll be squeezing out time for a shirtless run by next week, before I'm unable even to strip to the waist without being overwhelmed by doubts.

3 comments:

Tim said...

I'm living in a place where winter can last from 6-8 months of the year. Transitioning from tights and underarmor to just shorts and no shirt can be liberating during the first warm days of spring; however the thought of baring pale skin for the first time in months can be uncomfortable initially. Once the barrier has been overcome, I find that heading out the door without a shirt becomes alot easier.
ps: just came back from a shirtless run :)

barethomas said...

With you all the way on this one, Tim. The goodly rays of Brother Sun will soon make any paleness of skin a wintry memory.

Anonymous said...

In a way I can relate. Except in my case, going a long time without running shirtless makes me anticipate taking my shirt off even more. When I get to the park where I run (I drive to a certain park a considerable distance from home) I do get somewhat apprehensive when I see other people initially. Regardless, I do my stretch, take my shirt off, and go on running.