I've come across some sites that advertise or document activities at 'running camps'. I've not personally attended one, having never taken the sport up that seriously, but on the 'Photos' sections I've noted something very telling:
These folks, when they go for their training runs, fall heavily into the 'who needs a shirt?' category.
Among males, a good 80 per cent overall are shirtless as they pad along. Among females, over 50 per cent are in their jogbras, which as you may recall qualifies as 'honorary shirtlessness' in my book. Numerous large groups of males are to be found running along with not even one member clad in a constrictive upper-body garment. Mostly, none of them is even carrying a shirt in his hand or tucked into his shorts, so it is clear everyone had started off confidently bare-chested.
The first thing one might conclude is that, when there is 'safety in shirtless numbers', the natural upshot amongst runners is to shed shirt and run free. For those of us, then, it may often be the inhibiting effect of running alone or with someone who doesn't make the first move to strip to the waist that keeps us all 'topped-up'. Ironically, of course, it would seem then if we take the initiative to take off our shirts, it is at least possible that our running partners, or others in the vicinity, might feel more comfortable following suit.
2 comments:
It's quite true. Of course, not everyone will follow your lead (I had a room mate who would hardly be seen shirtless in front of guys in his own house, let alone in public. Poor guy.) but a lot of guys are really just watching for someone else to be the first one, to let them know that it's ok. I like to think when I am out running shirtless that maybe I can give some other guy the confidence to take his shirt off too. Sometimes you never know when you just pass another jogger on the street. But often if we pass again, it seems to have worked. The same applies for outdoor ball games, frisbee, hiking, etc. Be the one to set the example and give other guys the confidence to be comfortable in their own skin.
Glad to hear you've successfully spurred some folks to 'join the club' at least a time or two. As I think I've said before, one often only has to give shirtless running a whirl to get hooked.
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