Tutu Runnner Against Magazine
I used to be obsessed with Magazines back many years ago! I liked and read all of them... food, fashion, shopping, women magazines, news magazines, mother magazines.
Then sometime around 2010, I started hating them. The constant list of "must haves", the judging eye on "What NOT to wear", the bullying articles on "Who wore it better". And I just cut them out of my life. The things inside them were pretty, perfect, magazine perfect! but they didn't tell me how to stretch out a meal out of 1 potato, 1 onion and 2 chicken breast. They didn't tell me how to feel better.
I started running around 2012 and would see pictures of women on tutus and flashy skirts and costumes running. Never did it cross my mind to think of the tutus or the skirts... being a new runner, the thought for me was that finding motivation to go out and run was more important than what I was wearing to races.
Then around 2014 that I came across, in social media, the mention of Monika Allen, and Self Magazine calling her tacky for running a marathon wearing a tutu. This made me so furious! There was this national publication, that proclaimed to be "different" on not judging women for their bodies, but for their strengths and work at being fit, calling a woman running a marathon tacky, only because she was wearing a Tutu! I found it offensive in so many different levels. I wrote them a nasty email.
Later, of course, the magazine found out that this woman was battling with brain cancer, and quickly issued an apology and featured her in their magazine. I admired that Mrs. Allen had accepted their apology, she certainly had 100 time the grace than I do. I would have flipped them off and told them to go rate other runners on their outfits, since they felt they were the experts on judging women.
I wore a tutu to a race once, I didn't like it. And I took it off 1 mile in. This does not mean I'm against them, it just wasn't my style.
I found out on Monday night that Monika Allen had passed away. I also found out that Monika Allen was very active with Girls On The Run in San Diego. The local running clubs in Harrisburg are putting together a run to collect donations on her name, for Girls on The Run this Thursday, and we are encouraged to wear tutus.
My son is with me that night, but we will both be participating on that run. I never knew Monika Allen, or followed her story after that article on Self Magazine. But her story touched me and motivated me. We don't typically run on tutus, but we will wear tutus on Thursday on her memory.
Rest in Peace Monika Allen, your courage and grace will always be remembered by this woman runner, with no fashion sense, but a strong will to keep running.
Then sometime around 2010, I started hating them. The constant list of "must haves", the judging eye on "What NOT to wear", the bullying articles on "Who wore it better". And I just cut them out of my life. The things inside them were pretty, perfect, magazine perfect! but they didn't tell me how to stretch out a meal out of 1 potato, 1 onion and 2 chicken breast. They didn't tell me how to feel better.
I started running around 2012 and would see pictures of women on tutus and flashy skirts and costumes running. Never did it cross my mind to think of the tutus or the skirts... being a new runner, the thought for me was that finding motivation to go out and run was more important than what I was wearing to races.
Then around 2014 that I came across, in social media, the mention of Monika Allen, and Self Magazine calling her tacky for running a marathon wearing a tutu. This made me so furious! There was this national publication, that proclaimed to be "different" on not judging women for their bodies, but for their strengths and work at being fit, calling a woman running a marathon tacky, only because she was wearing a Tutu! I found it offensive in so many different levels. I wrote them a nasty email.
Later, of course, the magazine found out that this woman was battling with brain cancer, and quickly issued an apology and featured her in their magazine. I admired that Mrs. Allen had accepted their apology, she certainly had 100 time the grace than I do. I would have flipped them off and told them to go rate other runners on their outfits, since they felt they were the experts on judging women.
I wore a tutu to a race once, I didn't like it. And I took it off 1 mile in. This does not mean I'm against them, it just wasn't my style.
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| 4th of July themed race... have I mentioned I love running in costumes? |
I found out on Monday night that Monika Allen had passed away. I also found out that Monika Allen was very active with Girls On The Run in San Diego. The local running clubs in Harrisburg are putting together a run to collect donations on her name, for Girls on The Run this Thursday, and we are encouraged to wear tutus.
My son is with me that night, but we will both be participating on that run. I never knew Monika Allen, or followed her story after that article on Self Magazine. But her story touched me and motivated me. We don't typically run on tutus, but we will wear tutus on Thursday on her memory.
Rest in Peace Monika Allen, your courage and grace will always be remembered by this woman runner, with no fashion sense, but a strong will to keep running.
I've heard a lot about her lately. Great tribute post, Ana! She certainly was a gracious person. I've worn a tutu before but it was for a relay and we all had to wear them (and coconut bras).
ReplyDeleteYou ran a relay wearing a tutu AND a coconut bra!! wow! that's awesome!
DeleteI had no idea about the article - but what a dumb thing to do and write about.
ReplyDeleteI think I traveled down the same path as you, used to love magazines, but then discovered they don't actually tell me anything that was helpful, and they were half ads anyways.
I could never run a race in a tutu, I get annoyed enough with my regular clothes as it is, but run in whatever the heck you want. Just don't get in my way at the water stop. ;)
Love that you and your son will run (in tutus) in her honor tonight, what a great thing.
Jessie, I get annoyed at my own clothes too! even at my hair! everything gets heavy after 5 miles!
DeleteI don't judge what people wear at runs, whatever gets them out there !!
I remember that article well and like you was furious with the author who wrote it. I did not know that Monika passed away. How sad. So nice that your local GOTR are paying tribute!
ReplyDeleteIt was very sad to hear about her passing! We made a small donation on her name to GOTR.
DeleteI remember that story!! I really freaking hate people who are judge-y about someone's running. Running is supposed to be what WE want it to be. Some people think you can only be a "serious" runner if you check off certain boxes, and that bothers me. I guess I just hate when people take themselves too seriously. I agree, Monika had a lot of grace to accept their apology! I am sure the magazine learned a lesson. I hope the race in her honor is a success! Rock the tutu!!!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I have come to learn that we don't all have to fit the runner mold to be runners... and I have learned that from blogs!
DeleteI hate fitness magazines too - they're SO hypocritical, telling you how to improve yourself while at the same time saying we're already perfect but then giving sometimes very unhealthy tips for losing weight...I just can't stand it. I have some old ones in the house still because I plan to tear out some workouts, but I haven't gotten around to it.
ReplyDeleteI remember the tutu uproar. It was so tasteless of them and of course they apologized after, but only because they realized they'd insulted a cancer patient. It was so tawdry and gross. I think it's wonderful that you're running a race in Monika's honor. In a way, that's what running is all about!
I had some magazines that I was saving, then one day I got really mad and recycled them all!
DeleteI wonder if they would have apologized and featured here on the magazine if she hadn't been sick. I know that her being sick made it more despicable of them, but it was still very rude and inappropriate.