All posts tagged running
Ask the All-Knowing Running Expert (me)
People should come to me for running advice.
Question Asker: Jill, I haven’t set a new PR in awhile. Any advice for me?
Me: Try running in jorts.
Question Asker: Huh?
Me: Do it.
Question Asker: But…
Me: Shut up.
Next!
Question Asker: Jill, I’d love a first place finisher’s medal at my upcoming race. What can I do?
Me: Wear jorts at the race.
Question Asker: That doesn’t make any sense.
Me: Shut up.
I’d then tell them both that there is evidence already that there is REAL running power in denim.
And if they still don’t believe me then I’ll say, “The following things happened JUST YESTERDAY, Bitches!!”:
[From our latest love, Brett, after his Chicago race]
Anyone else think, “Why are his jorts on backwards?”
[And our love, Mike, Jorts House Mafia member, again in his green jorts]
His FB comment, “Powered by Jorts”
How long is it going to take for you to learn, My Friends? Wear jorts. Run your heart out. Reap the rewards. (Don’t forget the most important part: take pictures and send them to me). Do it.
Posted by Jill on June 9, 2013
http://joggingjeans.wordpress.com/2013/06/09/power/
He’s “single and ready to mingle”
[hangs head in regret]
It was just recently that I said that I had more jean-jogging boyfriends than I could manage and was forced to ready to share.
[face palm]
Too soon. I said it too soon. And since my word is solid, I won’t go back on it. I’m cool like that. My loss is your gain. My massive loss is your humungous gain.
Meet Brett.
This cutie was kind enough to send pictures so we can get caught up on his jort history and take the time to answer a few questions:
1. What on earth gave you the idea to run in jorts in the first place?
Back in 2010, I was gearing up to run the BolderBoulder 10K for my first time. It’s one of the biggest races in the country (50,000 people) and I heard everyone dresses up for it too. It was the furthest race I had ever run at the time so I didn’t want to get too crazy with the costume. I had coincidentally just ripped a hole in the crotch of a pair of jeans. Since I didn’t want to wear those anymore, I thought, “Hey! I could cut these into jorts and run in those! That would be funny!” So I did just that, paired it with a Carrie Underwood shirt I grabbed at her concert (women’s size of course) and ran the course in 51 minutes that year. So I guess it was a happy pairing of events that led to me making and running in my jorts.
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2. What kinds of races have you rocked in jorts?
Thus far I’ve done 10 races (from 5Ks to half marathons). I’m gearing up to do my 3rd half-marathon in Chicago on June 8th and will of course rock the jorts.
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3. Do you wear the same original pair for all your races?
I have run in the same pair of jorts since I first made them in 2010 for the BolderBoulder. Though they do have a hole in the crotch, my compression shorts underneath don’t let anything, ummmm, hang out. They are a pair of Levi (formerly) Low Boot Cut jeans. They never let me down and honestly I only bust them out when I am getting ready to race.
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4. Non-denim runners are always concerned about chafing. However, denim-wearing runners I’ve talked with say that this isn’t the case. What is your experience?
I only chafed during one race and that was my first half-marathon in Las Vegas. Most of the time, the fact that I wear compression shorts underneath essentially eliminates any risk of chafing at all. Unfortunately, for the Las Vegas race, my compression shorts had seen too much action and ripped while I was running. So I basically had my thighs rubbing together for 10 miles and needless to say, the results were painful. That was no result of the jorts though! I would live and die by the jorts. They have pockets for all my goods as well (ID, credit card, phone, American flag, etc.)!
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5. You love the weird looks others, don’t you? Admit it.
I usually get some cat calls from girls after I run by or varying comments ranging from “Check out those jorts!” to “How the hell can he run in those!?” The looks are typically in the realm of jealousy and confusion as to how I’m flashing right by them..
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6. Any other comments about running in denim?
All I can say is I will be sad when this pair of jorts sees the end of its days! I’ve accomplished so much in them and continually PR! If you combine jorts with good training and good shoes, you can be unstoppable!
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Bonus question: Are you married? I’m asking for all my single viewers.
And I am not married. I am 23, work at a Denver news station, and do freelance film work on the side. I am single and ready to mingle. Hahahaha.
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There you have it, Girls. Our newest collective crush. Send Brett some JoggingJeans.com love in the comments or via Twitter.
Posted by Jill on June 6, 2013
http://joggingjeans.wordpress.com/2013/06/06/mingle/
Couples that jog in jeans together, stay together
If a picture captures a man and woman running together in denim, it automatically wins the JoggingJeans.com “Cutest Couple” award. The first pictures we have seen were both related to my new friends, Tracey and Andrew.
The first picture was submitted BY them and was taken at the Brian K. Betts 5K in Washington DC last May:
The second picture was OF THEM taken at the Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon in Providence, Rhode Island last August: 
And the latest submission comes from CJ (50ThingsBeforeITurn50.wordpress.com blogger) and was taken at The Color Run in Washington, DC on May 19th:
What is it about this picture that warms my heart?
Dear adorable guy and gal who are so happy in your running jeans,
Your “Cutest Couple” award is in the mail. Keep on doing what you do.
Your biggest fan,
Jill
Posted by Jill on May 31, 2013
http://joggingjeans.wordpress.com/2013/05/31/couples/
Running in jeans = Not prepared? I disagree. ;)
Posted by Jill on May 25, 2013
http://joggingjeans.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/notprepared/
Another runner IN JEANS at the Pittsburgh Marathon 5K
Although I missed him when I was on the sidelines cheering on my new friend, Andrew, there was another runner at the Pittsburgh Marathon 5K in denim.
Josh was running as part of a group raising awareness and money for L.I.V.I.N.G Ministry. And he did his fundraising in the most awesome way! From his website:
I need your help…
- If I get $100, I’ll run in jeans. Whoever breaks the $100 threshold decides whether those jeans are cut offs, and if so, how short.
- If I break $200, I’ll wear a suit and tie. I have no idea what the weather will be like. But i’ll be the best dressed runner, I assure you.
- If I break $300, I’ll skip the entire last mile. No, not bail out, I mean skip like in hop scotch. For a mile.
- Guess what, I’m on call for work next weekend too. It’s only fitting then, if I break $400, I’ll open a conference call and give all donors the info to dial in and I’ll give live progress updates for the duration of the race.
- If I break $500, I will do ALL OF THE THINGS.
You all have heard me talk about the L.I.V.I.N.G Ministry before. It’s one of the best ministries to the homeless, struggling, hungry, and forgotten public in Pittsburgh. Not only the mission, but the staff are by far the most focused, compassionate, and passionate people I’ve ever encountered.
Apparently, he met is $500 fundraising goal. Here is a picture of him running IN JEANS and a suit jacket:
And here he is skipping across the finish line:
Josh, contact me. We are destined to be friends.
Posted by Jill on May 19, 2013
http://joggingjeans.wordpress.com/2013/05/19/pgh5k-2/
Of course LL Cool J’s “Mama Said Knock You Out” was on my training playlist
[Sorry if you are looking for a new exercising-in-denim picture today. I need a place to talk about my first half marathon.]
Short version of my race recap:
My ran the Pittsburgh Half Marathon today (my first) in 2:09:40. I gave it everything I had in me. It was awesome. Of course I didn’t wear jeans, Silly.
Long version of my race recap:
I’m a weight lifter. Serious running along with serious weight lifting, in principle, are counter-intuitive. I’ve said it before: even though I run, I don’t consider myself a runner. I run because I know it is good for me. I don’t love it. I have no burning passion for it. I don’t identify with it. I’m not fast. My form is terrible. My face turns tomato red. I feel all sorts of terrible when I’m doing it. And I’m sure I do serious damage to my lung tissue with all the coughing that occurs (I have asthma).
But there is something about turning 40 that makes you want to punch that “4″ and that “0″ right in its old-lady, sun-spotted, fine-lined-and-wrinkled face. So I signed up for my first half marathon, trained for four months,* and then today…
…I caught 40 square in the jaw with a right hook, landed a spinning back kick, and then submitted that bitch with a rear-naked choke. It wasn’t the fastest “win” by any means – I did it in a shocking (for me) 2:09:40 – but a win is a win, right?
Notable things on race day:
- I cried twice. Neither tear-fest occurred at the finish line or because of pain. At one point, early in the race, I was overwhelmed with how blessed I am – that I am able and healthy enough to run 13.1 miles. The second time I cried was when I saw all the military service men, in full gear, on the railings of one of the bridges cheering us on. Runners were yelling “thanks” back at them, drowning out their cheers for us. It was moving in a way that I can’t put into words. And the tears? Full on sobs.
- My performance. I followed all the advice from my running friends (and sister) and, if it was possible to re-do today’s race, I would not do one thing differently. I had a negative split and gave it EVERYTHING I had in me – 100% was left on that course. I remember thinking when I hit the 13 mile marker that I DID NOT have another tenth of a mile in me, but somehow I was able to focus on the spectators’ cheers and that was enough to carry me across the finish line.
- The concerned volunteer. A lady, when I crossed the finish line, asked me, “Medic?” as she grabbed my arm and nodded her head up and down. I must have REALLY looked bad. I was, and am, fine.
- Spectators. I’ve written before that I could not have trained for this race without the support of my running group, Steel City Road Runners Club; their support and company has been vital in the success of my training runs. Today, the spectators were my support. The cheering, the positive energy, the cowbells, the bands, the signs were out in full force! I beamed with Pittsburgh Pride the entire race.
- The weather. Beautiful. Perfect.
- Miscellaneous. 1) The kid drummer for the band Chess Club and a Chick that was playing on the North Side. He was awesome. 2) The people handing out gummy worms on Carson Street. I so needed them right at the moment they appeared before me. 3) I didn’t see anyone running in jeans.
And the weekend as a whole:
- Meeting and hanging out with bloggers Charla (Running Haiku) and Tracey/Andrew (Stride and Joy) made for a memorable weekend that surpassed all expectations. Our time together was fun and comfortable and will be cherished forever. I’m looking forward to when I can get together again with my new friends.
- I have an old man stalker. The full story is almost unbelievable (in a very fun way). For another time…
* I came up with a training plan on my own and it consisted of one day of running each week [yep, that is all the running I did - 128.5 training miles to be exact]. I’m still deciding on the title of the book that will bring in royalties matching Hal Higdon and Jeff Galloway:
Posted by Jill on May 5, 2013
http://joggingjeans.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/4-0/
The best dressed runner at the 2013 Pittsburgh Marathon 5K
I’ve said it before: the best part of having this website is the awesome people that I have met through it. This weekend, I got to meet IN PERSON three people I’ve previously only known online.
Running Haiku‘s Charla came all the way from Seattle. Stride and Joy‘s Tracey and her husband, Andrew, are in from Boston.
They are in town for the Pittsburgh Marathon!
While we are all registered for the half marathon tomorrow, Andrew was also registered for this morning’s 5K. We had plans to meet near the start line. And guess what?
ANDREW SHOWS UP FOR THE RACE IN JORTS!! How great is that? Besides being super-impressed with Pittsburgh and telling me how much you love it, this is next in line for the best way to make me happy.
Look at that form!
Supporting his hometown in his Boston Marathon shirt.
Post-race looking like he didn’t even run!
He had a great run with no reports of chafing. I am officially his biggest fan.
After today’s 5K, Andrew is now a “Runner of Steel.” Charla, Tracey, and I will hopefully earn our titles tomorrow. Send prayers and good vibes our way.
Posted by Jill on May 4, 2013
http://joggingjeans.wordpress.com/2013/05/04/pgh5k/
Don’t know what to wear for your next obstacle race or mud run? Try JEANS!
Doug Smith ran the Devil Dash in Boulder City, Nevada last month. The Devil Dash is a 5K course featuring mud, barbed wire, and other obstacles. He wore Levi’s jeans and found that they helped avoid rope burns, cuts, and scratches during the obstacles.
He wrote to Levi’s: I finished with only a few minor abrasions. With just exercise clothes or shorts, those abrasions would have been bleeding lacerations from sharp rocks and parts of the obstacles I came in contact with. The 510s™ are excellent because of the tight fit. And given the stretch they have, they didn’t impact my ability to run or go over/under/through the obstacles.
I have worn that pair of 510s™ about 800 days now, over three plus years. They weren’t even damaged during the event, even though I was crawling on hands and knees in rocky sand and mud and scraping across ropes.
And the mud did not penetrate the outer layer or the jeans. I was clean on the inside!
Follow Doug’s lead. Wear jeans for your next obstacle race or mud run. And, as always, send me pictures of your muddy, denim-wearing self.
Posted by Jill on April 28, 2013
http://joggingjeans.wordpress.com/2013/04/28/obstacle/
Jeans EVERYWHERE at the London Marathon
All you running apparel snobs better hang onto your overpriced visors. The running-in-denim craze is sweeping the WORLD! London Marathon. April 21, 2013. Count ‘em: 1, 2, 3 people in jeans. At least three. There were probably more. A LOT more.
1. Danny Price, the brother of English celeb Katy Price, ran the full marathon IN JEANS in support of Jeans for Genes. I wrote about him and the charity here after he donned denim for the Brighton Half Marathon.
2. This dude rockin’ jeans and a leather jacket. He’s obviously not racing for speed, but he’s won my heart.
3. And this thing. Am I supposed to know what it is? Who cares. Just love it because it supports running in jeans.
Posted by Jill on April 26, 2013
http://joggingjeans.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/london-marathon/
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Runner’s World – April 2012
Runner’s World – December 2012
