I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Being outside the girl box doesn't mean doing anything in particular. It doesn't mean you have to be an athlete, or a straight-A student, or a scientist, or a model... or anything. Being outside the girl box means doing things that make you happy, staying true to yourself, and not trying to be someone you're not just to get other people to like you. It also means pushing your limits, taking risks, and trying new things. Sometimes it means doing things that make you a little bit nervous.
It means believing in yourself and accepting yourself for who you are. I am proud to say that I did both of those things just a week ago at the Skirt Chaser 5k. I signed up for this race a while back, when my friend David wrote about it. The concept is simple and fun: all the girls get a three-minute head start, and the overall winner of the race wins $500. I love running and am always looking for new, fun races, so running this race with friends seemed like a no brainer. If all I did was run, I'd be staying true to who I am, sure. But I wouldn't be writing a big post about it. Oh no, there was so much more.
A few days before the race, David called. The conversation went something like this:
David: Hey, do you want to model at the SkirtChaser?
Me: I think you have the wrong number.
David: No, come on, you're beautiful. It'll be fun. You can do what you always write about -- try new things, step outside your comfort zone.
Me: (big dramatic sigh) Okay. Sure.
Of course, David waited until after I agreed to this, he had informed the people running the fashion show, and picked up my race packet to let me in on some other details. Like the fact that Ashley Bond, ChicagoNow fitness blogger and Miss Illinois 2009 would also be modeling. Or the tiny, insignificant detail that the fashion show was after the 5:00 pm race, so we'd be all hot and sweaty just before modeling. Super awesome. I have to admit that all of these things left me feeling pretty insecure. I have zero experience modeling. Like all girls, I sometimes feel insecure or compare myself to other girls. Modeling in the same fashion show as Miss Illinois 2009 after running a 5k?! Nevermind the fact that Ashley is one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet, modeling in the same show as her made me nervous! I was certain that I'd end up looking ridiculous.
Still, I did it. I showed up for the race. Ashley and I ran the whole thing together and set off to get ready to model. As we were running, I decided there were some really neat things about this fashion show. All five of us who modeled actually ran the 5k. I think it's awesome that SkirtSports chose genuine women who were out there participating in the race to show off their latest sports gear. They could have easily hired professional models, but decided instead to highlight some of the strong, rockin' athletes participating in their event.
When we finished running, Ashley and I got our outfits. I modeled a cycling outfit and Ashley modeled a triathlon outfit. (They were pretty adorable, if I do say so myself.) Nicole DeBoom, the founder of Skirt Sports, made us all feel really comfortable, and told us to just be silly, have fun, and be ourselves. She really helped put me at ease.
Still, it was kind of a strange day for me. Running is my thing. I might not be fast, and I might not be the best, but I get running. I know how to get a good pair of running shoes, how to stretch my muscles, and what to eat before during, and after a race. It's a world where I feel completely at ease and comfortable. Immediately after doing something that made me feel at home, I launched into something that made me completely nervous. Sure, Nicole made me feel better. Ashley helped me calm down.
But when I walked on that stage, I was on my own. No one could tell me how to act or what to do. I had to trust that being my silly, sweaty, post-run self and dancing around on stage would be enough. I had to be brave. I'm proud to say I was all of those things. I got on stage, and even though I was nervous, I danced around. I smiled. I celebrated the fact that I could be a runner and a model on the same day -- within an hour! I took a risk and had a great time.
So... what risks are you going to take this summer? Tell me all about them at outsidethegirlbox@gmail.com. I can't wait to hear about all the ways you challenge yourself!
Filed under: Fearlessness, Running
Tags: 5k, Ashley Bond, Body by Bond, David Wallach, fearless, fearlessness, model, modeling, outside the girl box, Pace of Chicago, race, risk, run, Running, Skirt Sports, SkirtChaser 5k, SkirtSports
You're a rock star! Congratulations on being so brave and SO awesome.
Thank you! :) And thanks for giving me a little push in the right direction.
Yes....I second the rock star comment! You were great on stage! Hope you're enjoying that new cycling outfit! :)