11 year old Briana J.

Joe, some people do NEED sunglasses.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/lightsensitive.htm

I'm not saying the kid does, but who cares?

quit with the sunglasses? go tell that to every 11 yr old with a jeter jersey on, or jordan shoes. those have no function. really buddy, is your problem with an 11 year old acting her age or her parents acting her age?

stop picking on a kid. loser.

Well since she is 11 and still lives at home I presume that her parents buy stuff for her, so sure they share in the blame.

Whether you or anyone agrees with my position or not, my goal is genuine, and it is only to further distance running in the United States. I'll lay it out for you:

#1 - I think that she should quit with the sunglasses and stick to smaller less prestigious races because I think that that kind of attitude change will help her in the long run. If her parents are involved in that decision (and they might not be; I know some parents who let their 11 year olds walk all over them, especially when they demonstrate a talent for something) then I think they should make those changes.

#2 - I think she is a very good runner for an 11-year-old girl.

#3 - My points have not been mean-spirited or anything like that yet I've been called a dumbass and a loser. Good job there fellas.

#4 - I simply gave my opinion on something. Fine if you don't agree with me, but how about if you just make a good point like politically correct did and leave it at that?

#5 - I do think that the reason for the sunglasses is primarily an image thing, and it is my opinion that an 11-year-old ought to leave that stuff behind, just like that Little League World Series kid who showboated after his home run should leave that behind. Sunglasses are not necessary for racing, but basketball shoes and jerseys (unless they are playing with shirts off) are necessary. I didn't say she shouldn't wear running shoes and running clothes.

#6 - You all know my opinion on this issue, so I don't need to respond further. Sometimes the minority opinion is the right one, and it is in this case.

Knower,

Check out this pic.

http://www.fast-women.com/photos/nic02/nic02.jpg

Seems to me you were just looking for anything to bad mouth this girl. By most accounts, the sun was very bright the day of that race meaning sunglasses could have been a necessity at the time.

Knower wrote:

#3 - My points have not been mean-spirited or anything like that yet

Go take a look at your post that started this thread and tell me that again. "You're not Suzy-freakin-Hamilton. Give me a break?"

That's not mean spirited? You give us a break.

#4 - I simply gave my opinion on something. Fine if you don't agree with me, but how about if you just make a good point like politically correct did and leave it at that?

I made several good points, none of which you ever addressed. Most notably the fact that it was a very bright day, the kind that cries out for sunglasses. I was there. Where were you?

#5 - I do think that the reason for the sunglasses is primarily an image thing, and it is my opinion that an 11-year-old ought to leave that stuff behind,

You think sunglasses were invented just because people wanted to look cool? Of course not. They are a very useful tool, worn by millions. Hell, nobody needs all the new running technologies we have (coolmax, air-insoles, phylon, goretex) but we use them because they make life easier. Why is this point so difficult for you to accept?

You have set up a nice little straw man (er, girl) here and the proceeded to tear it down. All based on the silly assumption that people wear sunglasses just for image and nothing else.

you were mean spirited for mocking an 11 yr old for wearing sunglasses.

it was not an opinion, it was an attack.

you cant be serious in saying that an 11 yr old wearing a 100 dollar pair of jordans are needed for anything other than showing off , or a 50 dollar jeter jersey. a t shirt, or a pair of 40 basketball shoes will do just fine.

if there needs to be anymore posts, it would be you apologizing to that girl.

I agree that Knower is a judgemental loser. Take care of your own children and stop telling strangers how to take care of theirs. Not everyone lives in your little anal world.

If Briana was 11 yr old boy, would sunglasses be ok?

No.

So basically (let me get this straight), no matter what the conditions, sunglasses should never be worn. Is that your position? It seems so. Or maybe you only mean for 11 year olds.

Now, you must assume a few things to hold your opinion:

1. Bright sun is not hard on the eyes

2. Sunglasses are an ineffective fashion accessory, with no power to stop the suns rays from irritating the eyes

3. 11 year olds do not have the right to choose their race apparel, while 27 year olds do

4. Individual choice in matters of race apparel is wrong, and should be stamped out immediately.

I think the tight and short tank top is more inappropriate than the sunglasses. And that's not a criticism of her, but more her parents for thinking that's OK at age 11. It is really unnecessary and invites too much attention.

Right, runnerchic. I also have concerns have her hairstyle. Some light blonde streaks up front would have been nice.

A two page thread over an 11 year old wearing shades. Give us a break dude. I wear shades and everyone I train with wears shades. It gets bright during the summer you know. So she's probably a little faster than you. Just let it go already. This is probably the most moronic topic I have ever seen on this message board. Congratulations.

I too think the shades and the outfit are a non-issue, though not what I would choose for an 11-year old girl.

I do think that people are getting too excited over this girl-it's pretty common as far as I can tell for young girls who actually take up running to run quite fast before they hit puberty and start piling on the body fat (although most only race distances 5k or less). I was overseas a few years ago and ran a 5k (certified course) in which a group of no fewer than 3 under 13-year old girls freaked me out by running out ahead of me at the beginning and finishing between 18 and 19 minutes to my 17 flat. I also saw a really young girl (7 or 8) last year run some crazy time like 3:20 for 1k (also on a certified course). Little girls are all legs and the active ones are very lean. Looking back at pictures of myself I've often thought that I would have smoked a few races had I picked up the sport at an early age.

Probably the grand daughter of the Pioneer of Running Sunglasses. Also known as Peter Buniak.

Anyone?????

Some people do need them due to eye conditions (myself included). Some people just feel more comfortable. If people have other reasons, so be it.

If you really want to bash athletes for wearing them, try sprinters, or worse yet, high jumpers.

Truth is, I just wanted see how long we could keep this foolish thread going.

Mick asked, "If she was an 11 year old boy, would sunglasses be ok?"

Dude, scroll down on the picture...I don't think she is an 11 year old boy...more like a full grown man.

http://www.fast-women.com/photos/falmouth02/falmouth33.jpg

Sharp eyes my man...sharp eyes...I am at once confused and a bit jealous...then confused again

Talk about being inappropriate. I get two pages of flak for saying this little girl ought to stop with the image thing and just run and race in anonimity, called a loser, slower than she is (yeah right), a dumbass and so on, but I never would say anything like what COOP just did. Why is it that you tolerate such an inappropriate comment?

Anyone care to take a slam on someone who really deserves one?

So?