Wearing Split Shorts in public - how to handle Hecklers? MEN ONLY

Reposting one of the all-time greatest letsrun threads... all your questions will be answered.

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=304393

Thank you.

I will read and internalize ALL OF IT.

2004.

Back when the air was clean, the sex was dirty, and people tried to give genuine advice on message boards.

Those were the days.

If I ran 12 miles into Boston in July I'd be dripping wet. My shorts would be stuck to me and I would need a towel. Is there any way you can leave a change of clothes/longer shorts and towel at your destination and throw them over your shorts before getting on the train?

I feel like the point of running is going fast and carrying the lightest weight possible. Also the heat training is teaching my body to cool itself down too. My shorts are soaking wet BUT when I go to H&M or the Prudential Mall, they have air condition and when I stay there for 10-15 minutes I'm usually cooled off and dry.

I'm not rich. I don't have an apartment or condo somewhere in Boston. I live in a large Irish Catholic suburb where my neighbors on the left are Russian, and my neighbor on the right is Jewish. I run away from this suburb just to reach Boston. Then I take the MBTA to a bus stop, and then either walk or jog back home. I also sometimes get McDonalds or Wendys after I finish running to Boston.

So you purchase a train pass solely to run? Do you have a job? It appears time isn't an issue for you. Reverse the process. Ride the train in clean and not smelling like sweat and run the other direction.

What are split shorts?

I don't just wear short shorts in public, I wear them 90% of the day every day, I love them that much. Be proud. For every guy that harasses you, just remember there's probably 3 girls in awe of you

I have a bus/train monthly pass that I use to commute for work/school

That is a valid option and I have planned on taking the train like 13 miles out and running all the way back, but you see that takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. from just waiting and getting there.

It's not just the train where I meet scum, it's also when I'm roaming around Boston.

I started running not on the track but out in the open. The hills of Boston and he rough pavement shaped my legs true way they are now.

If I have to change how I run and my routes because of people being bullies, I will have lost. I'm not infringing on anyone's rights by just wearing Split shorts yet people are steeping overboard with their amount of shaming. Or is that an equal interaction?

Anyways, I'm not changing the routes that I run because of nonathletic skinny-fats.

Prefontaine ran with guts.

I will run with anger and give anyone the mean stare to those who deserve it.

I'm tired of runners taking sh1t and not giving back. This is America. Be free!

Is English your second language? I don't understand your last post. It might be something not related to your shorts. If you're going to class/work smelling like crap I have no doubt people are commenting.

Go on Instagram and check out the shorts Mo and Centro wear. If Mo can run in Kenya in 4"-6" shorts than so can you. Save the 2" shorts for race day or accept the taunts and move on.

🙄

English is my first language. I just browse let's run through my phone and too lazy to be OCD about my writing and autocorrect

And no, I don't smell like crap. The benefit of wearing long compression shirts and in addition to using deodorant means I'm basically odorless. I also shower twice a day.

Don't bring up those NOP freaks in here, please...

I just scrolled through MC's ENTIRE history of Insta posts and when he is running he is in spilts, half tights, or full tights. The only time he is wearing 4"-6" shorts is when he's chilling or in the weight room. Sometimes he wears track pants or jeans. Sometimes he wears shorts over tights.

-1

Off track attire:

https://instagram.com/p/BAosZFESaoO/

https://instagram.com/p/BPXCnlwlqI_/

https://instagram.com/p/BVhTtBxg3tN/

I meant 4-6" tights as well. The guy running in 2" shorts in the Instagram post looks strange. Wrap it up. You're already wearing long sleeve tops.

In running as in life, moving up is often the answer.

Start training in bun huggers and see how you are received in Boston and surrounds.

Hecklers are nothing you need to "handle". Go out on your run expecting it, when it happens ignore it, use it as fuel for your fire, get some self confidence, tell yourself that the women love it, know that there's people somewhere that wear the same shorts as you, wear sunglasses if that helps, and most of all DON'T GIVE A SHIT!

Why do they look strange?

Is it just because he stands out? Would the guy who is wearing two inch split shorts not stand out if everyone was wearing two inch split shorts?

I know wearing split shorts makes people stand out, but that doesn't mean they should be targeted for dressing differently, should they?

Isn't it true that if you're hot you can wear whatever you want? So it'll be acceptable if you wear two inch split shorts just like it's viewed as acceptable to walk around the city shirtless?

To the hecklers, I'll be giving them the stink eye if I can sense incoming judgement. And if they try

This is 'Merica! The land of retaliation! ☺️

Be a muscular 200++ pounds...problem solved...no one will dare heckle you.

You know I refused to believe that people were as superficial as I believed.

It it is true: If you look intimidating on purpose, people will be afraid to say anything to your face.

But must we act like we're still in the animal kingdom hierarchy?

If we gain upper body muscle, that mean's we're sacrificing our speed for looks. And then, the purpose of wearing 2" split shorts become negligible. Might as well wear half-tights like a sprinter.

I never thought I'd meet so much hostility as a runner. When I first started running, I only worried about my form and base mileage and reaching a 8 minute pace. Now it has gotten to the point where my biggest concern is heckling. Is that the normal progression of what a runner is supposed to worry about? Criticism and mean comments?

It makes me laugh in a sad way...