I had the unique honor of watching my dad compete in triathlon and Ironman competitions during my impressionable tween and teen years. Over many races at which I was a spectator, I saw hundreds of women compete with herculean focus, dedication and talent. They were fierce, and many came in well ahead of their male competitors.
So, growing up, when someone said that someone else (usually as a put -down) “ran like a girl” I pictured Karen Smyers or Paula Newby-Fraser devouring an Ironman competition. I pictured my dad and his triathlon friends in awe of these women as they “blew by them on the race course like they were standing still.” So when anyone said, “You run like a girl,” I thought to myself, “Hell yeah, I do” and I would picture myself running with superhuman speed (and, OK, often I pictured myself winning the race, too).
But sadly, in our society, many young girls (and boys for that matter) do not interpret “running like a girl” as a compliment. Which is why I LOVE this video that is trending on social media this week!
Here’s to swimming, biking, running, etc. – like a girl.
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