Weekly training 10-6

This was a rough week. I think the prior week's 7-mile road run really took a lot out of me.

Tuesday, 10-1: 2.67 mi road run in 34:33, 12:56 pace around my neighborhood
Wednesday, 10-2: 0.67 mi track run, untimed, at my rec center (+burpees and weight machines)
Thursday, 10-3: 1.4 mi road run in 21:27, 15:19 pace at White Rock Lake
Saturday, 10-5: 6.2 mi trail run in 1:47, 17:16 pace at Cedar Ridge Preserve

Week total: 10.94 mi
Month total: 10.94 mi
September total: 46 mi
October goal: 70 mi
End of year progress: 35.94 mi (from 9-18 start)
End of year goal: 150 mi

I've also started walking the stairs at work once a day from the 1st to 20th floor and timing myself.

10-1: 5 min 20 sec
10-2: 5 min 11 sec
10-3: 5 min 14 sec
10-4: 4 min 57 sec

Is it cultural appropriation?

I was SO excited to find a beautiful Indian garment in my size and a good color for me at Goodwill this week. I can't wait to wear to the next Amtgard (medieval combat recreation and fantasy social club) event.

And then a few days later, I thought, Oh shit. Is this cultural appropriation? Am I even allowed to wear this? It's not as if I'm going to wear it to work or around town; I really only want to wear it at this particular social event where it would fit in very well, and another white lady costumer whom I respect has also worn Indian Goodwill garb there, but I don't even know.

I've worn cholis and saris combined with other garments to create awful bastardizations before, but now I know better and am going to try harder. (No, I don't expect a cookie or a pat on the head. This is my personal blog about my personal journey, and I try to use my privilege to raise awareness and teach. The issue of white legitimization of other cultures is a topic for another day.)

Not cool, Past Me.

So now I have some reading and research to do and need to examine my intentions.

It's clothing that is pretty and comfortable to wear and will protect me from the sun. It fits my persona of being a world traveler who has no set "style" but samples from different genres and sometimes cultures. My motivation is admiration not mockery.

It's an everyday object not sacred or holy. It's not half as ostentatious as the hot pink and turquoise piece I originally had my eye on. What the hell is this garb called? Maybe I should learn that. From Wikipedia:

Shalwar kameez, also spelled salwar kameez or shalwar qameez, is a traditional dress of South and Central Asia, especially of Afghanistan and Pakistan, where it is worn by both men and women. In India it is worn mostly by women. It is also worn by women in Bangladesh. Shalwar are loose pajama-like trousers. The legs are wide at the top, and narrow at the ankle. The kameez is a long shirt or tunic, often with a western-style collar . . .

Yay for learnin things! Tunics and loose pants comprise most of the garb worn at Amtgard, and this piece is a modern version of a historically accurate outfit. This garment differs from those used for specific religious and festival occasions.

The Shalwar kameez is sometimes known as "Punjabi suit," in Britain^[3] and Canada.^[4] In Britain, especially during the last two decades, the garment has been transformed from an everyday garment worn by immigrant South Asian women from the Punjab region to one with mainstream, and even high-fashion, appeal.^[5]

In India, the garment was originally confined to the North, but as a convenient and modest alternative to a sari - and also as one that flatters practically any body-type - it has become popular across the nation. By varying the fabric, color and the level of embroidery and decoration, the salwar-kameez can be formal, casual, dressy, or plain; and it can also be made to suit practically all climates.

No one is profiting from my purchase except the poor in my community and the community of the person who donated the garment in the first place. Maybe my purchase is depriving low-income members of the culture from a needed garment. These gorgeous things do tend to sell quickly.

I read five pages of forum discussions on cultural appropriation, and all I can say is at least it's not fucking yoga, which I'm now more glad to have never liked in the first place. But one commenter did have this to say:

I think the difference is you specifically mentioned Native American regalia - which is different from wearing a salwar kameez or yukata because it is specifically sacred dress, and therefore less like eating a buche de noel and more like serving communion wafers at your party - it's not okay just because you got the little crosses just right.

Others think that using it for costuming is problematic because it's not a part of my culture. I have no inherited culture, so I'm not naturally sympathetic to the issue and have to work my way through mental contortions to even halfway "get it." I'll keep working at it and reading more and learning more.

All I can seem to find is more white people talking about what they think about cultural appropriation and no clear answers. Yes, it's appropriation, and inherently problematic, especially considering the history of British Imperialism. But I'm Polish, Czech, Italian, so does that matter? Sure, I could go ask some Indians about it, but no few of them are representative of the whole community, either.

Centuries of systematic oppression are such a pain in the ass.

Why is it so hard to find body positive runners?

A running group I belong to lists in its description that it will allow posting of personal questions, stories, advice, personal race photos and transformation photos. I’ve really been enjoying this group because it is overwhelmingly focused on running, compared to a running group I rage-quit a few hours after joining because it was all about weight loss.

Today a member posted an image from the internet that has used photoshop to enlarge the thighs and butts of two slim women running together and added a bucket of KFC fried chicken in their hands. I commented that the post deliberately demeans certain body types and food choices and is offensive and inappropriate to the group, and I have reported it.

The original poster is defending it, claiming she has a sense of humor and that I need to lighten up. I have both messaged the admin and tagged the admin in the comment thread of this post and really hope it will be dealt with. I can’t believe all the people supporting this image as a humorous post and attacking me for being a humorless bitch. UGH.

Halloween costume planning

So this is the first year since, um, middle school that I'm not doing a sexy costume. (I was an FBI agent in the 8th grade when I was into The X-Files.) There's no particular reason for the change except that I really want to cosplay Captain Mal. It's coming together really well.

I found a brown ladies' button up blouse and khaki pants at Goodwill. The pants are a bit too snug, but the style is just perfect, and we all love Capt. TightPants. (It's entirely possible that they'll fit better once I reach my goal of running 70 miles this month.) I ordered some generic brown boots from Groupon; they're not perfect, but they fit my budget. If I can find/afford better ones, I might get them.

Tan suspenders were kind of hard to find until I stumbled upon the magic Ebay search term: "beige." I found a pair I liked at the right price point and just got them in the mail. They're button suspenders instead of clip-ons, so I'll have to get buttons to sew onto my pants.

Toy pistols are a bit difficult to find, too. Stores only sell neon-colored guns these days, and the ones on Ebay were $20+. Halloween City had me covered for only $2.99, and I'm pretty sure we have an acrylic color in the household craft room called "Gunmetal."

I already own a brown belt and had resigned myself to making a holster and Browncoat from scratch, but I took one more look at Goodwill and chose a cheap brown purse to dismantle and repurpose and a "beige" raincoat with very nearly the right cut and fit. I'm going to (try to) dye it and make minor alterations: take in the wrists, add cuffs, make side slits from hem to bum, take it in at the waist, and remove the cincher at back.

I almost wanted a wig, but the perfect one at the store was $20 for a $5-quality wig. Not happening.

I will post updates once I complete the alterations. So exciting!

My Mud Running Journey, pt. 2

I mentioned yesterday the mud runs I've done. Now I've got my eye on the upcoming Savage and Spartan races. The Savage Race is 6-7 miles on November 23. It has what is probably my favorite mud run promo video of all time.

Having completed a few 4-mile mud runs, one of which on a sprained foot, albeit slowly, I'm not too worried about this one. It will be slow, but I will finish strong. I might be a little worried about my buddy's ability to train for this distance in time, but he's helpful for tough obstacles, and we really enjoy running together.

The Spartan Beast, however, is a 10-12 mile obstacle run on December 15. One friend did sign up with me, and a few months later she confessed that should wouldn't be able to train for it but still planned to go. Then she recently bailed altogether. I was immediately relieved because I'd been worried I'd be out on the course for 5 hours walking with her. But I've felt kind of anxious since then. It is a VERY challenging course, and I have injured myself at a mud run before. There are likely to be long, lonely stretches, and I've grown very accustomed to running with the buddy system.

So I'm planning as best I can and trying to think like a boy scout. I'll have a hydration pack with space for my cell phone safely sealed in a sandwich bag, extra energy chews, and—hell—a painkiller just in case. My RoadID with all my emergency medical information is on its way in the mail as we speak. Because it's a December event, I should be able to comfortably wear long-sleeved gear and worry only about sunblock for my face and neck.

Based on the video I've seen for this event, I need to acquire a sandbag to haul everywhere I go. I'm going to take a break at work every afternoon to go down to the lobby and walk up to the 19th floor and call it hills training. I've packed clothes to hit the gym after work today, but I don't know if I can make it a habit.

Here's hoping.

Choice 5k Fun Run/Walk

A few weeks ago I found out that the Life Walk 5k anti-choice event is being held on MY favorite running trail. I went to gripe on Facebook about the violation with the idea that I might go out and run my own 5k on the spot before the first wave while wearing a pro-choice tee. But I had complained to the Skepchick Quickies, a group of skeptic, feminist activists and runners, and within a few hours found myself organizing a full-fledged charity run counter-event.

The Choice 5k Fun Run/Walk will begin at 9 a.m. October 19 at the Oak Point Nature Preserve in Plano, from 5901 Los Rios Blvd., the parking lot on the north side of the preserve. There is no registration fee, and we are asking interested parties to participate locally and virtually and to donate online to Planned Parenthood, the Texas Equal Access Fund, and/or local women's health charities of your choosing.

Wear pink, wear orange, wear uteruses, wear costumes, make signs. We’ll have photographers. Bring your friends, your kids, strollers, and dogs. See the Facebook page (linked above) for site rules and event schedule.

I'm really excited to see this event grow.

Edited to add: Skepchick gave us a shout-out.

My Mud Running Journey, pt. 1

I've been mud running since 2011, though 2012 saw a long break from training and a complete lack of running partners. Here are the mud runs I've done so far:

June 2010 Boryeoung Mud Flats 5k (no obstacles, no solid ground, all mud)
4-16-11 Warrior Dash
6-5-11 Merrell Down & Dirty
6-25-11 Patriot Games
6-6-12 Gladiator Rock & Run
4-6-13 Hero Rush
6-1-13 Miles of Mud
9-7-13 Mud Factor

The Warrior Dash and Merrell Down & Dirty are my favorite two mud runs so far. The Warrior Dash was my first and was such a blast, was very well-organized, had unique obstacles, and had some of the best swag of any race. The Merrell Down & Dirty had a lot of Texas National Guard service members among its volunteers, including one shouting at us in his drill sergeant tone, "I want to see you smiling! You signed up for fun, so you'd better be having it!" It gave me a good chuckle on a long, hard slog between obstacles.

The Patriot Games, Miles of Mud, and Mud Factor were poorly organized at varying levels, frequently unsafe, and disappointing overall. Though I've heard that Patriot has since improved. These races inspire me to look more critically at upcoming events, to avoid inaugural races as much as possible, to stick to events with a proven record of epic awesomeness, and encourage my friends to do the same.

To that end, and to challenge myself, I'm looking at running the Savage and Spartan races before the year is out. And I'm moderately fearful and anxious about them, too.

11-23-13 Savage Race (6-7 mi)
12-15-13 Spartan Beast (10-12 mi)

I signed up for Miles of Mud to give myself a baseline. It was rough. Really rough. Four miles wouldn't have been so bad, except that I hadn't trained on hilly terrain, and that course had a LOT. The water stations were alright, but we were dehydrated by the end and there was no water provided at the finish line. We were very fortunate that I packed several bottles in my race bag and the car.

I'm now up to running 6 miles well enough on flat terrain, so I signed up for the Rugged and Raw 10k trail run next weekend to provide another training benchmark. I got to run the course a little over a week ago, and it kicked my butt. It was glorious, though. It's at the Cedar Ridge Preserve, which has some serious elevation (by this flatland Texan's standards) and gorgeous views.

I'm ready to add some hilly terrain to my training runs but am not necessarily feeling up to hill repeats. And I've been trying for weeks to get myself to the gym to start lifting but am lacking motivation. The obstacles will most likely be my downfall, specifically the rope climbs and incline monkey bars. I had better get on that.