Is it just around where I run or are there loads of Ninja runners about?
Now I spend less time focussing on the gravel infront or wiping sweat out of my eyes I have been taking more notice of other runners. Around where I am there seem to be a lot of all black-clad wooley hatted and gloved Ninja types. Maybe because there is no need to run on the roads locally then maybe runners feel less inclined to go for the electric blues, fire engine oranges and radioactive limes?
What's it like where you run?
Written by
Lordi
Graduate10
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I run along the river in a small West Norfolk village - ninjas of any sort would freak the locals out 😂😁😂only people I ever see are dog walkers all of whom we know in the sense they all know our dog Edward Otterhound who is a bit of a celeb round these parts....
Lots of traffic here, so lts of fluorescent colours and flashing lights. My own running jacket is orange and blue with a yellow light on the back and reflective strips, and I chose contrasty leggings that are reflective too. My daughter is more of a ninja, minus the balaclava, but she does have glow thingies on her ankles I think.
I am a bit of a ninja but do have a fluorescent jacket for my dark early morning runs. My next challenge to myself is to wear shorts. I just worry, as a woman, about drawing too much unnecessary attention to myself by getting my pins out! But it will be much more comfortable in the spring/summer when it’s warmer, so sod it!
I think anyone running in just shorts at this time of year will draw some attention for being strangely dressed for the weather, but I have never known women in shorts to draw unnecessary attention otherwise. At the Crossfit box and the Powerlifting gym, half the women wear sports bar and booty shorts and no one bats an eyelid.
Well, Rig, I am planning on wearing a T shirt too, and waiting for the weather to warm up! But it’s about feeling vulnerable wearing fewer clothes whilst out on the street - and as a man you won’t have necessarily have ever had to contend with this, am I right?
Not necessarily, no. There is a difference between feeling vulnerable and attracting unnecessary attention, however. I have run and worked out with a lot of women in shorts and seldom if ever noticed them attracting unnecessary attention. I am not denigrating your feelings of vulnerability, merely trying to reassure you that in all likelihood they will be unfounded. The enormous majority of the non running public pay not the slightest attention to runners, regardless of how they are clad.
though maybe a bit different on the street to in a gym where everyone else is scantily clad? I know exactly what Sadie-runs means, and it's something most men don't really 'get' because they don't grow up with the casual sexism women experience.
I am definitely in the ninja runner category but given I'm running in a snowy white environment during the day, singing and playing air drums or fist pumping, just generally loving my tunes, I am anything but stealthy 😆. I either run on the city pathway system or in my neighbourhood sidewalks, all during daylight, so am not too worried about visibility. Can't wait for warmer weather and less layers though!
I was definitely a ninja to begin with. Why would I want anyone to notice me panting and wobbling along at a snail's pace? As I've gained in confidence interestingly my running wardrobe has become more colourful - in fact I bought a florescent pink top today!
I think if I wore electric blue it would be like adding go faster stripes to an old clapped out mini. I am mainly Ninja but not as nimble.
There seemed to be a lot of runners out today in my neck of the woods and they were mainly of the Ninja variety .. wondered whether it is post New Year resolutioners or just that I was running a different route to normal.
Ninja here, and fairly minimal in terms of gear really. Since I am in Rome most runners are kitted up to the eyeballs with a lot of very visible gear and generally look great. That said, I am noticing a slight move away from the fluoro stuff towards a more retro early 90s Central Park runner kind of look which i quite like.
As far as unwanted attention is concerned, if you are going to receive it, it'll probably happen regardless of what you are wearing. I have had a couple of slightly annoying incidents while running and I was dressed as if I was about to commit a heist. It's all about the offender, unfortunately -if they are going to do it, they will do it anyway. That said I feel a bit exposed in shorts too, but I think it's all in the mind really.
My friend (now dead) recounted two incidents of being sexually assaulted while running. In one, in Hyde Park, a man ran up to her and grabbed her breasts. Having said that, i don't think she was wearing anything particularly exposing.
That's awful. I truly understand the wish not to draw attention to oneself but really think that sexual assault or harrassment is something that a person so inclined will do if they think they have the chance. I was once groped by a stranger while walking home through snow in a full length coat, bobble hat and wellies, carrying a rucksack, so not exactly at my most irresistible.
Crikey, poor you. I hope you ground your heel into his instep! The trouble is one is much too startled to do anything usually, in that kind of situation.
Absolutely. It was many years ago but I remember just being utterly agog. I was quite upset about it. I had just finished work late in the evening and it was dark and snowing, so there was hardly anyone about; also I hadn't been living in Italy very long.
We get a mix here... I saw a man in shorts and a tshirt (pretty standard) yesterday and saw another in fluorescent compression tights and shorts over the top... me? I am more of a ninja- I have reflective leg warmers I wear, a headtorch and a dark jacket with fluorescent strips... I have a bright yellow top I wear underneath.... I do run in the dark and dress dark but I don't like dressing brightly as I feel I draw attention to myself x
It's probably a New Year's Resolution thing...when I started running in November I was very self-conscious (and cold) and felt much better swathed in dark clothing.
It's only later you realise that no-one is paying any attention to you at all.
Have admit I too have Ninja tendancies right now during cold weather (black leggings, shorts) , grey fleece. Hope to get more colourful in the warmer weather!
It’s more like cyclists near me whohave a death wish and clad themselves in totally black outfits.
The male runners near me wear black leggings or shorts and on general the fluoro yellow run jackets from Aldi.
I was racing yesterday and ladies of all ages shapes and sizes were wearing short shorts. Lots of bright colours in evidence, including colourful chaps too Mind you we were racing on the road with NO road closures
Ninja tendencies in the winter (my jacket is black, most of my leggings black, my shoes black with just a bit of purple). Come spring all kinds of coloured tops will break out along with the pale arms and legs. But especially my beloved parkrun apricot and parkrun 50 milestone shirt (red).
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