I've gotten a couple of kind offers to come run with people. I'm not ready yet. Not because I don't think I can do it (although I'm hesitant because so many people are faster than I am).
It's the costume.
Let me explain.*
There are a couple reasons why superheroes wear costumes--to hide identity and to be symbolic. In my case, it's a little of both.
I've mentioned that I was never remotely an athlete. My tribe was always with the theatre** geeks throughout high school and the beginning of undergrad. By losing myself in personas--aided by costuming--I was able to do bold things because it "wasn't me." That I didn't continue to perform*** didn't stop me from mentally using this technique in other aspects of my life (for example, public speaking).
I was mildly interested in the possibility of running when I started. But when I discovered this whole subculture that runs in costume, I found myself on fire for it! I love cosplay in general, but it seems to be a game for the young and slender (neither of which I am). Plus the opportunities are limited to conventions. Running, however, seems to have a much larger scope for cosplay in both body shape and venue.
I looked at many running costume possibilities--and there are plenty of them--but Wonder Woman seems to fit where I am in my life right now. I don't want to be asleep in my life like Snow White or so many of the other Disney princesses. I want to be strong and brave.
At least for now, running is a pretty solitary activity for me. I'm still very self-conscious being slow and overweight. If I'm going to run in public, I'm going to need the persona and symbolism to get me at the starting line. It's a weird psychology, I know.
So, I'll see you in October. I figure a year of running 5Ks as Wonder Woman will help my brain accept that I am a runner now. Then I'll be able to run as myself.
And then I'll consider my next costume option. What do you think about a TARDIS dress? Because I'm definitely bigger (and more complicated) on the inside.
* We'll call this the More Information Than You Need portion of our program.
** Yes, spelled that way and pronounced "thee-ah-TAH" as affectedly as possible.
*** The reasoning as to why not is probably more complicated than it needs to be. I've done mostly choral performances as an adult and left it at that.
It's the costume.
Let me explain.*
There are a couple reasons why superheroes wear costumes--to hide identity and to be symbolic. In my case, it's a little of both.
 |
| At age 17 performing Shakespeare |
I was mildly interested in the possibility of running when I started. But when I discovered this whole subculture that runs in costume, I found myself on fire for it! I love cosplay in general, but it seems to be a game for the young and slender (neither of which I am). Plus the opportunities are limited to conventions. Running, however, seems to have a much larger scope for cosplay in both body shape and venue.
 |
| At age 20 in the musical Camelot |
At least for now, running is a pretty solitary activity for me. I'm still very self-conscious being slow and overweight. If I'm going to run in public, I'm going to need the persona and symbolism to get me at the starting line. It's a weird psychology, I know.
So, I'll see you in October. I figure a year of running 5Ks as Wonder Woman will help my brain accept that I am a runner now. Then I'll be able to run as myself.
And then I'll consider my next costume option. What do you think about a TARDIS dress? Because I'm definitely bigger (and more complicated) on the inside.
* We'll call this the More Information Than You Need portion of our program.
** Yes, spelled that way and pronounced "thee-ah-TAH" as affectedly as possible.
*** The reasoning as to why not is probably more complicated than it needs to be. I've done mostly choral performances as an adult and left it at that.
