Running Fads

OK, we all know what fads are. We’ve seen plenty over the years. Remember hula hoops? What about Mohawk haircuts? I’m sure you have a list of your own (and maybe even tried a few?)

Well, runners are no different.

While our forebears had little choice, they ran barefoot and wore a loincloth, nowadays the various fads are almost boundless. Although, believe it or not, barefoot running has recently been a fad. I think it rapidly went away after many of he devotees determined that running across bottle caps and tab pulls was not a lot of fun (of course this was never a problem back in the early days, who worried about that when being chased by a hungry lion?) Fortunately, loincloths have not made a comeback!

Not many changes have occurred in the ensuing millennia although one wonders what Pheidippides was wearing when he ran from Marathon Greece to Athens to announce their victory over the Persians setting the historical basis for our current marathon race.  If he was wearing full battle armor and leather shoes it probably never became a fad. (It might also explain why, according to legend, he keeled over and died after delivering the message).

One of the more current fads has been minimalist shoes, the most prevalent one being the Vibram Five Fingers.

I guess you’ve had to try them!

Now the latest is compression wear, compression shorts (not really an option for guys, I wouldn’t imagine) compression tights (maybe) and even compression sleeves (just wear a long sleeved shirt!).

Of course, there are hip packs for carrying water, snacks, keys, phone etc. plus earbuds for listening to music. I can’t imagine how long it takes to get ready to go for a run? By the time you’ve spent all that time and energy getting ready you probably don’t need to even go for the run!

So what’s next? Shoes with electronics that tell you through your earbuds you are going too fast or too slow?

Thanks but I’ll pass. Shoes, shorts, and a top and I’m out the door! Just call me old fashioned (or just call me old).

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2 thoughts on “Running Fads”

  1. Maybe you could start a new fad by bringing back the Loincloth! Call it the Air Hollis! Lol

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