Our Knight Life

Las Vegas Mom Blogger | Family, Fitness, Product Reviews

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Blog
  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
      • Baby Bump
    • Baby
    • Birth Stories
    • Breastfeeding
    • Babywearing
    • Cloth Diapers
    • Toddlers
    • Preschool
  • Family Fun
    • Crafts
    • Disney
  • Live Healthy
    • Running
    • Paleo
    • Eats & Treats
    • Fitness Friday
  • Whole30
  • Reviews
    • Baby Gear
    • Children’s Toys
    • Giveaways
    • Disclosure Policy

Don’t Bash The Running Tutu

March 27, 2014 By Emily 31 Comments

 

Last night I was perusing Instagram before heading to bed when I came across a picture of a fellow FitFluential ambassador wearing a running tutu.  I admit, I looked closer at it because this ambassador happened to be a guy running in a tutu.  While that is perfectly fine with me, it’s also not as common as seeing a woman run in a tutu.  I tend to follow people who inspire me, and many of them are runners who happen to occasionally wear a running tutu.

I read on down his caption where he explained he was sharing this picture in support of Monika Allen – a woman whose picture was used under a “BS Meter” story in SELF Magazine basically bashing women who wear tutus while running calling it an “epidemic”.  SELF Magazine actually reached out to ask for permission to use the picture, but didn’t tell her why they were using it.

That picture?

Well… I will let Monika from GLAM RUNNER explain it… this was taken from the GLAM RUNNER facebook page.

Excited to see our tutus in SELF Magazine … but shocked to see that running tutus are classified as lame. Especially considering the fact that this picture is from last year’s LA Marathon when Glam Runner founders Tara and Monika ran together as superheroes … because Monika was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and was running a marathon in the middle of a year of chemo.

"SELF Magazine" 'TutusRock" "Glam Runner"

Yep! They posted a picture of a woman fighting brain cancer, bashing her tutu! The same tutu she makes and sells to fundraise for Girls on the Run San Diego. A charity that trains young girls to run their first 5k, but also works with them on body image, self esteem, and more.

As a woman I have one question…

WHY ARE WE BASHING ANYONE WHO IS DOING SOMETHING THAT IS HEALTHY WHEN WE SHOULD BE UPLIFTING THEM?

Seriously, WHO CARES if a woman or man chooses to run in a tutu? Shouldn’t we be applauding the fact that women accounted for 8.6 million finishers nationwide (a record number) in races in 2012. (According to running usa.)

Last year I “ran” my first 5k and I did so wearing a bright green tutu.

"Color In Motion 5k" "Running" "Color Runs" '5K" "My First 5K"

That neon green running tutu made me happy.  It made me forget for a moment how nervous I was to be out on that cold and wet rainy morning. That for as many years as I could remember I was told I would never be a runner, and I even told myself I was not a runner, yet here I was trying to run my first race. I could care less how I ran that race, all I wanted to do was finish it, and that silly green running tutu kept me pushing forward.

If a tutu makes a runner happy or distracts them from the pain or self doubt that people sometimes go through during a race, what does it matter to anyone else?

When I finished that race that day I told my husband I wished I could run every day in a tutu.

"Color In Motion 5k" "Running" "Color Runs" '5K" "My First 5K"

As I train for my next 5k I can be sure that I won’t be reading SELF Magazine, and my next tutu order is going to be going to Monika and GLAM RUNNER.

One of the things that pushes me through my love/hate with running is reading other people’s stories.  I wish I would have found Monika’s in a better way than I did, but regardless of how I found it you can be sure I will be cheering her and every other runner I meet on – running tutu or not!

Shame on you SELF Magazine for not only featuring a inspirational woman in a negative light, but for using a photo from a business that is in the business of training new young runners to love a sport.  You could have easily used any race photo and blurred out the faces, but I’m actually glad you didn’t.

Had you done that your little bashing blurb would likely have been overlooked.  Instead you can use this as an opportunity to be the example to others.  Bashing, berating, judging… that all stops when people like your magazine stop making it “okay”.  The less we see of it, the less okay it is.  Next time – take the high road and support women in running.  I think we have had enough of the opposite.

 

  • Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
  • Latest Posts (view them )..

Emily

Emily is a wife & mom living in Las Vegas. The owner and writer at Our Knight Life, Emily loves sharing her two adorable boys and journey through motherhood. Emily has run four half marathons to date and is always training for her next big race. She also enjoys creating healthy recipes for her family and sharing family friendly product reviews.

Latest posts by Emily (Posts)

  • Don’t Call It A Comeback - February 7, 2019
  • The Little Prince at The Smith Center Las Vegas – Ticket Giveaway - January 31, 2017
  • 3 Simple Ways To Add Color To Your Diet @SUBWAY @OfficialSubway - January 13, 2017
  • Disney’s Moana in Dolby Cinema at AMC Movie Review - November 27, 2016
GHTime Code(s):                      

You may also like -

  • Monday Check In + Zucchini Egg Breakfast MuffinsMonday Check In + Zucchini Egg Breakfast Muffins
  • When Plans Change – Fitness Friday #FFMarchMiles (Week 1)When Plans Change – Fitness Friday #FFMarchMiles (Week 1)
  • My First 5K Race: Las Vegas Color In Motion (Wordfilled Wednesday)My First 5K Race: Las Vegas Color In Motion (Wordfilled Wednesday)
  • Fitness Friday | My First 5k! #FitFluential

«
»

Filed Under: All Tagged With: FitFluential, Running

Comments

  1. Carla says

    March 27, 2014 at 4:33 am

    ok I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT WAS REALLY TRUE when I saw it yesterday.
    sad sad sad.

    Reply
  2. Betsy says

    March 27, 2014 at 7:32 am

    I saw that too. Self should be ashamed. Boo!

    Reply
  3. Amanda Nelson says

    March 27, 2014 at 9:34 am

    This makes me sooo mad! Shame on you Self magazine! It doesn’t matter if I wear a clown suit as long as I get out there and do something that matters!!!!

    Reply
  4. Debbie @ Live from La Quinta says

    March 27, 2014 at 10:11 am

    I am so glad that Self was caught in their own nasty web. Good for Pavement Runner (and you) for calling them out, they should be ashamed. While wearing tutus is not my thing, I love anything that brings more people to fitness and running.

    Reply
  5. susan says

    March 27, 2014 at 10:22 am

    I can not believe this, this is such a shame…. so sad!

    Reply
  6. Ellen Christian says

    March 27, 2014 at 10:33 am

    I think it’s fantastic that people run to begin with. What they wear shouldn’t matter at all.

    Reply
  7. Jen Temcio @dapperhouse says

    March 27, 2014 at 11:03 am

    What a fantastic post this is! I am so proud of you for running that race. I am not a runner etiher but I am doing the Pretty Muddy Run this summer. Maybe I will wear a tutu!!

    Reply
  8. Jen Temcio @dapperhouse says

    March 27, 2014 at 11:04 am

    either 🙂

    Reply
  9. Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations says

    March 27, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Congrats on completing it. PS I love the tutu, you rock it well.

    Reply
  10. brett says

    March 27, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    i have seen this all over. very disappointed in the magazine.

    Reply
  11. Dawn Lopez says

    March 27, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    Oh wow, that is totally mean spirited! I have never seen anyone wearing a tutu running, where have I been? You totally rock the tutu, by the way! So cute!

    Reply
  12. Sofia says

    March 27, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    Unfortunately the media will do and say whatever it takes to make extra money. It is quite shameful.

    Reply
  13. Amber Edwards says

    March 27, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    Honestly I love the tutus on runners! Bad move SELF magazine. i don’t like you any longer! Most of the time; when I see women running with tutus it is for a movement. A purpose. A fundraiser! So yeah; the only thing lame about that is calling it lame. I think it is motivational and moving and inspiring that they are willing to look a little silly for such important causes! It’s like the photographer that dresses in a pink tutu and takes self portraits. His art work is known world wide. And they are actually quite beautiful. And it is done all because his wife is fighting cancer and it’s a way to help ease the pain for her and the other women he meets in the cancer unit. And all the money made from those photos goes towards cancer research. So I see women wearing tutus in marathons and I get excited and happy and think “YES! You Rock that tutu and be proud!”

    Reply
  14. Amy Desrosiers says

    March 27, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    I think it is very upsetting that people are bashing these people who are trying to make a positive impact…shameful but I’m not surprised.

    Reply
  15. Melanie a/k/a CrazyMom says

    March 27, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    LOVEd your post!!!! WAY to go and you looked like you were ROCKIN it… Self should be ashamed… really.. thanks for sharing your post

    Reply
  16. Mistee Dawn says

    March 27, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    Wow. It is so awful that someone somewhere will always have a problem with something. If that makes sense. Yay for you for actually completing a marathon! And for speaking up!

    Reply
  17. Jennifer Soltys says

    March 27, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    Oh geez! Whatever gets people motivated should be celebrated!! We have a superhero race here where people wear capes!! Why the heck not??!?!

    Reply
  18. Pam says

    March 27, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    Self was way out of line with that! Why do they care what people wear while they are running? If it makes them happy, it is none of their business.

    Reply
  19. Michele Brosius says

    March 27, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    Darn, why does the public have to be so mean and judgemental! I loved that neon green tutu you were wearing. I don’t think I would have wanted to get it dirty in color run! Good for you! I hope your future runs are succesful and you always wear your tutu with pride.

    Reply
  20. Mama to 5 BLessings says

    March 27, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    LOL! I saw this photo on Facebook and thought it was a woman!

    Reply
  21. Nicole Brady says

    March 27, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    I’ve seen people wear tutus during 5k races and while it isn’t my thing, I think it’s an awesome way for people to express themselves and show that it’s just good, clean, HEALTHY fun! I can’t believe that SELF would be someone to bash it.

    Reply
  22. Lisa says

    March 27, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    Sad. 🙁 The running tutu is awesome – no matter who is wearing it!

    Reply
  23. Nicole B says

    March 27, 2014 at 8:18 pm

    Shame on Self magazine. I hope they are getting every bit of backlash they deserve. Great blog post. You said it all.

    Reply
  24. Catherine L. says

    March 28, 2014 at 12:41 am

    I could care less what people wear when they run, as long as they have clothes on. Congrats on your first 5k!

    Reply
  25. Carlee C says

    March 28, 2014 at 2:45 am

    It is unfortunate when people or media criticize without doing the proper research. I personally think the Tutus are fun and why not have fun when you are participating in events like this. I don’t run so if I took it up this might help keep me motivated and inspired to keep moving.

    Reply
  26. Mindy Grant says

    March 28, 2014 at 3:26 am

    Wow, that is terrible. Who cares what people wear while they run? If they’re happy, then let them be.

    Reply
  27. Sarah @ Must Have Mom says

    March 28, 2014 at 8:17 am

    Wow that was really done in poor taste, especially considering this was done by a cancer survivor! The magazine sure made itself look bad!

    Reply
  28. Amanda says

    March 28, 2014 at 8:26 am

    I’m doing my first 5K tomorrow… in a TUTU! It’s a Diva Dash and who cares if we are in tutus? They are fun, they make the daunting task of exercise just a little easier. You look great 🙂

    Reply
    • Emily says

      March 28, 2014 at 11:37 am

      Good Luck Amanda!! Let me know how it goes!!

      Reply
  29. Terra Heck says

    April 9, 2014 at 1:05 am

    I couldn’t have said it better. I’m sure people know tutus don’t make them run faster. But they sure make the race a better experience. I give kudos to anyone who wears a tutu or cool costume in a race.

    Reply
  30. Steve Bottom says

    October 25, 2014 at 10:25 am

    I just ran a Color Run 5K today. There were many superheroes, women and men in tutus, etc. I think it’s fun and makes the run easier and more interesting. Glad you felt the same and shame on Self for ridiculing that brave woman. It was out of line for them to do so period, but the fact that she had cancer and used the tutus to fund raise for a worthy cause merely adds to their shame. Did they ever print a retraction and/or apology? If not, Self is beyond help. Shame on them AND anyone who continues to patronize them.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search

Image Map
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Save 40% Off Your First Box at Steve Spangler Science
Daily Boutique Deals

Grab A Button

Our Knight Life

Categories

Copyright © 2025 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok