A friend from high school, MDC, read my post last night and had a few things to say about it.

First thing I would like to say is bravo for telling me what you thought of my post, honest and open. I loved it! And I agreed with some things and disagreed with other things.

She felt that my post was more about body image than running and a commentary on the article I referenced. I suppose that could be considered true and not true. I know, confusing.

I’d like to address a few points. She thought I wanted to be a wickedly skinny minnie [size 3] or at least, that’s the size she mentioned more than once. I can assure her and you that first, I have no desire to be a size 3 nor would I ever get to that size, I don’t think that would be healthy for me. I’m a 12, got there about 5 years ago and I like being a 12, but I would prefer to be a more fit 12, like I was when I first got to this size. [I remember the day I was able to pull my jeans on and off without unbuttoning, what?] If I even got to a 10, more power to me, but I’m happy with my number.
I want to be healthier and feel better in my skin, that’s really all.

She said that society has helped in screwing up our self images as women and she’s absolutely 100% correct! Not everyone is meant to be thin, genetics play a big part in how you grow and develop.

You can be fit and not be a size 3 and you’re right, but you can also be a size 3 and be unhealthy. The last “acceptable” discrimination is making women of average weight or being curvy and/or voluptuous as disgusting or unsexy. I both agree and don’t agree. I agree that there is a lot of discrimination against average weight or voluptuous women, but on the other hand, there are some great strides being made in the world of modeling, Emme, the “first” plus sized model, more and more spokespeople, well, spokeswomen, are coming out encouraging that we should love ourselves as we are.

She said if I am athletic, I should focus on that, I wish I could say I was athletic! ha ha! I’m working on it! Or, focusing on it! I promise that I don’t feel inadequate because I’m not 90 pounds, I hope I never get to 90 pounds! People will really start to worry about me!

I loved her last directive: I admire your aspiration/ dedication as a runner…..That’s all! You rock and run with pride!!! I say to that “Yes ma’am!”

Again, MDC, I say thank you, first, for reading my blog, I am more flattered and honored by that than anything! Second, thank you for your honesty and openess with your opinion and feelings. Don’t stop!