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You are here: Home / skirt sports / Being Fearless

Being Fearless

April 15, 2015 by MCM Mama 58 Comments

When I first started running, I wasn’t at all familiar with the Boston Marathon and I only vaguely knew of Kathrine Switzer. As I immersed myself in the world of racing, I quickly learned of the iconic Boston Marathon and the story behind how Kathrine Switzer led the charge that eventually allowed women to run Boston.

Header_261BibThenAndNow

I’m sure you know the story, but let me share the highlights with you. In 1967, Kathrine Switzer entered the Boston Marathon. Women were not allowed to run, so she registered using her first initial. If one were to look at the pictures, you’d assume that she was trying to blend in by wearing shapeless grey sweats, but after reading the full story, you’d find out her attire was mostly weather related. One has to wonder if she would have been prevented from starting if she’d showed up at the start line dressed more obviously as a woman and been noticed right away. Anyway, she was able to start the race and made it a few miles before the race director attempted to yank her off the course. As we all know, she finished the race.

But did you know that this finish inspired her to start a race series for women with races in 27 countries? Or that she played an instrumental role in bringing the Woman’s Marathon to the Olympics? And now she’s starting a movement.

261 is more than just Katherine’s bib number. It’s becoming a movement. 261 Fearless is all about being Fearless in the face of adversity. 261 Fearless is all about finding our inner strength and courage. I am thankful that I live in not only a time and place that I can step out my door and run, but also can choose to run any race I want (well, except I’ll never be fast enough to qualify to run Boston LOL). Being 261 Fearless doesn’t necessarily mean you are making news headlines, it just means you are being fearless in your every day life, whether that’s in your marathon training or your job or whatever life might throw your way.

Recently, Katherine Switzer has teamed up with Nicole DeBloom of Skirt Sports to create a 261 Fearless line.  In addition to that, Skirt Sports is holding the 261 Fearless Virtual race this coming weekend.

Skirt Sports 261

Want to run “with” me?

Skirt Sports Kathrine Tank

 I’ll be wearing my Kathrine Tank
(and there will be no snow!)

Sign up at Skirt Sports. All registrations include: a gift certificate (ranging from $25-$275, depending on the level you choose, a Finisher Tank (tank will not be printed with Finisher logo due to late registration), goodie bag with 261 race bib, some sweet samples from sponsors like Justin’s and Powerbar, and a contribution to the Skirt Sports Kick Start program. And of course, you can use my code: SSMCM20 for both the entry to the Virtual Race and for any clothing you might decide to purchase. Then go for a run – in increments of 2.61! Share your pictures with the hashtag #261fearless.

261 Fearless is… taking that first step out the door towards a healthier you.

261 Fearless is… writing your first blog post (or any emotionally vulnerable post) and hitting the Post button.

261 Fearless is… giving your child the chance to take a step towards independence, even if YOU aren’t ready.

261 Fearless is… taking on that new project at work, asking your boss for a raise, leaving a job to start something new.

261 Fearless is… waking up each morning and striving to make each day your best day.

[Tweet “#261Fearless is fearless in the face of adversity. How will you be Fearless today? “]

How will you be 261 Fearless today?

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Comments

  1. Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    April 15, 2015 at 7:40 am

    Nice post love the skirt in the snow. Love working with skirt sports and all that they stand for.
    Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Women’s Health Action Hero 2015My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:42 am

      It was one of those typical Virginia days – cold and snow one day, beautiful sunshine and moderate temps the next… So glad winter is over.

      Reply
  2. Rachel says

    April 15, 2015 at 7:46 am

    I think this is a great mantra. I want to be fearless… to live the life that God has called me to live. 🙂
    Rachel recently posted…Importance of Protein Intake Post WorkoutMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:41 am

      Awesome!

      Reply
  3. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    April 15, 2015 at 7:57 am

    That’s a great way to think. Hmmm…I’ll be fearless at work today. You never know what the day is going to throw at me!
    Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…SpontaneityMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:41 am

      So true! Hope you had a good day at work!

      Reply
  4. AJ @ NutriFitMama says

    April 15, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Love this..hmmm..Not sure HOW I’m going to be fearless today. Today involves a lot of playing catch up, chores, and homeschooling my girls 🙂
    AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted…Travel Spotlight: Stone Mountain Park, GA {Active Family Fun outside Atlanta}My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:41 am

      Homeschooling kids is my idea of fearless. ;o)

      Reply
  5. Lesley says

    April 15, 2015 at 8:27 am

    A history teacher in high school told us this story my freshman year as we were approaching the marathon date. Being 15 and in my own little world, I didn’t know there was a time women weren’t allowed to run since I’d been allowed to do any sport I wanted. I went home and that night my parents told me about her and Joan Benoit.
    Lesley recently posted…I Want to Go Back to CartegenaMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:38 am

      I know, it’s hard to believe and it wasn’t even that long ago. And now women make up a huge percentage at every marathon.

      Reply
  6. Ivanna says

    April 15, 2015 at 8:33 am

    I love Skirt Sports I’ll be running their 13er in June. I also love this post!
    Ivanna recently posted…Starting A Fitness Routine When You Have No Idea How To (Using the Internet)My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:37 am

      Yay! I wish I could travel out there for the 13er!

      Reply
  7. Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

    April 15, 2015 at 8:53 am

    i love her story – it so awesome and wasn’t that long ago. It’s important to remember just how fortunate we are!
    Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…What I Learned in 100 Pure Barre ClassesMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:37 am

      I know! I can’t imagine not being able to run. I do remember though, when it was unusual for girls to play soccer, so yes, the changing attitude towards women in sports is still fairly new.

      Reply
  8. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    April 15, 2015 at 9:16 am

    I love this story and mantra. I will be fearless today by not being afraid to push my boundaries.
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…2015 Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run RecapMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:36 am

      It is a great story. Keep up the good work, pushing your boundaries.

      Reply
  9. Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says

    April 15, 2015 at 9:36 am

    I never knew that history! That’s so amazing and inspiring. Love the idea of the virtual race to support.
    Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Packing for a Ragnar RelayMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:35 am

      It’s hard to believe that it really wasn’t that long ago that it happened.

      Reply
  10. Smitha @ FauxRunner says

    April 15, 2015 at 10:24 am

    I always love her story. And now women are flocking to half and fulls in drones!

    261 Fearless for me …. working on offering my expertise through my blog and working on being a better brand. Really really hard for me to push myself forward.
    Smitha @ FauxRunner recently posted…PINspiration Wednesday: What are you making yourselfMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:35 am

      Good for you! One step at a time and you’ll get there.

      Reply
  11. Coach Henness says

    April 15, 2015 at 11:05 am

    Love K Switzer! Reading her book was a huge eye opener to all the amazing things she’s done for women’s running and women’s sports.
    Coach Henness recently posted…Will Sweat For High FivesMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:34 am

      She has done so much. I really need to read the book soon!

      Reply
  12. Ange @ Cowgirl Runs says

    April 15, 2015 at 11:21 am

    I love how Kathrine Switzer entered the race as K. Switzer in order to run it. I love with 261 Fearless stands for, what a great movement.
    Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…MEC Race 2 Recap & What I Eat on Race DayMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:34 am

      261 Fearless and Skirt Sports are so awesome in their support of women!

      Reply
  13. Marcia says

    April 15, 2015 at 11:24 am

    This is so cool. I met KSwitz (that’s what us insiders call her) at NYCM. I’m going to be fearless and get my procrastinating behind to the pool….and hopefully not drown.

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:33 am

      Jealous! And I would drown at the pool, so go you!

      Reply
  14. Sam @ PancakeWarriors says

    April 15, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    Wow I had no idea they tried to yank her off the course!! I love these kind of stories – I forget that women weren’t always welcomed to events like this – so glad that changed!! Love the idea of 261 strong!!
    Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Vegan Chocolate Chip CookiesMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:33 am

      Yep, women have come so far. I don’t think my boys would even believe that people thought women couldn’t run long distances. So glad Kathrine started the movement!

      Reply
  15. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    April 15, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    I always like hearing her story again – really amazing and inspiring!
    Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Meb for Mortals – Book ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:31 am

      It is so inspiring and I didn’t even know how much else she’d done…

      Reply
  16. HoHo Runs says

    April 15, 2015 at 1:02 pm

    Great post. What an inspiration. How will I be fearless today? I will not stress over things I can’t control.
    HoHo Runs recently posted…Plan To Be SpontaneousMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:31 am

      I am so there with you. Totally tied in knots about something I just have to let work itself out. I need to just stop stressing.

      Reply
  17. Jen@jpabstfitness says

    April 15, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    Love this! I took a plunge in posting my post this morning. It’s hard to get deep sometimes.
    Jen@jpabstfitness recently posted…ChangeMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:28 am

      Yeah, it’s hard to put it all out there for the world to see. Good for you for sharing!

      Reply
  18. Warren says

    April 15, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    That’s her boyfriend shoving the jackass out of the way. And what the pix at the time showed was that the jackass grabbed her breast while trying to remove her from the course, Bad PR, idiot.

    Patricia Nell Warren (author of The Front Runner) tells the story often of her and her friends training for the marathon the first year it was open to all runners just to show that it was no anomaly that women would not die after running that distance and that their ovaries wouldn’t drop out. [Oh, the justifications race organizers came up with.]

    My Achilles is again not doing well and I’m entered in a race the next weekend so I won’t be able to do anything this weekend. Darn it.

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:28 am

      Bummer. Hope your achilles decides to play nicely!

      Reply
  19. Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin says

    April 15, 2015 at 3:03 pm

    I love this! I did not know the details about Ms Switzer. Thank goodness for women like her to allow us to enjoy the sport today! How will I be fearless? I’ll attempt to get in a run before the rain and put supper on the table before 8pm. That is how I’ll be fearless!
    Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin recently posted…Running Favorites – Questions AnsweredMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:27 am

      Get it done! I actually don’t mind rain. Lightning = no, but rain, I’m fine with it.

      Reply
  20. Stephanie (@FitMomTraining) says

    April 15, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    I love this! So empowering!

    I will be fearless by conquering things beyond what I thought capable of.
    Stephanie (@FitMomTraining) recently posted…8 years…My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:27 am

      Go girl! You got this!

      Reply
  21. Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! says

    April 15, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    So fascinating to learn more about her and the new movement with Skirt Sports!
    Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! recently posted…A Week of Beach, Beer, and BooksMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:26 am

      I find the whole story fascinating. I’ve added that book to the many I need to read…

      Reply
  22. Michael says

    April 15, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    I did know her story which I think is awesome! But I hadn’t heard of the movement which is even more awesome!! Thanks for sharing the info!
    Michael recently posted…Rock the Parkway Half Marathon – 2015My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:26 am

      Join us! You know you want to. ;o)

      Reply
  23. Jamie @ Rise.Run.Mom.Repeat. says

    April 15, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    Great post!
    I love Skirt Sports more and more each day! 🙂
    Jamie @ Rise.Run.Mom.Repeat. recently posted…Fearless and FreeMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:59 am

      I love that Skirt Sports is more than just a clothing company!

      Reply
  24. GinaB @ Mirror Watching says

    April 15, 2015 at 9:32 pm

    Being new to running I did not know the back story. Thanks for sharing it was very inspirational. Today’s fearless was tackling the fear of riding in the rain.
    GinaB @ Mirror Watching recently posted…Flash Forward FiveMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:25 am

      Good for you! I’m not a cyclist, so that would totally involve fear for me LOL.

      Reply
  25. Cassi says

    April 15, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    Some days being 261 fearless is going to work even though I don’t enjoy my job.
    Cassi recently posted…I’m Ready to Save the Undies, Are You?My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:25 am

      Totally BTDT. Hope the job situation improves!

      Reply
  26. GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says

    April 15, 2015 at 10:42 pm

    Such an inspirational story. I’m not a runner, but I may sign up and do the virtual race to support anyway!
    GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth recently posted…24 Creative Bread Recipes to Spice up your SandwichesMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:24 am

      Awesome! You could even walk 2.61! And the tank that comes with registration is super comfy!

      Reply
  27. Sandra Laflamme says

    April 15, 2015 at 11:34 pm

    I will be Fearless by continuing to move forward and away from the anxiety that came into my life on April 15, 2013. I will embrace challenges as they happen.
    Sandra Laflamme recently posted…261 Fearless. Find Your Fearless.My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 16, 2015 at 7:23 am

      I love this. I need to remember to embrace the challenges!

      Reply
  28. The Frugal Exerciser says

    April 16, 2015 at 11:54 am

    Of course that’s a badass number that’s my birth month and birth year, it has to be great LOL. #wowlinkup
    The Frugal Exerciser recently posted…Workout Wednesdays – WOW #75My Profile

    Reply
  29. RFC says

    April 16, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    What a fantastic idea! I think it’s so important for ALL runners to know the story of Katherine Switzer. I love that SkirtSports is keeping the story alive 🙂
    RFC recently posted…Seven.My Profile

    Reply
  30. Rachel Taylor says

    April 16, 2015 at 9:53 pm

    I’ll be running the virtual with you! I love the inspiring story of Katherine Switzer. Cute outfit too lady.

    Reply
  31. Steena says

    April 24, 2015 at 8:47 am

    Great idea! I didn’t know about this! It’s certainly something to reflect on during hard moments in training.

    Reply
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Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

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A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath. Read More…

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