How to Feel Less Awkward in Your Cross Country Team Spandex Shorts

XCGirlFTW sent us this submission with the note "I saw the suggestion for this article in MillyMellophone’s post. And I take that kind of article suggestion shizz seriously. Forrizzle." And we are SO glad that you do, XCGirl, because we have wanted someone to write this guide for YEARS.–Sparkitors

If you are on the Cross Country team, this scenario should sound familiar: you are walking to the start line, tugging on your spandex while your brain screams, “OMG! BOYS ARE LOOKING AT MY HUUUUUUUGE BUTT! GAH!!!” And then your face turns bright red, the sweat cascades begin, and even though you are sure your shoelace is about to come untied, you can’t bear to bend down and fix it because you know that half of your Gluteus Maximus will be exposed to the world if you do. Don’t lie, you know this has happened to you! Here are some tips if you aren’t into that whole being-embarrassed-about-your-clingy-shorts-that-ride-up-and-give-you-a-huge-wedgie thing:

1. OWN IT GURL. If you're like me, your mother constantly tells you that you have a “cutie booty.” No? It’s just me? Well she does and I do. JUST SAYIN’. But the point is that it really doesn’t matter! Think of your spandex as your Confidence Pants. Everyone loves Confidence Pants. And pretty much every runner at the meet is just as exposed as you are. So go out there and shake it! Until the finish line that is; then you should probably stop, lest people think that you’re having a butt spasm.

2. DEAL. So you have very tight, revealing, uncomfortable pants on and there are no less than 50 bazillion people watching you run. The shorts don’t matter! Your team does. So instead of focusing on the articles of clothing you are wearing, think about the race and how great it would feel to beat your PR and help your team. Besides, it could be worse. You could be in your underwear. What’s that you say? You forgot your spandex so you ARE in your underwear? Now THAT’S awkward…

3. DON’T PULL. This is a classic way to tell if you are a freshman. Freshmen always do The Tug. Soon you will realize your attempt is futile and you will hang your head in shame for being so foolish. All you gain from The Tug is a whole bunch of Facebook photos of you at the start line or during the race, grabbing your buttocks/crotch region. But I don't know that from experience! Psh! I’ve never done The Tug…

So go out there and run like a girl. Focus on the race. When you finish, you’ll be thinking, “OMG! PEOPLE ARE ENVIOUS OF MY VOLUMPTUOUS BOOTAY!” and you will have awesomesauce buns of steel. Wear those spandex shorts proudly, friends.

LOVE IT. We did the The Tug so many times in high school that it became sort of like our own patented dance move, only much less cool. Do you run cross country? Do you get to wear forgiving athletic shorts, or do you get to show off your BOOTAY to the world?

Related post: A Day in the Life of a Cross Country Runner