It has been way too long since I have last blogged. In fact, sitting down to my computer, I feel a sort of nervous energy, an anxious anticipation that comes with revisiting something you haven’t done recently. Eek! The guilt!
While I’m not in the business of providing excuses or justifications, these last few weeks have been utter madness, particularly in terms of ACE work. Since I’ve [you’ve] been gone[1] I submitted my final “huge” project for ACE, had my last formal semester observation, participated in my last parent-teacher conference at my school, graded my last batch of 100 essays,[2] took my Indiana state licensure pedagogy test, and traveled to OKC for my last time this semester during my last Rodeo Break[3] as a teacher. It has been a jam-packed sprint-to-the-finish line of “lasts,” and, sans the trip to visit Cam, I feel wholly invigorated to have such a heap of obligations off my ever-evolving to-do list[4]. Therefore, although it has been a considerable hiatus since my last blog post, I am back and “stronger than ever!” Let’s do this!
So, I know I have already done my fair share of blogging about crayons in the “pink family”, (i.e. “Piggy Pink,” “Shocking Pink,” etc.) but I can’t help but write about the rosy shade once more: I have pink on the brain. More specifically, I have the intrinsic association between pink and all things running on the brain. Hear me out:
As part of my Christmas gift this year, Cam gave me a lightweight pink Brooks running hat from Red Coyote Running and Fitness in Oklahoma City. Before I relay my obsession with my new pink hat, I must digress to unpack my even deeper fascination with Red Coyote.
Cam and several of his housemates discovered Red Coyote towards the end of spring semester last year. While it might seem like your run-of-the-mill[5] running store, it is anything but. Red Coyote might actually convince me to move to OKC after ACE[6]. Here’s what I love about it: Not only does the company boast a plethora of fun, attractive, and tantalizingly colorful running gear,[7] but it also has weekly scheduled runs that draw a sizable “pack” of runners that meets at the store and then runs a 5k together around the local park. And, what’s even better is that the run is a circular loop, leading everyone back to the store to enjoy great conversation with fellow runners and a free beer! Did someone say free beer? Yes: And it’s so good! Although I had never previously considered drinking a beer within five minutes of working out, I have to say that it brings a certain edginess to my workout. It makes me feel like a running badass. Yeah, I just ran three miles and am drinking a beer: What of it?
Indeed, because Red Coyote’s business model is so focused on bringing the community together to get active and run locally, it draws people in with the promise of camaraderie and free booze. Pretty smart, right?[8] In fact, Red Coyote partnered with COOP Ale Works, another fine OKC local establishment, to design a unique brew—“Negative Split” —that is specifically intended to slake the thirst of Red Coyote runners every Thursday. It’s marketing genius: You run in solidarity with other local runners of all ability levels (seriously, all ability levels…there’s absolutely no pressure or strain of competition if that’s not what you are looking for), feel the positive vibes of the store employees who run alongside you and cheer you on, and finish not only with a sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction that inherently comes with exercising, but also with the provided [free[9]] celebratory cold brew for your efforts while you await to see if you are the winner of the $25 weekly raffle.
The endorphins, the alcohol, the eager anticipation that you might actually win a gift card that would supplement the sizable purchase you will inevitably make and thus soften the blow of buyers’ remorse: It’s priceless. Additionally, many of the regular runners get so “into it” that they proudly don their Red Coyote athletic gear[10] on the weekly runs in support of the company and the subsequent positive effect it has on the local community.
Similarly, it is not uncommon to see the Red Coyote logo posted on bumpers or passenger windows of cars around OKC: People really support and buy into the “run with the pack” mentality. What’s not to love? Seriously, I think I have a crush on Red Coyote[11].
It is perhaps unsurprising then that I have been religiously wearing my neon pink Red Coyote hat while running at my local Tucson gym. In general, I like wearing hats while running because it 1) makes people think like I know what I’m doing: I mean business![12], and 2) keeps my hair out of my face[13]. Up until Christmas I would typically wear one of my many Notre Dame hats, but I love this new pink hat so much[14] that I can’t help but wear it literally every time I run. It has gotten to the point where the gym employees fondly refer to me as “Pink hat girl.” As in, “hey, pink hat girl! Enjoy your run!” I’m famous! And I’m not going to pretend that I hate it…
In fact, if, for whatever reason, I don’t wear my pink hat to the gym, the gym workers start to worry about me:
“Where’s your pink hat, Katie? Is everything okay today?”
Or…
“Hey, Katie! Welcome to the gym. I hope you brought your pink hat!”
There have been several occasions where I will intentionally opt for a headband over my hat[15], and when this is the case the gym workers fervently scan my athletic attire for other instances of pink[16], lest I should be slacking and not living out my newfound identity and reputation.
It’s quite comical. But, hey, I guess that’s the price that comes with being the famed “pink hat girl.”
As further evidence of my obsession and devout pink hat loyalty, this morning several of my housemates and I ran Southern Arizona’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k. It was a terrific, energy-packed run around U of A’s campus with women (and men!) in contagiously buoyant spirits coming together to support an admirable cause. And of course they were all wearing…PINK! My obnoxiously pink Eddie Bauer leggings and Red Coyote hat did not disappoint.
In summary: Running + pink = my kind of happy.
But don’t just take my word for it: In the famous iteration of Elle Woods, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands[17]…” [or make other comparably negative, damaging life-style choices]. I’m no scientist, but I firmly believe color similarly elevates mood and creates feelings of positivity. Seriously, “runner’s high” is a thing, and I prefer my runner’s high to be accentuated and enhanced by myriad shades of pink.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjrBdKXgYFY
[1] Credit goes to Kelly Clarkson.
[2] False. Wishful thinking. A girl can dream, right?
[3] What is “Rodeo Break?” Oh, I’m so glad you asked. Rodeo is a Tucson staple. Every year in the final weeks of February Tucson hosts “La Fiesta de los Vaqueros” (literally: “the Celebration of the Cowboys”). The event began in 1925 and has grown to a nine-day fiesta centered on the Tucson Rodeo, one of the top 25 professional rodeos in North America. And, the best part is that the vast majority of local schools honor all-things-Rodeo with a two-day vacation where many of my students go to the—you guessed it—Rodeo! Only in Tucson.
[4] “At least we got that done!” -Mary Lou Puszka
[5] Get it? Run of the mill. So clever.
[6] Just kidding. Sort of. No really, I am kidding. But seriously, can we hook Chi-Town/Columbus up with a Red Coyote sister store, pretty pleaseeee?
[7] All with the super sleek, “coyote” logo and “Run with the pack” slogan, which, in case you were wondering costs you an estimated extra $20 bucks branding fee per item. Worth it.
[8] Sounds like all perfectly planned (and successfully executed) college events.
[9] In case you haven’t noticed, this is clearly a sticking point for me.
[10] During my latest Red Coyote run with Cam over Rodeo Break I was enviously/admiringly eyeing the new pink women’s pullover that many of the locales modeled while running. It was breathable, versatile, super cute, and eye-catching. And it was pink. Just saying.
[11] My affection is not without warrant: In 2015 Red Coyote was named the Best Running Store of the Year. It’s kind of a big deal.
[12] Okay, I don’t know if it actually has this effect or not, but I would like to think it does. I’m hardcore, people.
[13] This is the main reason for my hat. Practicality is everything. No one wants sweaty hair in her face. Duh.
[14] It’s so lightweight and breathable that it effortlessly keeps your brain in place while everything else is inevitably jiggling around with all that incessant pounding. What more can a girl ask for?
[15] This usually happens for Zumba. Read: Nobody in Zumba wears hats. I can’t disappoint my adopted Spanish Zumba mamis. Not about that.
[16] “But look, my shirt is pink! I’m okay, I promise!”
[17] That escalated quickly.
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