Dressed for Walking the Dog

 

by Pa Rock

Traveling Fool

Rosie and I made it back to West Plains, Missouri, today at 1:00 p.m. after five hours on the road from Kansas City.  We were both very thankful to finally get out of our little car and plant our six feet on terra firma.

As we were leaving Kansas City just before 8:00 a.m. we had to navigate through the dressed-for-success young people who were out walking their city dogs, pushing baby strollers, and jogging - and sometimes all three at once!  They are fine as long as they stay on the grass or sidewalks, but the blocks are short in suburbia and athletic clothes' horses spend as much time crossing streets a they do burning up expensive shoe leather on the sidewalks.

If I'm sounding a bit snide as you are reading this, that is intentional.  As I watched the fitness parade this morning it became obvious that being dressed appropriately for these activities is of paramount concern.  Clothing has to look as though it has been machine-washed no more than one time and be in new condition.  I didn't see any labels, but the get-ups had enough uniformity that one can assume with a high degree of certainity that the items worn are purchased from a small and very select list of brands and styles.

Spandex was a common theme for those who were fit enough that they obviously did not need to be jogging, pushing a sleeping infant in a stroller, or be dragged around by a big dog that would have rather been out in the Rockies killing elk.  Those whose bodies are not suitable for spandex, people like me, wear loose, but very clean and neat, cotton shorts and tee-shirts.  A few men ran shirtless and some of the women were in halter tops.  And the tennies, I think they call them "trainers" or "kicks" now, had to appear recently purchased.   The comfortable pair covered in grass stains that you use for mowing would be cause for avoidance or derision from the other fresh-air enthusiasts. 

You must dress appropriately for the activity, or you will be avoided and zoomed around like a truck carrying crates of live chickens on the interstate.

Sweat is permitted, though it should be a light sheen and not dripping from our body like a few dozen leaky faucets.   It is also cool to have electronics banded you our waist, arms. or legs, like a cell phone for listening to music trough your Bose headphones or ear buds, and medical devices which constantly check your heart rate and rhythm, blood glucose levels, or speed.   Devices, as long as they are small and look cool, are a plus.

The important thing is is to remember that your morning outdoor workout is all about being dressed for success and seen by the right sorts of poeple.  (Stay in the good neighborhoods!)   Anything less is just grunt work and of little practical value.