Wednesday, March 26, 2014

SELF Magazine: LAME

I stumbled across this yesterday and was like WTF...

SHAME ON YOU SELF MAGAZINE!!

FROM GLAM RUNNER Facebook page:
Excited to see our tutus in SELF Magazine ... but shocked to see that running tutus are classified as lame. Especially considering the fact that this picture is from last year's LA Marathon when Glam Runner founders Tara and Monika ran together as superheroes ... because Monika was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and was running a marathon in the middle of a year of chemo.




Then I read a post from the sister of one of the girls featured

My sister TMae Baize and her friend Monika Carlson Allen were recently picture in SELF magazine after the magazine solicited their business, GLAM RUNNER, for photos of runners in tutus. They were disappointed and shocked after the photos they provided to the magazine were used as part of a feature of things SELF Magazine considers "lame". Instead of using an anonymous photo from any race and blurring out faces to diss active and enthusiastic runners, the magazine used a photo that Tmae and Monika happily provided. Glam Runner is a business that comes from their heart and is used to fund a cause close to them called GIRLS ON THE RUN, which not only trains young girls to run a 5K, but also helps the girls address issues such as body image, bullying, and peer pressure. Additionally, the photo featured is from a marathon that Tmae and Monika ran dressed as Super Heroes because at that time Monika had recently been diagnosed with brain cancer and was running the marathon in the middle of a year of chemo. The tutus do not make for a faster PR, but when wearing them in group, identify teammates, runners can be motivated by the attention the tutu brings, and spectators can't help but smile. What IS NOT LAME is the sight of hundreds of young girls in tutus running their first (or 10th!) 5k with a fun costume on and a smile on their faces. SELF Magazine, next time you need photos to put someone or something down, don't ASK for them from a business.




21 comments:

John Hulsey said...

So disgusting. Everything about this is awful. Self Magazine is headed to the trash bin.

KovasP said...

I guess it makes SELF feel better about themselves to find others lame. Sad

One Crazy Penguin said...

SHAME on Self for this. What a horrible way to hoodwink someone who is really trying to do a good thing. I wasn't a big fan of their magazine before this and this just solidifies my feelings.

Cleverdesigner said...

Please, PLEASE, send this to the editorial staff at SELF(ie) Magazine
https://secure.self.com/contact/emailus

Elisabeth Welch-McClellan said...

What's classless is Self magazine, and the fact that they have a "what's legit and what's lame" feature article. These are the same people who airbrush women to make them look perfect, who poison the vulnerable and young into believing they need to live up to the standard of a fashion magazine. I read once, "if you want to build your self esteem, throw away and never subscribe to fashion magazines ever again" I can't remember who said it, but it's so true. There are so many great and inspiring blogs out there, no need to waste money on trash. So disappointed in Self magazine on so many levels.

Unknown said...

LAME is what SELF magazine did. Shame on them and for everyone who runs in a tutu ... rock on!

Anonymous said...

Hey Jen,

Wanted to take a minute to Thank YOU for getting this out on Facebook where myself and hundreds others can see it. I agree SHAME on Shape magazine. I have already Unfriended them on FB, Wrote them an email, and posted tweets to both the magazine and editor Lucy Danzinger.
Keep up the good work! We just can not let someone make women feel bad about themselves or what they choose to run in.
Warm regards,
Cynthia Murray-Elder
CEO
JostRunning.com

Alisha said...

That is awful! Shame on self! And I'm pretty sure no runner believes that they run faster with tutus but rather enjoy the experience and how much fun they are. It is awesome what Glam Runner does. My daughter does Girls on the Run and it has been such a positive experience for her!

Blush and Barbells said...

That's pretty cheesy of Self Magazine to use the photo that way, and also to denigrate running costumes. Races are should be fun, and if that includes costumes then why the heck not?
I'm not a fan of this sort of athletic elitism.

Anonymous said...

If non-runners could keep their noses out of our business and just let us live our lives without throwing in their two cents, that would be great, thanks...I don't recall anyone asking Self what their "journalists" thought of this woman's tutu.

Frickin' Fabulous at 40 said...

Not everyone runs for a PR. People actually might run for fun! GASP! I can't see someone running with another layer weighing them down, possibly causing even more friction burns thinking of it as something that will make them faster, but it may help keep them in the game. Whatever works!

workout mommy said...

that is AWFUL! Shame on Self magazine!!

Unknown said...

Just filled out a comment form on
Self to the editors. I hope they read it! I am so disgusted! They should be ashamed. Runners are kind, we root for each other. It is obvious to me that the author of the caption is not a runner! Hopefully it will bring the Glam girls some good publicity and traffic to their site.

Unknown said...

How can one purchase her tutus?

Unknown said...

How can one go about getting one of her tutus?

Anonymous said...

Self is pathetic. What they should have done was celebrate the tremendous achievements of running a marathon and fighting cancer.

Unknown said...

Just read the article. A new low, the people who wrote and approved that article for publishing will be hearing from me. I work for a company that screens for breast and cervical cancer. Please tell your sister I sent a FB request because I want to personally tell her I admire her strength and spirit. Monika is a hero and I hope she runs her treads off!

Unknown said...

Here's my note to self magazine:
Huge disappointment you think this was entertaining, interesting or appropriate. How sad you would stoop to such a new low to poke fun at an individual that is courageously running for a cause that touches so many people. You missed an opportunity to promote a person who is passionate about fighting cancer and you instead chose to ridicule. Wow 'self' magazine, you really blew it. You've lost my respect and no apology will ever get me to pick up your product again. Unless you make a huge donation to a charity of Monika Allen's choice, then maybe we'll talk. Until then, so long. PS - you were so proud of your article I'm helping spread your words via social media. You're welcome.
I sent a FB request to your sister, I'd like to personally tell her she's my hero, a real Super Woman!

Anonymous said...

Just wrote a little note to SELF suggesting they write a not so little check to GIRLS ON THE RUN or the charity of Ms. Allens choosing...oh and they should not even consider using it as a tax deduction

Unknown said...

Great post! It's sad to know that a magazine that is supposed to promote women's fitness and empowerment would stoop to such levels. Staying fit can be a struggle and doing it with friends (in tutus or not) sure can make things easier.
New follower from Go Go Mountain Girl, glad I found you.
http://www.go-go-mountaingirl.com

Anonymous said...

It is terrible that SELF is:
1. making fun of these women running based on what they are wearing.
2. The woman happens to be running courageously under circumstances that many could and would not. With a smile on her face. (SELF clearly didn't do their homework before they sent this to print)
3. The fact SELF even has this "section" is despicable.

Now take all of the above off the table. It's still unethical for SELF to contact a small business and request use of a photo without telling them up front the photo will be used for their mockery.

I canceled my subscription. Bright side: I hope these ladies get a boost in revenue for their charity and some lessons are learned here.