The Boot & Dukes Photo

The Boots & Duke photo game my running buddies and I had last week has ruffled some feathers. I guess my photo was a little too provocative for some people's taste, especially my younger sister.

The purpose of the photo was to celebrate some of my running buddies being able to wear Daisy Dukes shorts if they wanted too. My way of celebrating their successes...you can still be sexy in your 50s and wear dukes if you want too.

My legs were suppose to be the focus of the photo. I didn't realize nor did I expect everyone to focus on my crotch area. But they did, especially women. Now, all my running buddies focused on my legs and the fact at age 51, I'm still holding my own. In my eyes, my legs were the most and only uncover part in the photo. I didn't notice my crotch until I started getting text messsges.

My guy rolled my shorts so more of my legs could be exposed. He took the photo and approved it for posting. I had to brace my legs on the bumper to prevent me from falling on the ground, since I kept slipping off the car. Hence, the propped up leg. In his words, I'm really proud of you and your running friends for taking these photos, more women should embrace their health like you ladies.

Do I regret taking the photo, not one bit. What I do regret is how some people tried to take a fun moment and turn it into something other than what is was, a celebration of hard work of toning my legs. The text messages my sister sent really hurt my daughter's feelings and angered my guy. It made me feel like she really doesn't like me. Not a good feeling, since I always brag about her abilities, achievements and/or accomplishments. Like her being able to be among a group of black women that can run a race in a sports bra.

So to prevent any further hurt to my daughter and anger to my guy, I blocked the photo from view. Because the fact of the matter, I love me and my body. I have worked hard to tone it and be physically fit to participate in my running events. So anyone that really knows me or cares about me or loves me would know that "slut" should never be used in any description of me. Sexy, yes, but never slut or any other derogatory name.