Nearly Naked Mile

Yepp, you read that correctly. As part of Homecoming week, IU hosts the Nearly Naked Mile. It isn’t exactly a mile and you shouldn’t really be naked! Students, alumni, and friends of IU participate in this new tradition and get nearly naked (or not!) and run through campus in the spirit of old IU. All runners must finish the race with at least as much on as a bathing suit would cover...some guys were definitely pushing that rule. :P



Participants "streak" past such famous IU landmarks as the Indiana Memorial Union, Showalter Fountain, and the Student Building, finishing in Hoosier style at the Sample Gates. I have never experienced anything like this. Thousands of students showed up; most girls wearing a sports bra and spandex (or even less, such as a bathing suit. BRR!) while guys were seen in boxers, swim trunks, speedos, girl's underwear?, and even Borat-type costumes. I, however, chose to go in an IU tee and shorts. (close enough, right?)

I will participate in this event every year it is hosted, which will hopefully be for the rest of my time here at IU. By the time the mass student mob reached Showalter Fountain, instead of simply circling around it and continuing on with the run, many stopped and bombarded the fountain, jumping in and climbing up. If it weren't as dark and crowded as it was, I definitely would have taken a picture. The fountain was not even visible due to the number of kids in, around, and on top of it. Absolute insanity, but in true Hoosier Spirit.

In light of it all, my favorite part was the actual run. Being of a...smaller size...I was never a fan of lifting weights or doing intense conditioning. Taking "human development," a weight lifting class in high school, was a poor decision on my behalf. The three days of weight training were a struggle and definitely made me aware of how small I really am. When it came to completing the two-mile in spring however, I finally found my strength in that class. While the big football and basketball players could lift multiple times my body weight, let alone what I was so proudly lifting, I found that I could easily outrun many. Not that I'm a speedy runner, or planning on racing anytime soon, but I found that running was my "thing." The other girls could only run a few laps at a time before taking a walking break, meanwhile I found I could power through and push myself to not stop. I haven't been much of a consistent runner, but instances like last night remind me of how much I enjoy it. Running in a hyped up crowd of hoosiers through the beautiful Bloomington campus is incredible beyond belief. I'm pretty sure I smiled from start to finish. I think I'll take advantage of my surroundings (and this crazy still-summer weather) and run a few days a week. Why not right?

We'll see how that goes...or how long that lasts.

Other than running nearly naked, and preparing for a great first homecoming week here at IU, I'm absolutely loving life. College is amazing beyond words and I can't imagine being anywhere else but here.