Everyone has their pre race routines. Some involve oatmeal, others a morning jog. For me, a large part of that mantra has been the braid ritual. What started in high school as a desperate desire to compensate for my awkward technique in race-day photographs has morphed into a Nordic pastime, one only fueled by the Katnis’ and Khaleesis of the world.
Through studying my contemporaries and heroes, I’ve devised a list of race day options, all worthy of the course and indicative of the personality wearing them (keep an eye on the blog for a brother segment: Mustaches of Mass Starts).
The Tropical Bird (duh): for the chick (or dude) who isn’t afraid to trend-set, fearlessly showing her true colors on and off the course.
The Khaleesi (AKA Dino Head): Braids on braids. On braids. The classic frenchies are fierce, and in my opinion, fast.
The Lobster Tail: For when headgear is an afterthought.
The Power Braid: it’s in the name.
The Pigtails: Double power braids. I needn’t say more.
The High Pony: Yeeehaw. Can be seen at any JNs dance, on any midwestern skier. Or Dartmouth at carnival.
The Chill Pony: For those who are just…shreddin’ the gnar, breh.
The I don’t give a rip: Turns out, hair doesn’t actually matter. You can race well no matter how you look (barring any major aerodynamic miscalculations). That won’t stop me from braiding, but whatever works.
-AP
P.S. It’s almost the end of December! Check out my Lowdown page to get news on what’s actually happening to me!
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