Thursday, August 15, 2013

Race Day Photos: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Yesterday the online link to Saturday's race day photos was posted.  Of course I went to take a look.  I had one or two ok shots but the rest certainly didn't catch me at my best, ha ha. 

Let's face it, most race day photos are usually less than flattering, especially if the event is a long one like a marathon or an Ironman.  You get to a certain point where you just don't look that good.  Period.   I've had more than my fair share of really bad race photos.  Most of which I haven't bothered to purchase.  Although there have been some that I have purchased simply because they were the only shots of me and I wanted picture from the race.  Those are from my early days of racing when everything was shot on film (remember those days??).  Thanks to one of those race photos in particular, I realized that I should probably look at getting a decent sports bra, ha ha.  So even though some pics may be bad, they may also be good for something.   I will have to do some digging but I will definitely do a blog post with some of my no so favourite race day pics.  Today, however, I'm going to focus on the GOOD.  The race day photos that make me smile.

Let's start with the most recent addition to my collection from a couple of weekends ago in Bala.



 Yes, even when I'm busting a gut, I always have time for a smile!


 This was before the swim start in Welland.  I usually think I look strange with a swim cap on but surprisingly enough I don't mind this pic. 



This was from the Chilly Half Marathon this year.  It was my birthday and I ran a P.B.  I came very close to my sub 1:30 time goal.  Only 49 seconds away!


Crossing the finish line at Boston this year with yet another P.B = amazeballs.



My first Ironman in Lake Placid in 2006.  Not the best finishers photo since you can't really see my face but I smile every time I look at this picture.  So many great memories of that day.


The Ottawa Marathon in 2002.  Yes, that's G running beside me.  Again not the most flattering of pictures but, this was a breakthrough day for me.  It was only my second marathon and G paced me to my first Boston Qualifier.  Smiles all around at the finish. 

Do you always purchase race photos even if they are not the most flattering?  

What are some of your favourite race photos?  If you want to share, post them on my Facebook page, I'd love to see them!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

haha race photos are so fun - I've never been un-cheap enough to buy them so all of mine say PROOF over it lol

Unknown said...

This is a really inspiring post for someone like me who is just starting out! Just to see how far you have come, and the fact that running is still so much fun for you! I love all your pictures!

Unknown said...

Getting snapped in mid heel-click is very challenging... the only part that bugs me about race shots of me (and there's plenty to complain about) is when my stride is at the part where one leg is passing the other (as opposed to the longest part of the stride)... it always looks like I walk the races rather than run them.