I’m still smiling about yesterday. It was a great day. And I’m so happy that I can go into Boston with a shiny new PR. Between Twitter, Dailymile, Instagram, and my race recap yesterday, I was overwhelmed and blown away by how supportive you crazy people out there in the world can be. I’ve said it many times before and I will say it again: social media + running = amazingness.

Yesterday afternoon, Xaarlin sent me some finish pics that she was able to snap after she finished her “10k” (in quotes because the race organizers botched the course and had to offer refunds. Derp!) I’m usually not crazy about race pics. I mean… Is anyone ever truly pleased by their facial expressions, weird flabby cheeks (ahem…double chin. see below), or the race outfit they thought they’d look like a superstar in? Ok, maybe sometimes.

I’m actually happy with this pic! Thanks for sending it, friend!

And then….it happened. The Photoshop Queen of the Universe (Ahem…Hillary AKA Ralphie) got her hands on the photo.

See? I told you! Photoshop QUEEN! Can’t see that bystander at all. 

And then….she sent the version that’s suitable “for my mantle”. The fancy one that makes me look like a pro.

Again, you can’t see that bystander AT ALL!

This is clearly meant for my mantle because….

 A) Duh.

B) The Chi Town Half always draws an elite field*. You heard it here first.

C) Meb and I helped push each other to the finish. We worked together for 13.1 miles.

*Although, he must have been confused about the location because his bib clearly says “San Jose”. But he left before I could ask him about that.

This also reminds me of the time that I felt compelled to submit a photo to Ugly Race Pics after the Batavia Half last fall. They can’t all be pretty, people!

-J

//