A little of both.  As my friend and web designer Sherra said to me ( often) Your blog, Your rules!

Long before digital cameras I was ( am) a photo connoisseur ( sounds better than addict)

Yes I am the  obnoxious dedicated one at the family gatherings with the camera .

When I  started running a mere 5 years ago I was thrilled to find out about “race” photos and anxiously awaited to see my athletic image as I pounded the pavement to my first finish line.

Anticipation led to disappointment.  There was no photographer at this race.  No  images of my  achievement to put on the frig.

Bummer.

Next event was my first sprint tri in Minneapolis.  Yes we live in Virginia and yes we drove all that way for a sprint tri.

This tri  definitely had a photographer .   Guess what I learned?  Only the babes from Baywatch look good running in a swimsuit.

I also think that most race photographers have the uncanny ability to catch me  at the most unflattering and awkward moments.

Yet at this tri I was rewarded with this one photo.    At the end of the run I managed to catch up to my husband and grab his hand as we crossed the finish line.   It was our anniversary and he , once again, was supporting one of my crazy ideas!

At subsequent events the photos were my equivalent to those bad auditions on American Idol in that they were a continuing source of humor for the family..or at least for my husband.

Hey, what can I say.  At least I was out there moving my body.

BUT this summer at the one and only triathlon I could fit in to my crazy schedule  I accidentally   discovered the  secret to a good race photo.

I anticipated, and trained to have my best swim ever.  For many reasons it did not happen and once again I came out of the water at the end of pack, winded, a little discouraged  and frantically racing to find my bike.  Once on the bike  I relaxed, decided to do my best and enjoy.

Did I mention that I later found out the heat index that day was 105?  Not exactly conducive to  a great photo.

Yet as I rounded the trail on the run one of the volunteers clued me in that the photographer was  right around the corner.  So I put on my best race smile and ta da….

Approaching  the finish line I noticed  ( and it was no surprise) that  mmmm, I was one of the last ones in.  So I could be bummed or make the most of it…and give the photographer something to do so I hammed it up.

A little focus would be nice…

I saw him take more than one photo  so I thought well maybe the law of averages is in my favor this time and it was…

He found the focus button!!

I did discover the secret to a good race photo..  or at least this time…is  to be at the end of the pack.

Honestly, as in life, as in “triing” or “trying” you just never know for sure what is going to work.  Sometimes you just get lucky!

Being one of the last had its payoffs…and if your disappointed in my answer think of it this way..  when my grandchildren or great grandchildren are looking at this they will have no idea if I was first or last , only that I was out there having fun.

Go out, have fun, take some good photos, take some that will get you a good laugh and move your body because that’s whats its all about.   Oh and like me…ALWAYS be ready for your close up!!

Say Cheese,

This is what I learned after several rides:

• Some guy(s) had alot of fun one day designing a really uncomfortable bike seat
• Maybe it was a woman because my husband complained more than I did
• We found ourselves singing that old Billy Crystal tune from the  movie “City Slickers”   …rolling, rolling , rolling gee my a@#@ is swollen…

Seeking the advice of our local bike shop we invested in bike pants.

The best part of bike pants is the padding.

The worst part of the bike pants is the padding.

Last time I checked no one my age is anxious to add any more girth to their backside.

Comfort won out over vanity.

And in the words of my very funny  friend,  Mary Gediman

“Its good practice for depends”