This Was Me

I could relate to the posts. "Pro runner Lauren Fleshman challenged runners to post unflattering photos of themselves in an effort to keep it real and redefine the meaning of beauty." Like many of the women who posted, I had regretted the double chins, bulging waistlines, and cheese thighs I saw in my finish line photos. I always wondered why those companies thought I would ever purchase photos that looked like that. My latest finish line photo was no exception. I reluctantly clicked open my Austin Half photos waiting in my inbox. The usual initial disappointment. That’s really what I look like? I took another look at the “keeping it real” photos. I admired them. If they could put themselves out there, I could too. I went back and purchased my photo.

For better or worse, this was me. A woman of a certain age. Uncropped. I had purchased a Road ID because I wasn’t immortal, upped my calcium intake because I wasn’t unbreakable, and rested more after long runs because I wasn’t unflagging. I learned the upside of hot flashes, heading out on cold, long runs like a surfer catching a wave. I reminded myself the photographer had asked me if I wanted to take the photo and I had said “yes” enthusiastically. I had chosen to have the photo taken. This was me.

February 16, 2014 - Austin Half Marathon