A tale of two pictures

Two races, very different pictures.

May 25, 2008. Nearing the end of the Ottawa Half-Marathon.


Do I look happy? How could you tell, I didn't even look up. I was miserable. I'd set a goal to be at least a few minutes faster than I'd been at the half-marathon two weeks before and I was nowhere close to it.

Why did I think I could do it faster? Because I WANTED to. And it didn't happen, and I knew from the 3rd mile that it wouldn't and the last 10 miles were miserable.

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January 22, 2010. Nearing the end of the Dubai 10KM.


A little more cheerful, yes? True, it's half the distance, but I was not this happy at the 8km mark of the half-marathon, I assure you.

I remember the Ottawa half-marathon as being a death march. Absolutely miserable. I had fun running in Dubai. T. and I took videos of each other as we ran (which are insanely hilarious, at least to us) and I will always remember that race as a greatly entertaining experience.

I was a whole 20 seconds faster per kilometer in Ottawa than I was in Dubai, but I worked my butt off for it. Doesn't seem worth it, somehow.

Wherever you're going, have fun!!