Runners Tell All: Share a Running Picture (or 5)

5.21.2014

"Runner's Tell All" is a monthly linkup for runners of all ages, skill levels, and experience hosted by Sunshine to the Square Inch and The Lady Okie. Each month we'll have a different topic, and you can find all the topics listed here. We are accepting two sponsorship spots for each month, who will receive a sidebar ad on both blogs as well as entry links in the giveaway. 100% of your sponsorship money will go directly toward running-related giveaways. Find more information on sponsorship here. 
We have 2 spots available for June!
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I went through all my old race pictures and tried to find some really good ones to share. Unfortunately, I usually don't screen shot the professional race photographer pictures, so I couldn't find any where I was making a hilariously terrible face or anything like that. Tamara definitely beats me on best worst race pictures.

Unless you count the following delight, which was taken exactly .2 miles after the above photo. I finished my second marathon and then fell on the grass repeating, "I'm dying. I'm dying. I'm dying." 
Apparently to my brother that meant, "Please take a picture of me."

Anyway, I decided to choose a couple of pictures that stood out to me as I looked through my archives. It's fun thinking about on all these races. If you haven't already, feel free to check out my running page for race recaps filled with running pics!

In the picture below, I'm running the Texas Motor Speedway half marathon. We started inside the Texas Motor Speedway and then ran outside the stadium before finishing by weaving through pit row and then doing a lap on the actual race track. It was a very unique experience. That track is crazy steep. 

What's the most unique place you've ever run? Tell me!



This next picture kills me. 
It was taken by my mom at the end of the Dirty 30 mud run I did in 2012.
I don't understand this. For crying out loud, people. It's a MUD RUN. The word dirty is IN the title.




How do you finish a mud race completely clean? 
By walking around the mud pits. That's how. 

Clearly she wasn't down with this action:


So, note to everyone: if you sign up for a mud race, expect to get dirty. Finishing a mud run completely clean is the opposite of cool. Swimming through the mud is most of the fun! I love mud races. I'm excited for my Tough Mudder in October. Excited and nervous, that is.

Finally, my first half marathon deserves a nod. My friend Hilda took this one of me as I neared the finish line of the Prairie Fire Half Marathon in Wichita, Kansas. Looking at this picture brings back the feeling of nearing that finish line for the first time. 

Those are just a few that stood out to me. Now I want to see yours! 
Link up below with your race or training pictures, and have fun meeting other bloggers.
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NEXT MONTH'S TOPIC
(Saturday, June 21)
[The linkup will be open all week if you can't link up on the weekend!]


Your Favorite and/or Proudest Running Moment
Crossing that first finish line? Running a mile without walking? 
What's your proudest running moment to date? 
Brag on yourself!



So yeah. We're not telling you what's in this mystery box, but Beka and I have put together some fun running stuff, and we'll send all of it to the winner! *Note for our international friends: feel free to enter! If you win, we'll work with you to figure out how to get you your prize.





a Rafflecopter giveaway


Runners Tell All Linkup Rules


  1. You MUST leave a comment on the person’s blog who linked up directly before you. This is not a linkup for the sake of linking up. This is a linkup to build community and spread the love and encouragement to your fellow runners! Don't be lame.
  2. Do not share links to unrelated running posts or to your blog’s homepage, or we will have to delete your link. (I've done it before too, so I'm not joking.)
  3. Please link back to either Beka or Amanda in your post so others can come here and join in! Or grab the button below and add it to your post.
Renee said...

Marathons and now tough mudder? You are a warrior for sure...and those mud pictures definitely proves it!

Emily ANNE said...

So many good moments. That one from above of you in the mud-pit is priceless. And you're right.. why would you do a mud race and stay clean? Coercion probably...
When I'm from our town and high school participated in the Terry Fox Run (he's a Canadian Icon - seriously amazing inspiration man) and the run was in the fall through all the orchards. It was SO muddy and we'd just end up completely covered. By choice, from slip and slide belly diving into huge puddles. I call it the first mud race!!
Thanks for organizing this awesome link-up and series!

Anonymous said...

Excellent pictures! I think they (and your other running pictures in other blog entries) do a great job of conveying the different stages of running: elation, endurance, exhaustion... I am curious about the mucky shoes - do they ever recover or do you just have to write them off in the name of mud, glorious mud?

Charlotte's Frame said...

The mud run seems like fun! :D
I've entered the give away as well
Currently, I'm out of the running due to injuries, but perhaps I'll join in a couple of months! :]

Holly said...

My post will be live soon!!

I love your pictures and the stories behind them :) I think the most interesting place I ever ran was apart of a race that was only a one year thing. It was the Cleveland FANtastic 4-miler--we started outside the Indians stadium, ran down to the Cleveland Browns stadium and ran around the field on the sidelines, then ran back up to The Q where the Cavs play and ran on the court, and ended on the warning track of the Indians field. It was pretty awesome and I have pictures of me at all those spots--maybe I should have posted that today!

Erin LFF said...

Yes, running a mud run and being clean at the end of it just doesn't make sense! LOL! I haven't done that many races yet, but I'll never forget my first 5k. Jared and I ran one at Kings Island amusement park which was pretty fun to run 'backstage' and under roller coasters, etc!!

Laura said...

All those pictures are great, especially all the mud ones. I must sign up for a race like that. It looks so much fun! Also I must get more pictures take before, during and after running a race!
Laura x

Kate said...

You crawling through the mud = priceless. I hope the drowning girl survived. ;)

Also, your legs in the first picture? bomb.com, my friend.

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

Great pictures!!!

Veronica said...

I haven't done any races yet and I'm still in the very early stages of my running career. I don't think I could ever do a mud run. I'm not a fan of mud (super lame and girly, I know). But I want to do the color run! So badly, it just looks like so much fun! Plus it's only 5K which is probably a good place for me to start. Your pictures are great :)

Not knowing what's in this runner's mystery box makes me want to win even more, I love surprises! :)

Unknown said...

Those mud race pictures are hysterical. I can't imagine what the girl who wasn't having any fun was thinking signing up for a race like that!

Tracy said...

Bahaha cracking up at your pictures and your captions! Love the mud run girl, like seriously?! Wrong race, girlfriend!

Amber Marie said...

I love your captions! And that first picture where you point out the woman who is running the mud run all clean, there's a girl you guys are running towards that look like she's doing the shame gesture with her fingers, ha ha!

Beka @ Sunshine to the Square Inch said...

I love that your first half marathon was in Wichita! Holler! I haven't done a mud run yet but it would be fun and I bet Dave would do one with me.

Emily said...

Love this! I'm holding onto the vain hope that one day, I will have a flattering race picture! Ha- in my dreams!

Kristen said...

you are so hardcore i feel so inadequate right now.
also, why do a run that involves mud and not run in mud?! no fun, no fun, no fun.

Unknown said...

Your captions are the BEST! I have another 10k scheduled for this summer and hopefully I can get a race picture! at my lst race noone could see me (besides the race photographers) to get a picture- there were over 20,000 runners.

Taylor said...

I live in DFW and I have never run the Texas Motor Speedway Half. I'm definitely going to have to branch out of my typical local races and get some action a little further away from home!

Ali said...

I love your mud run photos! You are a braver woman that I, there is no way in heck that I will be doing a mud run any time soon. I don't even really like to sweat, never mind getting dirty. You go girl!

Rebecca Jo said...

Oh my gosh... I wish I was prepared - I have some great race pictures... of me looking awful :)
My husband ran the color run with not a drip of color on him... he avoided it at all costs. Reminds me of your 'most not get dirty' woman :)

Betsy said...

haha I love your definition of fun :P

I got an email from a company asking me to blog about their obstacle course race, which sounded like a lot of fun, but it's called the "hit and run race" and that made me kind of uncomfortable. like, a friend of friends died about a year ago while running on the side of a road because she got hit by a car. you know?

Tara said...

Hahahaha to the mud pictures! Signing up for a mud run and not getting dirty is just as crazy as putting on makeup to go to the gym (but people totally do it)!

Anonymous said...

I can't believe the party pooper who didn't want to get muddy during a MUD run. Wow.I love the picture of you IN the mud. That's classic. Haha. First time joining your link up and I'm super excited.

Anonymous said...

Loved the pictures about the mud run- I can definitely relate. That was one fun race!

Ashley {in MKE} said...

That second picture of you post-marathon is fantastic in so many ways.

17 Perth said...

It's the 21st!!! Aaaah! I forgot! Tomorrow! Lol. But...love this. And I am going to come to Oklahoma and do a mud run with you! Lol.

Shelley said...

i would totally be that clean girl at a mud run. actually, no i wouldn't, because i would never sign up for a mud in the first place just to avoid being the clean girl everyone is making fun of! hah. i love that you got to run through the texas motor speedway, how fun! the only unique place i've really ran for a race, is the Redlegs Run, which finishes inside Great American Ballpark.

Anonymous said...

I spy the New Years Double course! I ran back to back halfs (halves?) in 2011/2012. It's one of those races that holds a special place in my heart. Looks like you had fun!

Z said...

A mud run sounds NUTS, but also something I would love. I'm a five year old at heart. :]]] And I know I've already hosted, but let me know if you have difficulty finding someone - I'd love to host again!

Becky said...

Haha your captions for the mud run pictures cracked me up! I've never done one but I wouldn't see the point of staying clean?! Linking up tomorrow :)

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

I can't believe how clean she was that is the total opposite of what you are supposed do! Clearly you had more fun!

The Lady Okie said...

So glad you linked up! Welcome!

The Lady Okie said...

Yes! That is the NYD course. It was definitely a great experience. Perfect weather, and the volunteers and race organizers did a great job. The race was about an hour from my parents' house, so I only did the NYE race. And anyway, I think doing back-to-back would have killed me.

The Lady Okie said...

If by hard core you mean getting sucked into a mud pit while my brother charges ahead and leaves me behind, then yes. Totally hard core ;)

Curious Runner said...

Aaaargh! I LOVE the mud pics and the way you are highlighting the 'unfun' chick who did not get amongst the muddiness!! Too funny!

Allison said...

Good pics! The 26 mile marker one is so cool! And way to have more fun than that girl - a mud run without mud? What? Thanks for hosting!

shelleystirs said...

Love the mud pictures!

Meagan said...

I know that "marathon finish line" face, because I've made that face! Your mud pictures look like so much fun (and I laughed at your pointing out the lady who was not having fun! haha). I am doing my first mud/obstacle race at the end of July and I can't wait!

Rachel G. said...

Those mud run pictures are too funny! Why do a mud run if you don't want to get dirty?

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

The one with you and your brother and the girl who is drowning is my favorite picture. You have some really good ones!

Amy @ Long Drive Journey said...

HAHA I love that she walked around the mud pits...in a mud race. Someone must have convinced her to do the race against her will.

Unknown said...

I love your pictures and captions! I don't have any pictures of me running. Somehow I always end up behind someone in the official photos. :)

Anonymous said...

Love the evidence of "Mile 26" and the fierceness of the Mud Run photographs. You're hardcore! Thanks for hosting this fun running link-up!

Andrea H. said...

Love the photo where you are almost done with the marathon! Very neat! Thanks for hosting the link up each month :)

Miss Nutralicious said...

Great pictures! I have several race pictures that look just like that second marathon photo. It's a wonder I still run. Most unique place that I have ran? The tunnel connecting Michigan to Canada in the Detroit half marathon. 10% eery, and 90% super cool.

Robyn B said...

All of your pictures are great! I look like a crazy person when I run lol

Amanda said...

So, shoes. They do recover, quite well usually. You can just spray them off, and they're usually good to go. However, I never recommend wearing your current running shoes. What I like to do is use an old pair of running shoes that have expired for actual training, and then after the mud run, the race organizers usually (at all the ones I've participated it) have a place where you can donate your muddy shoes. That's what I have done every time. Keeps my closet clean and gives to someone else!

Amanda said...

Awesome! I'd love for you to join in when you can :)

Amanda said...

Thanks for joining in, Kari!

Kristin said...

Shoots! Putting the next link-up on my calendar so I don't forget to write up a post. You've done some amazing races - and now a Tough Mudder's on the list? I would love to do one of those, but I'm more than a little freaked out by the electric shock obstacle. One of these days, I'm going to make myself get over it and do one, but until then...yeah. Freaked.

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