Friday 8 August 2008

08.08.08


There's me, finishing the triathlon last Sunday.  And that is the first race photo I have purchased since 2004.  I love the photo for a couple of reasons.  The first reason is that I was finishing a triathlon with energy left.  What a fabulous feeling!  The second reason I probably shouldn't share, but I will.  I think I look good.  There!  I said it!

I had a bit of a revelation during the race.  I got to stand around with women of my own age as we prepared for the race, as we participated in it, and as we finished up and headed for home.  Somehow I have this idea that if I were thin enough or in better shape, I would look like a 20 year old model.  Here were these women, within a few years of my age, in swimming suits, wet suits, running clothes and bike clothes.  This stuff doesn't hide anything.  No one looks like a 20 year old model.  But they are beautiful athletic women!  And none of them look 20 years old. By the time we are post 55 years old, we all have something going on.  Bellies, arm flab, dimpled legs and bottoms.

BUT WE ARE BEAUTIFUL!  I am so glad to say this.  It probably sounds wacky to those of you still in your 20s or 30s.  But it is a revelation to me.  A happy revelation.

There is other stuff going on, but I am just so dang happy to say, I am a fit, happy, and dare I say beautiful? woman!  Happy, I tell you!

11 comments:

Unknown said...

You look fabulous! I'm glad you got that race photo.

I agree, you are beautiful. I understand the whole body-falling-apart-thing too. For me right now the battle of the bulge is in my midsection. But I'm 43, not 23, so I'm learning to embrace it. ;p

Jess said...

You do look great! Very athletic. And I think the revelation is fabulous. Much better to look fit and healthy at whatever age than try to wish for something long gone and not that great anyway.

J~Mom said...

You look amazing! You are fit and gorgeous! I love your post!

Wes said...

You do look fantastic :-)

They mystery is why peeps, especially women, have a hard time seeing themselves the way they really are. The looking glass must be foggy for some peeps...

Jason The Running Man said...

Mary...you do look fantastic in that picture! Congrats on finishing the tri!

Joe said...

Great photo, great post, great "ahaa" moment, MG. Very happy for you!!

E said...

Look at how gorgeous you look! I love it and love the cute skirt too!

Mary Christine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Adam said...

You looked great!!!

Marcy said...

Mary I ABSOLUTLE agree! You do look fab! In fact the first thing I noticed was how great our legs look!

Laura Marie said...

you do look beautiful and in great shape!! i haven't finished a race yet (i'm running my first marathon in january and my first 10K on saturday), but i'm sure as heck looking forward to it!! i can't wait to cross that finish line and i can guarantee i won't look that energetic once i finish 26.2 miles.

CONGRATS!!