15 Tips to Dominating Race Pictures

15 Tips to Dominating Race Photos -

So let's be honest here. All of our race pictures (or at least mine!) look kinda like this - 

My apologies 

But you know, we all want to look like this:

Awesome person who knows how to get awesome race pictures

Wait no more! Problogger and all around awesome person Maryalicia put together her top 15 tips to Dominate your Race Photos. After all, who wants to look like this - 

Yes, you see that right. I didn't buy ANY race photos from my first half marathon because I looked awful in them. The tongue didn't help but you know. ;)

Just to let you know - that first picture was of Maryalicia - so the proof is in the photo, she knows how to get good pictures.

Create a spectacle -  photographers look for something that stands out. Our eyes and brains react to activity so if you start jumping or whooping and hollering-they are naturally going to look for you. Raise those hands in the air and wave them wildly or put them up in a thumbs up sign. 

Plaza 10k where I used this trick

 Be tidy- this was also mentioned in that article, but it's true. For women, and this works for men with long hair - tight Braids, updo buns, or German braids. The tighter the better, because that braid will start looking messy. I don't know about you, but with my long hair- I have had my pony tail in my face and just look matted and yucky after just a few miles.  

Wait on that Garmin!  Brenda Travers mentioned a great point! " Try not to be playing with your Garmin/sport watch at the start and finish. So many photos of runners with their heads down and their hands on their watches. A few seconds on either end of the race won't really matter." She's right! Most races are chip timed!

Want to see the rest of the tips?? Go to 15 Tips for Getting Great Race Day Photos by Maryalicia Verdecchia!! I know, I usually don't link to articles but as you can tell this one is good. You won't regret it!

So what did you think? Do you have any special race day photo tips? Sound off below, I'd love to hear them!!

For more info about Maryalicia visit her profile page and check out some of her other posts here. 

9 Steps to Treadmill Domination

Top Treadmill Domination Tips 

(or, how not to die on a treadmill)

One of the most often heard complaints by runners is how much the treadmill sucks. Runners even go so far as to call it a dreadmill - for very good reasons. Anyone who has tried to pound out mileage on a treadmill knows that it can be boring.

I want to help you discover how to dominate your treadmill, be it at your house or the local gym.

Distraction is key. Just not too much distraction, or you will go flying off the back of the treadmill. I'll spare you the horrifying pictures.

1. Get a gym towel and cover the display. Seriously. If you have to peak, that's fine. But really, once you start staring at the display it's all over!
2. Create a music playlist to inspire you. I have my favorite playlists listed at the top of my blog and linked to Spotify. You can also putting together a playlist that lasts a certain length of time. Once the playlist is over, your workout is over. 
3. Race the person next to you. We all do it. It's just rude to yell "I've won!" when they quit running.
4. Find an amazing (read: trashy) TV show and tune in. News does not work. Neither does documentaries. 
5. I'm just going to throw this out there - magazines. I mean, I've seen some people read them, I can't, too much bouncing around. 
6. While I'm throwing things out there, go ahead and dance on the treadmill. Totally counts as cross training and your miles. It's a win/win/win. And bonus points if you can do this - 
7. Use a pre-setting on the treadmill to experience hills. Or do a workout that's not distance/time based - check these out on FitSugar. 
8. Totally use the hot girl (or guy) to inspire you to run for one more minute... then another. It's like racing to the next tree only much more awesome and scenic. 
9. Bake cookies. Bring to gym. Set on treadmill. Promise yourself hot cookies after you run another mile. Bring extras to share. You've earned those calories, dang it! Plus it's sure to attract lots of new friends.

Remember, the treadmill is only as boring as you make it out to be. If you whine and moan and freak out over your treadmill miles they will be every bit as awful as you think they will be. This I know for sure - I've been there.

Anyone else have any thoughts on how to dominate your local treadmill?

Feet dominating Pavement cannot guarantee the results of any of these suggestions and cannot be held liable for you being kicked out of your gym.