Sunday, December 6, 2015

A Whole Bunch of Nothing

How was your week? Mine was great. I was on a high all week from my spontaneous, speedy, fun half marathon that I ran last week. I finally got the proofs from the race photographers, and they captured me in all my glory:

FYI, I purchased this one!
Of course, if you follow me on Facebook, you've already seen this. This picture puts a smile on my face every time I look at it. This was at about mile 10 or 11, and I knew I had this thing in the bag. That girl behind me? We played cat and mouse for the rest of the race. I looked at the finish times, and we came in together. She's 25. Just sayin'... Anyways I initially posted the proof of this photo and got called out by a commenter for "stealing" the picture. Apparently his wife is a photographer and has "runners stealing pictures" all the time. His comment really bothered me. Who was he to judge me? He later apologized, but still....


So I went to yoga on Wednesday, to stretch it all out. At the beginning of the class, we chant OM three times, followed by an invocation. Chanting OM used to make me feel uncomfortable, but over time, I've really grown to enjoy the harmonious mingling of everyone's voices. It really sets a nice tone for the class. EXCEPT for that one guy with the very big voice who can't carry a tune. When we first start singing OM, it takes a few seconds for everyone's voices to come together. But when this guy comes to class, he never gets on board with the OM. His voice is so loud and discordant that it makes me tense. He also holds the OM for way longer than everyone else. We're all just waiting for him to finish. Instead of relaxing me, his OM really gets on my nerves. I know, so un-yoga of me. Thankfully, the instructor started us out in a supportive reclining backbend, and the tension I was feeling melted away.


One downside to that race is that it made my PF very angry. Everyone and his brother have been throwing suggestions at me. I wonder what Peyton Manning is doing about his? I'm pretty sure he has the National PF Expert working on this. I've got the sports med doc at work. We talked and I am now sleeping with a homemade strassburg sock. This sock is designed to keep your foot in flexion. I didn't want to buy the real thing, so I turned to Google and found a blog post (on a running blog no less!) with instructions.  Becky suggested trigger point injections with lidocaine. And Mr. Off-Key OM suggested steroid injections. Interestingly, the clinical guidelines I found do not support the use of any type of injections. They also don't support time off the feet. Marcia suggested ART, which as a manual therapy, is highly recommended by the research. I think this will be my next step. More to come on this topic.

No wonder my husband sleeps on the couch.
And speaking of Becky, I finally got back to CrossFit this week! We were supposed to start up 2 weeks ago, but she was really sick. She still sounded bad when I saw her on Thursday. She's having me do a strength cycle again, but is changing things up a bit. Yes, we are still firing up the glutes. Yes, there will be deadlifts. But instead of back squats, I am learning to clean the bar into a front squat. This takes some major coordination, but I think I did pretty well, if I do say so myself. No pictures, but trust me when I say that I am majorly sore in my posterior region. Pain never felt so good.


Becky was not at all upset about me running that spontaneous half marathon. Whew! No burpees! In fact, she was really pleased because I followed her instructions for my recovery, which included the ok to do a couple of longish runs. I have to laugh though, I set this goal to run at least 100 miles per month this year, to get to my final goal of 1251 miles (2015 km). For October and November, I was just shy of 100 miles. October was 99.07 miles and November was 99.7 miles. I probably should pay better attention to my mileage.


Finally, today was the final day of my giveaway. I was really pleased with the response to both my giveaways, the FLYJOY bars and the UP move fitness tracker. I'm thrilled that Tricia won the FLYJOY bars and Tamieka won the tracker. I'll be hosting another giveaway this month, for a pair of SLS3 compression socks. Stay tuned!

So that's a wrap! Tell me what you think about posting race proofs? Stealing? Would you call someone out for it? Ever been disturbed by the discordant OM? Tell me your best tip for PF.  

Have a wonderful week! And be sure to check out all the other posts at Tricia and Holly's Weekly Wrap!


91 comments :

  1. Gosh, LOTS to digest ;-) My PF. although unbearable for those first few days, was pretty much a once & done episode (#happydance). There are times when I can feel some tingles and/or strain in my arch, but thankfully it's been very minimal. The main thing my shoe store gal told me to do was to keep the arch (and the fascia) stretched (like your FYI contraption appears to be doing). She also recommended a lot of massage on the arch and heel to keep everything as loose as possible. Also, I have a PF sleeve (and I know you do, too), but if it's feeling funky I will tape the arch....it does the same thing as the sleeve, but does not require any laundering. And the race photos.....I have mixed feelings on that issue. I don't think of it as "stealing the image" because the photographer's watermark does appear on the pic, they're getting credit for the image they captured after all. That said, I do not do it unless it's a really great moment in time (and I don't have that dreaded "death march" facial expression).

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    1. My PF is painful on and off during the day; not so much when I run. I'm doing lot of massage, but I think I'm going to take Marcia up on her chiro who does ART.

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  2. Hmm. I post race proofs sometimes. Isn't that why they are watermarked, to give credit to the photographer? I never thought of that as stealing before. I wouldn't call someone out for it....because I do it too. And so does every other runner I know:)

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    1. I didn't think of it as stealing when I posted it. Especially since I purchased it. But even if I hadn't, it wasn't as if I was making any money off of it. Not sure what to think, but I don't appreciate being called out for it.

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  3. I have had to short bouts of PF and both times I went straight to ART and it really helped. I hope it helps you too!

    I wouldn't call someone out for stealing a race photo because who knows, maybe they also ordered it and they were just so excited they wanted to post it right away!?

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    1. And that's exactly what happened!

      Going to call up Marcia's chiro and get that ART...

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  4. Congrats on your race! I think calling someone out on the race proof is stupid. Afterall, it's not like they are trying to pass it off as there own or anything. For goodness sakes, it usually has some sort of logo or writing on it anyway. If someone wants to share a memory from their race using a proof photo, go ahead!

    Your story about the guy at yoga had me LoL-ing.
    I've had many injuries but PF is not one of them. I am so glad cus I hear it is awful. I am so sorry you are going through that!

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    1. This is the second time I've had it. It's more annoying than anything...

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  5. First, I love that you are so spontaneous and just signed up for a race. That's awesome. second, no it isn't stealing-- i post race proof pics all the time. My reasoning is that it is MY image and if i want to buy the actual pics later I will. As for the PF, i've never had that (thankfully), but i have had high hamstring tendinopathy for years--its taken a long time for that to get under control and for me to be able to run again, so I understand your frustration. As for the OM, I do bikram yoga so we don't chant but we do have breathing exercises at the beginning and sometimes people are, a , LOUDER than others which does make me uncomfortable.

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    1. Oh, that guy is also a loud breather (I like to think of him as Darth Vader)...

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  6. Ugh, plantar fasciitis is the worst. I had a bout of it a couple of years ago and it took me forever to recover from. Had to stop running for a bit for it to finally heal up. I hope you can find your magic tool to help you finally get over yours!

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  7. When they are sending you the proofs, then you have a right to them....not stealing....I'd do i (and have done it)

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    1. That's what I think. I did not appreciate the pat down at all.

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  8. That stupid PF!! I hate that Strausberg sock so much. I even got so desperate I tried Graston therapy hurt A LOT and did not help either. I had to just take 2 months off of running to get rid of mine. Love that photo!

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    1. Yeah, there won't be any time off. It doesn't hurt when I run, interestingly. I'm game to try ART. That's next on my to-do list.

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  9. I could never sleep with the Strasburg sock. I would wake up after an hour and rip it off. I'm not sure what contributed to my PF finally going away. I think a combination of reduced run mileage for a year, switching away from heels to flats for work, and stretching and massaging my heel any time I felt a twinge. I hope you are able to get it under control...it is such a pain in the ass.

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    1. It's getting easier to sleep with it. I think it must be working. I was having so much pain, I'd tear the thing off. But not so much anymore!

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  10. I see absolutely nothing wrong with posting race proofs? Stealing? Its YOU!!! LOL

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  11. That is an awesome race photo! Well, I have no tips for PF because its the ONE thing I've never had (knock on wood!). I'll throw in two cents for my husband's experience...he had custom inserts made years ago. He puts them in every shoe. No issues. I've got to steal your HOOOOOOOO photo...you know why. Mr. Rogers made me laugh out loud. Good luck as you go into your weight training cycle. I appreciate you linking with us!

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    1. I had custom inserts with my last bout of PF, but they didn't seem to do much for me. Looking forward to seeing you back on the road!

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  12. So you post a picture in a public forum and then it bothers you when someone posts a public comment on it that doesn't line up with your ideas? Just asking.... :)
    That's a GREAT picture BTW. I would of posted that regardless of paying, not-paying! Who cares! That's a copy right infringement be damned kind of picture!

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    1. Actually, that isn't what I'm saying at all. I didn't like being accused of stealing something.

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  13. That's such an awesome picture! I hope your PF goes away soon. I had a case of it last summer and got rid of it with the old standby of stretching and foam rolling. Although, instead of buying one of those socks, I just propped pillows at the bottom of my bed so that my foot was in that position, and I do think that helped too. Cool that you found a way to make that sock on your own. I bet it helps!

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    1. The sock helps a lot but some nights it really bugs me. I need to be better about stretching and foam rolling.

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  14. Hi there as a podiatrist plantar fasciitis is very tricky. I agree with ART. You might want someone to watch you run and look at you biomechanics. Just a little tweek might help you. I agree if you are going to continue to run steroid injection is not the answer

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    1. Thank you for your input! My coach is a Corrective Exercise Specialist, and she's continually worked on strengthening my hips and glutes; that's helped keep me relatively injury free. I'm thinking ART will be the next step.

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  15. I love your race picture and congrats on a great race. I never really think about those proof pictures being posted because I see them all the time posted like that. I hate pretty much each and every picture/proof that has been sent to me after a race so I've never have to decide whether I'd want to buy one or not - it's always NOT. The loud OM Guy would so drive me nuts as well! As far as PF, I had it once which also made my heal bone spur flare up at the same time and all of it sucked until I finally broke that foot. I swear I broke it trying to run differently to compensate for the PF. Anyhow, when the broken foot boot came off, the PF was healed and (knock on wood) has not returned. I feel for you and hope you get rid of it quickly.

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    1. Ugh to the broken foot! Luckily, my PF doesn't hurt when I run. Otherwise, I'd probably be forced to take time off.

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  16. That is a great pic! I've posted proofs. They are watermarked so I'd say people know exactly where they are from. So many people post proofs. Maybe if they weren't so darn expensive, people wouldn't post them as much lol. Hope your PF goes away soon!

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    1. I bought this one, but there were a few other good pix I'd like. At $15 a pop, I had to make a decision on one. When I ran Chicago this year, tho, I bought all of them (there was a package deal).

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  17. That's an awesome race pic! I would have purchased it too. I never saw anything wrong with posting pics that said PROOF across the front. I guess I need to rethink that. Marathonfoto makes it near impossible to share your proofs. They're so blurry until you purchase them. They got some decent pics of me this weekend at St.Jude, so I'll probably purchase them. I only get pics for the bigger races and I don't do many of those.

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    1. I feel the same way. I like to purchase at least one of them. I ran a race this year where they had free race photos and I loved that!

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  18. I understand that the photogs want us to buy the pictures--that's how they make money after all!

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  19. I hope the faux Strassbourg sock helps you. I'd never call anyone out for the race pic thing but I know some feel strongly about it. Front squats, especially those thrusters? Killer but my fave.

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    1. Yep, I'm still feeling those squats. My hip flexors are sore. A new kind of pain.

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  20. Thankfully I have not been attacked by PF yet.

    I'm kind of in between on the proofs. As a former graphic designer, I do understand that there's a lot more behind the scenes work than people realize. Which accounts for the high prices. But as a runner, seriously, you want $30 for 1 digital photo?

    I dunno. I do purchase them sometimes. It's a tough question.

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    1. I do the digital downloads, which is a heck of a lot cheaper than ordering the photo.

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  21. PF sucks, but it seems you are in good spirits, regardless! This week was a bit of a roller coaster for me... from thinking I was doing better to finding out that things were much worse than we ever thought!

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    1. Meh, PF is annoying but I can still run. As you know, it could be so much worse...

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  22. I've not had PF, well, only a very mild case. I hope it passes!!! Glad to hear you had such a great week otherwise tho! xo!

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    1. Me too!!! This is my second go round with the beast. Going to try some ART.

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  23. I absolutely love that race photo of you, Wendy. Your face says it all in terms of your confidence towards the end of the race. Definitely worth purchasing!

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    1. Thank you! I can't quite believe that picture came out like that!

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  24. I try not to post proofs but that's because I don't like how they look with "proof" written all over them. People are entitled to their opinions, however, and so are you - so kudos to responding how you did. It's a great picture! :)

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  25. That photo of you would make me smile too it is a great one of you doing what you love and loving what you do! You do make it look so easy! :) Can't wait to see what all Becky has you doing. I'm back with my strength training trainer today after being off for 2 whole weeks. Gosh I sure hope she doesn't kill me!

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  26. That is an awesome race pic of you!! You rocked that race and showed it! Sorry to hear about your PF! Hope the pain goes away soon!

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  27. I love your race photo -you look so happy! It's so obnoxious when people make comments like that. Once you purchase it, you can post it wherever you want! I remember getting frustrated with my wedding photographer because she had so many rules about sharing the photos even after we paid a lot of money to have digital copies of them.
    I hope your PF pain feels better! I've never had PF but I've heard from other runners that ART is a great treatment for it, so I second Marcia's suggestion.

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    1. And of course, today after yoga, my PF is quiet. So I'm going to ride it out this week...

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  28. LOVE that picture and I admit to having stolen race pics before but no need to call you on on FB, especially when he was WRONG!!! I also really love that you beat out a 25 year-old. I love it when that happens :-)

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    1. Don't you tho? I was pretty excited to finish at the same time as someone half my age...

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  29. Honestly, most races are so pricey that I think race proofs should be part of the package. I posted a bunch recently, but they had all the ugly watermarks over them, so I think that's ok?

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  30. PF is such a jerk. After a week off, mine is finally feeling better. I have heard from so many people not to do the injections, and I'm ok with taking that advice. I just roll and stretch and roll some more.

    I have posted a proof or two. As a hobby photographer, it is stealing. However, it is sometimes really hard to bite the bullet on a $25 photo. I make it a point to purchase race photos for all of us from the different companies, and that will make me feel better about the couple of proofs I have posted. I wouldn't call someone out on it, but if all they post are proofs, I don't think it's the right thing.

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    1. I have to agree with you, that PF is such a jerk. Actually, that made me LOL!

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  31. I've stopped posting proofs, mostly because it is a questionable practice. But I'd be pissed if someone left a rude comment about it. {{shrugs}} Photos and images are the hardest part of blogging for me (and I work for a marketing company, so know plenty about how and when to purchase and what kind of credit to give...)

    I need to keep working my glutes now that I'm no longer meeting with my trainer. My body appreciates it when I do.

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  32. That is a GREAT picture of you ! It says happy all over it.

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  33. Love the pic from the Schaumburg TT. Way to finish as fast as those speedy 25 year olds! Woop! :)

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  34. That homemade sock is such a great idea! I definitely think you should try ART. I have never used it for PF but it really works miracles on any tight muscles. Also, whenever I have any foot-related pain I always find that my calves are tight, so I work on rolling them out and stretching them like crazy.
    That picture is great! I could never call someone out on stealing pictures because I do it all the time. I have bought some race pictures but I would go broke if bought them after every race.

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    1. I really need calf massage! I do foam roll them a lot but not enough!

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  35. That is the BEST race picture ever! My goal for 2016 to get a race picture that does not look like I want to throw up! Don't get me started on men in yoga......from the farting. to the pants that they wear, now we will add the OMMMMM, isn't there a shop class they should be in somewhere? :)I hope you have another great week!

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  36. I love that pic of you at the half, that's such a great smile with such joy in your face that I hadn't seen in a race pic from you in a while. So happy to see that! Love the homemade Strausberg sock!! Great idea! As for yoga and the OM, I hated doing that when I first started, but now I don't mind it as much. Dare I say I even like it now?

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    1. Same here! It's really a nice way to set a tone for the yoga class...

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  37. LOL on your monthly mileage. As much as I care about my run data in the moment, once my run is done I don't think about it again! When I had a bad case of PF, Graston therapy really worked for me. It's sort of like ART. I do think posting race pic proofs is wrong - I wrote about it a little while ago.

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    1. I've heard about Graston too! I'm looking forward to trying one of those things. That's pretty much all I have left...

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  38. I absolutely love that photo of you!! Just running and enjoying life :)

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  39. Your homemade strassburg sock is GENIUS.

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  40. What a fun race picture! I think that sharing a pic or two with the watermark on them isn't the worst thing in the world. I'm also a photographer, so I can also understand the other side of things. However, when you are sharing a "proof," there's only so much you can do with it. You have to buy the download or actual photos to really enlarge or what have you.

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    1. And that's what I did! I totally get it. But I didn't like being accused of stealing.

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  41. I love how happy you look in this picture!! This is what running is all about!! Hope your PF heals quickly. xoxo

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    1. Me too!!! It's so random. Today it feels good. But you know once I go for a run, it will be back.

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  42. I don't have any PF tips but this post makes me happy just reading it. It's that race photo of you that brings the happiness. Pure joy on your face :)

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    1. I'm so glad I ran this race! It could have gone the other way, but it didn't, and it really captured for me, what this year was all about!

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  43. I am cracking up at your 'OM' guy! I'm sure everyone else is thinking the same thing! Hope your PF bites the dust soon!

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  44. great pic!! Whenever I go to yoga i dont do the OM bc I feel weird and self conscious idk why lol I do like hearing everyone else but don't chime in. Which reminds me I need to start going to yoga again!

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    1. I used to feel that way, but not anymore! Besides, I love to sing, and now that I know the words to the invocation (even tho it is in sanskrit), I love to sing along.

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  45. Oh no!!! So sorry about the PF. That is certainly no fun! I love your pic! You look like you were having a fun run!

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  46. That is one awesome race photo!! I am sorry someone was judgy about you using it, prior to purchasing, on social media. People can be especially mean on the internet and I think a lot of times they say things they would never say to your face.

    I hope the PF is feeling better!!

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    1. Isn't that the truth? People feel safe, I guess, when they're on the web...

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