What fast looks like

My sister had an awkward moment this morning when, after her 5k in which she ran blazing fast and destroyed the competition, she got in line for the pancake breakfast.   Then she realized she could smell herself and it wasn't all roses and lilies.  I told her that she could simply tell anyone whose nose was offended that she is what fast smells like.  

It got me thinking of the other potentially awkward moments runners might encounter which could be explained away by stating, "True, but this is what fast looks like."

For example, when I am in a bathing suit that shows off my big strong legs with the terrible running shorts tan line, I can reassure myself, "it's okay.  This is what fast legs look like."

Or when I am all red faced and straining in my finish line photo, instead of being grossed out Or critical, I just say, "Awesome! so that is what fast looks like!"

And then when I can't fit into clothes because I have arm muscles but no boobs, I say, "That's okay.  Obviously no clothing designers know what fast looks like."

Or when I go in to get my pedicure and the Asian women (not racist, I just have never been to a non-Asian pedicurist) start mumbling to each other in their native language about my feet and ask if I need a cheese grater to get the callous off, I say, "No it's fine.  I need the callous.  This is just what fast feet look like."

Then there is meal time.  Runners can't survive on salad and universe juice.  Go ahead and eat meat and don't feel bad about that second trip to the pasta bar.  That is what fast eats like.  

Finally my own personal favorite: bedtime.  I know nine o'clock seems early to some, but hey, when I have to get up early to get my miles in before it is too hot, I have to get my sleep.  So yes, asleep at nine.  That is just what fast looks like.