When my girlfriend Martha signed up for the Long Beach Half Marathon, I knew I wanted to support her in a way that felt personal, funny, and motivating. So I fired up Adobe Illustrator and got to work designing custom yard signs to cheer her on every step of the way.
I wanted to create something that would make her smile, keep her going, and feature someone she cherishes most. That’s when I landed on this photo:
Lilo is one of the most active and competitive pugs you’ll ever meet. Martha used to take her to a running club, and Lilo would race the other runners just to make sure she was leading the pack. This little dog can knock out two miles like it’s nothing.
So, it was a no-brainer to feature her in the design. I created a double-sided yard sign, both sides starring Lilo.
The first reads:
“Chonky Lu is proud of you! Just pretend I’m running away from you for the next 13.1 miles.”
It’s my favorite—I traced Lilo’s image in Adobe Illustrator to give it a fun, illustrated touch.
The second is an inside joke between us. One time, I accidentally ordered “Chunky Chocolate Ice Cream” as Chonky, because we’d just been talking about Lilo.
Designing these signs was such a fun process. I wanted them to be clean, joyful, and easy to spot in the crowd, while still being deeply personal. I was actually surprised by how many runners and spectators complimented the signs!
It was a small way to show my support—but one filled with a lot of love (and a little doggy flair). Martha absolutely crushed the race—all while juggling work and grad school. We wrapped up the day with a well-earned breakfast.
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