Shamrock Run 15k (on the other side)

In general my knees have not been feeling strong enough to run, but Shamrock is a tradition, so for the 6th year in a row I toed the line for the race.  I debated which race to sign up for until the last minute, but figured, what the hell … the 15k is just so much more interesting race.  Plus the first half is really a warm up since you’re pretty much going straight up hill.

 

Photos above are by Sarah and Shawn.  Official photos were done by Evan Pilchick and can be found at http://www.myepevents.com/

I hit right around 8 minute pace, which I was very happy with given my lack of training:

My knees actually felt like they held out pretty well.  We’ll see how I feel tomorrow, but it’s nice to feel like I’m not totally out of it.

 It was great to see so many of the faces I recognize out on the course.  It also got me thinking, maybe I’ll try starting a race early and then taking pictures of everyone as they pass me.  I’ll have to pick the right race, and I’ll need to choose a lighter camera than normal, but I think I’ll try it sometime.

Champoeg Runs ‘08

In our second race repeated from last year, we went out to shoot the ORRC Champoeg Runs.  It was a great cool day for a long run.  The lighting was also really nice.

 The funny thing that occurred to me out there was one guy who ran by and said “this is my first 10k!”  I was really excited for him and proud of him.  Sometimes it can be easy to get jaded and hum-drum about the whole running thing, but then you remember that there is a whole spectrum of people out there and that there is newness in every race.

 And then of course there is the other end – how can you say enough about folks out there in their 60’s and 70’s?  They generally don’t seem too fond of the camera, but I just find something incredibly beautiful about it.

 Normally we try to get photos out by Monday and the id’s up a couple days later, but this time I really wanted to have it all ready for people to check out Monday morning.  I think I probably put in 20 hours after the race to process them, but it was such a nice feeling to go into work Monday morning knowing I was done … and from the e-mails I got that morning it seemed like people were ready to see them.

 So, thanks for another race of inspiration, for all the smiles and waves and goofy looks, and for just being out there.

 See you next time, Brian

Hagg Mud ‘08

The Hagg Lake Trail Run ‘07 was my first race shot with the intent of selling photos.  It also was the occasion for starting my Smugmug site. 

 What a change from last year.  I must admit that I loved the wet and the cold and the mud and the insanity of last year’s race, but this year worked well as just the opposite.  It was clear and relatively dry, with some mud puddles, but nothing like last year.  The light was nice and as the day progressed it got downright warm.

The guys in skirts were fun again, with the addition of a full fledged dress this year.  You guys have style.

We missed the early start, but other than that we caught the 25k and 50k on the out and back and then on the trails.  After finishing those up we headed out to mile 14 marker and tried to get some nice shots with the lake in the background.

 The energy from the 25k’ers who were almost done was contagious.  It was just a great day to be out there.  The 50k’ers who had another lap to go mostly were resigned for the long haul.

 Overall it was just fun to get to soak up all of the energy out there.  Afterwards Shawn, my partner, who is not a runner, commented to me that he was surprised at how many people said “thank you” to him.  That’s one of the things I love about longer distances, I think there is a patience that comes along with racing for multiple hours.  We get to appreciate that people are out there to support us, and take that moment to let the appreciation be known … because, who are we kidding, what else do we have to do.

 So, from your photographer, thanks to all of you who ran out there today.  Thanks for smiling or dancing or posing or even just groaning.  It makes me want to be out there racing with you, but it also makes me very grateful for being on the other side too.

And of course, thanks to Ronda and Stacey for putting on such a well run race. 

 Thanks, Brian

First post

Hello world.  I kept finding myself wanting to comment on races I shot last year, but not wanting to clutter my Smugmug page, which is mostly about connecting people with their photos.

 So, here I am, starting my first commercially supported blog.  I hope to record for myself the memories of races, as well as help bridge the divide of the camera … I end up feeling like I know the people I shoot a lot, but don’t have a way to communicate back.  So, here goes.