running

Mission Accomplished

Well, I did it.  I said I would and I did.  I went into panic mode in the first 200 meters of the swim because I started the race cold and my heart rate skyrocketed.  And you can’t really stop and rest when you’re swimming in open water.  I found my stride at about the 1/4-mile mark and shaved about 20 minutes off my swim time of my first (and only other) Olympic some 20 years ago.  The run was a little slow because I was favoring my leg from the surgery, but all in all I’m pleased with how I did and how far I’ve come since the end of January.


  

Challenge

I’m committing to competing in the Challenge Williamsburg this Summer.  I took an entire year off of racing and am itching to get back “in the saddle” so to speak.  I think I might be done (won’t really say “never”) with pure bicycle racing for now, but need/want to stay fit.  I think this is how I’ll do it.  I was looking over the course maps and sure enough, this is where it starts!

Jamestown Beach Park near Williamsburg, VA

Jamestown Beach Park near Williamsburg, VA

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This time last year I was at Hollywood Studios shooting a Marathon.  I never made it back to the hat to get the night shot that I’ve always wanted.  Guess I never will.  Bummer.

Long live the sorcerer's hat.

Long live the sorcerer’s hat.

Tacky

Long Day and finally getting around to posting something.  Participated in the Carmax Tacky Christmas Light Run in Midlothian.  We’re talking Griswold see-it-from-space tacky.  And I didn’t take a camera!  What’s wrong with me?!

Wacky Tacky Finishing Chute.

Wacky Tacky Finishing Chute.

Running

I’ve posted all my images from the Battlefield Half Marathon last weekend on my gallery site, but I really wanted to get to the video that I shot that day, too.  There’s some awesome scenery in the surrounding county here.  Enjoy…

Early Bird

I know the saying – “The early bird gets the worm” – but it’s so much harder this time of year.  I suppose the payoff is worth it.  And also, I don’t like worms.

Such a cool (quite literally) sunrise this morning at the inaugural Battlefield Half Marathon in Frederick County, VA. | Order a print of this image.

Such a cool (quite literally) sunrise this morning at the inaugural Battlefield Half Marathon in Frederick County, VA. | Order a print of this image.

Close

Early day for me tomorrow, but the silver lining is that it’s the closest race to me that I’ve ever shot.  Any closer and it’d be in my back yard!  I’m not complaining, but I do need to get some sleep.

Big event for the area tomorrow morning. See ya bright and early - well, at least early.

Big event for the area tomorrow morning. See ya bright and early – well, at least early.

Thank You

As I take inventory of all the opportunity that has come my way over the last eleven months, I can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed.  I count myself lucky to have the relationships I have in this community.  What really amazes me is that these people actually recognize something in what I’m doing.  I’ve never considered myself a “video producer.”  I’ve never considered myself a “photographer.”  I’ve never considered myself, on any level, a “graphic designer.”  These were just new ventures that kept my wandering brain focused with something to do.  I can’t believe that, after all these years, people still consider what I do is decent enough to appreciate.  It just blows my mind.  I certainly have so much more to learn in a field that is always expanding.  It’s an endless chase, but it’s certainly been fun and exciting so far.  So a heartfelt thank you to all those who’ve seen something in what I do especially when I begin to doubt my abilities.

Whew, that was like a therapy session and today’s image is what sparked that thought…

This is where I'll be this weekend.

This is where I’ll be this weekend.

Tri-al Period

Something weird is happening.  I’m hating running less these days.  I’m not a runner and am not trying to be one.  I’d still always choose the bike over running.  But I don’t dislike it as much as I used to.  This is probably how I’ll remain in shape throughout the winter.  Perhaps next year I’ll focus on some sprint and Olympic distance triathlons.  Who knows?  I do know this though – my body hates running much more than I do.  I’m going for a ride.

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Grace, The Iron Girl

I can honestly say that I did not know this series existed.  It was a very cool experience to see all the different things that this race could represent for so many different people.  It really honored all kinds of different aspects of women.  It was really cool to see that the organizers celebrated every last finisher (even spreading the finishing tape for the actual last finisher).

I also learned that the Iron Girl logo is named Grace and stands for the grace that woman demonstrate when they compete in this type of event.  Really neat day.

The finishing chute of the Iron Girl 1/2 marathon in Columbia, MD.

The finishing chute of the Iron Girl 1/2 marathon in Columbia, MD.