Madison Marathon Profile: Krissy Schintgen

Triumphant runner Krissy Schintgen crosses the finish line of her first 5K alongside her daughter in June, 2013. Photo credit: Katie Richard, Focal Flame Photography

Running changes everything. Just ask Krissy Schintgen (33) of Middleton, Wisconsin. After years of struggling with the crippling effects from two strokes, Krissy decided to fight back. Starting little by little, she trained for Girls On The Run with daughter, Lily, then did the unthinkable and ran right next to Lily during the 2013 Girls On The Run 5K in June, 2013. Krissy began training for longer distances and became a half-marathon finisher at the Madison Marathon in November, 2013. She will be doing two Madison Marathon events in 2014: the half-marathon on May 25 and her first-ever full marathon on November 9.

Focal Flame Photography, the official event photography service provider for the 2014 Madison Marathon events as well as Girls On The Run of Dane County, asked her about why she runs.

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Focal Flame Photography: How many Madison Marathons or Half Marathons have you run?

Krissy: One event, soon to be three.

FFP: Do you participate in other similar events?

Krissy: Yes - Glow Run, Mud Run, Color Me Rad, UW Madison Races, Shamrock Shuffle, Cannonball Run, Girls On The Run and the Parkinson's Half Marathon.

FFP: Are there any personal accomplishments you would like to mention?

Krissy: After a year of training, I ran my first Half Marathon. I also set up a virtual race and raised $1,100; 100 percent of the funds were donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

FFP: I love your email moniker, "notfastjustfabulous." Is there a race story behind it?

Krissy: The name Not Fast Just Fabulous actually comes from my personal story of overcoming adversity. [Author's Note: To read more about Krissy's running journey, visit her blog Not Fast, Just Fabulous.]

Krissy's Personal Story

Krissy Schintgen rocks the 2014 Madison Shamrock Shuffle, sporting a brilliant smile despite high winds and cold temperatures. Photo credit: Clint Thayer, Focal Flame Photography

FFP: What does running and participating in events such as the Madison Marathon mean to you?

Krissy: After years of struggling with crippling pain, depression, and physical limitations due to two strokes, I decided to fight back. I threw aside my cane, stopped taking the heavy medication that left me dazed and unmotivated, and stepped outside. At first I walked, then I jogged, and now I run to remind myself that anything is possible.

FFP: With so many races to choose from, why do you participate in the Madison Marathon? What makes it special?  

Krissy: It’s a special race because it was where I accomplished my biggest and most inspirational personal goal ever.

FFP: Do you do anything to make the race more meaningful or fun?

Krissy: Last November I crossed the finish line with two extremely amazing pacers who believed in me when I wanted to quit;  I wore a pink tutu and cape that read “Not Fast Just Fabulous”. This May’s half marathon will be special because my husband will be running with me, his first race ever! In November, I will be running my first MARATHON…. and with my husband! We are going to be wearing wedding apparel and renewing our vows at the finish line for our 10 year anniversary! 

FFP: What would you tell other racers about participating in the Madison Marathon?

Krissy: Running reminds me that my disabilities do NOT define me. I hope that my journey will help motivate and inspire others to dream beyond their abilities and take it one step at a time.

- article by Deborah Proctor

This article is part of a series featuring athletes who are participating in a Madison Marathon Event May 24-25 and/or November 9, 2014.  For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.

Madison Marathon Profile: Gowtham

Gowtham is an HPC Research Scientist, an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Physics and Electrical and Computer Engineering and NSF XSEDE Campus Champion at Michigan Technological University. He is also an avid runner and Madison Marathon finisher. 

An accomplished researcher, Gowtham (34), who adheres to a south Indian tradition of using a single name, is a research scientist and Adjunct Assistant Professor of physics at  Michigan Tech University in Houghton, Michigan. His interests include photography and exploring wilderness and natural beauty. He makes the 6-plus hour drive from Michigan's Upper Penninsula (informally known in the Upper Midwest as the "Yoop") to Madison to run the Madison Marathon with friends. Focal Flame Photography, the official event photography service provider for the 2014 Madison Marathon events, asked him about why he runs.

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Focal Flame Photography: How many Madison Marathons have you run?

Gowtham: 1 in November 2013

FFP: How many total marathons or half marathons have  you run?

Gowtham:  3 so far

FFP: Do you participate in other similar events?

Gowtham: I am slowly training toward my first triathlon in 2015.

Gowtham's Personal Story

FFP: What does running and participating in events such as the Madison Marathon mean to you?

Gowtham: The feeling of community and belonging to one, even though I might not be living in it on a daily basis. It's a very humbling experience to see unselfish support from people I have never seen before and/or might never see again. 

FFP: With so many races to choose from, why do you participate in the Madison Marathon? What makes it special?  

Gowtham: I have many friends from Michigan Tech that are either from Green Bay, Madison, or the Milwaukee area or have moved there since their graduation, and I don't to get to see them as often as I would like. The decision to participate in Madison Marathon was based on wanting to visit and spend some quality time with them.

What makes the overall experience special is the overall ambiance and atmosphere of the event. It is, the first of my 'big city' races and the biggest of the races I have either volunteered or participated in. The awesomeness of the course that winds through friendly residential and scenic areas alike, and the support I receive from the volunteers, aid stations, police officers, and people who make fantastic signs to cheer racers on makes this the most memorable half marathon event outside the "Yoop."

FFP: Do you do anything to make the race more meaningful or fun?

Gowtham: Most of my races have been with friends. For Madison Marathon 2013, we were a group of five friends varying in experience from novice to experienced half marathon, triathlon, and IronMan competitors. Other friends cooked for us the night before and seemed to be present with their cheerful faces at every major turn. Running and being with them helps me bond and learn more about them.

FFP: What would you tell other racers about participating in the Madison Marathon?

Gowtham: It's money well spent and an experience one cannot easily forget.  I have done one other big city half marathon with even more registered racers but it wouldn't even hold a candle to Madison Marathon's finish area experience. The Madison Marathon is something I will never forget – crossing the finish line, I felt like a hero in the ancient Roman Colosseum  (even at shabby 2 hour 43 minutes).

FFP: Is there anything else about your journey as a runner that you would like to share?

Gowtham: I am very passionate about my work and devote insanely long hours to it but I am grateful to the friends I have who share their knowledge and expertise and make me a better person overall. I want to get better as a runner. Running has certainly changed my life and life style -- helping me learn more about myself and everyone around me.

- article by Deborah Proctor

This article is part of a series featuring athletes who are participating in a Madison Marathon Event May 24-25 and/or November 9, 2014.  For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.

Madison Marathon Athlete Profile: Michele Prieve Wilkinson

A dedicated runner, triathlete, and cancer survivor, Michele Prieve Wilkinson shares an embrace after a successful IronMan race.

Running can create superheroes. Just ask Michele Prieve Wilkinson (45) of Milton, Wisconsin, who ran her first 5K in 2003 to raise money for a friend with breast cancer. On 9/22/2008 the disease struck even closer to home when Michele herself was diagnosed with cancer. A fitness manager for an athletic club, she continues to beat cancer by crossing the finish line of every race she enters - persevering each time in honor of a cancer survivor. Focal Flame Photography, the official event photography service provider for the 2014 Madison Marathon events, asked her about why she runs.

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Q&A with Milton, WI runner Michele Prieve Wilkinson

Focal Flame Photography: How many Madison Marathons or Half Marathons have you run

Wilkinson: I have run the Madison Half Marathon six times.

FFP: How many total marathons or half marathons have you run?

Wilkinson: Two full marathons and sixteen half marathons.

FFP: Do you participate in other similar events? What are a few of your favorites?

Wilkinson:  I have participated in two IronMans and three half IronMans. My favorites are Madison Marathon, Wisconsin Marathon, and IronMan Wisconsin.

FFP: Are there any personal accomplishments you would like to mention?

Wilkinson: I finish every race I enter.

Michele's Story

FFP: With so many races to choose from, why do you participate in the Madison Marathon?

Wilkinson: I really enjoy events in the Madison area as it was my hometown for 38 years.  It is truly an incredible city and it makes my heart happy to run on the streets of such a beautiful community.

FFP: Do you do anything to make the race more meaningful or fun?

Wilkinson: For the past 5.5 years I have run almost every race wearing a pink cape to celebrate being a breast cancer survivor.  Each race I run in honor of a cancer survivor, to celebrate them and all they have been through.  This keeps me present during a race. When times get tough I remind myself that they cannot give up, so I can't give up either and I can push through for a short time. 

I typically do all races with a friend but this year I am challenging myself to run this marathon solo.  I will be racing every race in honor of my father, E. Arthur (Al) Prieve, who passed away on March 19. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the incredible life that he led than to run through the streets that he called home for 50+ years.

FFP: What would you tell other racers about participating in the Madison Marathon?

Michelle: The race is extremely well run, the course is beautiful and Madison is a great place to be!

FFP: Is there anything else about your journey as a runner that you would like to share? 

Wilkinson: I ran my very first 5K, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, in 2003.  That race sparked my love for running and in turn was there to support me from my diagnosis forward.  That race (and diagnosis) makes me want to continue to live life to the fullest! Distance running makes me feel alive — my goal is to finish each race that I enter, having the best time possible.  Let's face it, I won't ever "win", but when I cross the finish line I have beaten cancer one more time ... so, yes, I have "won" many races. :)

- article by Deborah Proctor

This article is part of a series featuring athletes who are participating in a Madison Marathon Event May 24-25 and/or November 9, 2014.  For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.

Madison Marathon Athlete Profile: Joe Kilkus

Madison runner Joe Kilkus at the 2013 Lake Monona 20K race. Photo (c) 2013 Focal Flame Photography Photo credit: Clint Thayer

Wondering who is in contention to win the 2014 Madison Half-Marathon on May 25? Joe Kilkus (25) of Madison, Wisconsin is a runner to watch as he seeks to repeat his win from 2013. Kilkus used the 2011 Spring Madison Half Marathon to "test the waters" for his first full marathon in the fall. He loved kicking off his spring training with this event so much that he ran it again in 2012 and raced to victory in 2013. Focal Flame Photography, the official event photography service provider for the 2014 Madison Marathon events, asked him about why he runs.

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Q&A with Madison, WI runner Joe Kilkus

Focal Flame Photography: What does running and participating in events such as the Madison Marathon mean to you?

Kilkus: Running means a lot to me.  I really enjoy being able to just throw on a pair of shoes and forget about everything but running for an hour or so.  I was the slowest guy on my college team as a freshman, and every year after that I kept improving so I started to love running more and more.  By my senior year I was finishing in the middle of the pack for most races. I guess I wasn't ready to be done competing.  Participating in events like the Madison half marathon is how I continue to compete not only against others but also against myself.

FFP: With so many races to choose from, why do you participate in the Madison Marathon? What makes it special?  

Kilkus: After graduating from college in 2010 I decided I wanted to run longer races, and when I moved to Madison I found the Madison Marathon fit perfectly into my spring training plans. The race has a bit of sentimental value to me since it was my first half marathon, so every year since then this has been my big race for the spring where I really want to perform at my best.

FFP: Do you do anything to make the race more meaningful or fun?

Kilkus: I do have a lucky jersey that I wear when I want to run really well and need a little bit of extra good luck.  Most people don't expect to see a guy racing in a purple Utah Jazz basketball jersey, so it's also a nice way to get cheers and support from people who don't already know me.

FFP: What would you tell other racers about participating in the Madison Marathon?

Kilkus:  Get ready for the hills.  It's a pretty fun course, but those hills are really tough.

Summary of Race Results & Personal Accomplishments

FFP: How many Madison Marathon events have you run? How many total marathons or half-marathons have you run? 

Kilkus: 4 Madison half-Marathons — Spring 2011, 2012, 2013 / Fall 2013; Spring 2014 will be my 5th. I have also run 2 Marathons (Twin Cities 2011 and 2013).

FFP: Are there any personal accomplishments you would like to mention?

Kilkus:  Men's winner of the 2013 Madison Spring half marathon.  Ran 2:34:36 at Twin Cities marathon 2013.

- article by Deborah Proctor

This article is part of a series featuring athletes who are participating in a Madison Marathon Event May 24-25 and/or November 9, 2014.  For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.

Madison Marathon Athlete Profile: Jason Kasperski

Jason Kasperski (37) of Madison, Wisconsin, has chosen to "Conquer the Capitol," a Madison Marathon series featuring a back-to-back twilight 10K on May 24, followed by a half-marathon May 25; he will complete the series with his first full marathon on November 9. Focal Flame Photography, the official event photography service provider for the 2014 Madison Marathon events, asked him about why he runs.

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FFP: How many Madison Marathons or Half Marathons have you run?

Jason Kasperski, shown at the UW Running Club Valentine's 5k with daughter Brittney. Photo credit:  Krissy Schintgen

Jason: One — I completed my first half Madison Marathon in November 2013. I will be running the Parkinson's Half this spring as well as the Twilight 10K and Madison Half Marathon in May. I am looking forward to my first full Madison Marathon in November.

FFP: Are there any personal accomplishments you would like to mention?

Jason: When I started running in August of 2012 distance running was the furthest thing from my mind, I was only focused on losing weight. By March of 2013 I had lost 100 pounds and was looking to run my first half marathon.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR PERSONAL STORY:

FFP: What does running and participating in events such as the Madison Marathon mean to you?

Jason:  After I hit my weight loss goal, I decided I would run a marathon for each of the surgeries my daughter had. I look forward to presenting her with her first medal after crossing the Madison Marathon finish line in November. 

FFP: If it is not too personal, please tell me a little more about your daughter and how she motivates you.

Jason: Brittney (8) was born with Spina Bifida.  She is in a wheelchair but is able to walk short distances with a walker. To date she has had 18 surgeries ranging from ear tubes to open heart and brain surgery, to most recently a spinal fusion.

One icy day, I took her on a run around Lake Monona with my run group and she loved it. We ran in the UW Running Club Valentine's 5k together (she beat me by a hair). I hope to run with her in more races. 

I started a Facebook page earlier this year that tells a bit of Brittney's story.

 FFP: With so many races to choose from, why do you participate in the Madison Marathon?

Jason:  I chose the Madison Marathon as my first marathon from a logistical standpoint.  Living in Madison, it was a no brainer. I love the sights of the city and am familiar with most of the course.

FFP: Do you do anything to make the race more meaningful or fun?

Jason: Running with friends always helps with training, but when it comes to a race, I run for my daughter – that holds me accountable to do my best.

FFP: What would you tell other racers about participating in the Madison Marathon?

Jason: The same thing I tell myself — Prepare for it. Train hard and have fun.

FFP: You have chosen to "Conquer the Capitol" – a back- to-back twilight 10K and half marathon in the spring and a full marathon in the fall. Briefly, what would you tell other racers about participating in this race?

Jason: This will be my first time attempting it.  I would say, push yourself, you never know what you can achieve.

- article by Deborah Proctor

This article is part of a series featuring athletes who are participating in a Madison Marathon Event May 24-25 and/or November 9, 2014.  For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.

Girls on the Run 5K: A Race Report

By Robyn M. Perrin - Co-founder, Focal Flame Photography

In retrospect, training for a 5K might have been a good idea.

Training myself, that is. My daughter, on the other hand, had this one down cold. She had not only been preparing for the past 10 weeks, but is a 3-time alumna of the Girls on the Run program. She started participating as a 3rd grader and enjoyed it so much that she enrolled each spring and fall session afterwards.

And so it was that we were both standing on the starting line, a year after we had done our first 5K together in Waunakee, WI.

Oh what a difference 12 months makes for a child now turned preadolescent.

Last year, I coaxed her along with her friends. When one of the compadressuffered a side cramp, everyone stopped and walked, holding hands until all was well. We walked for over three-quarters of the run. So I wasn’t terribly concerned about keeping up for this fall’s 5K, even though work, life, and willpower had intervened such that I had zero miles under my belt by the week of the race.

In the meantime, my little one was no longer little. And she had discovered that running fulfilled a joy that she could articulate most clearly with her feet, her heart, and her lungs.

This is not to say that Girls on the Run is a competitive running program. It’s not. The secret is that it’s not really a running program at all. Through the thoughtfully developed curriculum, girls in 3rd through 5th grade discuss topics such as positive decision-making, community-building, and how to take a stand against bullying. They have discussions about how to recognize negative, disempowering messages in advertising and media. They vote on a nonprofit to support (my daughter’s team held a bake sale that raised over $200 for the Dane County Humane Society). They navigate some difficult, messy discussions about the negative effects of gossiping and how to be effective at asserting themselves.

And twice a week, they run a little longer and a little harder at each practice.

Last fall my daughter had no interest whatsoever in setting a goal time. I asked if she thought she had any idea how long we should plan for the 5K. She wrinkled her nose, saying, “What does it matter, Mom? We’ll get to the finish eventually.”

And we did, letting each moment unfold in due time.

This year, however, she didn’t discard the thought of a goal. After doing the team’s practice 5K in 36 minutes, she decided that 35 minutes was within reach. “I’ll be sprinting the whole thing, Mom,” she declared. Then she giggled and darted away.

Three days before the run, I figured I better do something. I had started using a FitBit over the summer and had a good idea about how many steps I averaged per day, but let’s face it: they were all walking. I went to a nearby roundabout in a quiet neighborhood, did a few laps around the 1/16 mile circle, and the trudging was uneventful. A steady jog should do it, right? Right.

The big morning arrived. Over a thousand girls, coaches, families, and community members lined up at the start, and we were released in the first wave with the blast of the horn from the Waunakee firefighters’ truck.

My husband Clint, co-founder of Focal Flame Photography, was perched above all of us in the firefighting rig’s platform. “Wave to Daddy!,” I told our daughter. I knew that the course was lined with Focal Flame photographers ready to lend their keen concentration and sense of timing to capture the day for each racer. I knew this because I had talked with each and every one of them, helping to convey assignments and paperwork and all the logistics that go into preparing an event crew.

But right now, I was just a mom running with her daughter.  

Within a few paces, I realized that we were keeping up a pretty good clip. “Ah, great,” I thought, “the excitement of the 5K is kicking in.”

Then I glanced at my daughter’s coach, who checked her watch and assessed the pace. “Wow,” she murmured between strides. “They’re heading out WAY faster than they did at practice.”

Within a quarter mile, the trajectory was unmistakable: there was no holding back this year. I fixed my glazed eyes on my offspring from a few paces back, watching her keep stride with metronome-like precision, staying true to form.

At one point the inevitable side cramps set in for nearly all members of the team. There was no walking this year. I overheard my daughter’s response: “Coach told me I should run through them.”

And run she did.

The back of the Waunakee course includes a long incline up completely open terrain hugged by agricultural fields. The wind whipped up so strongly it felt like a cold hand pushing me backwards as I struggled to crest the hill. We turned a corner and I attempted to maintain some semblance of nonchalant dignity, nodding in response to the casual conversation of team coaches and fellow moms.

The truth was, I was dying. I mean, the only thought that kept going through my mind with every footstep was, “Good grief make it stop, I should have trained for this, I know this is nothing compared to enduring 36 hours of labor but how am I supposed to maintain a shred of dignity when my heart may well explode before the end of 3.1 miles?”

There are certain things one attempts to do when trying to be suave while running. You sport a causal half-grin that you hope desperately doesn’t transition into a full grimace. You attempt to respond to conversation through earnest head motions, hoping that no one realizes you are sucking wind so badly that you couldn’t utter a response even if you wanted to. You try to ignore the thought that you’re only going to be able to descend stairs for the next three days by taking a double dose of ibuprofen, stepping gingerly, and inhaling from the gut.

We reached the aid station and I thought, “Oh, good, she’ll stop to take water.” Nope. She slammed the contents of the Dixie cup, deposited it in the trash, and took off again.

The realization sunk in: I’m toast. There was no way I was going to be able to keep up with her. A momentary wave of guilt washed over me – will she be OK running alone? - but then I spotted one of the team coaches, Laura, keeping pace alongside my daughter with the steady stride of a practiced runner. (And practiced Laura is: a two-time Boston Marathon qualifier.)

Steady. Step by step. Never wavering. I saw my daughter take off her hat - having warmed to the task - and press on. She pulled away into the distance, and I realized that today offered so much more than a Saturday 5K.

This was a glimpse into the future.

Every parent has a moment when they first begin to realize that their child has in some way begun to come into their own. In reality, there are endless instances of such realizations: the first time they begin to read independently. The first time they walk to a friend’s house in the neighborhood. When they pause in conversation to say something so insightful you are left speechless. These moments arrive like snowflakes, slowly at first and each one perfect in its individuality, until one day you turn around and realize a blizzard's-worth of evidence of your child's spirit and self-identity has accumulated. 

Today, I realized that my daughter was outrunning me with great joy and tremendous grace. This was her homage to an autumn day, choosing a wild neon hat to stand in contrast to dreary skies. Choosing an even tempo of footsteps to counter the blacktop-clad ascents.

If I thought it was hard to breathe myself up the hill before, that was nothing compared to trying to run with tear-tinges of gratitude and a lump in my throat. “If she can do it, so can I,” I thought.

We did not cross the finish line together this year. But she was waiting for me in the finishing chute, jumping up and down and squealing with glee. “Mom, I did it! Twenty-nine minutes!!” 

Strong women: May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.   

Focal Flame Photography has been honored to serve the Dane County Girls on the Run 5K since 2011. Participants in the Fall 2013 5K may download complimentary FocalShare™ photos from the event. 

Skirt Chaser 5K: A Whole Lot of Chasin' Goin' On

Remember in grade school when the boys used to chase the girls around the playground? He likely chased her just to annoy her — a sign of affection. And her? She ran away squealing but slowed down if there was any real threat of his losing track of her. There was a whole lot of chasin' goin' on and it was all good fun.

Would you like to recapture the thrill of the chase (or being chased)?  You can at your nearest Skirt Chaser 5K.

What is a Skirt Chaser? It is a battle of the sexes that pits the boys against girls in a race to the finish line, where whichever sex finishes first gets free beer at the post race party.

So girls, grab your skirts — provided as an optional upgrade to women’s race packages by Skirt Sports, the women’s athletic clothing company that created the original fitness skirt — toe the starting line, and take full advantage of your 3-minute head start before the guys start chasing you. Admit it guys, you never had it so good.

When asked why Race Day Events chose to partner with Skirt Sports in bringing the Skirt Chaser to Madison, race director, RyanGriessmeyer, said, "We feel it is a perfect match for the area...It is fun and challenging for all levels." and he added that "the battle of the sexes component should be pretty interesting in such a strong running community."

How does a Skirt Chaser 5K work? As on the playground the guys chase the girls, but the girls (skirts) are not going to slow down to let the guys catch them this time — after all, unlike other fun run 5Ks, the Skirt Chaser is a timed race and the winning sex gets the beer. Everyone gathers for a fun after-race party with themed awards, games, music, and a fashion show and dance contest hosted by Skirt Sports.

The swag and prize packages for the Skirt Chaser 5K are, in a word, SWEET. They’re also carefully planned to stoke some friendly competition. For the Madison race on September 28, 2013, cash prizes are $500 to the overall winner and $250 to the fastest finisher of the opposite sex. Gift card prizes from Quaker Steak and Lube run 10 deep into both men’s and women’s fields, and all participants receive a free pint glass….plus, of course, FocalShare complimentary digital photos from Focal Flame Photography so you can share your battle-of-the-sexes triumph with all your friends.

Nicole DeBoom, founder of Skirt Sports and the Skirt Chaser 5K, says,"I have spent most of my efforts helping women feel good about themselves through running and sports. I created the Skirt Chaser 5k as a way to include the men in our lives while still celebrating women."

DeBoom, loves that the race is all about relationships. Married 15 years, she sees Skirt Chaser as a date night, adding a little active fun to a couple's life. Others see the race as a way to meet other active singles — a color-coded bib system and downloadable "Looking for Love" flyers announce availability.

She likes to share the story of one couple who found love on the run. He caught up to her at mile 2 and said, "Now that I've caught you, I want to keep you. Will you marry me?" She said,  "Yes!" and Nicole hopes they will tie the knot at next year's race.

Guys chasin' girls. Can you think of a better way to get in a great work out, run a traditional 5K race, and feel the thrill of the chase as you connect with other active runners?

Don't miss out on the thrill of the chase. Register for the Skirt Chaser 5K today. Here’s the link to register for the Madison, WI Skirt Chaser 5K event. 

Will you be racing the Skirt Chaser 5K in Madison? Bringing friends? Tell us your story!

Glow Run That’s Disco Meets 5K: It's Glow Time!

by Deborah Proctor

What do you get when you cross a 5K run with the dark of night, glow-in-the-dark accessories, and party zones pumping out live music? The ultimate glow run - It's Glow Time 5K!

Billed as "disco meets 5K," It's Glow Time 5K  is a fun run, with emphasis on the FUN! Unlike most running events where some members of the family watch from the sidelines, an It's Glow Time 5K makes it possible for the whole family to run 5K and glow together. There are NO timers, NO competition, just blacklights, glowing necklaces, silly glow-in-the-dark glasses, light shows, and DJs playing pulsing music guaranteed to keep your feet moving.

Dave C who participated in the run at Madison, Wisconsin describes It's Glow Time 5K as "the most fun I have had at a run event ever!"  When asked why he chose to participate in this 5K glow run, he replied,"I have done so many running and triathlon events for distance and endurance... this was an event that stood out for the fun party atmosphere."

Glow runs such as It's Glow Time 5K represent one of the fastest growing segments of running events. Why? Maybe because of the party atmosphere, or perhaps simply because they encourage the whole family to participate together.Young or old, you can run, walk, skip, or all of the above under the stars. And it's guaranteed that you will smile, laugh, and dance about. It's a 5K glow party!

Dave mentioned above "glowed" with 30 of his closest friends, including children ages 8-12. That camaraderie really "made the event" for him. He highly recommends that other runners try a glow 5K but advises, "loosen up a bit"... This should not be considered a race ... but an enjoyable experience."

There are many glow 5K runs out there, but there is one important difference between an It's Glow Time 5K and the other guys —FocalShareSM  — complimentary digital photos by the professional photographers at Focal Flame Photography. Knowing FocalShare complimentary digitals are offered at the event means participants can leave their cameras at home, forget about trying to take photos in very challenging low-light conditions, and concentrate on having a good time!

So invite a few of your favorite people, grab your running shoes, don your disco-iest clothing, and boogie on down to your nearest It's Glow Time 5K. Wondering what this glow run looks like? Check out the video below or on YouTube: 

(Make sure to watch this video in HD - click on the gear icon at lower right part of the video frame and select "720p HD".)

What are you waiting for? Get glowing!

Janesville, WI Triathlon: Kitty Cole and the Rock, Roll "n" Run Triathlon

by Deborah Proctor

In the first decade of the 21st century, things were not looking good for Janesville, Wisconsin. Layoffs at local manufacturing plants were draining the city of its life. The Janesville YMCA felt that drain too, and the local triathlon they had supported for so long had to be discontinued.

It is said that, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." And that is what Kitty Cole, coach and race director of the YMCA tri did. With all the negative things happening in the community, Kitty felt it was essential to keep this fun and challenging event going. "Janesville has been hard hit economically and a lot people think the city is "gone," says Kitty, and she wanted"to show everyone that Janesville is a thriving community." 

She organized a few friends, rallied local businesses as sponsors, and the Rock, Roll "n" Run triathlon (RRnR) was ready to go on. But the Rock River had other ideas and record flood levels caused the event to be canceled. With the worst of the plant closings and layoffs occurring in 2009, it took Kitty and her friends two years to make their dream for the community come true.  

What makes the Rock, Roll "n" Run unique?

With the exception of the weekly shows staged by the Rock Aqua Jays, the Rock, Roll "n" Run  triathlon is the only sanctioned swim event in the Rock River in Janesville."We advertise a fast swim...even a PR (personal record) swim," stated Cole.  "For a first-timer, having the current as an aid can be a great comfort and assist. I am really proud of the fact that in 4 triathlons, every swimmer has finished the swim portion of the RRnR...100%  quite a record!"

The bike portion is rolling — challenging, but not overwhelming.

"The run is fabulous!" Cole added."Runners leave Traxler Park and run right thru the center of the Janesville Farmer's Market. The vendors love the action and are huge supporters!"  

"More than a few have taken my name in vain!," Kitty added as she described "the dreaded Holmes Hill" that leads to the historic Courthouse District and past a park and beautifully restored homes. Then it's all downhill from there. At the finish, along with awards for the top three in each age group, everyone receives a Finisher's Medal. To be sure that every racer knows how much their achievement means, Cole said, "We stop the award ceremony to line the finish line and welcome home our last finisher." 

As a racer herself, Cole goes out of her way to see that the day is not only rewarding but safe. The river is always a challenge."We never know what the Rock River is going to do!!  In 2012 the River was so low the swim started with athletes standing in the water and this year the River was so high and the current so strong, we had record swim times."  

For those nervous about swimming in a river current, organizers create a swim lane to keep swimmers out of eddies and from venturing too far toward the shore where they can get caught in a reverse current. Lauren Jensen, Wisconsin triathlon pro,  called the RRnR "...the safest I've ever seen."

"We have 5-6 of the Rock Aqua Jays' safety boats in the water, 1-2 jet skis, 4-5 kayakers and this year we had 13 lifeguards courtesy of the South Central Swim Team," said Cole.

The Rock, Roll "n" Run took one more step this year to make their race stand out from the rest. They participated in Focal Flame Photography's FocalShare™ program so that every racer would have digital photographs to go with their Finisher's Medal.  

"We wanted to...offer a unique and valuable race day memory (to our racers,)" Cole reasoned. "There are lots of races to choose from...We want our racers to feel good about the whole event...having a photo or two to share cements that goodwill!"

To participate as an athlete, volunteer, or sponsor in the 2014 Rock, Roll "n" Run, held the first Saturday in July each year, visit www.rockrollnrun.com or their  Facebook page Janesville Rock Roll 'n' Run.

Tell us on the Focal Flame Photography Facebook page: What is your favorite memory of the Janesville Rock, Roll 'N Run Triathlon? 

FocalShare: Sharing our Focus on Athletes

by Deborah Proctor

When you photograph athletes for a living like we do, you see on each individual's face determination required to cross the finish line and the joy and exhilaration of that accomplishment. Seeing these qualities through the lens caused Focal Flame Photography founder and lead photographer, Clint Thayer, to reflect on what Focal Flame could do to make it possible for athletes to share these once in a lifetime moments more freely with friends, family, and others who may not be there to celebrate with them.

"That is when the idea for the FocalShare™ service was born," says Thayer. "We wanted to SHARE our focus (digital photographs) with the amazing athletes that we photographed at each event, and give them, in turn, the opportunity to share their accomplishment with those who care about them."

So how did we accomplish that? Thayer explained, "We teamed up with some very forward-thinking and customer service-oriented event organizers, and they agreed that customized digital photographs would be much more meaningful to athletes, way cooler, and more environmentally friendly than the usual race swag like another plastic water bottle."

How does the FocalShare service work?

• Race directors and event organizers contract with Focal Flame Photography to photograph the athletes and activities at their event.
• In return, each athlete receives free access to ALL the photos and can share them via email, or post them in their Blog, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media sites.
• There is no fee to the athlete for the photos, they simply visit www.FocalFlamestore.comafter the race, view the photos of their event, and share as many as they like with friends, family, and teammates. They can even print out copies.
• All photographs are customized with the race logo and date in the corner. This helps showcase the athlete's achievement — it is not "just" another run, bike ride, triathlon, it is the Madison Mud Run, It’s Glow Time 5K, a triathlon in the Wisconsin Tri Series Races, or the Rock, Roll, ‘N Run Triathlon in Janesville, for example.
• Race organizers benefit from the good will the complimentary digitals create as well as in increased awareness of their event. For community events with racers from all walks of life, ensuring that every participant has access to FocalShare digitals helps to level the playing field and create a sense of togetherness – which, in the end, is what events are all about.

It appears that racers LOVE their FocalShare digitals and are often astounded that they are included as a benefit of the event. They also appreciate not having to pay out of pocket for the digital images.

But don't take our word for it, here is what just a few of the athletes at participating events had to say:

"I was a part of the race yesterday and I had an incredible time...One of the best things that this race had was the photography and the free access to our pictures. Two of the pictures are possibly the best pictures I have ever had taken by a race photographer at any point during my racing career. One was the very first good picture I have ever had of me coming out of the water. Sweet!

Thanks again and I look forward to participating in this race again next year! "—Pete

"This was my first triathlon that I have ever done!  It is so awesome that I get some great pictures to go with my experience!  It is also nice that they didn't cost me as usually race photos are so expensive.  Thank you!!!!"  — Lisa

"Thanks for being at the race to capture these moments - especially on a day when people like me leave their cameras safely packed away to stay dry! I appreciate the free downloads, and used some of the photos in my race report. Thanks! " —Dan

"FocalShare" events are the best!"— Tim

"[I appreciate] the FAST availability and the opportunity to use them for social media photos. Facebook & Twitter are avenues to document life events, and what better way to accompany posts than with professional race photos that capture those life events in motion. It's also great to have pictures with the race logo to remember the events." — survey respondent

"...FocalShare seems to be the ultimate package between racers, event coordinators, and photographers. I would much rather pay a "hidden" small cost in each registration for free photos then pay a ton for 1 photo. With digital being the norm now, it is a win/win/win situation." — survey respondent

If you have participated in an event photographed by Focal Flame this season, be sure to check our event status page to see if your event offersFocalShare digitals and share them with your family and friends.

If you are a race director or event coordinator and would like to know more about how you can offer complimentary FocalShare digitals to your athletes, please email Clint@FocalFlame.com or call 608.772.0048.

What do you think? Have you participated in a FocalShare event and shared your race photos with family and friends? If so, please tell us about your FocalShare experience.