Collectors
Sometimes you have to take a little break from capturing photos of super humans from a speeding scooter and take the opportunity to smell the roses. Literally. Recently, while exploring a native wildflower garden maintained by our dear friend Brook S., Focal Flame photographer Clint Thayer did just that. In the process, he found a completely different sort of athlete.
The following photo essay shows the power of motion in the natural world - bringing the perspective of pollinators within our grasp, and often showing them at angles that are both unfamilar and irresistable. Enjoy!
Wing It
A selection of these images are available for purchase in print sizes ranging from 4x6 to 20x24 in the Store. Custom framing services are available for Madison customers.
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Gills for Gilda's Club: Ultra-swimmers and Kayakers Going the Distance
It all started with a beer at the University of Wisconsin Memorial Union Terrace.
It was 2008, and ultra-distance athlete Darren Fortney was kicking back with friends at the Union. In case you’ve not frequented the Dairyland State, the Union Terrace is a Madison institution in itself. Decades ago the university decided, in a stroke of genius, to have an outdoor pub along the shore of Lake Mendota. Consequently, generations of students and Madison residents have gathered there to hear music concerts, raise a glass, and linger over sunset views of the lake.
Fortney’s lakeward gaze wasn't idle admiration, though. Since taking up running in 2004 to help recover from a botched back surgery, he had found endurance sports to be addictive. After conquering several half-marathons, marathons, and triathlons, Fortney began adding ultra-distance events to his schedule. Fifty-mile running races led to 100 mile events - and he kept finding new opportunities to push the limits.
So to him, Mendota wasn’t just a pretty lake. It was a challenge begging to be met.
"I bet I can swim that," he told friends.
Never mind that not long before, he was deathly afraid of water. Fortney's inspiration to swim began in 2005, when he watched Ironman Wisconsin swimmers tackling the open water from his kayak as a race safety volunteer. "I could not swim," he recalled, only tacitly acknowledging the irony. "My biggest fear is drowning." Deciding to face his fears head-on, he joined a master's swim class and not only learned to swim, but honed his technique enough to compete in the 2006 Ironman Wisconsin race. He finished the 2.4-mile swim portion in a respectable 1 hour 18 minutes and 18 seconds.
To spend any time in Fortney's presence is to realize he has a straightforward approach to life. Overcoming personal trials ranging from cancer to spinal cord injury has re-framed his perspective. He is one of those individuals who simply asks "Why not?" when approaching a challenge - and the bigger the effort, the better. He also routinely mentors fellow athletes, and through charitable fundraising, seeks to help those facing serious medical issues, particularly cancer. He raised over $21,000 for the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2006, and over $4,000 for cancer resource center Gilda's Club Madison in 2009. "I am just one of the lucky ones able to give back," he said. "Lots to be thankful for."
So it didn't come as a surprise when Fortney quickly brought his ultra-swim idea to life. The first year, there were seven swimmers - mostly friends from his master's swimming class. In 2009, the group swelled to 10 swimmers, and Fortney did the swim the day after a 25-mile training run. By early 2010, Fortney found himself planning the 3rd Annual Lake Mendota Crossing. Though the event still remained “rogue”, in his description, "We’ve got 13 swimmers, 13 kayakers, T-shirts, and we had a a logo made."
This is not to say that the swim had gotten any easier over the years. To put things in perspective, the course is nearly three times the length of the swim portion of Ironman-distance triathlons. And the effort involved in open water swimming is incomparable to doing laps in a swimming pool. In the first two years, swimmers had experienced high winds that blew them off course, algal blooms, and a sewage leak. Two of the kayakers who help keep the perimeter safe for the swimmers, Marcia Hartwig and Susan Jones, work on the Take a Stake in the Lakes program for Dane County. At one point, the group sought media coverage to raise awareness of water quality.
The potential for problems and even dangerous situations was very real. Fortney and the rest of the organizers were careful to do everything they could to keep things safe, including requiring wetsuits, ensuring CPR-trained personnel were available, using a buddy system with color-coded swim caps, and hiring a pontoon boat to accompany them. Only highly experienced swimmers were invited to join.
But life sometimes throws in challenges that simply can't be anticipated. For example, injury. Prior to the 2010 crossing, veteran swimmer Ken Wood wrote, "Having done this swim the past two years, coming into it there weren't too many challenges left until a 3rd degree shoulder separation in March completely derailed my swim training and fitness for completing this event." Unable to train for distances longer than two miles while he recuperated, Wood worried about his preparation. Then, in the week before the swim, Fortney fractured a rib during a camping trip. In a message to swimmers, he wrote, "Not sure if I will be able to make it but I will surely give it my all. Kind of funny how one little rib can send you to your knees in pain."
But as many physical discomforts as the swimmers and kayakers faced, Fortney and others knew in their hearts that this was inconsequential compared to the daily trials of cancer patients. So along with arranging all the logistics for the swim, Fortney decided to launch a fundraiser in conjuction with the swim to benefit Gilda's Club Madison. Having worked on charity benefits for Gilda’s Club before, he knew that the programs and resources they offer for cancer patients and families were worthwhile and effective. With writing and publicity support from Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn Perrin, he worked with Gilda's Club staff members Sara Goetz, Marketing and Events Coordinator, and Gail Nichols, Executive Director, to quickly put together an online donation site dubbed “Gills for Gilda's”.
The site went live on June 9, 2010. Initially, Fortney thought a few hundred dollars might be raised. But aided by the power of social networking, something amazing happened: thirteen swimmers and thirteen kayakers told all their friends and family, who told all of their friends and family...and 16 days later, by the date of the 3rd Annual Lake Mendota Crossing, 129 donors had contributed over $5,000 to Gilda’s Club.
Goetz and Nichols were astounded and grateful beyond measure. "$5,000 helps us fund one of our weekly support groups for an entire year," said Nichols. "Our support groups are there for men, women, teens and children who are affected by cancer...The Lake Crossing swimmers, like our [cancer patient and family] members, showed that they stick together, they watch out for each other, they learn from each other, and support one another. This is the essence of the mission of Gilda's Club."
Fueled by the success of their fundraising effort, Gills for Gilda's members headed into the Lake Crossing on June 25 with beautiful weather conditions. Clear skies and air temperatures in the low 80 degrees F led to smiles all around as swimmers donned wetsuits. But once underway, choppy waters led many of the athletes to summon all their fortitude to continue. Sue Ellen Ostrom wrote, "This year the challenge was the waves. It wasn't physically challenging, but rather mentally. At first the waves were fun, but then they just kept coming....It became important to focus on making forward progress instead of letting my mind wander to the negative thoughts of feeling pounded by wave after wave after wave." The group also battled thick patches of underwater weeds. "Came kinda close to a panic attack, there," admitted Amy Rogers.
As the afternoon wore on, fatigue set in. "I remember being very strong and motivated and it being fun for the first 2 hours," wrote Petra Kilian-Gehring. "Then, the wheels started coming off and the last hour and a half I remember really struggling and losing strength, speed and motivation and the shore kept looking far far away and I felt like I didn't want to do it anymore but I NEVER thought about quitting once!" Gary Gruenisen remarked on the isolation of being in open water, describing the sensation as "Such a large place and feeling so small." Three-year veteran Lisa Kirby-Mangas wrote, "Unfortunately, this year I got sick a few times in the water with less than 30 minutes left to shore. This was memorable to me because my goal in starting the swim all three years has been to finish. It was a hard decision for me to get out of the water and get on the pontoon boat."
Kirby-Mangas continued, "In the days post-event, I have been thinking about those feelings and how they relate to other events in life. Many times I have to adjust my sails (or goals) based upon life's events. In this swim, I still had success swimming a long distance even though unforeseen events required that I arrive at the shore in a pontoon boat. I have thought of Gilda's Club, and how many other people have to change the path of their lives based upon life circumstances that are out of their control. Getting on the boat instead of swimming was such a small detour in a small goal."
In the end, all thirteen swimmers made it safely to shore and - fittingly - spent the remainder of the afternoon jubilantly celebrating at the Union Terrace. Many expressed simple gratitude. After the event, Ken Wood wrote, "We are truly blessed to be have mostly fully functioning bodies that allow us the honor and privilege of swimming, kayaking and enjoying the great outdoors. We are fortunate that our endeavors have inspired others to contribute to a worthwhile organization that helps people in need. What you give to others usually comes back at you tenfold." Bonnie Busch shared, "That fact that we may never know who is aided, inspired, comforted or helped [at Gilda's Club] by our own simple acts doesn’t mean that someone isn’t. Nothing is impossible."
And the sweetest part for Fortney? Seeing his son Ryan's face at the finish. For the first time, Ryan Fortney participated as a kayaker. His tenth birthday fell on the day before the lake crossing, and he put his entire decade's worth of determination into his arms, paddling hard all day long. When asked what he wanted his dad to know about the Lake Mendota Crossing, Ryan was quick to answer, "It's really cool and he should keep doing it. Lots of friends are joining in. They must like it too."
The irrepressible grin on the younger Fortney's face summed up in a glance what the Lake Crossing is all about: Hope. Renewal. Future. Taking on a challenge, like swimming across a lake - just because it’s there. Just because you’re among friends. Just because it's inspiring.
Focal Flame Photography congratulates all participants in the 2010 Lake Mendota Crossing, including "Honoring the Athlete" contest runner-up Darren Fortney. Swimmers, kayakers, and support volunteers included:
- Bonnie Busch - swimmer
- Brad Drake - swimmer
- Sarah Faust - swimmer
- Darren Fortney - swimmer
- Gary Gruenisen - swimmer
- Petra Kilian-Gehring - swimmer
- Lisa Kirby-Mangas - swimmer
- Jen Moore - swimmer
- Sue Ellen Ostrom - swimmer
- Justin Pernitz - swimmer
- Amy Rogers - swimmer
- Ken Wood - Swimmer
- Audrey Drake - lead kayaker
- Erin Birk - kayaker
- Mike Conway - kayaker
- Ryan Fortney - kayaker
- Barb Griffin - kayaker
- Marcia Hartwig - kayaker
- Susan Jones - kayaker
- Tyler Leeper - kayaker
- Matt Linak - kayaker
- Katerina Moloni - kayaker
- William Robinson - kayaker
- Carl Johannsson - pontoon boat captain
- Harsha Keister - Massage Therapist
Check out more images in the 3rd Annual Lake Mendota Crossing Gallery. To follow these and other stories, join the Focal Flame Photography Facebook page and follow our Twitter feed.
Race Day Events: Details Matter
Whether running a marathon or completing a charity benefit walk, athletes spend a lot of time surrounded by the small details of race events: registration tables, water stations, course markings, finish lines.
But no matter how many events they've completed, it's safe to say that few athletes have thought about those details as deeply as Ryan Griessmeyer, owner of Race Day Events, LLC.
With over 10 years of experience as a competitive triathlete and coach and five years of experience as a race director, Griessmeyer started Race Day Events to help with the logistical details that can drive any event organizer to distraction, such as how to convey course information, handle start and finish line crowds, and keep both participants and onlookers safe. A major component of his business is equipment rental. "We are a one-stop-shop for anything and everything - from timing, to all the equipment needed to put on a running race or triathlon - or anything between there as well," said Griessmeyer. Need a fifteen-foot-tall inflatable arch that can handle hundreds of runners? Not a problem. How about 600 orange cones for course marking? Tents for the post-race picnic? Or perhaps a 5,000-watt gas power generator would help the day go more smoothly.
These are the equipment logistics that are needed to bring an event to reality, and when Greissmeyer commissioned Focal Flame photographer Clint Thayer to help document Race Day Events equipment and services in action, Thayer jumped at the opportunity. "My initial impression of Ryan's events are that they're very well planned out. They're planned out from the standpoint of someone who actually has participated in events, so he knows where and how and when things should actually happen," said Thayer. "His crew - they know what they are doing, and they know what needs to get done. It's impressive to watch."
For the commercial art shoots, the objective was threefold: document the well-established Lake Monona 20km running race, capture the spirit of the new and already wildly popular Mud Run, and illustrate Race Day Event rental equipment in action.
The weather was pitch-perfect for the 32nd annual Lake Monona 20km run on May 1, but the tranquil skies belied the fact that the just four years previously the event was almost permanently shut down. "The [former] race director just wasn't interested in taking it on any more, he decided it was time to give it up. Nobody was really stepping in to take it over," said Griessmeyer. Having gathered some race directing experience during his time at Fleet Fleet Sports in Madison, Griessmeyer decided to take on the challenge. "I thought it was a good idea to step in and make it happen and we've grown it quite a bit since. When I took it over, the race had about 300 to 350 [participants]. We hit 900 this year," said Griessmeyer. Focusing on attracting new sponsors and making the atmosphere more festive, Race Day Events added post-race entertainment including a live band. "We made it more of an all-around festival than just an elite running event," said Griessmeyer.
On May 9, an upbeat race day atmosphere was taken to an entirely new level with the inaugural Madison Mud Run,
a completely whimsical combination of a 4.6 mile run, obstacles, beach-themed costumes, and - of course - a giant mud pit. "The inspiration came from the Muddy Buddy, which is actually a bike and run in the Chicago area," said Griessmeyer. "But I did some research on the internet and also came up with my own ideas, gave it my own twist."
Playing in the mud is irresistible, and the first-ever event was a tremendous success. "We were only expecting 150-200 people for the spring event, and ended up with 550," said Greissmeyer. Race Day Events will host another Mud Run on October 31 (Halloween-themed, of course), which they expect to sell out with over 1,000 participants. Team entries are encouraged, with special team categories such as Fire/Police/EMS. And Greissmeyer makes sure that the event is family-friendly. "[The Mud Run] draws out anybody and everybody. It's not your typical crowd of elite runners. It's just families, high schoolers, people who really don't run much at all just out there having a good time," he said.
And the enjoyment is genuine, to be certain. But it takes more than just goodwill to make sure that hundreds of people have a positive experience at events like these. Race Day Events crew members tend to details large and small, from rising at dawn to soak a field of soil with water (it turns out mud doesn't make itself), to ensuring that every corner is marked. In documenting these details, Thayer looked for the story elements inherent to each day's unfolding. Whether focusing on the swift footstrikes of runners or a cup of water offered in an outstretched hand, these are the elements that make a difference.
Speaking of making a difference, Race Day Events quietly holds true to the greater community as well - making $2,300 of charitable donations in the first six months of 2010 alone. Whether focusing on the greater good or simply putting on a good race, though, Greissmeyer's goal is straightforward: "Trying to gauge what the participants want and trying to keep everyone as happy as possible." Judging from the smiles, the effort is right on the mark.
Check out more images in the Madison MudRun 2010 and Lake Monona 20k Galleries. Did you participate in the Lake Monona 20km race or the Madison Mud Run? Tell us about it in the comments. To follow these and other stories, join the Focal Flame Photography Facebook page and follow our Twitter feed.
The Giving Face of Competition: Honoring the Goodman Brothers
We never met Robert Goodman and Irwin Goodman personally.
By the time we moved to Madison, the two brothers had retired from Goodman's Jewelers, which they owned and operated on State Street in Madison, WI from 1938 until 1998.
But it’s hard for Madison residents not to feel as if they knew the Goodmans. Even in retirement, they remained involved in nearly every aspect of the community. Anyone who has resided here has likely been touched by the philosophy that the Goodman brothers held: “Be kind and honest to people.” And they found a way to put their values into action by becoming incredibly successful businessmen–then returning nearly every last penny to the Madison community in the form of philanthropic gifts.
What is perhaps most intriguing about their personal history is the influence that athletics and competition had on their life’s work.
Much has been written about Robert and Irwin Goodman, because much is owed to them as a debt of gratitude. A partial list of their contributions to the greater Madison community includes: over $2 million for the Goodman Community Pool, the first-ever public pool in the history of the city; $600,000 for the Goodman Aquatic Center at the Goodman Jewish Community Campus, along with 154 acres of land for the campus valued at $1.5 million; $250,000 to establish the Goodman Rotary Senior Fitness Fund, which today enables over 5,000 seniors over the age of 55 to participate in community health and fitness classes; re-construction of the women’s softball complex at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; construction of a 3-mile running path along Lake Monona; and funding of the “Dial-a-Dietician” nutrition program at Meriter Hospital.
Notice a trend?
Athletics, fitness, and health were paramount to the Goodmans. Irwin Goodman was a member of the track and field team at the University of Minnesota in the late 1930s when he visited Madison for a meet and fell in love with the city. He took over a Madison jewelry store branch owned by his family, and was soon joined by his younger brother Robert “Bob” Goodman. Robert was a renowned athlete in his own right, a softball and baseball outfielder inducted into the Madison Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 who served on the National Olympic Committee.
The pair lived frugally and healthfully, sharing both a modest apartment on State Street and a penchant for simple vegetarian meals. Perhaps as a consequence, they lived long and full lives – Irwin passing away in September, 2009 at the age of 94, and Robert in April, 2010 at the age of 90.
They never married. When they rebuilt the UW women’s softball stadium, Steve Morrison, executive director of the Madison Jewish Community Council, reportedly quipped that it was “the only diamond they ever gave a woman.” They never had children, but as Irwin toured the Goodman Community Center in Atwood – to which they had donated $2 million – he is reported to have delighted in seeing children play and grow there, stating, "the best exercise for the heart is bending down to lift a child." Their family was their community.
On June 11-13, 2010, Madison celebrates Goodman Weekend to honor the humble, inspiring brothers. But as we pause to reflect and realize the influence that two individuals can have on an entire city, it is worth realizing just how much the discipline, camaraderie, and competition of athletics played in their success.
Most news stories on the Goodman brothers include a photo of the pair in their later years, in which they bear wide grins and shocks of white hair. But a family portrait showing a young Robert and Irwin Goodman with their parents, Belle Abrahamson Goodman and Robert D. Goodman, allows a glimpse of them as young men: towering over their parents, shoulders broad, looking as if they would be at home on a football field. A 1937 news release by the athletic department of the University of Minnesota references Irwin Goodman’s contributions to the track team, where he was “expected to handle the shotput event capably” at an April meet, and announced to the roster for the Big Ten Championship in May.
In 1937. During the midst of the Great Depression, with the Spanish Civil War raging….when Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated into his second term as President of the United States….and Amelia Earhart disappeared on a worldwide flight attempt….and the unemployment level in the U.S. reached 17 million.
In 1937, in the midst of an economic meltdown, two brothers decided to manage a business using the same discipline and teamwork they had relied on in athletic competition to grow wealth that they then gave freely to the community. If philanthropy was a competitive event, they would have taken home first place every time.
There’s a little bit of the Goodman brothers in all of us. What will your legacy be?
In the true spirit of the Goodmans, we invite you to support Focal Flame Photography “Honoring the Athlete” contest winner Darren Fortney and a team of ultra-swimmers as they raise funds for Gilda’s Club Madison, a community resource for cancer patients and their loved ones. You can click here to donate online, and here to find out more about Gilda’s Club in action. And stay tuned for coverage of fundraising efforts from other local athletes and contest winners.
To follow these and other stories, join the Focal Flame Photography facebook page and follow our Twitter feed.
Of Bees and Babies
Delayed gratification. That’s the name of the game in photography contests. Unlike sports competitions, where winners are known by the end of the event, in photography contests the outcome usually doesn’t happen until weeks later. Sometimes months later. And occasionally you forget that you even entered until a message arrives.
Which explains why we were scratching our heads recently at a thick package from Azuqueca de Henares, Spain, bearing a certificate reading “IX Concurso Internacional de Fotograf√≠a Ap√≠cola – seleccionado entre las cien mejores fotograf√≠as del a√±o”. After awakening neurons that haven’t fired since high school Spanish class, we realized that the certificate was related to an apiculture photography contest that our friend, well-known Washington, D.C. urban beekeeper and self-proclaimed Bee-Vangelist Toni Burnham, had encouraged Clint Thayer to enter in April 2009.
The annual contest is held by the Town Council of Azuqueca de Henares to raise awareness of its environmental and sustainable development initiatives. At Burnham's urging, Clint photographed a beehive. Not just any hive, though. The Hive. Likely the only beehive with its own security detail, it was established in March 2009 on the lawn of the White House, tended by White House carpenter and amateur beekeeper Charlie Brandt. "The White House Beehive rocked the beekeeping world," said Burnham. "Charlie...fielded questions and was featured in beekeeping publications across the US, Australia, Germany, and many other countries."
The photo was not exactly an easy shot. “Finding the hive, to be honest, was a challenge. I didn’t know beforehand exactly where it was on the grounds,” said Clint. “I walked around the South side of the White House to find the right angle that would put the beehive at an angle that would also show off the White House itself. I remember struggling with a specific tree that was in the way. And then once I found the angle, it was about whether I had the right equipment – lenses and the like – on hand to do the photo justice.”
Whether shooting a sporting event or a beehive, the simple fact is that if you wait for the “perfect” moment, it may never come. Clint only had a few seconds to shoot when - for some unknown reason – security officers came through and insisted that the throngs of tourists disperse. (D.C. residents assured us that this is a regular occurrence.)
When asked about the significance of the photograph to the beekeeping community, Burnham described her volunteer experience with Brandt during Bring Your Child to Work Day on April 22, 2010. Brandt, Burnham, and two teenaged beekeepers presented the hive to over 200 children of White House staff members. "I often believe that the experience of being ignored by several thousand honeybees is one of the most transformative for people unfamiliar with beekeeping. But for most people, the experience has to be transmitted via photographs -- there just aren't that many opportunities for direct experience," Burnham said.
Clint's photograph showing the sunlit hive surrounded by magnolias with the White House as backdrop helped others share that experience, and was chosen as one of the top one hundred out of 746 contest entries.
Not long after, Clint found out that another photo he entered in an online contest had earned recognition. When he first mentioned he was planning to enter the Adorama iPhone Photo Contest, I was a bit dubious given the popularity of the contest - and at that point there were only a few hundred entries. By the time the contest closed, a total of 12,870 photos had been submitted – all taken with an iPhone.
Cell phone photography has actually become a genre in itself, believe it or not. The New York Times ran a post in its “Lens” blog on cell phone photographer Shawn Rocco, who shoots with a Motorola E815. Other photographers entering the field include Chase Jarvis, Allison V. Smith, and Robert Clark. In his book "The Best Camera is the One That's With You", Jarvis challenges mobile phone owners everywhere to shed their inhibitions and start unleashing their creative side. Thousands of photographers did just that in response to the Adorama contest. “In general, I’m happy that they had the contest. I think it equalizes the issue of gear versus composition, equipment versus photographic technique,” Clint said.
And a good thing it was that he ignored my skepticism, as "Mother and Daughter" was selected as one of about 320 winners. “I think what I learned from entering that contest is that there’s a third component: it’s about taking a risk. It’s about entering something that you don’t think you’re going to win,” he said.
“Photography is about composition, it’s about gear, but it’s also about taking that leap – doing something you don’t think you can do.”
Which is, most decidedly, a concept that resonates with athletes and photographers alike.
Do you capture artistic photos on your cell phone? Tell us about it in the comments - and if you are not already a fan of the Focal Flame Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter, join in the fun!
Scene/Seen: USA Cycling Collegiate Nationals Criterium
It is a spring day. A spring day accompanied by overnight frost, with snow falling in counties not unimaginably farther north. A spring day with winds that curl around building corners, with clouds boasting silver and reminding us that they could release rain if they wanted to.
In other words, a fine day for a bike race.
The racers are 500 strong, gathered from colleges from New Hampshire to California, from Minnesota to Texas. They study literature, business, and radiology.
Today they are riding in circles around a square.
As onlookers clutch coffee cups, the racers circumnavigate the state Capitol building. Around and around, for 45 minutes or an hour, etching the road with slim tires and breath that just-nearly clouds in the chill air. They surround a stately building sculpted of stone with a bronze woman perched atop. Her arm is raised and she tells them, "Forward".
We watch as they pass us hundreds of times over. Music pulsates from the announcers’ stand. We watch them, and imagine ourselves elbow to elbow, breathless, gears pounding, handlebar tape smooth in our hands. We think, I would jump now. I would surround myself with my teammates and do battle.
The announcers are whipping themselves into a fury. They count down the laps, ring a bell. One to go one to go one to go one to go racers your time is now.
We fidget as the racers disappear from view on the back side of the course, wondering if they are still there on the dark side of the moon. Two minutes stretches. We crowd next to barriers made of plywood and metal. We pound on them in time with the music. A school mascot wanders about, surreal, a giant blue fur-clad bird. Two cycling fans run through the crowd, wearing little but green and yellow body paint.
A motorcycle emerges around the corner.
We hold our breath, then yell. Go go go go go go. The racers are a school of fish, darting, weaving, surging. They have eyes only for the finish. Go go go go go go go.
Their wind whips past us, a final exhalation. The announcer screams, oooohhhhh, and we throw our hands up in the air as if we are ourselves triumphant.
The racers unwind, taking another lap or two, like a child’s top spinning down. Teammates rush to find each other, with tears and embraces. They talk to us and to each other, re-living the race, telling us their stories.
We smile, and clap each other on the back. Then glance up at the clouds. And start to disperse.
Within minutes, the square is deserted. The cyclists must prepare for another stage tomorrow, when they will race against the wind in a team time trial across rural roads. But for now, we savor the images of the day, the clean lines of metal and wheels on gray asphalt reflecting silver skies.
Check out the gallery for more photos from the Collegiate National Criterium, and feel free to share your race story in the comments. If you are not already a fan of the Focal Flame Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter, it's time to jump in with both feet!
Announcing the Winners of the "Honoring the Athlete" Contest
Launching a contest is a lot like organizing a new race: you never know at the outset how many people will show up.
In late March, we announced the Focal Flame Photography “Honoring the Athlete” contest, inviting nominees to enter themselves or someone they know to win $700 worth of photography and written athlete history services.
After reviewing the nominations, we have to say, simply… Wow.
We were overwhelmed by the stories that were shared. Athletes new to their sport. Athletes with years of experience. Athletes who began their athletic endeavors at age 40, 50, and beyond. Athletes who overcame loss, injury, disease and circumstance. Amateur athletes who compete passionately while balancing the demands of work, parenting, or both. Athletes who encourage teammates and newcomers, and who give back tirelessly to the community with charity work.
We were moved to tears more than once.
And then the dilemma was clear: how could we pick just one winner?
In the end, we couldn’t. So we’ve chosen one overall winner and three runners-up in the 2010 “Honoring the Athlete” contest. We can't wait to share their stories with you during the 2010 endurance sports season. The winners are:
Overall winner: Ed Peirick
Ed will receive 4 hours of custom sports photography sessions, interviews to document his athlete history, and a story + photo book. We’ll also work with him to develop an article or letter that he can use in his charity fundraising efforts. From the nomination:
"5 years [ago, Ed] lost his home in a fire and discovered he had cancer - all within a matter of weeks! Ed rose to the challenge, recovered from his losses, BEAT cancer and is on his way to competing in his first ever Ironman at the very young age of 59 (or 60?)!‚Ä®‚Ä® Ed is an amazing athlete and friend who has overcome adversity in his darkest of times and risen to the challenges before him….He saw me through both of my Ironman races and trained and competed along side me for many triathlons and running races in the last several years. No matter what his own goals and passions, Ed always had the time and energy to cheer on his friends and support them in achieving their dreams."
Runners-up
Each of the runners-up will receive 1 h of custom sports photography, digital images, interviews, and a 500-word profile. We’ll also work with those engaging in charity benefit events to develop an article or letter for fundraising efforts.
First runner-up: Kitty Cole
From Kitty’s nomination:
"My older brother was a marathoner in the 80's and he wanted me to train and run a marathon with him...which I didn't do because I thought it/he was crazy. My brother died running in a race in Madison and I never got a chance to run with him. At his funeral I promised him I would train and run one marathon to honor him and his passion. With my 45th birthday looming, I decided it was time to make good on my promise. I trained myself and in 1998 I ran the Marine Corps Marathon to celebrate my hero and pay homage to his memory. I crossed the finish line and "got" what his passion was all about. Within a month I was signed up for my 2nd marathon and I have now run 17 marathons and have completed a marathon on all 7 Continents, each one in celebration of my big brother. I've added triathlons (as I think he would have) and am now in training for IM-Florida. I've attempted IM-Wisconsin 3 times, with 3 DNF's for varying reasons so the motivation to cross the IM finish line is very strong. I feel my brother's spirit any time I run or race and many times that is what keeps me going when the going gets tough. I am now 56 years young and plan on running until I get to cross the finish line of a race with a grandchild. As I don't have any grandchildren yet, I will keep training!"
Second runner-up: Darren Fortney
From the nomination:
"Darren is a twenty year cancer survivor. Also, during a back surgery his spine was nicked and he was told that he would probably never walk again. Darren proved everyone wrong and is not only walking, but running, biking and swimming. He completed the Badwater 135 ultra-marathon last July, which is a 135-mile foot race through Death Valley. He used the event to raise money for Gilda's Club. He also organizes an annual ultra-swim in Madison, Wisconsin to raise awareness of water quality."
Third runner-up: Arrietta Claus
From the nomination:
"Arrietta has a PhD in Chemistry, works at UW in the chemistry dept., she is also a Mom with 5 kids ... the youngest are twin boys who just started college ... and now she has time and tonnes of energy for her own training. She is training for Master's Nationals to be held in Louisville in Aug. - and I think she is going to win!! She is a tough, competitive woman with a big smile!"
Many, many thanks to all the entrants. We wish we had unlimited time to work with every single nominee; there were so very many deserving stories.
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Local Bike Club Makes Good
There’s a lot to consider when planning a cycling race from scratch. Picking a course. Getting permission from the community. Finding volunteers. Publicizing the event. Hoping racers actually show up. And then, of course, there’s the weather.
So it was not a happy moment when MadCity Velo club member Chris Moreland, Race Director for the inaugural Fitchburg Fast and Furious Criterium, realized that race day was forecast to be wet and cold.
"My first concern was primarily just safety for riders in the wet conditions", said Moreland.
Similar thoughts crossed racers’ minds. Rain can make for delicate bike handling in elbow-to-elbow crits. For Master’s 4/5 race winner Chris Larson, concern over the conditions almost cost him the medal.
"Right at the end, I had a good lead. I went into the last corner and of course on the last lap I had more speed than I had on the previous laps", said Larson. "I slowed down a little bit too much. As I came out of the turn I could feel the pack breathing down my neck, getting closer and closer. I stood up and gave it all I had."
And all he had ended up being enough for the win. "I was glad to see the finish line come up when it did", said Larson. "If I had another 100 yards to go I wouldn’t have won the race."
The fact that Larson is also a member of the MadCity Velo Club made victory all the sweeter. Inspired by a desire to bring a cycling event to Fitchburg, club members wanted to leverage years of experience organizing other races in the area. And despite the fact that other cycling events in the region have exposed rocky relationships between cycling advocates and communities, Fitchburg city leaders were fully in support. “They very much partnered with us every step of the way”, said Moreland.
The goodwill turned out to be a good investment. With 157 racers and zero crashes, there were enough proceeds from the race for the club to make a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County.
Giving back to the community is in keeping with the spirit of the club, which includes members of all ages and levels of experience. What makes MadCity Velo unique? “Diversity, passion for cycling, and camaraderie”, said Moreland. Larson agreed, stating, “I think it’s the friendliness and realness of members, and their commitment to each other.”
Focal Flame Photography is proud to sponsor the MadCity Velo Club, which will present two other races in 2010: the Blue Mounds Classic road race, and the Kirke Vei Time Trial.
Check out the gallery for more photos from the Fitchburg Fast and Furious, and feel free to share your race story in the comments. If you are not already a fan of the Focal Flame Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter, it's time to jump in with both feet!
Only in San Francisco
Photographer Clint Thayer spent the past week in San Francisco to attend DrupalCon. Before the onslaught of all things technical, he took two days to photograph the breath, rhythms, and life of the city. Here, he shares his thoughts.
Creativity requires contemplation, and contemplation requires time. It's important to retreat on occasion from the normal daily workload to focus on new and experimental concepts that are outside of life’s normal reach. These breaks also allow the mind time to wander and stretch.
In that vein, I’m pleased to share my most recent experimental photo wanderings – conducted as I literally wandered through San Francisco, CA. During this trip, my goal was to walk outside the comfort of my traditional subject matter, while at the same time applying experience gleaned during the last year of shooting.
I decided to focus on two subjects: strangers, and architecture, each within context of the unique culture of San Francisco. The following images are a brief photo essay showing the product of this work. Please feel free to navigate to the gallery using the link at the bottom of the post to view additional images.
This photograph was taken in the Mission district area where specific allyways are considered fair game for artistic expression. I loved the angles, lines, and juxtaposition of the street art below the upper-middle-class housing.
Walking along the tourist area on the wharf allowed the opportunity to capture some great images of street vendors and artists. The artist in this image exuded calmness while seated in his "home." While not visible here, a further study of his work revealed a deep level of detail and passion. When I walked around to face him he was wide awake, and just smiled at me. He was rich on life, and he knew it.
In studying the impact of people on place and vice versa, I sought out areas in the city that are usually densely populated, but for some reason, were void at the moment. This empty street car is such a setting.
This image is one that will stick with me for a very long time. While walking from point A to B, I happened to walk by the well-known Hippy Hill in Golden Gate park. The hill had abundant imagery, but this drum circle was the nexus of the activity. One by one, people would walk into the circle and start to dance. Dancers would spur drummers, and drummers would spur dancers in a back-and-forth symbiotic relationship. This homeless man in the wheelchair joined in with exuberance.
I took this image within the Height-Ashbury district. It forces the viewer to have to make a conclusion about the woman in the foreground who is leaning against the building with very limited information. What do you think she is doing? You might be surprised.
After spending two days walking around San Francisco, one thing is clear - this city is rich in architecture imagery. I wanted to try to capture the feeling I had walking up and down the hills looking up at townhouse after townhouse. Rows of these unique boxes are staggered across the city.
If you would like to see more images in this series, please take a look at the gallery Only in San Francisco. As always, feel free to leave a comment, or share this page on Facebook or other social networks with the button below. If you are not already a fan of the Focal Flame Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter, it's time to jump in with both feet!
Genesis of Team Gary Fisher
How often in life can you witness a true beginning? For Team Gary Fisher, it was a weekend of firsts. The Great Dane Velo Club Gregg Bednorski Memorial Criterium held on April 11, 2010, marked the first day of the first race for the newly formed road cycling team – which raced in new kit on entirely new team bikes.
Heard from a distance, the sound of the peloton resembled steady rain – but this was only an auditory illusion, for the conditions were perfect. With light winds under brilliant sun and temperatures in the mid-70s, the racers shifted deftly through the course like a school of minnows.
“The team is all about real people racing and having fun,” said team president David Blomme. The Gary Fisher brand, now owned by Trek Bicycles, is far more famous in the mountain bike scene than road racing. But Blomme and several other members of the team are Trek employees and intimately familiar with the new line of Gary Fisher Cronus road bikes…because they developed them.
“It’s been about a year and a half that we’ve been launching [new models] from the road side,” said Blomme, also the industrial designer who developed the new Cronus model. “It’s been fun doing that, and we thought – what a great opportunity to promote the brand. And Fisher himself has been a very big proponent of grassroots teams.”
Several team members had good fortune at the crit. Eric Knuth, attacked twice in the Master’s 1/2/3 race. “It was a good race”, he said. “I was in the first break that lasted for four or five laps. Unfortunately the group came back and caught us. And then I saw another couple of guys go later in the race and decided that they were a couple of strong guys to follow, and so I bridged up to them. That one stuck.”
That breakaway survived for the next 40 minutes and was never caught by the main pack. “We used up a lot of energy and didn't have much left at the end”, Knuth said. But it was enough for him to place 10th overall.
Earlier in the day, team member Greg Ferguson placed seventh in the Master’s 3/4 race. Blomme netted the team’s highest-placed finish of the day, coming in second in the Master’s 4/5 race – even though his usual lead-out man, Barney Sheafor, was blocked in during the final approach. “I saw another guy with big legs come around the corner and I said, eh, that's a guy to follow. So I went around him and got second”, said Blomme.
All of the team members were outfitted with new Cronus bikes – and “new” was not an exaggeration, as the frames were delivered a mere two or three days before the race. “I wasn't sure whether I'd race on it today”, said Knuth. “I just finished building it up this past week and rode on it yesterday for the first time.” But despite the fact that the paint had barely dried, the team didn’t have a single mechanical. “The bike is great, very stiff”, said Ferguson. Smiling broadly, Blomme indicated deep satisfaction. “People are really happy about the performance, making comments like, ‘the bike went away, the bike went on rails’”, he said. “It's a good way to start the year.”
With plenty of racing ahead of them, team members are focusing on several upcoming events – most notably the Trek Waterloo Classic on June 23rd. Competitive goals aside, it was clear from the good-natured banter between races that the guys were simply enjoying a fine day of racing in good company. With a ready grin, Sheafor summed it up: “Yeah, we're just having fun.”
See all the images from the day in the portfolio section.
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