From Our Team: Getting Your Best Race Photos

Sunny day, a beautiful backdrop, and mid-course smiles. Perfect timing! (c) 2017 Focal Flame Photography | Credit: Brett Stepanik

Biking on a direct trajectory yields the best shot. (c) 2017 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Clint Thayer

You’ve worked hard to prepare and perform in your event, and we want you to have the best photos to preserve your memories of your accomplishment. So we, the photographers and editors at Focal Flame Photography, would like to share some tips from our team to help make your photos awesome.

One way to help us frame a good individual photo of you is to try to “isolate yourself when you get near the photographer,” according to photographer Don Newton. To do this,“try to get to the edge of the pack,” suggests Focal Flame Photography co-founder and photographer Clint Thayer.

According to Newton, running or biking toward (but not into) the photographer gives the best angle for the shot. It is not necessary to lean in or aim your path directly into the camera in an attempt to get a good photo or a close-up. Leaning or veering won't result in the effect you are seeking, and it may prevent the photographer from getting good photos of the people around you.

Some people want to be photographed with a certain gesture such as a thumbs-up or (for Badger fans) hands placed in a "W."  Others want to capture themselves leaping into the air. For those photos, Newton suggests, "The ideal distance to pose is between 5-10 yards away from the photographer. People tend to hit their pose too early. If you want a good jumping photo, tell the photographer 1-2 seconds before you jump to give us slight forewarning, and we'll be ready to frame the shot.”

If you are running with someone else and would like to have both of you in a picture together, it's also a great idea to signal your intent to the photographer.  Thayer says, “Holding hands is a GREAT way to indicate pairing. Running very close to each other is the next best. “

Editors Glenda and Suellen Adams are runners themselves, and have learned a little about getting better finish line photos. “I have a tendency to drop my head when I am tired,” Suellen says.  And Glenda admits to a tendency to check her Garmin as she crosses the finish line.  “Heads up at the finish line makes for a better finish photo,” they agree, “so you might want to think about holding your head up. Avoid the 'watch check' or 'finish line selfie' photo - whatever you do at the line is what the photographer will capture.”  And as for that selfie at the finish line, Thayer reminds participants that “90 percent of the events we do offer free photos, and we get them online in less than 12 hours. It will be a better photo than you'll be able to capture with your phone, so feel free to just take in the moment and enjoy your experience.”

Members of a first-place triathlon relay team make it clear they are together, allowing a great group shot at the finish line. (c) 2017 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Josh Zytkiewicz

Sometimes you have great photos from the event, but can't find them. There are some simple things you can do to make sure your will be able to find your photo after the event.  Photos are tagged with your race or bib number, but it’s impossible to tag you if your number is not visible.   

Hold your head up and enjoy your day!  (c) 2016 Focal Flame Photography | Credit: Don Newton

New runners sometimes do not realize that the bib should be pinned to the front of whatever you are wearing, not the back. A visible bib is critical for identifying you in your photos.  In many races, the bib also contains your race-timing chip, which makes it particularly important for it to be in front so it triggers as soon as you cross the line.  If your bib is attached to a race belt, sometimes it will shift and rotate around your body, so it is a good idea to check and slide it back around from time to time.

Sometimes you run a race that requires that you wear layers or a change of clothes. Try to predict what layer will be on the outside, especially at the finish. Or wear a race belt and make sure the number is always on the outside of whatever you are wearing. Sometimes despite your best efforts, the number gets covered up, so be sure to check galleries containing unidentified photos, too.

In races like triathlons that use body marking, where your bib number is written on arms and legs so it's visible during the swim portion, encourage the volunteer who is writing the numbers to make the characters large and clear.  "When you talk to the volunteer who's doing body marking, ask them to make the marking on the front part of the arm,” says Thayer. This will give a better angle for readability in the image.

Finally, Newton suggests, “Smile! (If you're into that sort of thing).” Of course, not every race is going to result in a smile at every moment. Some race days are just plain tough. When your inner fighter shows through, it can make some of the best images. Racing is not about modeling on the runway, it's about modeling what's important in life.

“Above all else," says Thayer, "enjoy your event and take pride in knowing that you set a goal and worked hard to achieve it. THAT will show in any image taken at any angle.”

- by Suellen Adams

Focal Flame Photography serves events throughout the Midwest and beyond by providing photo and video production services. We capture high-impact images of people #striving for their goals. Know of a race you'd like us to be involved with? Please mention Focal Flame to the event organizer! Are you a race director interested in working together? Contact us by email or online.

Press Release: Wisconsin Gran Fondo Series Chooses Focal Flame Photography

PRESS RELEASE: WISCONSIN GRAN FONDO SERIES CHOOSES FOCAL FLAME PHOTOGRAPHY

Madison, WI —- Cyclists in the Wisconsin Gran Fondo Series, an epic rural cycling series in an area described by Bicycling Magazine as “cycling nirvana,” will receive free FocalShare™ digital photos this year due to a partnership between race organizer SkylusSport and professional photography and video production firm Focal Flame Photography.     

"Recognizing Wisconsin Gran Fondo Series participants' dedication, passion, and commitment to cycling is paramount for us, and we wanted to make sure that photo and videos from the WGFS events matched this level of dedication. Focal Flame exceeds all other service providers we've seen both nationally and locally in terms of quality and speed," said Russel Larson, Director, SkylusSport LLC.

The picturesque backdrop for the race photos will be the natural beauty of the Driftless Region, an area where Ice Age glaciers carved a cyclist’s playground of bluffs, ravines, coulees and lowlands. This terrain is the site of all three 2017 Wisconsin Gran Fondo races: Tour de Coulee on June 10 near La Crosse, Wisconsin, the Circus Gran Fondo on July 8 near Baraboo, Wisconsin, and the Dairyland Dare on August 12 near Dodgeville, Wisconsin.

Within the event industry, Focal Flame Photography is known for exceptionally high-impact images, unheard-of 24-h turnaround time, and innovative delivery solutions including the FocalShare™ iOS app which allows 1-touch sharing of branded event photos to social media platforms. 

“Our team is laser-focused on creating images and video that celebrate striving in action,” said Clint Thayer, co-owner and lead photographer, Focal Flame Photography. “We have ridden these hills ourselves and know what an accomplishment it is to conquer them. It’s an honor to document the visual journey of Wisconsin Gran Fondo racers, and we look forward to crafting their photos with the same speed and spirit with which they approach the event.”

About the Wisconsin Gran Fondo Series

Launched for the 2017 cycling season, the Wisconsin Gran Fondo Series (WGFS) is designed to offer the ultimate in midwestern hospitality and road cycling challenges wrapped into a premier series of rides that cater to the abilities and interests of cycling enthusiasts from novice to elite professional. "Unlike other large-scale series rides or stage races around the U.S., we've elected to only launch two new rides this year to maintain our respect for other well operated events throughout our region," says Event Director Russel Larson of SyklusSport. Larson comments, "Furthermore, by offering different distances, we expect to support participation in other events by providing fully-supported venues through which riders can confidently prepare. And, we look forward to continuing our mission of supporting community organizations within the WGFS territory."

About SyklusSport 

SyklusSport LLC, organized in early 2015, is an event management company with staff relying on two decades of event management experience, specializing in the production of road cycling events. In addition to the annual production of a small core of events that it owns, SyklusSport LLC provides professional consulting services to other organizations wishing to produce premier-class, participant based events.

About Focal Flame Photography

Established in 2010, Madison, Wisconsin-based Focal Flame Photography LLC provides photography and video production services throughout the Midwest and beyond. Through high-impact photography and videography integrated with marketing support, Focal Flame Photography captures the visual journey of people who are #striving to accomplish their goals in their personal lives, their businesses and organizations, and their communities. Our staff of 12 offers sport event photography, drone videography (FAA-certified), commercial photography and videography for businesses and nonprofits, subcontracted services for agencies, and professional headshot portraits for solo employees to hundreds of staff members. 
 

Run Madtown: What’s In a Name?

Run Madtown is a vibrant celebration of summer in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo (c) 2016 Focal Flame Photography | Credit: Larry Iles

Run Madtown 2017 is an inaugural race with a 43-year history.

Confused? Here’s how it came to be: the first runner-organized marathon in Madison happened in 1974, when 59 runners looped twice around Lake Monona. Except for a few gaps, annual Madison marathon races continued for decades. From the mid-1990s onward, a traditional half-marathon and marathon were held in Madison on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend—the least weekend in May.

And then things started to heat up. Literally. The number of participants rose, and so did early summer temperatures. Heat advisories in 2006 and 2010 derailed the plans of many runners, and in 2012 the full marathon course option was canceled days before the race on the advice of medical directors. With the thermometer hitting 94 degrees F, heat stroke and heat exhaustion would have been inevitable for 99 percent of the marathon field.

Moving the full marathon to Veteran’s Day weekend in November, 2013 was a logical choice. Early November is excellent timing for a marathon from a weather standpoint and as a classic, end-of-season capstone event. Memorial Day weekend continued to host a half-marathon on Sunday, with the addition of a popular Saturday evening Twilight 10K and 5K that launched in 2012.

But this left a conundrum: What do you call the spring event? “We used Spring and Fall, May and November. We kept the same name (Madison Marathon) for both weekends but changed the colors of the logo to red for November, keeping the blue for May. But it was confusing, because there was no marathon offered in May; some people would register for the Half in May when they really wanted the Half in November,” explained Rita Kelliher, president, Madison Festivals Inc., the nonprofit entity that owns and operates the event.

So starting in 2017, the name of the Memorial Day event is being inspired by what a survey of runners said they loved most about it. “The survey results were really clear,” said Kelliher. “The spring event is a friendly, approachable distance that’s perfect for newer runners, and also a great early-season building race for runners working toward longer events.”

The addition of the Twilight races has added a festive, community celebration as well—a chance to see the beautiful night-lit State Capitol building, and take joy in warmer evenings after a long Wisconsin winter. A vibrant new logo with bold colors corresponds to the energy of the weekend.

Runners are enthusiastic about the change. "Run Madtown's new name reflects the festival-like atmosphere that helps kick off the running season. It celebrates the sport and fun behind what racing should be," said Madison-based runner Steve Donovan.

It’s all about action: there’s nothing better than shaking out the legs with a few thousand friends over Memorial Day weekend, so it's only fitting that the race name kicks off with a verb.

What do we do when summer arrives in Madison? We Run Madtown.  

Focal Flame Photography is honored to serve as official photographers for Run Madtown on May 27-28, 2017. All runners will receive free FocalShare™ digital race photos courtesy of the event organizers. For more information or to register, visit Run Madtown.

Running in costume: what's that all about?

The author running in the Cottontail Classic as an Easter chick. (c) 2016 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Steve Gotter

Multi-talented Focal Flame Photography staff member Suellen Adams is a renaissance woman: she's a runner and triathlete, adjunct professor, photo editor, and writer. She holds a BA in Theater Arts from Upper Iowa University, an MA in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin, and a PhD in Information Studies from the University of Texas. One of her great joys as a scholar is - quite literally - studying joy. She has conducted interdisciplinary research and theory construction on the subject of play and how it impacts both individuals and society. Here, she shares some insights from her recent studies about the phenomenon of athletes choosing to compete in endurance events while dressed in costume.

Hopping along the Cottontail Classic route dressed as - what else? - a chocolate bunney. (c) 2016 Focal Flame Photography | Photo Credit: Don Newton

So you’ve been running races for a while now, and you’ve noticed something different.  People are running races in silly t-shirts, tutus, funny hats…even full costumes. You might expect this at RunDisney races or the local Run, Santa Run 5K, but it is happening at more and more races. It may make you smile or shake your head. You may wonder why they do it. As a racer myself, and a sometime costumed runner, I wondered too. As an academic, I decided to do some research and find out. So I surveyed and interviewed costuming runners. Here is what I found out.

As you might expect the biggest reason people do costume runs is for fun, to be playful. It makes them smile, and it makes other people smile. As one interviewee said, “Let’s be honest. How often do you get to wear a tiara? It’s fun to dress up.” Not only is it fun for the runners, they liked making other people smile and laugh.  In response to the question “What is the best part about running in costume?” one costumed runner put it simply, “Making people laugh.”

Runners also find that costumes break the ice, as one runner, reflecting on the pre-race experience said, “You met new people waiting for the race because it makes you approachable.” Another remarked about the experience during the race, “…a fun way to meet people during the race other runners compliment each other…It has always been a great experience.” Friendships and social networks even develop away from the race course, “there’s a non-race aspect; just like with cosplay [a performance art involving dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game], while I can’t get to see everything ‘in person,’ costuming runners have also formed on-line networks…that ‘virtual’ exchange is also an important positive aspect. Earning that respect with a virtual community of people you admire can be a positive reinforcement just like interacting at the actual races.”

Of course, there is an element of attention seeking inherent in costume running, and many of the people I interviewed acknowledged that. They liked it when, “…people cheer your costume name.” Another explained, “One of my favorite things about running in costume is when spectators and fellow runners tell you they like your costume."

Some costume runners do it for the motivation. Clearly compliments and cheers are motivating, but sometimes it goes beyond that. As one long-distance costumed runner put it, “I knew that in that point in the race I would be exhausted and verging on emotional collapse. I knew that putting a clown suit on would make it hard to be serious and it made me and everyone else laugh.” Or as another pointed out, “I’ve been told that I made people smile and gave them the energy that they needed, right when they needed it. In return, I feed off of those smiles and gives me energy when I’m hitting my wall as well.”

The creative aspect of costuming is all part of the fun for many. They love checking out others’ costumes, designing their own, hunting for accessories and crafting. One runner who often runs with groups in themed costumes told me, “We picked characters and I went and hunted down pieces for everyone, because I enjoy that part as much as I enjoy wearing them.”

One assumption that is often made about costumed runners is that they are not serious runners, or at least not fast. And for some, it does serve to make the middle or back of the pack more fun. For instance this runner pointed out, “For someone who is not an elite runner it makes running fun. My friends and family look forward to what I am going to wear each time I announce a race.” But for others, like this runner, the experience is different, “And I confess it is quite a thrill to pass a guy in spandex who is being super serious in a race when you look ridiculous.  A reminder that races are fun.”  

The Luck of the Irish race brought out the leprechaun in many participants. (c) 2016 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Mark Olson

Whether costumes are elaborate or simple, whether they run fast or slow, these playful athletes in their own words, “absolutely get enjoyment out of it, plenty of great memories.” Many runners addressed preserving the great memories through race photos, and one runner summed up the whole experience this way, “The event pics are priceless! It makes me happy. The shout-outs you get from fellow runners. It puts a smile on their faces (even if they think you’re crazy!)”

This story is based on a research presentation entitled Reclaiming the Joy: Making Play of Serious Recreational Athletics through the Use of Costume, presented in February, 2016 at conference of The Association for the Study of Play at Rutgers University.  The researcher and author, Suellen Adams, is an adjunct professor of Library and Information Studies, currently serving at University of Rhode Island, University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Alabama. She is also a writer and photo editor for Focal Flame Photography.

-by Suellen Adams

Moms Who Tri: Part 2

Triathlete Debra Vaughan calls this photo "happy bike." (c) 2015 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Will Hughes.

Debra, Krista, Bridget, and Brianne are all mothers who participate in triathlons. With children ranging in age from a few months to eight years old, these busy moms have many stories about finding joy in endurance sports while simultaneously tending to the next generation…and advice for others who would like to “Tri” it. We first followed their story in Part 1 of Moms Who Tri; here, we learn more tips about balancing athletic pursuits with parenting.

Brianne with her kids after completing an indoor triathlon. Photo courtesy of Brianne Pitts.

Brianne Pitts and Bridget Kudrle both take an innovative approach to their training: they include their kids.  Brianne describes how her children help clean the bikes or lay out workout clothes and how they “try to hustle us for treats on the way home”from gym nights. She also runs with them, saying, "I've been pushing my son and daughter both in a running stroller since they were tiny, and I'm proud to say they both still will humor me and go for a run (even a long one)." Running with a double-wide stroller with "me huffing and puffing behind," Brianne and her children sing the ABCs, play 'I Spy," and have "a grand old time" - often stopping for ice cream or play time at parks. "A short run usually turns into a tour of our town, with lots of detours to the library, grocery store, or park," she says.

Brianne even recommends getting “those little shopping hooks you can get at baby stores. Hook those babies on the stroller – you can [also] get a weeks’ worth of groceries to fit!”

Bridget includes her kids on her training runs too, by doing one mile loops close to home and allowing the kids to run along. She also loves their family bike rides together, saying, "I like it despite the reality. The reality is that when you ride bikes with children it is like riding with someone who has a mood disorder and they swing up and down in rapid 10-15 minute cycles." She explained, "Bike rides generally begin with my son feeling on top of the world. He is peddling fast, hard, and naming his speed. He has comet speed, lightning speed, laser speed, etc. Ten minutes in, he is breathless and wants to slow. Then his sunglasses or helmet are bothering him....by 20 minutes in he is thirsty or his sock itches.  At 25 min in he is whining about how we 'made' him go on a bike ride and we keep 'lying' to him about being almost done. And so on...."

By the end, though, she assures that he forgets all of the negative aspects of the ride and instead brags about how many miles he biked.

Debra Vaughan started her triathlon career not long after her first child was born, and she kept continuing on after her second child arrived, describing her first race back as a “successful failure.”  She explained, "The baby was less than three months old. I had set my goals really high to do a Half Ironman before he was six months old. So I had to get in my first Olympic distance. The swim was horrible; the hills on the bike were hard and the run was….hot." Since this was the first time Debra had attempted an Olympic-distance race, she participated in the novice wave to allow more time on the course. "I’m glad I did," she said. "I think I came in second to last overall. It was the first time I had ever needed to fuel during a race and I just...didn’t.  But I finished." After the race was over, Debra collapsed in the shade. Then, her husband asked, “Did I just hear them call your name?”  She said, "Turns out I got third (out of three, of course) in my division and had a medal waiting for me. [The organizers] asked him, 'Where is she?' And he responded, 'Over there, feeding our three month-old.' They gave him the medal without any more questions." It was the first time Debra had ever placed at a race in her entire life. She was delighted, saying "Sure, I was 3 out of 3, and almost last place overall, but I learned a lot that day...It was the first race Clint [founder of Focal Flame Photography] ever captured of me, and I’m glad it has all been better since!"

Bridget finishing strong at Pardeeville. Photo credit Will Hughes, Focal Flame Photography (c) 2015.

Krista getting pre-race assistance from her husband. Photo courtesy of Krista Willing.

If you are a mom who wants to try a tri…all four of these moms encourage you to do it. Bridget advises, “Take the risk; you are worth it." Brianne acknowledges that “…you might feel out of your league, ” but that “Triathlon allows me to push myself, appreciate the outdoors, and helps get the craziness of life out…all those worries melt away when you're just trying to keep up.” For Krista it isn’t about racing, “it’s about what you learn about yourself as a person in the process of getting ready to race.”

And Debra reminds everyone that, “It doesn’t matter how you get to the start line. In the end, this isn’t really about triathlon. It’s about taking care of yourself, about taking care of the person that takes care of your kids and your family. Being any kind of athlete, knowing that you are worth the time and effort that you put into your fitness and mental health, while still handling the mountain of other things that you have to do as a mom: that makes you awesome.”

- by Suellen Adams

Kettle Moraine 100 Endurance Run: Photo Essay

2015 offered a creative challenge for our photographers: the Kettle Moraine 100-mile ultramarathon. Race directors Tim “Timo” Yanacheck and Jason Dorgan hired Focal Flame Photography to document the 20th year of the race, which was started in 1995 by husband and wife ultramarathoning legends Kevin Setnes and Kristine Clark-Setnes.

Yanacheck wrote, “[The Kettle 100] was founded as the first 100-mile race in Wisconsin. Both of the founders, Kristine and Kevin, are former national champions. They live near the race site and still volunteer at the race every year. After six years, the Setneses turned the race over to Jason Dorgan and me; Jason and I have served as co-race directors ever since.”

The race offers 50-km, 100-km, and 100-mi course options, and a “fun run” option that’s a mere 38 miles long. Aside from road crossings, the course is run entirely on trails and follows the Ice Age National Scenic trail for nearly 65 miles. Meandering through and over moraines, the rolling elevation results in a total altitude gain of about 8,800 feet. It’s a perennial favorite in the ultramarathon community. Yanacheck wrote, “There have been a lot of impressive performances over the years. One notable historical fact that we're rather proud of is that the Kettle Moraine 100 was the first major 100-mile race won overall by a woman, Donna Perkins, in 1998, and Donna's time (18 hours, 12 minutes, 30 seconds) still stands as our course record for females. Our course record for men was set by Zach Gingerich in 2009, 15:17:32.”

Focal Flame photographer Austin Cope (who now lives in Colorado) created this photo essay of the 20th running of the race. (Focal Flame Photography also provided race photography this year for the 21st annual Kettle Moraine 100 on June 4-5, 2016.) Austin found himself drawn into the rawness of an endeavor that was primal in its intensity, while being imbued with a sense of tranquility from the woodland setting.

“Jason and I became involved in the race in 2001 because we were both avid trail runners, ultramarathoners, and advocates for nature and the environment. We recognized that Kevin and Kris Setnes had started something very special and we wanted to do what we could to continue and build upon their efforts in a sport that we love. ”

— Timo Yanacheck, race director

“‘These people are insane.’ I said it as I shot the early, early race prep and start, when I saw struggle on the course, and when I saw the first finishers cross hours and hours and hours later.”

— Austin Cope, photographer

“I knew more or less what to expect from the many other (shorter) races I’ve shot, so I wasn’t surprised by what I saw so much as by the intensity of it. Everything seemed amplified. Runners seemed that much more excited, focused, tenacious; supporters that much more supportive; the air that much more electric. There was a sort of weight that’s hard to put into words.”

— Austin Cope

“We believe the Kettle Moraine 100 is special for a number of reasons. One is that our unique course: a long and uninterrupted trail over the geological wonder called the Kettle Moraine, a unique product of the Ice Age. A major portion of our course is on the renowned Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Another special feature of our race is that it is in the Midwest, where the beautiful forest greenery and solitude of the place are often overlooked by persons seeking mountains and beaches for their recreation. And another is that we are blessed with support from hundreds of local runners who share our love for this gem of nature close - but not too close - to some major metropolitan areas.”

— Timo Yanacheck

“My assignment was more flexible than usual: as long as I shot the start and first finishers, I was free to shoot pretty much anything else in between. I spent that in-between time (an entire day) hurriedly driving from checkpoint to checkpoint, chasing runners along the course. I had to plan where and when I would be at certain locations. I had to analyze light and shooting angles on the fly. I schlepped a lot of gear, had to drink a lot of water and coffee and put on a lot of sunblock. I got my car stuck in a ditch and had to be pulled/pushed out. I got a ton of bug bites. I sat in a thorn bush. All the while thinking it was all nothing compared to what these folks were up against. These athletes are truly amazing, period.”

— Austin Cope

“Everyone I met and chatted with, from runners to their supporters to race staff, was warm, welcoming and supportive. Truly, it is impossible to be around such inspiring people for so long and not come away changed. Because of it, the Kettle 100 remains the event I’m proudest to have witnessed and recorded.”

— Austin Cope

Moms Who Tri : Part 1

Brianne finishes strong at the Lake Mills Triathlon. (c) 2015 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Ed Esmao on behalf of  Focal Flame Photography

Being adept at juggling competing tasks and demands for attention are inherent in the job description for motherhood. So perhaps it's only natural that triathlon is a draw for mothers who are also athletes. In this two-part series, we hear more about the personal stories of Madison, Wisconsin-area Moms who Tri. 

Brianne Pitts is currently an instructional coach in an area K through 5th grade school with a passion for teaching and learning. She is also pursuing a PhD in curriculum and instruction at UW Madison. As if that were not enough, she is also the mother of two children, whom she describes as “lovely people”: a daughter who is three, and a son who is six and a half (Brianne explains, "the half is important to him").

Bridget Kudrle, who describes herself as an “accidental triathlete,” is an elementary art teacher who enjoys reading and painting (something she doesn’t get to do enough of lately).  She spends her summers renewing friendships, refinishing second hand furniture, and enjoying triathlon season. Of course she also enjoys time spent in the summer with her kids, a boy and a girl, now ages eight and five.

Debra Vaughan describes herself as a woman of many passions, including travel, music, family and home. While there hasn’t been much time to travel lately, there has been time to camp and hike with the family (where her two children aged seven and four are encouraged to get dirty). She currently works in accounting, but life changes have lead her to a greater focus on her family and herself, and so she will be taking a career sabbatical soon.

Krista on the run. (c) 2014 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Clint Thayer

Bridget on the bike at the Sugar River Triathlon. (c) 2015 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Mark Olson on behalf of Focal Flame Photography 

Krista Willing is Director of Fiscal Management of Wisconsin Medicaid, which means dealing with billion dollar budgets and numerous related programs. She likes to read, run and travel in whatever spare time she has. That time may be a little limited at the moment with the arrival of her son a few months ago, along with the needs of an active three-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

Bridget and Krista are both relatively new to triathlon, participating mostly in sprint distance races. Bridget started as a cyclist, Krista as a runner. Debra is in her eighth season and has done every distance except the full IronMan, and she is training for that now. Brianne completed IronMan Wisconsin last year and “loved every minute of it.”

Each of these moms started triathlon in a different way. For Debra it was a way to reconnect with gym friends after her first child was born. Bridget and Krista both started after their husbands became involved in the sport. Brianne started at the suggestion of a woman in an aerial acrobatics class she was taking, and did her first Super Sprint without much training. In fact, she was so inexperienced that when she found her running shoes didn’t fit in the pedal cages on her bike, she biked in a nice pair of black dress flats!

Debra out of the swim. (c) 2015 Focal Flame Photography | Photo credit: Clint Thayer

When asked about the challenges of being a mom who does triathlons, all four agree that the biggest challenge is finding a balance between training, family and work. As Brianne says, “I often feel guilty. Someone or something is missing out on my time a lot. I’m still working on finding the right balance.” For Debra it means “also making sure my husband gets his own time, since he watches the kids while I’m out, and that we get our own time. Date night is a must.” But Bridget points out that the despite the time management challenge, “I deserve time to focus on me. It isn’t a gift; I’m entitled to it. It is okay to prioritize yourself without guilt.”

And the rewards are worth it. One of the biggest of these is the feeling that they are modeling a healthy lifestyle for their children. Krista says one of the best benefits of triathlon is “…the excitement on your kids’ faces as you run by them,” and “hearing your daughter tell her friends that she can’t wait to run a race someday.”  Debra echoes this sentiment, saying, “I enjoy hearing my kids talk about a healthy lifestyle and being willing participants in it.” Brianne and her husband include their children in their training when they can, reporting that “it has been a really exciting notion that physical health could be a value we pass on to our kids.”

These moms also talk about the sense of accomplishment and the good health they have.  Bridget says “ I feel powerful. I don’t mean She-Ra powerful. I mean I feel like I’m in charge of myself and can do anything.” And of course there are health benefits, as Debra points out, “I’m in amazing health…it isn’t just physical health, it is mental health.

Find out more about Debra, Brianne, Krista and Bridget in part 2 of Moms Who Tri, coming soon.

-by Suellen Adams

Madison Marathon Profile: Behind the Scenes with Erin Dougherty

Many hands and months of effort are involved in making the Madison Marathon events a reality. Photo (c) 2015 Focal Flame Photography | Credit: Clint Thayer

There is more to races than the athletes. Many things have to happen for events like the Madison Half Marathon and Twilight 10K to run smoothly (no pun intended). Erin Dougherty, Director of Operations at Madison Festivals Inc., is one of the individuals responsible for behind-the-scenes efforts that are essential for the success of the event. Recently we asked her to share a glimpse into what it takes to put on the Madison Marathon events, an iconic race series for the region. Those races include the fall Madison Marathon on Veteran's Day weekend, and Memorial Day weekend spring events, which are being renamed Run Madtown in 2017. 

Focal Flame Photography (FFP): How long does it take to prepare for the Madison Half Marathon and Twilight 10K events? Can you share a rough timeline?
Erin: Usually initial preparation will begin immediately following the completion of an event.  The website needs to be updated with the next event’s dates and information (as much as possible).  Registration opens and typically my job is answering registration questions and working with the team to make sure large items (venue, equipment, etc.) have rental contracts in place.  Marketing will also begin to help push registrations. The beginning of the year is where we start getting into more of the specific planning, as courses are finalized, permits are obtained and vendors are contracted.  About a month before the event, everything starts falling into place and final details can be sorted out.

FFP: What goes in to preparation? What kind of things do you have to think about?
Erin: My main focus is registrations and information.  I need to make sure that I always have the most up-to-date information so that I can accurately answer questions, keep the website and social media updated and include certain things in our marketing blasts.  I deal with any of the “unpleasant” emails we might receive, so I like to ensure that the information I’ve been putting out there has been accurate all along so that I have a leg to stand on when responding! 

Race planning starts months in advance, with organizers doing everything from obtaining permits and keeping registration running smoothly to organizing hundreds of volunteers to setting up barricades, orange cones, and course markings. Photo (c) 2015 Focal Flame Photography | Credit: Austin Cope

FFP: What does race day look like for you? When do you start? What kind of things are you doing? When does it finish for you?
Erin: My biggest involvement with race weekend is the expo.  I coordinate all of the vendors and the packet pickup/registration, so my weekend starts around 7:30AM on Friday, getting the expo set up.  The expo usually runs pretty smoothly (with the help of a LOT of volunteers) and I typically spend my time troubleshooting any registration issues and answering a lot of questions.  Once the expo ends Saturday evening, we tear down as quickly as possible and head over to Capitol Square, where the Kids Race starts at 6:30PM.  I end up helping with any last minute set up needs and will head to the Info Booth to help answer questions.  Once the Twilight 5K & 10K start, I head to the finish line to cheer on runners and help with any other things that may come up (trash cans need to be emptied, someone needs more cups at the water station, etc.).  Sunday morning is similar to Saturday night.  As soon as our course closes, we are in tear-down mode, making sure everything gets taken down, put on a truck, donated or thrown away.  We usually finish late afternoon/early evening on Sunday and then it is time to go home and relax!

FFP: How many volunteers does it take to put on this event? Where do they come from?
Erin: Approximately 875.  We recruit volunteers from many of the local non-profit organizations.  We “pay” our volunteers with a donation back to the non-profit of their choice and found it’s a great way to get people excited and still give back to the community.

FFP: Are there things to be done in the days and weeks following the event?
Erin: Yes, lots of wrap-up!  The first priority is making sure that anything we rented or used from another company gets returned.  We also ensure that everything is unloaded, inventoried and put away properly within the warehouse. I then spend a lot of time answering questions about results, lost & found, switching out shirts that didn’t fit and going through feedback that has been sent about the event.  Age group awards are sent out post-event, as well as extra shirts or medals that people want to buy. 

FFP: What is the most challenging thing about planning and putting on the event?
Erin: Keeping all of the moving parts organized and coordinating their simultaneous roll-out on event weekend. 

FFP: What is the most rewarding thing about planning and putting on the event?
Erin: Seeing all of your hard work come together successfully (usually!).  I also enjoy when people take the to time share a “thank you” and when they share that they were able reach whatever goal they set for themselves prior to race day.  It makes all of the headaches and frustrations seem worth it!

FFP: How do race photos help increase awareness of the event?
Erin: Social media is king.  Everyone likes to show off what they’re doing and know everyone else’s business (whether they’d like to admit it or not).  Getting people to share photos of themselves at our event is one of the best marketing tool out there!  We’ve found that over 50% of our new participants are referred by a friend or family member, so if [photos] can prompt that discussion, all the better.

FFP: Anything else you would like to share?
Erin: I would encourage anyone who is interested in the behind-the-scenes operations of an event like this to reach out and become a volunteer coordinator for us.  Sometimes it seems like setting up a course or throwing together a packet pickup are simple tasks, but once you actually work the set-up and on-site, you realize that there are many more factors involved than the obvious ones.  Suddenly the reason the porta-potties are in one location vs. another (that might seem like a better option) may begin to make sense!

This article is part of a series featuring athletes and others who are participating in a Madison Marathon event in 2016. Focal Flame Photography is honored to serve as official photographers for the Madison Marathon. All runners will receive free FocalShare™ digital race photos courtesy of the event organizers. The Spring Madison Marathon events will occur on May 28 and 29, 2016 on the streets of Wisconsin's capital city.  For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.

- by Suellen Adams

Madison Marathon Profile: Faye Reber

Faye shares these photos from March 2014 (left) and July 2015 (right)...75 pounds lost. Photo collage courtesy Feye Reber.

Faye enjoying zumba training. Photo courtesy Faye Reber. 

Meet Faye Reber of Madison, Wisconsin. By the time she toes the starting line for the Twilight 10K and Madison Half Marathon events, she will have lost about 100 pounds, a journey that has been life-changing. Faye is tackling the Conquer the Capital challenge, a combination of each of the Madison Marathon distances in 2016 (the Twilight 10K on May 28, the Half Marathon on May 29, and the Marathon on November 13). Her best advice? “Be stronger than your excuses.”

Focal Flame Photography (FFP):  How many Madison Marathon events have you run?
Faye Reber: These will be my first.

FFP: Have you participated in other similar events?
Faye: Yes! I ran my first official 5K in July of 2012 (Waunafest) and my first half in August of 2012 (Madison Mini).

Since then I've completed … two more (halfs)... When I completed the 2015 Madison Mini, I took over 14 minutes off of my time, which I attribute to my weight loss as well as my workouts - especially my personal training sessions.

FFP: Are there any personal accomplishments that you are particularly proud of?
Faye:  The fact that I could run my first half (and I ran the entire thing) was huge for me, but I missed my goal time. When I ran the race again in 2015, I came in more than 14 minutes faster, I was ecstatic - and even more so when I saw that the last 5K of that race was the quickest 5K I had run to date.

Of course I am proud of my weight loss, it is huge and it allows me to see that my body is constantly capable of so much more. ... Learning to lose slowly has taken patience, but I think it has also allowed me to enjoy life more while working on a maintainable weight loss and not just quick fixes.

FFP: What does running and participating in events, such as the upcoming Madison Half Marathon and Twilight series (and the Marathon in the Fall) mean to you?
Faye:  For me, every race and every training run help me understand and prove what I am capable of. These events and the training … give me healthy outlets. The people I've met and become friends with is just as important! I never consider myself to be "racing" against anyone else, but I'm still at a point that I'm losing weight, working hard, and lately I've seen huge improvements on each of my races. I know that at some point those will level out, but to see the progress each time is really rewarding!

I wasn't super athletic growing up. I finally joined the rugby team my senior year in college and loved it, but the running was hard. I tore my achilles and when discussing recovery plans, I remember the sports ortho essentially saying it didn't matter much because I'd never be a runner. The irony of that is amusing to me now!

FFP: With so many races to choose from, why did you pick these events?
Faye:  After finishing my last half in August 2015, I decided I was ready to commit to a full marathon. A friend of mine was also ready to look for a full. …. When I looked at the Madison Marathon again and started looking at The Conquer the Capital Challenge, we decided why not go all in and sign up for the whole thing!

FFP: Can you tell us what it has been like to train/prepare for the event?
Faye: Training so far has been surprising. I've realized that on my days that I "just want to go for a run" it's almost "easy" for me to hit 6-7 miles for fun. I don't think I would have ever anticipated that this would be the case!

Knowing I have to pull back on other fun, social workouts to hit my training runs and not be overly exhausted is something I am working on and I know it'll get harder as the time commitment for marathon training increases for November.

FFP: What will it mean to you to participate in the May race?
Faye: I think the May races will be a test in self-restraint. In order to do my best on the half, I know I will need to keep myself from going all out on the 10K the night before. I am also recovering from a knee injury at a little over a month out from the races so keeping balance and being smart is important!

FFP: Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience?
Faye:  If people can take anything from my story, I hope it is that inspiration to reach their goals too. Be stronger than your excuses - you do not need to be an all-star athlete or subject matter expert to conquer huge goals. When you truly make up your mind and commit to a goal - weight loss, physical fitness, running, or anything for that matter it's possible. There are always bumps, pauses, or plateaus but don't quit!

This article is part of a series featuring athletes and others who are participating in a Madison Marathon event in 2016. Focal Flame Photography is honored to serve as official photographers for the Madison Marathon. All runners will receive free FocalShare™ digital race photos courtesy of the event organizers. The Spring Madison Marathon events will occur on May 28 and 29, 2016 on the streets of Wisconsin's capital city.  For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.

- by Suellen Adams

Madison Marathon Profile: Paul Gill and Abby Evans - Love on the Run

Photo by Kathy Krohn-Gill

Meet Paul Gill and Abby Evans. Paul and Abby met and got to know each other through running, so it is only fitting that when they run the Madison Half Marathon on May 29, 2016, it will be a week before their June 4 wedding. We caught up with them briefly to learn more about how running has influenced their lives together, and what the Madison Marathon events mean to them.

Focal Flame Photography (FFP): How many Madison Marathon events have you done?
Paul: Abby and I did our first marathon ever during the Madison Marathon of 2010. It was so hot that the marathon was cancelled about three-quarters of the way through but we both stuck it out. We also did the half on a hot event day in 2012.

Paul in the 2015 Lake Monona 20K. Photo (c) 2015 Focal Flame Photography | Credit: Steve Gotter on behalf of Focal Flame Photography

FFP: Have you participated in other similar events?
Paul: I’ve done the Monona 20K a few times and the inaugural Wausau Marathon back in 2012.

Abby: I have run 2 half marathons, one Madison Marathon Half, the Rock and Sole in Milwaukee, and one full Madison Marathon.  I have also done Crazy Legs for several years!

FFP: What does running and participating in events, such as the Madison Half Marathon mean to you?
Paul and Abby: For us, it’s a challenge unlike anything else we deal with on a regular basis in school or at work. But the best part is that we can face the challenge and train with friends. Running has always been a stress reliever for us, and I think its fair to say we are both addicted (in a healthy way, we promise). Withdrawal from running is a real-thing! It’s our chance to get outside of the building, into open air (yes, even when its in the single digits) and let our minds wander wherever. And we always feel better than when we started, we can honestly say I’ve never regretted completing a run. Participating in various events and going for runs is also something we can do as a couple and challenge each other to do our best. It is a great way to spend time together as well. 

FFP:  With so many races to choose from, why this one?
Paul: Abby grew up in Madison and went here for undergrad and I’ve been in school here for 9 years. We leave for Milwaukee in a few months and wanted to do as many Madison focused things as we could. It also helps that we’re getting married up on the square at the Madison Concourse Hotel on the weekend following the race on June 4, 2016. :-)

FFP: Can you tell us what it has been like to train/prepare for the event? Have you prepared as a couple? What was that like?
Paul: Abby and I have been living in different cities for the last 4 years while we finish school.  I will be graduating from UW-Madison 2 weeks before the event with a medical degree and Abby will be graduating from UW-Milwaukee one week before the event with a Doctorate degree in physical therapy. When we’re apart, telling the other person how much we ran that day almost always leads our nightly FaceTime conversation. It’s a healthy competition. Occasionally, if we’re lucky and running at the same time in different places, we’ll try and call each other while on our runs. However, when we’re together, we’ll always set our schedules around a time where we can run together. We do a lot of life-planning on our runs, especially lately with the wedding coming up. I’d say over 50% of our wedding has been planned while out running. We also just added a black lab puppy into our family so excited to begin running with him as well!

FFP: What will it mean to you to participate in the May race?
Paul and Abby: … it will be the culmination of all the miles we’ve put in over the years in Madison. The course goes down many of our favorite running routes and so it will, in some ways, be like a nostalgic farewell tour of Madison (for the time being anyways…)

FFP: Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience?
Paul: Running is how Abby and I got to know each other. We were just two people in a class who, along with a few others, just wanted to go for runs together. Running helped us become great friends. And from that, the rest of it is history.

This article is part of a series featuring athletes or behind-the-scenes staff who are involved in a Madison Marathon event in 2016. Focal Flame Photography is honored to serve as official photographers for the Madison Marathon. All runners will receive free FocalShare™ digital race photos courtesy of the event organizers. The Spring Madison Marathon events will occur on May 28 and 29, 2016 on the streets of Wisconsin's capitol city.  For more information or to register, visit Madison Marathon.

- by Suellen Adams