Girls on the Run 5K: A Race Report
By Robyn M. Perrin - Co-founder, Focal Flame Photography
In retrospect, training for a 5K might have been a good idea.
Training myself, that is. My daughter, on the other hand, had this one down cold. She had not only been preparing for the past 10 weeks, but is a 3-time alumna of the Girls on the Run program. She started participating as a 3rd grader and enjoyed it so much that she enrolled each spring and fall session afterwards.
And so it was that we were both standing on the starting line, a year after we had done our first 5K together in Waunakee, WI.
Oh what a difference 12 months makes for a child now turned preadolescent.
Last year, I coaxed her along with her friends. When one of the compadressuffered a side cramp, everyone stopped and walked, holding hands until all was well. We walked for over three-quarters of the run. So I wasn’t terribly concerned about keeping up for this fall’s 5K, even though work, life, and willpower had intervened such that I had zero miles under my belt by the week of the race.
In the meantime, my little one was no longer little. And she had discovered that running fulfilled a joy that she could articulate most clearly with her feet, her heart, and her lungs.
This is not to say that Girls on the Run is a competitive running program. It’s not. The secret is that it’s not really a running program at all. Through the thoughtfully developed curriculum, girls in 3rd through 5th grade discuss topics such as positive decision-making, community-building, and how to take a stand against bullying. They have discussions about how to recognize negative, disempowering messages in advertising and media. They vote on a nonprofit to support (my daughter’s team held a bake sale that raised over $200 for the Dane County Humane Society). They navigate some difficult, messy discussions about the negative effects of gossiping and how to be effective at asserting themselves.
And twice a week, they run a little longer and a little harder at each practice.
Last fall my daughter had no interest whatsoever in setting a goal time. I asked if she thought she had any idea how long we should plan for the 5K. She wrinkled her nose, saying, “What does it matter, Mom? We’ll get to the finish eventually.”
And we did, letting each moment unfold in due time.
This year, however, she didn’t discard the thought of a goal. After doing the team’s practice 5K in 36 minutes, she decided that 35 minutes was within reach. “I’ll be sprinting the whole thing, Mom,” she declared. Then she giggled and darted away.
Three days before the run, I figured I better do something. I had started using a FitBit over the summer and had a good idea about how many steps I averaged per day, but let’s face it: they were all walking. I went to a nearby roundabout in a quiet neighborhood, did a few laps around the 1/16 mile circle, and the trudging was uneventful. A steady jog should do it, right? Right.
The big morning arrived. Over a thousand girls, coaches, families, and community members lined up at the start, and we were released in the first wave with the blast of the horn from the Waunakee firefighters’ truck.
My husband Clint, co-founder of Focal Flame Photography, was perched above all of us in the firefighting rig’s platform. “Wave to Daddy!,” I told our daughter. I knew that the course was lined with Focal Flame photographers ready to lend their keen concentration and sense of timing to capture the day for each racer. I knew this because I had talked with each and every one of them, helping to convey assignments and paperwork and all the logistics that go into preparing an event crew.
But right now, I was just a mom running with her daughter.
Within a few paces, I realized that we were keeping up a pretty good clip. “Ah, great,” I thought, “the excitement of the 5K is kicking in.”
Then I glanced at my daughter’s coach, who checked her watch and assessed the pace. “Wow,” she murmured between strides. “They’re heading out WAY faster than they did at practice.”
Within a quarter mile, the trajectory was unmistakable: there was no holding back this year. I fixed my glazed eyes on my offspring from a few paces back, watching her keep stride with metronome-like precision, staying true to form.
At one point the inevitable side cramps set in for nearly all members of the team. There was no walking this year. I overheard my daughter’s response: “Coach told me I should run through them.”
And run she did.
The back of the Waunakee course includes a long incline up completely open terrain hugged by agricultural fields. The wind whipped up so strongly it felt like a cold hand pushing me backwards as I struggled to crest the hill. We turned a corner and I attempted to maintain some semblance of nonchalant dignity, nodding in response to the casual conversation of team coaches and fellow moms.
The truth was, I was dying. I mean, the only thought that kept going through my mind with every footstep was, “Good grief make it stop, I should have trained for this, I know this is nothing compared to enduring 36 hours of labor but how am I supposed to maintain a shred of dignity when my heart may well explode before the end of 3.1 miles?”
There are certain things one attempts to do when trying to be suave while running. You sport a causal half-grin that you hope desperately doesn’t transition into a full grimace. You attempt to respond to conversation through earnest head motions, hoping that no one realizes you are sucking wind so badly that you couldn’t utter a response even if you wanted to. You try to ignore the thought that you’re only going to be able to descend stairs for the next three days by taking a double dose of ibuprofen, stepping gingerly, and inhaling from the gut.
We reached the aid station and I thought, “Oh, good, she’ll stop to take water.” Nope. She slammed the contents of the Dixie cup, deposited it in the trash, and took off again.
The realization sunk in: I’m toast. There was no way I was going to be able to keep up with her. A momentary wave of guilt washed over me – will she be OK running alone? - but then I spotted one of the team coaches, Laura, keeping pace alongside my daughter with the steady stride of a practiced runner. (And practiced Laura is: a two-time Boston Marathon qualifier.)
Steady. Step by step. Never wavering. I saw my daughter take off her hat - having warmed to the task - and press on. She pulled away into the distance, and I realized that today offered so much more than a Saturday 5K.
This was a glimpse into the future.
Every parent has a moment when they first begin to realize that their child has in some way begun to come into their own. In reality, there are endless instances of such realizations: the first time they begin to read independently. The first time they walk to a friend’s house in the neighborhood. When they pause in conversation to say something so insightful you are left speechless. These moments arrive like snowflakes, slowly at first and each one perfect in its individuality, until one day you turn around and realize a blizzard's-worth of evidence of your child's spirit and self-identity has accumulated.
Today, I realized that my daughter was outrunning me with great joy and tremendous grace. This was her homage to an autumn day, choosing a wild neon hat to stand in contrast to dreary skies. Choosing an even tempo of footsteps to counter the blacktop-clad ascents.
If I thought it was hard to breathe myself up the hill before, that was nothing compared to trying to run with tear-tinges of gratitude and a lump in my throat. “If she can do it, so can I,” I thought.
We did not cross the finish line together this year. But she was waiting for me in the finishing chute, jumping up and down and squealing with glee. “Mom, I did it! Twenty-nine minutes!!”
Strong women: May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
Focal Flame Photography has been honored to serve the Dane County Girls on the Run 5K since 2011. Participants in the Fall 2013 5K may download complimentary FocalShare™ photos from the event.
Skirt Chaser 5K: A Whole Lot of Chasin' Goin' On
Remember in grade school when the boys used to chase the girls around the playground? He likely chased her just to annoy her — a sign of affection. And her? She ran away squealing but slowed down if there was any real threat of his losing track of her. There was a whole lot of chasin' goin' on and it was all good fun.
Would you like to recapture the thrill of the chase (or being chased)? You can at your nearest Skirt Chaser 5K.
What is a Skirt Chaser? It is a battle of the sexes that pits the boys against girls in a race to the finish line, where whichever sex finishes first gets free beer at the post race party.
So girls, grab your skirts — provided as an optional upgrade to women’s race packages by Skirt Sports, the women’s athletic clothing company that created the original fitness skirt — toe the starting line, and take full advantage of your 3-minute head start before the guys start chasing you. Admit it guys, you never had it so good.
When asked why Race Day Events chose to partner with Skirt Sports in bringing the Skirt Chaser to Madison, race director, RyanGriessmeyer, said, "We feel it is a perfect match for the area...It is fun and challenging for all levels." and he added that "the battle of the sexes component should be pretty interesting in such a strong running community."
How does a Skirt Chaser 5K work? As on the playground the guys chase the girls, but the girls (skirts) are not going to slow down to let the guys catch them this time — after all, unlike other fun run 5Ks, the Skirt Chaser is a timed race and the winning sex gets the beer. Everyone gathers for a fun after-race party with themed awards, games, music, and a fashion show and dance contest hosted by Skirt Sports.
The swag and prize packages for the Skirt Chaser 5K are, in a word, SWEET. They’re also carefully planned to stoke some friendly competition. For the Madison race on September 28, 2013, cash prizes are $500 to the overall winner and $250 to the fastest finisher of the opposite sex. Gift card prizes from Quaker Steak and Lube run 10 deep into both men’s and women’s fields, and all participants receive a free pint glass….plus, of course, FocalShare complimentary digital photos from Focal Flame Photography so you can share your battle-of-the-sexes triumph with all your friends.
Nicole DeBoom, founder of Skirt Sports and the Skirt Chaser 5K, says,"I have spent most of my efforts helping women feel good about themselves through running and sports. I created the Skirt Chaser 5k as a way to include the men in our lives while still celebrating women."
DeBoom, loves that the race is all about relationships. Married 15 years, she sees Skirt Chaser as a date night, adding a little active fun to a couple's life. Others see the race as a way to meet other active singles — a color-coded bib system and downloadable "Looking for Love" flyers announce availability.
She likes to share the story of one couple who found love on the run. He caught up to her at mile 2 and said, "Now that I've caught you, I want to keep you. Will you marry me?" She said, "Yes!" and Nicole hopes they will tie the knot at next year's race.
Guys chasin' girls. Can you think of a better way to get in a great work out, run a traditional 5K race, and feel the thrill of the chase as you connect with other active runners?
Don't miss out on the thrill of the chase. Register for the Skirt Chaser 5K today. Here’s the link to register for the Madison, WI Skirt Chaser 5K event.
Will you be racing the Skirt Chaser 5K in Madison? Bringing friends? Tell us your story!
Glow Run That’s Disco Meets 5K: It's Glow Time!
by Deborah Proctor
What do you get when you cross a 5K run with the dark of night, glow-in-the-dark accessories, and party zones pumping out live music? The ultimate glow run - It's Glow Time 5K!
Billed as "disco meets 5K," It's Glow Time 5K is a fun run, with emphasis on the FUN! Unlike most running events where some members of the family watch from the sidelines, an It's Glow Time 5K makes it possible for the whole family to run 5K and glow together. There are NO timers, NO competition, just blacklights, glowing necklaces, silly glow-in-the-dark glasses, light shows, and DJs playing pulsing music guaranteed to keep your feet moving.
Dave C who participated in the run at Madison, Wisconsin describes It's Glow Time 5K as "the most fun I have had at a run event ever!" When asked why he chose to participate in this 5K glow run, he replied,"I have done so many running and triathlon events for distance and endurance... this was an event that stood out for the fun party atmosphere."
Glow runs such as It's Glow Time 5K represent one of the fastest growing segments of running events. Why? Maybe because of the party atmosphere, or perhaps simply because they encourage the whole family to participate together.Young or old, you can run, walk, skip, or all of the above under the stars. And it's guaranteed that you will smile, laugh, and dance about. It's a 5K glow party!
Dave mentioned above "glowed" with 30 of his closest friends, including children ages 8-12. That camaraderie really "made the event" for him. He highly recommends that other runners try a glow 5K but advises, "loosen up a bit"... This should not be considered a race ... but an enjoyable experience."
There are many glow 5K runs out there, but there is one important difference between an It's Glow Time 5K and the other guys —FocalShareSM — complimentary digital photos by the professional photographers at Focal Flame Photography. Knowing FocalShare complimentary digitals are offered at the event means participants can leave their cameras at home, forget about trying to take photos in very challenging low-light conditions, and concentrate on having a good time!
So invite a few of your favorite people, grab your running shoes, don your disco-iest clothing, and boogie on down to your nearest It's Glow Time 5K. Wondering what this glow run looks like? Check out the video below or on YouTube:
(Make sure to watch this video in HD - click on the gear icon at lower right part of the video frame and select "720p HD".)
What are you waiting for? Get glowing!
Janesville, WI Triathlon: Kitty Cole and the Rock, Roll "n" Run Triathlon
by Deborah Proctor
In the first decade of the 21st century, things were not looking good for Janesville, Wisconsin. Layoffs at local manufacturing plants were draining the city of its life. The Janesville YMCA felt that drain too, and the local triathlon they had supported for so long had to be discontinued.
It is said that, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." And that is what Kitty Cole, coach and race director of the YMCA tri did. With all the negative things happening in the community, Kitty felt it was essential to keep this fun and challenging event going. "Janesville has been hard hit economically and a lot people think the city is "gone," says Kitty, and she wanted"to show everyone that Janesville is a thriving community."
She organized a few friends, rallied local businesses as sponsors, and the Rock, Roll "n" Run triathlon (RRnR) was ready to go on. But the Rock River had other ideas and record flood levels caused the event to be canceled. With the worst of the plant closings and layoffs occurring in 2009, it took Kitty and her friends two years to make their dream for the community come true.
What makes the Rock, Roll "n" Run unique?
With the exception of the weekly shows staged by the Rock Aqua Jays, the Rock, Roll "n" Run triathlon is the only sanctioned swim event in the Rock River in Janesville."We advertise a fast swim...even a PR (personal record) swim," stated Cole. "For a first-timer, having the current as an aid can be a great comfort and assist. I am really proud of the fact that in 4 triathlons, every swimmer has finished the swim portion of the RRnR...100% quite a record!"
The bike portion is rolling — challenging, but not overwhelming.
"The run is fabulous!" Cole added."Runners leave Traxler Park and run right thru the center of the Janesville Farmer's Market. The vendors love the action and are huge supporters!"
"More than a few have taken my name in vain!," Kitty added as she described "the dreaded Holmes Hill" that leads to the historic Courthouse District and past a park and beautifully restored homes. Then it's all downhill from there. At the finish, along with awards for the top three in each age group, everyone receives a Finisher's Medal. To be sure that every racer knows how much their achievement means, Cole said, "We stop the award ceremony to line the finish line and welcome home our last finisher."
As a racer herself, Cole goes out of her way to see that the day is not only rewarding but safe. The river is always a challenge."We never know what the Rock River is going to do!! In 2012 the River was so low the swim started with athletes standing in the water and this year the River was so high and the current so strong, we had record swim times."
For those nervous about swimming in a river current, organizers create a swim lane to keep swimmers out of eddies and from venturing too far toward the shore where they can get caught in a reverse current. Lauren Jensen, Wisconsin triathlon pro, called the RRnR "...the safest I've ever seen."
"We have 5-6 of the Rock Aqua Jays' safety boats in the water, 1-2 jet skis, 4-5 kayakers and this year we had 13 lifeguards courtesy of the South Central Swim Team," said Cole.
The Rock, Roll "n" Run took one more step this year to make their race stand out from the rest. They participated in Focal Flame Photography's FocalShare™ program so that every racer would have digital photographs to go with their Finisher's Medal.
"We wanted to...offer a unique and valuable race day memory (to our racers,)" Cole reasoned. "There are lots of races to choose from...We want our racers to feel good about the whole event...having a photo or two to share cements that goodwill!"
To participate as an athlete, volunteer, or sponsor in the 2014 Rock, Roll "n" Run, held the first Saturday in July each year, visit www.rockrollnrun.com or their Facebook page Janesville Rock Roll 'n' Run.
Tell us on the Focal Flame Photography Facebook page: What is your favorite memory of the Janesville Rock, Roll 'N Run Triathlon?
FocalShare: Sharing our Focus on Athletes
by Deborah Proctor
When you photograph athletes for a living like we do, you see on each individual's face determination required to cross the finish line and the joy and exhilaration of that accomplishment. Seeing these qualities through the lens caused Focal Flame Photography founder and lead photographer, Clint Thayer, to reflect on what Focal Flame could do to make it possible for athletes to share these once in a lifetime moments more freely with friends, family, and others who may not be there to celebrate with them.
"That is when the idea for the FocalShare™ service was born," says Thayer. "We wanted to SHARE our focus (digital photographs) with the amazing athletes that we photographed at each event, and give them, in turn, the opportunity to share their accomplishment with those who care about them."
So how did we accomplish that? Thayer explained, "We teamed up with some very forward-thinking and customer service-oriented event organizers, and they agreed that customized digital photographs would be much more meaningful to athletes, way cooler, and more environmentally friendly than the usual race swag like another plastic water bottle."
How does the FocalShare service work?
- Race directors and event organizers contract with Focal Flame Photography to photograph the athletes and activities at their event.
- In return, each athlete receives free access to ALL the photos and can share them via email, or post them in their Blog, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media sites.
- There is no fee to the athlete for the photos, they simply visit www.FocalFlamestore.comafter the race, view the photos of their event, and share as many as they like with friends, family, and teammates. They can even print out copies.
- All photographs are customized with the race logo and date in the corner. This helps showcase the athlete's achievement — it is not "just" another run, bike ride, triathlon, it is the Madison Mud Run, It’s Glow Time 5K, a triathlon in the Wisconsin Tri Series Races, or the Rock, Roll, ‘N Run Triathlon in Janesville, for example.
- Race organizers benefit from the good will the complimentary digitals create as well as in increased awareness of their event. For community events with racers from all walks of life, ensuring that every participant has access to FocalShare digitals helps to level the playing field and create a sense of togetherness – which, in the end, is what events are all about.
It appears that racers LOVE their FocalShare digitals and are often astounded that they are included as a benefit of the event. They also appreciate not having to pay out of pocket for the digital images.
But don't take our word for it, here is what just a few of the athletes at participating events had to say:
"I was a part of the race yesterday and I had an incredible time...One of the best things that this race had was the photography and the free access to our pictures. Two of the pictures are possibly the best pictures I have ever had taken by a race photographer at any point during my racing career. One was the very first good picture I have ever had of me coming out of the water. Sweet!
Thanks again and I look forward to participating in this race again next year! "—Pete
"This was my first triathlon that I have ever done! It is so awesome that I get some great pictures to go with my experience! It is also nice that they didn't cost me as usually race photos are so expensive. Thank you!!!!" — Lisa
"Thanks for being at the race to capture these moments - especially on a day when people like me leave their cameras safely packed away to stay dry! I appreciate the free downloads, and used some of the photos in my race report. Thanks! " —Dan
"FocalShare" events are the best!"— Tim
"[I appreciate] the FAST availability and the opportunity to use them for social media photos. Facebook & Twitter are avenues to document life events, and what better way to accompany posts than with professional race photos that capture those life events in motion. It's also great to have pictures with the race logo to remember the events." — survey respondent
"...FocalShare seems to be the ultimate package between racers, event coordinators, and photographers. I would much rather pay a "hidden" small cost in each registration for free photos then pay a ton for 1 photo. With digital being the norm now, it is a win/win/win situation." — survey respondent
If you have participated in an event photographed by Focal Flame this season, be sure to check our event status page to see if your event offersFocalShare digitals and share them with your family and friends.
If you are a race director or event coordinator and would like to know more about how you can offer complimentary FocalShare digitals to your athletes, please email Clint@FocalFlame.com or call 608.772.0048.
What do you think? Have you participated in a FocalShare event and shared your race photos with family and friends? If so, please tell us about your FocalShare experience.
Lacrosse Comes to Madison - What a Score!
by Deborah Proctor
What you say? Oh, not the city — lacrosse (all lower case) — the fast paced field sport, with its roots in Native American culture. Combining elements of basketball, soccer, and hockey, while favoring speed, agility, and finesse over brawn, lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in America.
Madison scored big when chosen by US Lacrosse to host the 2013 US Central Lacrosse Championship in the area. This open tournament attracted teams from eight central US states, which according to Jamie Patrick of the Madison Area Sports Commission (MASC) "had an estimated direct spending impact of over $998,000."
So how did Madison win the bid for this premier sporting event? "Madison is the intersection of great people, meeting venues, restaurants, attractions, and support all wrapped up in a unique personality. It’s why people like coming here for events," said Patrick,"We also have great June weather (and) a venue that fits the needs of the event well."
To meet the needs of the 40 teams that traveled to Madison for the championship, MASC partnered with the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation (WLF) who provided volunteers, scheduled referees, and painted fields. MASC added housing support, volunteer time, marketing and other services and support.
Federation President, Dave Wollin, was thrilled that Madison was chosen. "This is a big shot of recognition for Wisconsin Lacrosse, which has been getting downplayed by local media and area universities because the sport is not recognized by the WIAA. But...we have 234 boys and girls teams in the state, including ... varsity level... double-digit growth for the past 7 years."
Focal Flame Photography, who photographed the event on behalf of the MASC, congratulates all the players who participated in the championship on a great display of enthusiasm and sportsmanship. We send our heartiest cheers of support to local Dane County UC15 team DC Capitals who earned a #1 bracket seed and posted a 4-1 tournament record, finishing in 2nd place and qualifying to play in the National Tournament in Florida in July. If you would like to help the team cover expenses for this trip, contact them at dccapitalslax@hotmail.com. For more information on how you can learn the sport or get involved as a volunteer or coach, visit www.MADLAX.org.
Interested in sports photography for your youth team? Contact us today!
Cycling Wisconsin: Horribly Hilly Hundreds Sufferfest Supports Blue Mound State Park
By Deb Proctor
Wisconsin cycling is not for the faint of heart. About 25 miles west of Madison, occupying the tallest hill in southern Wisconsin, sits Blue Mound State Park - a popular destination for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, camping, swimming and other outdoor activities. Blue Mound is also the home of the Horribly Hilly Hundreds (HHH), a friendly, and some say "painfully fun" yet must-do bike ride once described as "The Toughest One-Day Challenge Ride in the Midwest" by the Isthmus, a weekly newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin.
The course covers up to 124.2 miles with over 10,000 feet of elevation gain, and is so tough that it was once voted by Isthmus readers as the "Sufferfest of the Year." Yet, as horribly hilly as this ride is, it has become so popular with cycling enthusiasts that a lottery system had to be implemented to keep the numbers of participants in check.
Each June, approximately 1,300 cyclists follow one of three routes — 100K, 150K, or 200K. The Horribly Hilly Hundreds is a tour, not a race. Riders traverse at their own pace the unglaciated, driftless area of Wisconsin in which steep hills and valleys stretch for hundreds of miles from southern Wisconsin into the northeast corner of Iowa. The beautiful rolling countryside and magnificent vistas at the top of each challenging climb reward participants for their efforts. Camaraderie awaits at the end of the day….as well as Viking Goulash — a treat worth riding for — that is served up by volunteers. (Download a PDF of the goulash recipe.)
Begun in 2003 by now retired Blue Mound State Park manager, Karl Heil and friends, and enthusiastically endorsed by the Mt. Horeb Chamber of Commerce, the Horribly Hilly bike ride is a major fundraiser for the Friends of Blue Mound State Park, a volunteer group whose efforts provide funding for new trails, park amenities, and even a staff naturalist — things that would not otherwise be possible given dwindling state budgets.
Proceeds from the Horribly Hilly Hundreds ride most recently supported the construction of a fully ADA accessible, all season shelter house - made possible through a donation of $500,000 from the Friends of Blue Mound State Parks using funds raised from the bike event. Ten years in the dreaming, the 2,400 square foot shelter opened in January 2013 complete with a great hall, cathedral ceilings, and a real bathroom. Families, hikers, mountain bikers, skiers, and snowshoers visiting the park can now enjoy a cool place to sit in the summer, have a picnic and enjoy the view, or warm up and rest on a cold winter day.
Funds from HHH events will continue to benefit the park. Friends group Treasurer, Gail Van Haren, stated, "The HHH typically contributes 60-70% of the Friends' total annual income." She added that Friends group projects in the near future will include "…acoustic panels for inside the shelter, landscaping of the grounds surrounding the shelter, and development of accessible trails as well as the usual ongoing support of park maintenance projects and a park naturalist." (For more information on the Friends of Blue Mound State Park or to become a member, visit their Blog.)
Stop by Blue Mound State Park this year on June 20, 2015 to cheer on this year's participants and join in the fun. Professional photographers from Focal Flame Photography will be capturing images of the riders, so be sure to say "Hello." And, if you think you would enjoy a challenging ride, make sure to register early for next year. For more information visit www.horriblyhilly.com.
Focal Flame Photography is proud to work with Horribly Hilly Hundreds event organizers Race Day Events to provide race photographs to participants. Click to view images from 2012, 2013, or 2014.
Interested in cycling in Wisconsin? Do you love cycling photography? Join us on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ for more stories about ordinary people doing amazing things!
Girls on the Run: Meredith Rhodes Carson on Coaching Confidence
By any measure, there is a need for strong girls in the world. Meeting this need requires guidance from one generation to the next. Arising from humble beginnings as a running and self-empowerment program for thirteen elementary-aged girls in 1996, Girls on the Run has exploded into an international effort involving over 130,000 girls and 55,000 volunteers across over 200 cities. Girls meet twice weekly for 10 to 12 weeks to train for a 5k run and talk about topics ranging from what positive self-image means to how to deal with bullying.
But despite the magnitude of Girls on the Run International, at the local level it all comes down to the individuals who make it happen: volunteer coaches.
One such volunteer is Meredith Rhodes Carson, Girls on the Run coach for a team at Thoreau Elementary School in Madison, Wisconsin. Carson has a tremendous depth and range of experience: PhD-level consulting in explorative geology, professional health coaching for brides-to-be, and mother of two active young children.
Focal Flame Photography writer and co-owner Robyn Perrin recently followed up with Carson about some of her experiences as a Girls on the Run coach.
Robyn Perrin / Focal Flame Photography: For those who aren't familiar with the Girls on the Run (GOTR) program, what's involved in a typical practice?
Meredith Rhodes Carson: GOTR practice is divided into several parts; a brief introduction where we discuss the main topic of the lesson (i.e., healthy eating), a getting on board/warm-up where we explore the topic a bit deeper and get the girls moving by playing a short game (i.e., softball, where they are 'pitched' questions about healthy eating), a quick stretch and strengthening routine, and then the actual workout which involves running/walking laps around the practice area. To wrap up, the girls recognize each other with 'energy awards' and we end with our GOTR cheer.
FFP: What inspired you to become a GOTR coach?
Carson: There are a couple of things that inspired me to become a GOTR coach. When I was growing up, I had some serious issues with self-esteem. I remember going through a funk (which I would call depression today) in middle school; I was bullied on the school bus, I had a hard time finding real friends, and my mom was facing her own demons at the time. Fast forward to today: I'm raising a 9-year-old daughter and I desperately want to make sure she has the tools to deal with the stressors of growing up and the confidence to know that she is awesome and that no one should convince her otherwise. I also wanted to find a way to volunteer in my community - in a way that would help me to grow. Coaching GOTR has been a great learning experience for me.
FFP: What has been the most rewarding aspect of coaching?
Carson: I think that the most rewarding aspect of coaching has been to see the girls change over the course of 10 weeks. I see leaders emerging, I see confidence being gained, I see compassion, I see friends choosing to be in situations that make them happy, I see that many of the girls are learning great things in school and bringing those gifts out to share.
FFP: Has anything about being a GOTR coach been surprising or unexpected?
Carson: I am surprised by how much the girls transport me back to my youth. Some of the conversations that we've had really hit home. Conversations around body image and relationships and missing friends who have moved away... The other coaches and I have been moved to tears after practice remembering what it was like to be in their shoes.
FFP: How has the staff at GOTR-Dane County supported your efforts?
Carson: The staff at GOTR - Dane County are awesome! They have been very supportive, incredibly so. They held new coaches training and first aid sessions to start the season off. They let me sneak another girl onto the team in the early weeks (would have been so hard to turn her away), they make lesson planning a breeze by sending out weekly reminders about what is coming up, they've provided all of the materials for the lessons, and most of all, they've provided individual support to the girls when needed. We were able to provide a great new pair of running shoes to one of the girls on the team. GOTR support is amazing. They are really committed to making this program successful.
FFP: For those considering coaching a GOTR or Girls On Track team in their community, what advice would you share?
Carson: If you are on the edge about becoming a GOTR coach, I would offer this advice. You might approach GOTR coaching as a way for you to grow personally, not with the idea that you don't have what it takes to coach, or that you have nothing to teach the girls, or that you don't know how to run (because it's not a running program). My default state throughout my adult life has been to be sort of scheduled, to play by the book, to plan and maybe to over-plan. Coaching GOTR has enabled me to let loose, to let things happen and unfold, to throw the book away when good things are happening, and to appreciate how each lesson is played out.
While the lessons are literally written out for you, the spontaneity of practice is rewarding. Not to mention that the girls really do value the program... they know me now... It's great to be hugged in the hallways at school. I'll forever be Coach Myrtle.
FFP: How has GOTR influenced the rest of your family?
Carson: I have a jealous little guy at home, who would really like to be a Boy on the Run.
FFP: What do you want the community to know about GOTR?
Carson: I found out about GOTR through a friend - who happens to be a former GOTR coach. We were discussing how to raise a confident daughter (and I really didn't know, as I lost that confidence when I was growing up). My friend said to me, "She needs to do Girls on the Run." She was right. TheGOTR program is designed to give our girls the tools to be positive, to treat themselves well, to understand their emotions, to practice gratitude, to value what's really important, to cooperate, to stand up to peer pressure and bullying, to understand how harmful gossip is, to choose friends that lift you up, and to work together to support their community.
Please join Girls on the Run Dane County for the 2nd Annual Spring 5K on Saturday, June 8 at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg, WI.
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Stories from the Madison Mud Run: Team TACA Gets Dirty for Autism
If you’ve ever done an obstacle course event like the Madison Mud Run, you may recall some obstacles that require teamwork. When you have sweat running down the small of your back, mud clinging to your shoes, breathless from running and mindful of each second that passes on the race clock – it’s a good idea to reach out to a teammate for a helping hand.
It’s a lot like living with autism, as it turns out. The challenge of autism is simply too big to face alone.
The Wisconsin chapter of Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) is part of a nationwide network of families whose lives have been affected by autism spectrum disorders. Founded in southern California in 2000, TACA seeks to be a parent-to-parent resource as families navigate the often bewildering and strenuous obstacles of autism diagnosis and treatments. Offering free information, support groups, and a mentorship program, TACA has grown to serve over 31,000 member families nationwide in 2012.
Local chapters often seek opportunities for fundraising, as well as opportunities to get the word out about TACA’s work. After participating in a shoe collection at a Milwaukee-area mud run as a fundraising effort, TACA Wisconsin members – many of whom are based in Madison – decided to try a local community event. This time, they decided to put together a team to participate in the Madison Mud Run.
At first, they focused on reaching out to the fitness community to sign up and run on behalf of families with autism. Gradually, and with encouragement, more and more parent members of TACA Wisconsin decided that they were willing to try the Madison Mud Run themselves. As word spread, they found support from others near and far; one team member, Tresa Gibson, is flying all the way from Calgary, Canada to participate. TACA Wisconsin members hope that the light-heartedness of the event may help families accomplish a critical activity: laughter. “You need to find a way to laugh, despite the hardships,” said Kate Whelan, Chapter Coordinator for TACA Wisconsin.
Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn Perrin recently caught up with Whelan to discuss the impact of autism on children and families in Wisconsin.
Focal Flame Photography: Could you tell us a little bit about the mission and work of TACA?
Kate Whelan / TACA Wisconsin: TACA is a lifeline to parents of children with autism. Particularly when you first receive your child's diagnosis, it can be absolutely devastating and it really helps to have a network of positive, experienced and knowledgeable parents help guide you to find the information you need. We are a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which started as an Autism Diet meet-up group by our founder Lisa Ackerman in California. Initially, there were just 10 families, but TACA now serves over 31,000 families nationwide and that number continues to grow. The CDC's official statistics for autism are still 1 in 88 children, but a recent CDC survey found that number is more likely 1 in 50 school age children (1 in 31 boys). Autism now affects more children than those affected by AIDS, diabetes, and childhood cancer combined. If you do not know someone with autism, you probably soon will. TACA provides a community for parents to connect through meetings with speakers, a resource library, social events, and conferences. We also provide online live chat, parent mentors and medical scholarships for families in need. The biggest thing we offer is real support to families. It's that human connection that's so important.
FFP: As you've mentioned on the Team TACA web site and video, there are a lot of parallels between the perseverance required to live with autism, and how this challenge makes a 4.8-mi mud run seem so trivial by comparison. Are there particular stories of perseverance you'd like to highlight?
KW / TACA WI: Children with autism work very hard every day to communicate, to be heard, to process information, to overcome physical and social deficits. Most of our kids undergo years of intensive behavioral therapy (usually between 20 and 40 hours per week for 4 years and tapering off as needed - some will need therapy their entire lives). They also often need speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision therapy, loads of other therapies, which means they're over-scheduled and really fatigued. Depending on the level of functioning of a child, it can be very difficult for families too. Studies have shown that parents of children with autism often suffer from PTSD due to the need to be ever-vigilant, particularly when they have children who might wander or who have explosive, unpredictable behaviors. We have many children in our TACA chapter who have made significant achievements in terms of overcoming obstacles in communication, making friends, and connecting with their families. Some have gone from a diagnosis of severe autism with a suggestion that parents look for an institution to high-functioning kids in school without much support. The most important thing is to always have hope. With hard work and perseverance and appropriate medical care that addresses each child's individual needs, a lot of kids can recover significantly.
FFP: What do you want the public to know about the work that TACA does?
KW / TACA WI: Having a child with autism can be incredibly isolating. If you know a family where there is a child with autism, please refer them to us. Once you find TACA, you're never alone. We will support you.
FFP: Are there team members or other volunteers you'd like to recognize in particular?
KW / TACA WI: Tresa Gibson is flying in from Calgary, Canada for the Mud Run. Tresa's son has recovered from autism and Lennox-Gestaut Syndrome through [ketogenic] diet. She's also an incredible artist and has auctioned off two of her paintings for TACA. Tresa has raised over $1,400 for TACAWisconsin and she doesn't even live here.
Kylie Van Dyke is 11 years old and running for her brother, Ryan.
Mary Tackett is a grandmother to a child with autism. This is her first mud run.
Margaret Adelmeyer is a personal trainer with a big heart. Margaret donated 10% of all earnings from April to TACA.
Courtney Kleist and Autumn Mazzulla are both therapists with Wisconsin Early Autism Project. They also work with my son, Luke.
FFP: Is there anything else you'd like to share about Team TACA at the Madison Mud Run?
KW / TACA WI: Often parents of special needs children do nothing for themselves, which can lead to all sorts of health problems, and also makes them prone to depression. Getting some physical activity should be a high priority for everyone, especially parents of children with challenges. Some of us will be caring for our children long after their peers have gone to college or the workforce, so it's important that we stay healthy. Finding time to do fun activities as a family and also as individuals is so important. At TACA, we have fun at our meetings, so it's an enjoyable social event and we look forward to seeing each other. As autism parents we often hear the saying "it's a marathon, not a sprint," meaning that you need to pace yourself, but sometimes it feels a bit more like a mud run. Sometimes it feels like you have to crawl through a mud pit and get hit with a fire hose before you feel like you have succeeded. Life with autism is full of ups and downs. We will often see progress followed by regression of skills, which can be frustrating. But, if you keep at it, things get better. Kids do recover. Autism is treatable.
FFP: Where can people go to get involved with TACA Wisconsin?
KW / TACA WI: TACA meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Wisconsin Integrative Hyperbaric Center at 6200 Nesbitt Rd in Fitchburg. To learn more about our meetings, visit the TACA Wisconsin web site.
Support Team TACA as they raise funds to help create educational resources and provide medical scholarships for families with autism. Donate today!
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Behind the Lens: Going Left When Everyone Goes Right
by Clint Thayer
There are some advantages of doing what everyone else is doing. Life is easy and you don’t have to think about it much. Just follow the person in front of you and watch what they do. If you can’t beat them - join them. Right?
Wrong. At least from a creative perspective. The act of creating means not just recapitulating what others have done before, but putting something new into the world.
Sometimes making something wholly new requires taking a different approach toward a familiar subject matter - one of which (for me) is cycling. If you've never heard of cyclocross, you would likely raise an eyebrow when I describe the nature of what a typical cyclocross racer does on the weekends. Yet it’s strangely captivating to watch and even more so to photograph. Over the years the sport of cyclocross has gained a great deal of popularity in the cycling community, and it’s starting to infiltrate the public’s eye as well. This is wonderful for the sport and for the cycling community as a whole. An entire industry is growing out of the weeds and as a professional visual storyteller - it is a wonderful backdrop.
With this growth, I’ve witnessed first-hand the explosion of like-minded photographers jumping in and crafting some amazing pieces of work. Really great material showing off some exceptional athletes. Welcome to the party!
I started shooting cyclocross a few years ago as a study in motion, light and...essentially, grit. I fell in love with the people, the sport, and most of all the imagery. Turning a corner of the course into a Focal Flame portable studio was a blast and I learned a great deal about my professional craft - lessons that I still use today. When Madison was awarded its bid to host the 2012 and 2013 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships, I could not have been happier. What an opportunity to show my love of the sport through the lens - with cyclocross racers from all over the nation coming practically to our backyard!
But at the same time - I wanted to stand out and take some artistic risks. Should I bring more lights? More filters? Climb trees? Each technique could help produce wonderful images and likely push me creatively, as well as push the limits of what can be done with the camera.
And pushing the limits meant that I wanted to go left when everyone else was going right. I woke up on the Saturday of CX Nationals with my sights set on filming, editing, and publishing a ~3 min video that captured the heart of the event. And I wanted the creative process and the production to all be completed within one day.
I’ve never, ever liked rolling with the pack - going with the flow, or taking the easy road. And I find value and comfort in setting my own expectations higher than I did the previous day. I’m not in a race to out-do others - I’m in a race to push myself past my own creative comfort zone with the storytelling process. This was the result:
So how different is shooting video from shooting stills? In many aspects, it’s very much the same. Above everything else, story rules all. With a still photo, the goal is to convey intent and imply story in a way that evokes a conclusion for the beholder in a single frame - not an easy task, yet very rewarding when successful. From my perspective, video allows different creative space as a playground, including additional ways to help develop story. Your perception of time actually changes. Photography forces you into the moment in zen-like fashion. Videography beckons you to consider past, present, and future simultaneously.
And there are so many ways to evoke mood. Sound, dialog, and ambient noise gives a videographer the capability to set tone without revealing a single frame. These are dimensions we all experience when we watch a movie, but when you begin to work with them as an artistic process for visual storytelling, it’s changes your whole perspective. It’s electric. It’s goosebump-inducing.
And I can’t wait for the next opportunity go push myself toward new paths, and new directions.
Thanks, as always, for joining in on the journey.
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