How to take a great race photo!

So, I'm kinda known for getting some great race photos. Frequently, I get comments on this blog or on my DailyMile page that my photos are The Best. I'm not going to lie, this makes me happy.

But getting great race photos are not difficult. In fact, you can prepare for them the same way you prepare for a race.

1) Visualize how you want your race photo to look. Do you want to be smiling? Thumbs up? Sprinting? Its all up to you:

Bread & Honey 5, 2009 - second race ever.
Clearly, I had this strategy down!

 2) Notice your surroundings. Seriously. At larger races, there will be photographers on various parts of the course. If you pay attention, you can get some really nice photos taken using the strategy above (you may also get random strangers taking photos of you that you'll never find online because everyone seems to have fancy DLSR's now, but what'evs!):

Oh hey! That looks like a photographer!

Yep, I'm awesome!
Bread & Honey 15k, 2011

3) In addition to above, re-run races because you'll likely find photographers in the same locations, year after year:

First Half Marathon: Mississauga, 2011
9 months (to the day) postpartum from Fergus

First Full Marathon: Mississauga, 2012
Man-shorts look good, eh?

Second Full Marathon: Mississauga 2013
Super, amazing day!
Lady-shorts look better!

4) There will always be a photographer at the finish line. Be prepared.

Midsummer Night's Run 30k, 2013
I was the three hour pacer
I actually PRACTICED this on training runs

5) No matter what, try to be happy! You're doing something you love! You're racing!!!

Around the Bay 30k, 2013

Robbie Burns 8k, 2013

Chilly Half Marathon, 2013

It always helps when you know the race exceeded all expectations, of course

Finish of the Mississauga Marathon, 2013

I didn't care about the sprint
I was all about the capturing the AMAZING feeling I had

My all time fave photo. This is pure joy.
I am not hamming it up for the photographers.
I'm seriously so happy with the time I see.

So next time you're racing, try to remember these tips and you too will be making a beeline for the race photos, looking for those awesome moments captured forever. Who knows, you may even get on next years race brochure (I'm still waiting!).

Four Weeks In (Photo Friday)

Hey-Yay!

So how's it all going with you out there? Things here are going well! Tomorrow marks the end of the fourth week of my fall training plan and I'm feeling good so far.

I have missed ONE run!

That's it, that's all!

I know! WHAT! That's super amazing for me! I totally, totally chalk it up to setting the alarm for stupid early o'clock 0440 and NOT hitting snooze!

Of course, morning running leaves a lot to be desired in terms of my clothing choices, but hey, I really don't care that early

I've been doing really great in terms of hitting tempo runs on pace (and then being super scared because tempo pace is only slightly faster than targeted race pace and OMG!) and so some smugness has crept in:

I was humbled this week though, when I attempted my first Interval paced run of 5x1000m at Ipace (4:30/km). I had to abort the plan in my fourth repeat and only barely hit pace once (at 4:33). My run-keeper friend Zin (one of my two active RK friends - the other is Zin's wife, Irina) suggested that I should attempt this on the track next time. That's an idea, but the next time I'm supposed to attempt this is next week and we are away camping, so I'll see.

One of the goals this cycle is to lose some weight and finally get down to 125lbs. This morning I was at 131.1. My body lurves the 130s. Of course I could eat a hecka lot better

In all, I'm happy! I've been able to hit hot yoga once a week as well and I've gotten my arm workouts in once a week too! And yes, I still hold down a full time job and have a family (see how I wake up at stupid o'clock?). Longer term plans are of course forming because this cycle is really the ramp up to my first BQ attempt cycle, so I'm toying with going for a different coloured medal at the 2014 Around the Bay. Time will tell if this will be a viable option.

I hope that your training is going as well as mine! 4 weeks down! 14 to go!

Photo Friday/Posts from last night

Because you only turn 36 once



Photo Friday!

Got my hair did as I start a new job on March 25th. I needed to look younger. And cool. And smart. And... cheeky!

Photo Friday

Things you find while packing

Photo Friday!

I Love This Race.

I can't even look at you, Mr. Ryder Photo.

Photo Friday!

Here are two shots of my awesome 22k run last Sunday! The photo's don't do justice to the beauty of the Niagara Escarpment these days, but trust me the trees are brilliant. So was the run!

Happy Friday!

Foto Friday

I was very focused during the Bread & Honey 5k race last Sunday and my lack of photos show that the photogs only love me when I'm thumbs up and smiling. Here is the best of the two shots I got:

Don't mess with me kids, I've got a PB to go get.

This week, I had Google in to do a lunch and learn with my department. My representative gave me some left over give away Google sunglasses afterward and I wore them for my run last night and this morning. I'm actually in love with them. They don't fog or bounce! The only draw back is that they don't sit as nicely with a hat like my Oakley's do:

New Sunnies!

Happy Friday! I've already done my LSD (this morning) so all I have on tap is my first session of track work on Sunday! I'm so pumped!

I hope you enjoy a lovely weekend!

Foto Friday

Camping at the Pinery!

Ha! This was the tent we bought as a "play" tent for the kids. My four year old couldn't even stand up in it.

The Beach was beautiful!

And we all loved it.

Foto(s) Friday (and a bit of showing off)

With my clinic ended, I'll need some motivation to run on my own at multiple times a week. Lucky for me, we have a great second hand store in town and I picked this up for $80 yesterday (this is just a photo from the net):

Everyone has spent the past few days carb loading. MMM, Bagels!

And Scoobi Doo pasta (For real, that's what the package says, I'm not just pandering to my four year old).


Finally, this is what happens when race kit pick up interferes with afternoon nap time:


How was your week?