Posts from — October 2007

Sometime this past Saturday I found out I was accepted into the PhotoShelter Collection. The PhotoShelter collection is a new stock photo service that opened to photographers in early October. I’d been meaning to sign up for a while and finally did so last week.  Basically you submit anywhere from 3 to 10 images, and if their photo editors like your work, you’re in.

In all, it’s a big experiment to me.  I knew I didn’t want to go the microstock route (iStockPhoto et al.) I know plenty of people make a nice chunk of change with it, but it felt like selling short. Right now Photoshelter is just collecting images. They are not open to buyers yet, but from what I can tell plan on opening the doors in mid-November.  At their town hall meeting in Chicago, they mentioned they are planning a million dollar ad campaign aimed at art buyers next year.

The biggest thing I’m struggling with is the major piece to the stock photo puzzle - keywording.  Of the nine photos I submitted with my application, eight were accepted.  I keyworded those as best as possible.  I uploaded another 30 or so images last night, and once accepted will need to keyword those as well.  I know I need to move that step up in my workflow, and if I actually start selling something, maybe it will be the kick in the pants to do so.

This is overdue, I know, but I’m back to reality now after being away from my computer for a while, I’ve also plowed through a lot of pending work.  I wanted post a better recap of my race weekend, as well as a photo of the hardware I collected (I found the image to the left in the GRM Flickr pool - an amazing shot of the finish medal by Terry Johnson)

We left Milwaukee early Saturday and had an uneventful drive, though it was a bit bittersweet to drive through downtown Chicago.  Especially through the south side where I didn’t make it three weeks prior. Once across the Indiana border into Michigan, I remembered how gorgeous Western Michigan was.  Fall colors were pretty close to peak through most of the drive.

We stayed at the brand new JW Marriott Grand Rapids. Open only a month, the Hotel was amazing - one of the nicest places I’ve stayed.  Even better was that we stayed on Marriott points even though they were at 95% capacity for Saturday night (all that travel in my MCS days is good for something now). We went to Expo at the YMCA, picked up my stuff and then I headed back to the hotel to chill out.

Knowing my time was going to be north of five hours, I decided to do the "velocity challenged" start at 7am. When I got up around 6am my phone beeped with a text message from Eliezer telling me he was awake and willing to start at 7am as well.  I sent him a quick message telling him that was my plan and got dressed.

Checking the weather the night before, I knew it was going to be cold, especially before sunrise which wasn’t until 8:15. I wore my running tights, a technical long sleeve top, and the race shirt, which was a really nice long sleeve Brooks shirt. Not only did the race end up being way better managed than the Chicago marathon, but Chicago only managed to pony up for a cheap-ass cotton t-shirt that I’ll never wear. Why is the entry fee $40 more in Chicago?

I made it to the starting area around 6:40. Still on central time it felt like 5:40. I met up with Eliezer who’d just picked up his race packet.  There was a good crowd at the early start, and at 7am, Don sent us on our way. My wife and my son made it a few minutes before hand to send us off (just enough time for a quick picture with my son). The first part of the course was still on city streets, so fairly well lit, but quickly went off road onto various trails.  The course was well marked with glow sticks on either side, but it was dark!

The only knock against the race is the course not conducive to spectators, but that didn’t stop my wife.  She again studied the course map and spent a fair amount of time on Google maps figuring how to get around.  The one benefit is the course doubles back on itself, so I’d pass by the major spectator points twice.  After the first point, she got some advice from some locals who directed her to another spot not on the map.  As Eliezer and I crested a hill, we heard some spectators ahead and found my wife, son, and a Grand Rapids Police officer who was there directing traffic around the course. I was so happy to see them I almost missed the turn.

Early on, Eliezer and I were maintaining a good 5/1 run to walk ratio.  There were a few times I felt I was running a bit faster than I might have by myself, but it was nice to have someone else to help push me a long.  Through the aid stops, the volunteers were great. They were super friendly shouting words of encouragement.  In all it was a huge difference from Chicago where most tables were three runners deep looking for anything wet to drink.

By the time the sun came up, we were a good 1:30 into the race and I looked down and saw frost on my tights.  Eliezer had frost on his hat through most the race too.  A far cry from sweltering temperatures three weeks prior.  The run was actually pretty decent up to about 15miles. We had a goal pace of 12min/mi and were handily beating that on our splits. Around the 15mile mark is when our legs started to protest a bit. We both felt it around the same time. We lengthened our walk breaks out to 2 minutes at times and pressed on.

I will say this about the course, even it were not the first marathon I finished, it would still be one of the more memorable runs I’ve had.  A large portion of the course is on wooded bike paths along the Grand River, including traversing an awesome foot bridge over the river twice. The only run that comes close is running along the Snohomish River near the Red Hook brewery at the crack of dawn out in Washington state and having a bald eagle swoop over head. The scenery is absolutely breath taking, as this photo by Katie Weller shows.

As we neared the last few miles, I was planning in my mind when I was going to sprint.  I knew I had only a little left, and I knew it wasn’t much.  Hitting mile 25, we were back in the city and spectators were on the street encouraging us on.  I knew my son wanted to run the last part with me, and once we hit mile 26, I told Eliezer I was going to go.  I found my wife and son about 100 yards from the finish.  My son has been itching all summer to run with me, and after talking to a few folks on Saturday who’d run last year, they said the finish was the perfect place for him to do it.

Let me say this, my five year old is fast.  Granted, I was running on pure adrenaline at that point, but it was an honest struggle to keep up with him.  He did great (he’d received non-stop instruction the previous 30 mins on not running into anyone) and we crossed the finish line together. 

I know I thanked a bunch of folks earlier, but I’ll thank them again.  Thanks to Tom and Amy at Runners Lounge.  Thanks to lifestudent and Nat, fellow bloggers who stopped by here often with words of encouragement.

Thanks again to my running partner and the guy who put this crazy idea in my head in the first place, Eliezer Appleton:

Eliezer and Me at the Finish

And thanks most of all to my amazing wife, Amy. She put up with three more weeks of me training, on top of the 30 or so prior to that. Without her I would not have made it through this incredible journey.

Just a quick post (I didn’t bring my laptop so I’m posting from the business center of the JW Marriott Grand Rapids) - I finished the 2007 Grand Rapids Marathon!

No official time yet, but I’m pretty sure it is going to be around 5:24. I got to run the whole race with the man who put the idea in my head, Eliezer Appleton, which was a bonus.  The course was actually one of the most beautiful runs I’ve had - mainly on wooded bike trails through a huge park just outside downtown. I would highly recommend this race if you’re looking for one to run. They do both a full and half marathon.

Thank you to all the volunteers, this race was amazingly run and I know it was because of you things went so smoothly.  A big thanks to the random Grand Rapids citizens who helped my poor wife navigate around the area - she cheered me on from probably 5 different spots!

Thanks most of all to my amazing wife, Amy.  Seriously I would not have made this journey without you.

While this looks to be an older story, it is a rare one of a large retailer getting customer service right.

As a runner, I buy a few pairs of running shoes a year.  While I really try to support my local running store, I might try ordering my next pair from Zappos.

Since I haven’t shot my oldest’s five year portrait yet, and given the fact his school portrait turned out awful (he tried to smile too hard) I figured I might give it a try tonight.  Since I was by myself with both boys tonight, my hopes weren’t high. Wrangling one of them for pictures is hard enough, and they both generally want to get in the act.  Nonetheless, I gave it a go.

It seems like ages since I actually did some serious photo work, but it felt great to be shooting again. Ever since I saw this shot from David Hobby’s London Workshop, I’ve wanted to emulate it:

 
Image © David Hobby

David covers the basics of how to pull off this shot in his Lighting 102 series on his amazing Strobist blog.  How did I do? Not bad if I do say so myself:

The wall isn’t as reflective as I might have liked, but I still got the effect I was looking for, namely that highlight on the wall to provide some separation. I got a flat out refusal at a wardrobe change from the model, (I’d have preferred him in some nicer clothes) so we may be doing another shoot, but I really like this one.

So I find out the other day from my co-worker that iRobot has a new home robot - the IKEA name sounding Looj (all that’s missing in an umlaut).  This thing is designed to run in your gutter and clean all the leaves out. Given we have a pretty big problem on the front side of our house, this thing looked perfect!  We have a Roomba already and the build quality is really good, so I’m assuming the Looj will be a good product too.

So what’s the problem?  No sooner did I order one do I get a notice they are backordered!  Worse off there is no ETA on when they will be in stock. If you are going to tell me you’re out of something, have the common courtesy to tell me when you might have more.  Even if its not a hard date say something like, "We expect them to be in stock on 10/25, but that date is subject to change."

What I really want to know if if I’m going to have to clean my gutters like an animal this fall, or if my robot servant will be doing my bidding before winter comes around.

I found this user submitted video on Runners World’s web site today (best I can do is a link, no embedding of their videos it seems.) One of the runners took this with what I’m guessing is a cell phone.  I can say I don’t remember it looking quite this chaotic when I ran through, but it was pretty close.  This looks like the earlier aid stations and I don’t remember as many people walking. Also, the desperate sounding cries of "water!" are not the runners, but the volunteers letting runners know they are holding out cups of water.

I didn’t see people dunking themselves in the above pictured fountain, but did see people wade into this fountain on the north end of Lincoln Park.  The image from Microsoft Virtual Earth looking East. The road at the bottom is Stockton. Click the picture to see it on Virtual Earth

My guess is the RW video is not the last, though I haven’t gone looking for more.

Update:  I guess all I had to do was look.  There are quite a few videos people shot on the course.  This one shows the fountain I was talking about (shaky at best):

I just got an email from Chicago Marathon Race Director, Carey Pinkowski:

Dear Runners,

For 17 years I have been honored to serve as Executive Race Director of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, a race steeped in a 30-year tradition of providing the ultimate marathon experience for runners.

The record high temperatures and humidity at Sunday’s race made for a challenging day for marathoners.  The conditions on Sunday presented me with the single most difficult decision I have ever made as race director. While that was a frustration to many, I stand behind the decision to end the race early– it was a necessary safety measure. However, I also recognize that because of the conditions and my decision, many of our runners did not have the experience they trained for and expected.

As an organization dedicated to providing the very best experience in the industry, the results have left us disappointed as well. Our team has spent the last several days reviewing the details and we are listening to runners, staff and volunteers. Rest assured that we take the day’s events - and your comments - seriously.

We are reviewing all details and feedback as we plan to continue the tradition of our race in 2008 and beyond. Offering the best experience possible to runners always has been our priority and it remains a commitment of the highest importance.

My personal gratitude goes to each of you, as well as to staff and volunteers, for participating in the race this year. I share in your disappointment, if you did not have the experience you expected.

I certainly hope to be able to greet you at our finish line in the years ahead, in the grand fashion that has characterized The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon for so many years.

Sincerely,

Carey Pinkowski
Executive Race Director

No real "sorry" in there, though he does indicate the decision wasn’t easy.  Also, there were rumors of a refund which didn’t materialize. Furthermore, a link included in the mail pretty much closed the book on that runor:

Q: Will the race offer refunds?
A: The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, along with others in the World Marathon Majors, has a long standing policy of no refunds.

Oh well - I never expected one.

One thing that does have me a little ticked off has been the reaction from the running community over all. Reading some of the comments left on the Chicago Tribune web site as well as on some blogs including some hosted by Runners World there is this undercurrent of blaming it all on a field of inexperienced runners. "They should have known what they are getting into!" "Chicago allows too many beginners who should never be running a marathon in the first place!" "if the entrants ignored their available information (including basic stuff like listening to The Weather Channel beforehand) in their “quest for gold”, then they’re idiots. And you can’t fix stupid. "

Yes, I was a marathon newbie this year, but I also didn’t just wake up on October 7th and say "Woo hoo! Let’s do this thing!"  No, I spent the year up to that point training, which not only includes a lot of running, but through that running includes learning how your body reacts to three, four or five hours of strenuous activity.  Learning how to hydrate properly.  When should I eat something? What should I eat? I’m guessing I’m not the exception to all the first timers in Chicago.  If someone did sign up on Saturday to run on Sunday (which was impossible since the event sold out in May), then shame on them.

Just don’t stand there and call people whiners when they complain that the water and Gatorade they a) paid $110 for and b) were told by the race organizers to drink extra of, was not there. Especially if you weren’t there.

I got an email this morning that the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon hit their cap of 1250 runners last night and they are increasing the field to 1650. Race Director Don Kern does expect the race to fill up by the weekend, so if you’re thinking of running in GR, I’d sign up sooner rather than later.

Another option is the IMT Des Moines Marathon on October 21. They are offering a $15 discount to runners who couldn’t finish the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. It also looks like they are extending the discount for runners from the Twin Cites Marathon as well.

Grand Rapids is a closer drive for me and the timing meshes well with my training. The only thing about Des Moines is I have family in parts of Iowa I could cajole into coming down. Nonetheless, some friends from Chicago have said they’re probably going to make a weekend out of driving up to Grand Rapids to come cheer me on.

I found this post from a volunteer at the second aid station. They were given 10,000 extra cups, and told not to refill their tables. Incredible. I feel for the volunteers there. When I came through, several runners were yelling at them. I personally thanked every volunteer I got water from - that job has got to be tough.

Doing the math things don’t add up. 10,000 extra cups for 36,000 runners? That is not much at all. Even the numbers from race officals only add up to a few extra cups per runner for the entire course.

I’m still determined to finish a marathon this year. To that end, I registered for the Grand Rapids Marathon on October 28th. I have a feeling I won’t be the only person from the Chicago Marathon up in GR. Timing-wise it couldn’t be better. All my long training runs were three weeks apart at the end (17+ miler, a 9 miler than an 8 miler). I’ll tack on a 9miler this weekend, 8 miles the next and should be in good shape for the race.

Overall, my body is doing well after the beating yesterday. No more sore than after any of my longer runs this summer. I’m pretty sure I’ll head out tomorrow morning for a mid-week run.

Update: I finished watching a press briefing with Carey Pinkowski and Shawn Platt. Some interesting observations.

• When asked what could have ben differently, Carey said they didn’t anticipate runners using water at the aid stations to cool themselves. They thought runners would go to cooling stations. They also put out sponges and extra ice. All of these were put into the later stages of the race, which (in my opinion) is where they failed. By the time they realized this, it was too late to move them.
• Carey was asked flat out if he was going to apologize to runners, he first dodged the question, talking about how he got a standing ovation at the post race party when he explained why the canceled the race. The report re-asked the question adding if they were considering a refund. He muttered that they were analyzing the possibility of a refund, but never once used the word “sorry.”
• This me completely speculating but several questions got at the “what about a refund” question. His dodginess around this seemed more from a standpoint of “that decision is still being made and I don’t want to commit to it” than a flat out refusal to answer. That said, they’d talk more about that later.

If I had to say where the mistake was made, it was thinking it was going to be hot on the second half of the course - none of the official cooling stations were on the front half - my first open hydrant was somewhere on Adams west of mile 14. What happened was it was hot at the start and they didn’t have cooling set up there. People used what was available, but in all reality, the course was not prepared for the conditions.

To put a point on it, I maintain closing the course was smart. Lots of people would have gotten hurt (maybe myself included). The reason the course had to be closed is not the weather, but how they reacted and/or failed to react to the weather.