Lost But Found

Well, it's been about a month since my last posting, so I figured it was time to get with the program again! I may seem like I got lost there for a while... but I'm found again.

About a week after the OBX Marathon the family packed their suitcases for a Thanksgiving holiday south of the border. We spent a week at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula with family... where the weather was warm, the ocean was aqua blue, and the margaritas were perfect. Definitely a reason to be thankful, huh?

I did not forget my training and ran while I was there. However, this was what I probably looked like (imagine a pony tail):

 The heat, the terrain (mucho hills, baby), and the recovering muscles all posed a challenge for me and I was pretty disappointed with my performance... but that's okay. I tried my best with my goals in mind and at least I can say I gave it what I could.

I also kind of took my "portrait photographer" hat off for a while and just turned into a tourist. In fact, most of the photos I took were of the kids splashing in the surf, my husband flying around on a jetski, the family chowing down on a big plate of nachos. I wasn't thinking about fresh angles, or backgrounds, or anything. Just enjoying the moments as best as I could without worrying so much about whether I was capturing them perfectly in photographs. Sometimes you just have to stop worrying so much about things and soak it in. While you can.

I did catch a few (very few) shots that I considered kinda "cool":

Sunrise sky with cactus silhouettes.

"THE" margarita in Todos Santos.

Pretty church window in Todos Santos.

My adorable niece, 13 months old now.

Baby girl and her Daddy.

Another sunrise shot. Always a lovely beginning to the day.

Back at home now and somewhat recovered, I'm trying very hard to fall back into a routine.

The holidays are so busy and demanding for everyone that I haven't had any requests for picture taking. I was kind of hoping I'd have a few projects lined up for Christmas card photos, but I made two realizations:

1) I haven't even had time to take portraits of my own kids for our cards. My OWN kids! It's just too hard to find the extra time.

2) Christmas cards are rapidly declining in popularity. I've only received 5 with a little over a week until Christmas. With the use of email and Facebook, people are going "green" and resisting the age-old tradition of the physical card, envelope, and stamp.

Who can blame them? I didn't send out cards last year. I was lucky enough this year to find an acceptable picture, run out to Wal-Mart and get those one-hour-pre-made-budget jobs.

But even though things are slow going in the photo-taking department, things are picking up in the training department.

I have now attended two Team In Training group runs, and I am sooooo enjoying it! It's motivating to have others around you with a common goal and purpose... it just propels you along. I've found a partner (of sorts; I just try to keep up with him) who I will use as a pacer to reach my goal in the marathon, and we've had two great long runs on the trail. I'm beginning to feel really optimistic about my performance in March, which is what I really hope for. To run my best... not for myself, but for others who need the support.

As far as fundraising, I've hit a bit of a lull. I expected this since the holidays tend to be a time when a lot of extra dimes aren't really lying around. I was so thrilled, however, at the response to the "spare change" jar at our veterinary hospital. In the first week I raised $20 in donations. So sweet! And so appreciated!

GO TEAM!

...and have a wonderful holiday. Soak in the meaning of our celebration.

 If you are in the spirit of making a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during this season of giving, please click on my donation page where you can donate safely and securely. If you have already donated I thank you so very much.

The Long Run

Just wanted to post a bit of an update on how things are going.

 To quickly summarize, I joined The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's local chapter of Team in Training last month. I chose an endurance event (The Shamrock Marathon here in Virginia Beach in March, 2012) and over the next few months I will attempt to train and raise money for the organization and run in honor of my late cousin, his family, and all of those who have been affected by this disease. And as extra incentive for support, I am offering to take portrait photographs in exchange for donations.

For those of you that know me, running has become a staple part of my life and it may seem not such a great feat to run another 26.2 miles when I have already managed to cross the finish line before. Perhaps it might seem to be "just another race" for me. I have a few people in my life who think running crazy long distances is just that... crazy.

Perhaps they are right... but I do have a little background story for those who are interested in how I became "crazy."

Just a few short years ago I was the very definition of the anti-runner. Besides having a history of hating running since my early days in high school (I even cried once during a one mile run and was ridiculed for my emotional breakdown), I was the typical run-down middle-aged person trying to juggle a demanding job, marriage, motherhood, and domestic needs... leaving very little time for anything else, especially exercise (or so I thought). Besides, who would want to do something that makes your body ache and brings you to tears? No way. Not for me.

But two things happened in 2008: my cousin became ill with leukemia and I realized I was unhealthy in my own way, and I had a choice while he didn't. I made the "crazy" and out-of-character decision to start training for a half marathon... not just a 5K or 8K to get my feet wet. I signed up for the Virginia Beach Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon with my sister, and we collectively raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It was my way of coping with the circumstances.

Training was so hard. I struggled to breathe, it was hot outside, my legs ached and I never, ever felt a "runner's high"... but I made a commitment so I just did what I could. I started to see little bits of progress. I confess I never felt great. Running was still a struggle, but I started to see that I was starting to gain more endurance than I had in my teenage years. Who would have thought that possible? If that isn't motivation in of itself I don't know what is. 

But the biggest realization I made was that running was a fight for me. It symbolized a battle, and I refused to lose. I hated it, but I didn't want it to win. I thought of those who have REAL battles in their lives and they stay strong and refuse to give in to defeat and weakness. They get knocked down, but then they just get back up and fight on.

So I ran that half marathon. I sure didn't break any records, but I finished and the feeling of overcoming   that enormous belief that I was never capable of such a feat could not be put into words. 

And then I was hooked. I was ready to keep on fighting. Other things happened along the way... I became healthier in mind, body and spirit. My immunity improved, my fatigue became less and less, and I was just in a better mood. I started to realize that this journey has put me on a better path. I started raising the bar for myself, believing that even though I am getting older, I still can get better. It's never too late to fight for wellness and strength, however you can achieve it.

When my cousin lost his battle to leukemia earlier this year, running has never meant more to me. He was one of the biggest reasons that I started this journey, and I often think of him and his AMAZING attitude during the height of his illness. When I am at a low point during my run and my body feels weak, his face appears in my mind and I remind myself that there is strength within if you refuse to give in to the voice that tells you to quit. 

So...

Last weekend I was in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, running my second full marathon.

Here we are, approaching the Wright's Memorial with the rising sun in the background...

 And being that I considered this "just a training run" for my performance at the Shamrock, I was so proud to wear that Team in Training shirt for the first time.

Because, Shamrock will be different, and not "just another race." This time I will officially wear the jersey and make this the strongest performance I can possibly do. I'm going to give it all I can.

Any donations towards the fight against blood cancers is sincerely appreciated. Some of us run, but running isn't for everybody and we all have our own ways of "not giving up." There's a cure... an answer out there somewhere that can end this disease and secure a brighter future for those fighting it.

Thanks for reading this and if you're inclined to support my efforts, then come and visit my fundraising page.

The Wind Blown Look

Haven't had any "official" portrait sessions in the past week or two, but my camera's been getting a workout nonetheless. We attempted our annual campout this past weekend on the shore of North Landing River with friends and neighbors, and the weather was a little more than we bargained for. Cold wind gusts of up to 40 mph can really put a damper on things... but we put on our best faces and went into survival mode.

This spot is always so pretty. Without the overcast cloud cover, we usually see a magnificent sunset from the shore. Not this time.

And despite the wind kicking up sparks and embers that had us occasionally running for cover, the fire provided some much needed heat!

Thank goodness for delicious warmed, spiced wine for the adults and hot chocolate for the kiddos.

Hot chocolate makes everything mo' bettah.

Just some "here and there" shots of some of the kiddos. I wanted this picture of my son to demonstrate his lack of ability to drink a beverage cleanly. You should see him with Kool Aid. Almost a teenager and the table manners of a toddler... anyone have a napkin?

A friend from school, who came along for the first time this year. Wonder if he will show up next fall?

And a shot of my neighbor with his son on the shore. Yeah we missed the gorgeous orange sunset this year, but little rays of light poked down through the clouds and gave this image a pretty cool effect.

So... I attended my first Team in Training social/"meet and greet" last week. Seems like a great group of people. I have my training schedule all worked out, and once Thanksgiving is over, it's time to kick things into high gear. Updates on my progress to follow (for those who are interested).

Again, I want to thank those who have been so generous and donated to my fundraising effort. I am already a little over 50% towards my goal, and I am just so honored. This truly means the world to me. If you are interested in donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of my young cousin's battle please visit my fundraising page. And if I can take some portraits for you in exchange for your donation, please contact me and I will be happy to set a time up.

And thanks so those who have asked me to take family portraits for their holiday cards! More images to share soon...

A New Vision, A New Project

While Hurricane Irene looms about 100 miles south of us and I still have electricity, I decided to lay some groundwork for a project I started dreaming about a few weeks ago.

Those who know me are aware that I lost my young cousin to leukemia this past May, and like anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer or disease, grief compels us to wonder what we can do to honor their memory and continue their fight.

I have few hobbies/interests outside of my career, but the two things I seem to do most to cope with stress and express myself are running and photography. I wondered one day if there was a way I could apply my interests into a larger goal of raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

My first decision was to register for the Nation's Triathlon in September 2012, with LLS's Team in Training. After researching what is required to participate, I realized I had quite a bit of fundraising to do over the next year. I've always had trouble feeling comfortable just outright asking people for money. While I am blessed with friends and family that are generous beyond description, I thought my vision might be easier to attain if I had something that I could give back for their generosity.

So that's where my love of photography comes in. My background is minimal; I took a photography class in high school (back when we developed our own film and processed our own prints) and a couple of self-tutorials for my digital SLR, but I am by NO MEANS a professional. But I have a love for faces and portraits.

When my neighbor's daughter turned thirteen I offered to take portraits of her for her birthday. We hung out on a winter morning in my sunroom and just played around with the light and her pretty face. These were my favorite shots from the session:

So... after that session I had a couple more requests from friends to take photos, and a new little hobby was born.

So my "brilliant" idea is to offer to take portraits for a small session fee, which will be a donation to my Team in Training fund. I haven't worked out the specifics yet... such as how much the fee will be (I think it will depend on the situation), but the planning is underway.

Until then, I will use this blog and a Facebook page to showcase my work, and try to generate interest. I figure once the kids are in school I'll have a little more time on my hands to give this project it's due time.

Any comments, questions, ideas, suggestions, advice are welcomed! And thanks for reading!