Self Assignment...

Iris - Lebanon, NH

Every once in awhile I like to challenge myself.

Today's "self-assignment" was to find and photograph at least two visually interesting subjects within 50 feet of my home.

Further more... the goal was both shoot and post-process the photos within 30 minutes start to finish. 

The genesis of this challenge came from a conversation I was having with a friend the other day.  I had been trying to explain to him what it was like to work as a news photographer in the mid-19080's when you had to shoot an assignment, process your film, edit negatives, make prints and write captions under a deadline.

While the technology of producing and distributing photos over a network has changed wildly in the past 30 years... some things have not.  You still need an eye for composition and content.  You still need (some) technical skills and you need to be able to function effectively under a deadline.

This image was shot with a Samsung mobile device and processed using PhotoShopExpress.  While I'm not a huge fan of shooting with mobiles the results can be good properly handled... and since it was also raining during this challenge to myself... I didn't really want to expose my DSLR's to the wet weather.

"Umbrella 2"

Umbrella 2

"Umbrella 2"

Since it's a rainy day today... seems like there's no better time to post another photograph from my recent "umbrella series".  And since I believe in giving credit where credit is due - I have to admit that these photos were inspired by a very good friend of mine and excellent photographer in her own right. :-)

Shot with a Nikon E8700 and processed in Nikon Capture NX2

"Teamwork" - 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers

"Teamwork"

This image is a throwback to 1979 when I was just beginning to cover professional sports for the local newspaper I was working with at the time.

I've always believed that some of the best sports photographs are not necessarily "game action" photos, but shots of the action "behind the scenes".  These are the photographs that give insight into the personalities and the passions that drive players to train hard and play harder to reach the pinnacle of their sport.  Which, in the case of these players, they did as I believe these are the hands of linebackers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert.

This photo was shot on the sidelines of a Pittsburgh Steelers game in 1979 and to me conveys just those ideals.  The touch of hands symbolizing teamwork.  The tape and ace bandages probably due to trying to "play though the pain" and prevent further injuries suffered during a long season.

Shot with a Nikon F2/MD2 and 300/4.0 lens on Kodak Ektachrome E-6.

"Umbrella 3"

"Umbrella 3"

Recently I spent a few minutes shooting a display of umbrellas in a local retail location.  And to be honest I was inspired to make these photos by the work of a very good friend of mine.

I was attracted to the different colors, patterns, textures and the mixed lighting present.

Situations like this offer endless opportunities to try shooting at different angles and focal lengths to create different compositions.  The mixed light sources (in this case daylight and industrial track lighting) can be used to enhance the colors in your photographs.

This is part of a series I did using an Android device and PhotoShopExpress.  I plan on returning with a DSLR to follow-up on my initial shooting of these colorful subjects.  

Stay tuned :-)

"Sea Grass" - Bunche Beach, FL

"Sea Grass" - Bunche Beach, FL

This image was shot early one evening as I was walking the beach in search of sunset photos... which weren't happening.

Turing my camera and attention inland and away from the ocean, I shortly came upon this composition.

What makes this photograph appealing to me is the sense of warmth, peacefulness and tranquility it conveys... which were the exact feelings I had while walking the beach that evening.

Over a year later I can still feel the gentle breezes off the water swirling around me and the warmth of the setting sun on my back.

A combination of compositional elements come together to make this image work.  Shooting somewhat tight on the grasses gives the photo an abstract and texture while the alternating strips of shadow and sun creates an almost 3 dimensional sense of depth.

Shot handheld with a Nikon D90 camera and Nikkor zoom lens... although I forget which one :-)

HRM1 vs MioLink...

This graph is a supplement to a comment I left on DCRainmaker.com concerning my results using the new MioLink optical heart rate sensor from Mio Global.

My testing was done using a Garmin HRM-11 chest strap (the original old style supplied with the Forerunner series units) paired with a Garmin Edge 500.  The MioLink was paired with the TrainerRoad indoor cycling application running on a PC.  Both tracks were recorded using the ANT+ protocol.

At the beginning of the activity the MioLink was intentionally moved on my wrist (Link was worn on left wrist) to create a "break" in the HR track for further positive identification of the MioLink's track.  As the graph above shows... after about one minute the tracks began to match fairly well and continued to do so throughout the activity.

Overall I would consider the results to be very respectable if you are using the HRM1 as the "standard" the MioLink should match.  Critical users will not that certainly, it’s not a perfect fit.

But personally I really believe power is the ultimate precision training tool anyway.  Heart rate is only a rough indicator of how hard I’m working because there are so many variables that can affect it. But power is power, whether you like the numbers on any given day or not.

However as a supplement to power (or when riding a bike/wo a meter) I think overall the Link would appear to do a decent job. Over the course of a long ride I really don’t feel the need for second to second correlation of heart rate with another device.

I think ultimately it would boil down to a decision about whether you want to wear the strap or not. And there are probably times I still would… like for longer events. If anything battery life is the biggest reservation I have about using the Link.

"Floating Leaf" - Centre County, PA

Floating Leaf - Centre County, PA

This is another one of my favorites from my "Black & White Period".  At the time I was heavily involved in trying to teach myself the "Zone System" (a system of determining exposure and film development) practiced and perfected by Ansel Adams. 

On late-fall a walk through the woods looking for subjects that would lend themselves well to experimenting with these techniques... I saw this leaf floating on the surface of a slow moving stream. 

I was attracted to the various textures and the range of tones... from a few near white grains of sand here and there to the deep blacks along the corners... all forming a frame for the remains of this decaying leaf.

Shot with a Nikon F2 with 55/3.5 Micro-Nikkor on Tri-x film.

"Mirror Image in Sand" - Starfish, St. Augustine, FL

Another image from early in my career as a photographer and a perfect example of what I've always said... "Some of your best photos will always be the result of complete accidents, dumb luck... or both".

Mirror Image in Sand - St. Augustine, FL.

This was shot made during a family vacation to St. Augustine, Florida.  I was about 18 at the time and our family had been staying at the Kon Tiki campground outside St. Augustine.

We'd been collecting shells and other treasures from the sea at the beach one day and set them all aside on the picnic table to dry out.

The next morning as we were packing up for the return trip home to Pennsylvania... I picked up this starfish and was delightfully surprised to see this image magically materialize right before my eyes.

I immediately grabbed my camera (which I think was a Yashica TL Electro-X the time) from the car and started shooting away.  It had a relatively decent quality Soligor zoom lens on it with a macro capability that I didn't use much due to the challenge of holding it steady enough to get good results.  But In this case I got lucky and was able to hand hold it well enough to capture this image on Kodak Plus-X film.  

As an aside I think this also might have been the first time I really had to make a photo under the pressure of a "deadline".  As I recall the family car with pop-up camper attached was pulling out of the campsite as I was shooting :-)

"Abandoned Farmhouse" - Pine Grove Mills, PA

Abandoned Farmhouse - Pine Grove Mills, PA 

I've always been really fond of this photograph... shot early on in my career as a photographer.

I used to drive past this abandoned farmhouse quite frequently on my way to work and was always attracted to it because of the (apparently) freshly painted white posts which stood out in stark contrast to the rest of the house.

Since I was "studying" the zone system at the time (a method of determining exposure and processing developed and perfected by Ansel Adams) this scene made for the perfect challenge to my rudimentary skills with camera, film and darkroom technique.  My goal was to capture the "glow" of the posts, the details in the shadows of each window pane and bring to life on paper what I saw in my mind.

Looking at this image 35 years later I feel like I succeeded :-)

Photographed with a Graflex 4x5 camera using Kodak Tri-x film processed in D-76 and printed on Agfa Brovira glossy surface paper.

"Sunset Stroll" - Bunche Beach, Fort Myers, FL

Sunset Stroll - Bunche Beach, Fort Myers, FL

This shot was made a couple of years ago during a casual evening of shooting at the beach.  It’s an example of what can happen with a little luck.

I had made about a dozen shots of this fairly dramatic sunset… trying to catch different patterns in ripples of water to play off the composition and shape of the clouds above.  All were good, but not great shots.  Something was missing but I wasn’t quite sure what.

However as soon as this young girl came into the left of my frame and continued walking down the beach… I knew that the missing element was the “human” element.  She added a sense of scale, motion and tranquility to the photo.

I shot 3 frames of her walking away from me down the beach… with this being the best.  The playful position of her arms, foot just catching the splash of a passing ripple and her reflection in the water make this photograph complete.

Shot with a Nikon D90 and 18-105 Nikkor lens.  

Capital - Old Main, Penn State University

Capital - Old Main, Penn State University

This photo was shot one day while working on the main campus of Penn State University.

I had done a series of photographs a few days earlier featuring some of the interesting architectural details found on many of the older buildings on campus.

Unfortunately that day the lighting hadn't been right to make this photograph and in fact it took me two more days of trying before I was able to shoot under the hazy overcast skies necessary to bring out the textures and details in this photograph of a capital on the columns of the main administration building know as Old Main.

Shot with a Nikon D90 and 400mm lens.

"Barnacle Encrusted Shell" - Sanibel Island, FL

Barnacle Encrusted Shell - Sanibel Island, FL

This photo was shot on an early morning walk along the "City Beach" on Sanibel Island.

I had forgotten to pick-up my cameras before driving from Fort Myers to the beach and only discovered I didn't have them when I got there.

"Midly" upset and armed with only an Android device I decided to try and make the best with what I had.

Although not of nearly the technical quality I would have gotten with my DSLR's... I still think this is a decent shot and an example of what can be done by anyone with the technology commonly available today.

Follow the Leader...

"Follow the Leader" - Sanibel Island, FL

This is one of my favorite images from a trip to Sanibel Island off Florida's gulf coast a couple years ago.

It was comical to watch this little bird follow around the gull... imitating it's every move.

It was like watching a kids game of "Simon Say's" or "Follow the Leader".  That, or the little bird was thinking "I want to be just like you when I grow up".

Either way I spent about five minutes photographing this "bird ballet" with a Nikon D90 and 300mm lens before the gull finally broke off and flew away.  

This photograph incorporates different elements of composition including the use of a shallow depth of field, 3/4 lighting and a low angle of view to bring you down to eye level with the gull.

"Colorful Plantings" - Old Main, Penn State University

Plantings - Old Main, Penn State University

This photo was taken on a slightly overcast day while photographing on the main campus of Penn State University.

I had already spent a fair amount of time shooting one of the most iconic landmarks at Penn State, "Old Main" which is the primary administration building on campus.

During a bit of a break I noticed these colorful, leafy plantings behind me.  They looked like they had promise, but something was lacking at the time so I went back to shooting the building.

Satisfied I had done what I could to catch some new angles on an already over-photographed subject, I turned around and went to pick-up my camera bag.  Just then the sun broke through a high overcast and created a mild back-lighting on these leaves.  That was all they needed to break into the vibrant and unusual colors you see in the photo here.

I used a Nikon D90 DSLR with a 180/2.8 ED lens close to wide-open to make this image.  This created the both shallow depth of field (which draws your eye to the main subject) as well as the vibrant and well saturated colors.  The back-lighting effect adds to the photo by creating a 3-dimensional feeling and is what really caused the colors to "pop".

And no, this was not PhotoShopped :-) 

Mt. Moosilauke - Aplenglow

M

Mt. Moosilauke - Warren, NH

t. Moosilauke - Alpenglow.

This photo of the last rays of sunshine falling on the western slopes of Mt. Moosilauke was shot on a cold and windy fall evening from the summit of Mt. Cardigan in Orange, NH.

I had hiked to the summit to witness a relatively rare astronomical event.  Sunset and moon rise were both going to happen simultaneously (or at least within 5 minutes of each other) that evening and I thought it might make for some interesting photographs.

My first thought about how to illustrate this event had been to try for a panoramic that included both sunset and moon rise in one photograph, but the brisk and windy conditions on the summit of Cardigan crushed that plan relatively quickly.  

Changing up my approach, I set up 2 cameras, one facing east to shoot the moon rising over Newfound Lake and the other facing west toward Mt. Ascutney in VT for my sunset photos.  Both cameras were mounted on "mini-pods" close to the ground to try and minimize any wind induced camera shake during what would be long exposures.

As the moon come up and the sun sank below the horizon, I managed to shoot the equivalent of about 5 "rolls of film" while laying on my stomach and trying to time my shots between 25 mph gusts of wind.

This photograph of Moosilauke (roughly 27 off in the distance), is one of my favorites. 

Shot with a Nikon 8700 at 1/8 second.

Moss & Pine Needles on Forest Floor

Moss & Pine Needles on Forest Floor - Cardigan Mountain, 

This photo is one of a series I did a couple years ago exploring the colors, patterns and textures of the forest floor.

Shoot while hiking on Mt. Cardigan in Orange, NH it features elements of all the above.

My style of photography tends to focus on use of long lenses (a result of my years shooting sports) or looking for the patterns, colors and textures that occur in Nature and "zooming-in" on them to produce a different and visually interesting composition.

Shot using a Nikon Coolpix 8700 camera using close-up mode and a very slight amount of user controlled fill flash.

One of the biggest challenges in making this photo was all the black flies that were trying to eat me alive while I stood still long enough to grab the photo.

Door Knob, Enfield NH.

Old Door Knob - Enfield, NH

A few years ago while traveling I was attracted to the texture of the wood and the layers of dust on this (apparently) unused door.  It seemed like the perfect place to spend a few minutes exploring with my camera.

I spent about 10 minutes shooting various details of the door knob and wooden panels and ultimately decided I liked this composition the best.

Initially I thought this shot would stand on it's own without any post-processing but it just wasn't happening. The lighting was to flat and the range of color throughout the original image was to limited.  I tried a black & white conversion but that still didn't make the image "pop" and catch your eye the way I wanted it to...so it sat unseen in my files for the next 5 years.

Enter the age of "apps"... which didn't even exist when this photo was first shot.  Yesterday using PhotoshopExpress I experimented with increasing the color saturation throughout the image and pumped up the contrast a bit resulting in the final image above.

Although I don't feel apps should be used as a crutch in the making of good photos... they can be a useful tool.  What's possible in photography is changing almost daily and it would be foolish to ignore that.  Applying new technologies to older photos can breathe new life into images that didn't quite "make it" before on their own. 

Shot with Nikon D90 and 105 Micro-Nikkor lens.  Post processed in PhotoshopExpress mobile.

"In the Weeds"

"In the Weeds"

This image is a good illustration of the interesting effects you can get shooting in mixed lighting conditions.

Shot late in the evening along a rural roadside it combines elements of backlighting and mixed color balances. 

Backlighting is a technique that can be used very effectively to highlight the main subject in a photo from a darker background.

The rich greens in the foreground are a result of the warm (colored) evening sun backlighting the weeds while the cooler blues are a result of having no direct sunlight hitting the background, which is largely in shadow.

This image is basically "straight from the camera" with minimal post processing in Nikon CaptureNX.

Old Main Bell Tower

Old Main Bell Tower - Penn State University Main Campus

The Old Main bell tower is instantly recognizable by anyone who has attended or visited Penn State... and it is no doubt one of the most photographed sites on campus.

The challenge for any photographer is how to shoot it in a new and visually interesting way.

This photo was an experiment in trying to do just that.

While not for everyone... this photo was post-processed in Nikon CaptureNX using the "Levels and Curves" adjustment to vary the intensity, density and value of the original colors.

Purists, traditionalists and straight shooters will probably not care for the result or techniques used to get there... but there is no doubt that digital manipulation is a technique that is here to stay.  It's at least something worth experimenting with next time you're shooting the "Same Old".  The results could surprise you.

Overheard...

Would You Really Want This Women as Your Personal Assistant?

I don't normally make a habit of eavesdropping on other people conversations... but sometimes they make it to easy.  And sometimes they are just to funny & I'm glad I did. :-)

Overheard recently in a public place:

Women on phone - "Yeah, I was driving my bosses car and this little yellow light just came on that says "Tire Pressure Low"... how do I make it go out"?

Android Simplicity

Paper Lanterns - PowerHouse Mall, Lebanon NH

Sometimes it's actually pretty incredible to me what you can do with a cell phone camera and a free photo app these days.

As someone who started their photography career using manual everything cameras, film and needing a darkroom plus 2 hours of time to see the results of a shoot... it's pretty amazing.

This photo was shot on the fly with an Android device and post-processed in Adobe PhotoshopExpress.

All in about 5 minutes :-)

While not gallery quality... what the average person with little to few technical skills can produce today both scares and impresses me.  

Hummingbird

Hummingbird

Hummingbird

Good luck sometimes plays a significant part in making good photos.

Despite using professional equipment and having a high level of technical skills, every (honest) photographer will tell you that some of their best photographs are the result of just "Getting lucky".

That was the case in this photo.   This was actually shot near dusk and during a light drizzle.  My expectations were not high while shooting but the birds were putting on a good show while feeding so I figured, "Why not?"  Like a few other posts this photo is a good illustration of shooting tight to maintain maximum quality while still allowing some cropping options.  The lens used was a mid-range telephoto shot wide open (out of necessity in low light) and to create the shallow depth-of-field which directs you eye to the main subject.

Shot using a Nikon DX format DSLR with a 300/2.8 ED lens wide open.  On board fill flash used. 

Duck - State College, PA

Duck - State College, PA

After many years this photo is still one of my favorites. 

This is an example of shooting tight to maximize image quality.  The challenge when shooting this tight is to maintain a "useful" composition which still gives perspective editors and art directors some options on how to use your photo.

This photo also illustrates the use of a wide aperture and shallow depth-of-field to focus attention on the main subject.

Shoot with Nikon F3 and 400/3.5ED Nikkor lens... probably close to wide-open.  Original on Fujichrome 100

"Weathered Metal 1"

"Weathered Metal 1"

This photo was taken as an exercise in use of texture, color and composition to transform an everyday object into something visually interesting and different.

This is part of the handle on an old barn door.  The handle probably dates to the early 1900's and the door was obviously in need of painting. 

However both the weathering of the metal and paint over time made for an interesting composition.

Photo shot using Nikon D90 camera and 55/2.8 Macro Nikkor lens.

Sunset - Mt. Cardigan, NH

Sunset, Mt. Cardigan, NH (Fall 2013)

Sunset - Mt. Cardigan, NH

This photo was made on Mt. Cardigan in Orange, NH.

Shot on the way down from the summit during a full moon hike it is an example of a classic silhouette and near far composition.  The shot would not have worked as just a sunset with nothing in the foreground to add some interest.

This photo was shot using a Nikon 8700 camera using a long exposure and mini-pod.

Results...

Results!

After about 2 months of using Trainer Road and 5 weeks of following one of their training plans, I believe I am seeing some truly measurable results.

The graph at left shows 3 rides of the famous (or infamous) Sufferfest video ISLAGIATT.  My latest ride was yesterday and is represented by the green line(s).  As you can see, the bold green line (which represents average power throughout the ride), is consistently higher than the other two and by the end of the ride my average power was almost 9 watts or 5% higher than on the other 2 rides.

At "first glance" you might think a 5% improvement is pretty minimal, but over the course of a two hour ride that's an extra 1.1 miles on my total distance!  Not that I race much, but in a business where wins are sometimes measured in centimeters and fractions of a second that's huge!

Now granted it's indoor training and not on the road.  And there are some variables that could affect my (absolute) power readings.  But as I have noted in a previous post, I have found the results produced by Trainer Road to be very consistent.  Each time I ride I use the same gear ratio (39/17)@90 rpm to check my power right after warming up and then again during my cool down... and it's always the same within +/- 1 watt.  You can't ask for better than that.

So I believe the results to date to be real and would highly recommend the Trainer Road system and the Sufferfest videos to anyone looking to improve their riding results this season!

http://www.trainerroad.com/features
http://www.thesufferfest.com/

Bon Voyage Sufferlandria...

It's with a heavy heart and burning quads that I leave the country of Sufferlandria today. Passport stamped and '85 Yugo rental car returned, I prepare to cross the border back to what's considered by most to be "civilization". Yet I've developed a fondness for this interesting country. I suspect I will have to return again this time next year to revel in it's charm & endure unspeakable pain, misery & agony. Bon Voyage for now... and as they would say when you come face to face with a rabbit with sharp pointy teeth... RUN AWAY!

The Sufferfest, TrainerRoad & the Tour of Sufferlandria...

"Blender"

Stage 8 - Blender.

Well, here we are on the eve of Stage 9 in the Tour of Sufferlandria.  With 8 full stages of suffering and misery complete... there's only one short, hour long stage to go. It's a sprint workout planned for the crack of dawn (Sufferlandrian Local Time).

While hardly "out of the woods" yet (or more accurately, out of the somewhat "backward" & "developmentally challenged" country of Sufferlandria)... I'm already starting to reflect on my efforts in this year's Tour and my plans to return in 2015.

@TheSufferfest, @TrainerRoad and of course @GrunterVonAgony put together one of the most epic athletic events of the year (the Sochi Olympics will pale by comparison) and are to be congratulated for wringing out the most suffering, pain, agony and cries for 'My Mommy" possible from every rider in the peloton.  Ultimately even top tier talent like @thejensie got sucked in.

Now I have to admit I came by the tour rather "accidentally" Ok... I was told to say that to protect the guilty.  Actually it was ride the ToS or endure 15 unfocused hours per week on the CompuTrainer for the next 6 weeks as punishment from my DS for indulging in to much Holiday Cheer. The choice was clear.  I packed my bags and was on the next plane, and then a rusty cargo ship and (finally) a rented 1985 Yugo GV!  However after what seemed like more suffering than the ToS could possibly dish out... I arrived in Sufferlandria on the eve of the Tour.

Now riding with such intensity as required by the Tour (and GVA's Minions) is not how most coaches would recommend spending your "off-season".  But it is a genuinely inspired event!  The overall quality, brilliant editing and completely entertaining Sufferfest videos make 2 hour trainer sessions fly by.  In fact they leave you wanting more!  "Can I have another one Sir?"  Well, in fact yes you can... It's called "Extra Shot".  The workouts are pro caliber and designed to get the most out of you.

Kudo's also go out to TrainerRoad.  They have developed a program that allows you to train in a structured fashion using either virtual power, heart rate or actual power if your fortunate enough to own a true power meter.  I'm not... but the important thing to note here is that absolute power is not as important as the consistency and repeatability of results.  And Trainer Road delivers on that... for the whopping sum of $10.00 US per month.  You can't beat it... although the same can't be said for the Minions who WILL beat you with a stick as soon as they see you drop a watt or two during the next interval.  And let's not forget the lava pool at the top of Mt. Sufferlandria where it's rumored the occasional dropped rider has "mysteriously" disappeared.

Crying, groveling, stem chewing and sore muscles aside... the results form the Tour have been tangible, measurable and worth it.  The supporting screen shots below should give some clue as to the intensity of and benefit to be gained from riding the ToS.

Finally... "Shut up legs!" Yes it was worth it.  Now if I could just pass my Sufferlandrian citizenship test :-)

Tour of Sufferlandria - Stage 6 Report

Tour of Sufferlandria Stage 6 - Done!To view the suffering click here

And just in time because at the end of the third interval, I began to sense a soft, warm glow begin to crack the gloom of my "Very Dark Place". I was feeling all warm and fuzzy inside & thinking, "This isn't so bad, I expected much worse".

Turns out the warm glow was from Sufferlandrian lava, flowing toward me like a tidal wave about to engulf another dropped rider. Worse yet, riding the crest of the lava wave was a Minion on a surf board, stick in hand & cursing at me from behind to increase the suffering or meet my well deserved fate.

Thankfully just as I was about to feel the crack of the Minion's stick on my back and the heat of the lava was about to melt my rear tire, I found some "inspired power" and rang a new 2 minute watt-based PR out of my suffering, wretched body.

Now, time for some recovery for tomorrow's stage. Bring on some of that hearty Suffererlandrian Ale & any left-over porridge from this mornings breakfast.

To view the suffering click here: http://www.trainerroad.com/tour-of-sufferlandria/dmengle

First Bike...

Heading out

Wow. This faded Kodachrome slide brings back memories.  Taking off for a spin on my first bike... complete with fenders, rack and headlight.

Used it to ride to school and deliver newspapers on the weekend.  How times have changed.

Now It All Makes Sense...

“The chances are great that the best potential athlete in the world is an overweight, sedentary smoker. Right now sitting in front of the television somewhere is this person born to be the world champion in cycling and to dominate the sport as no one else ever has…

The problem is that he never had the opportunity to discover his ability.”

-          Joe Friel, author of the “Cyclists Training Bible”.

Wow, as we used to say back in the 70’s when I was a kid… “That’s heavy man”.  A scary thought, but I have no doubt it’s completely true.  And it makes me that much more grateful and appreciative of the fact that I had the honor to be coached by people like Jackson Horner (State College Area HS), and in later years Harry Groves (Penn State) throughout my “career” as a middle-distance runner.

Now even though I was actually a pretty decent runner it was clear I was never going to the Olympics… or even going to consistently win all the “Big Races” in my own backyard.  Yet these guys both spent countless hours and expended considerable energy working with me and my team-mates to bring out the best in us.  To allow us to “Be all we could be”.

And no doubt inspired by Jack and Harry a few of my former teammates have gone on to become coaches themselves.  Bill Kvashay and Dave Felice both work with high school kids in northeastern and central Pennsylvania.  Bill has produced some very respectable runners at Lake Lehman HS and Dave continues to work in his hometown with many promising kids at State College.

However, despite all I owe my coaches and teammates… even more instrumental to my (modest) success was the constant and unwavering support of my parents and family.  At the time, I’m sure I didn’t really realize, understand or fully appreciate the amount of time, energy and resources they put into supporting my running.  But without them I couldn't have taken that first step onto the track.  I can only hope all the late night pick-ups at practice; weekends given-up to attend meets and occasional “breaks-in-stride” both on and off the track were worth it for them.  It was (and still is) to me.

And now circling back to coach Friel’s observation…

Pardon the pun… but a few years ago I “shifted gears” from running about 1000 miles a year to cycling 7000.  On more than one occasion various people have accused me of being crazy, OCD or even worse to ride as many miles, spend as many hours in the saddle and push myself as hard as I do each year.  And to some extent they might even be the tiniest bit right. But I’d rather think it as my way of honoring the family and coaches that showed an interest in allowing me to discover my abilities early on so I didn’t have to wonder if I was “That guy on the couch”.