LIVESTRONG Marathon, Mariachis and More with sabrina bean photography

February 20, 2012

I don’t run. I take that back, I don’t run for fun. I tried years ago and I will say it did make me feel wonderful afterwards, but my knees..not so much. So I gave up my ishuffle ( rather, I lost it)  and threw out my running shoes…(donated)

I truly admire those who run for fun and exercise, those who run for awesome charities like the Livestrong foundation and those who set goals for themselves to prove they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.  Running clears your mind, running feels invigorating when your heart is pumping, you feel what it means to be alive!, I get it, I do. I’m pretty sure that’s why so many people are doing it these days!

"That's fine; we runners are, after all, up for a challenge.” Bill Rodgers

Which is why I attended the LIVESTRONG Marathon in downtown Austin the other day.

When I first moved to Austin a year and half ago, I came across a magazine that had a similar picture of the marathon, and I thought to myself.. ( I want to photograph that one of these days! -I stared at the picture and was amazed at how many people there were, all running for a cause, all trying to make a difference! It made me feel like there was hope, that Austin was going to be the city where people got things done, where community was vital and people were inspiring.) Austin is that city! 

Taken from the 56th floor. The highest shadow on the right is the Austonian

As the race date was approaching I decided I wanted the shot of all the runners going down Congress Avenue in my portfolio. I made a few phone calls and was pleased to hear back from The Austonian. The highest building in Austin,TX with 56 floors.  It is also the highest residential building in the U.S West of the Mississippi and in my opinion the classiest. It also happens to be right on Congress.

The Austonian

I was so excited the morning of the race, I barely slept the night before. (and I wasn’t even going to be running!)  I arrived at The Austonian a bit early to make sure I had the right angle for the shot. They were so generous to let me shoot from the 40th floor with a beautiful balcony view of the Capitol, but when the race started they didn’t come down Congress they went around it instead. I quickly left the 40th floor and headed down to the 10th floor, but not before I took some shots from this height.

Not too shabby to see this from your living room.

I was eye level with Frost Tower and the helicopters that were flying by.. I felt like a bird.

The Sunrise was spectacular

I was in awe.  It was pretty cool just to be up there, good thing I’m not afraid of heights.

Eye level with Frost Tower. wow.

While in the lobby waiting to be taken to the pool, I  met a very nice resident who guided me to the ’10th floor residential exterior’ (the pool area)   A perfect view of the runners running down South Congress “as far as the eye can see.” ( always wanted use that in my blog

“I want to run until I can't run.” Bill Rodgers

WOW! I love when I’ve thought about a particular shot for so long and then it comes to fruition…. it makes me appreciate what I do even more! I am so blessed to share my passion with others!

"Run hard, be strong, think big! "-Percy Cerutty

I am so proud of each and every single person who ran, jogged, walked…entered! 20, 000 people ran in this marathon! That number astounds me! What’s even more astounding was that at one point of the marathon, 1,000 people passed by per-minute! The vibe of all those thousands of people was exhilarating, intoxicating and very inspiring. ( I even tried the treadmill when I got home)

Everyone in life is looking for a certain rush. Racing is where I get mine. -John Trautmann

"If marathoners finish they win." -Dr. George Sheehan

There can't be two identical photographs in this world. Not even if it is from the same photographer. - Anonymous

"Remember the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running." -Sarah Condor

"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." -William Faulkner

What really got to me and made me get all misty and say out loud “I love Austin” was that they had a Mariachi band playing for the runners. People singing along and cheering on the runners from the sidewalks. The “gritos” that came from runners, the smiles it put on their faces, the encouragement was so up-lifiting.  I stayed at that mile marker for awhile to hear and feel the love from all around.

I spy a Mariachi band!

Methinks that the moment my legs began to move, my thoughts began to flow." - Henry David Thoreau

“Music is an outburst of the soul.” Frederick Delius

For more bean photos become a fan on Facebook.  

About these ads