Trail Running and Photography in Central Oregon

This last week, Lynsey and I got to go to Central Oregon for a few days on vacation. While there we did 3 trail runs. The First along the Metolious river, the second along the Dechutes river, and the third around Smith Rock. Today we topped it off with about a 10 mile trail run along the banks to Vernonia rails to trails. So 4 trail runs in a week . . . good vacation. While in Central Oregon there was a fire forest fire burning near sisters. For some whose homes were in danger it is scary, and a tragedy. But for me as a photographer, it was about as good as it gets. The picture above is one of about 1000 images I took over the last few days. On top of pictures at sunset, after our trail run at Smith Rock, the beauty of the place inspired me to get up at 4:30 in the morning to go get some sunrise pictures of Smith Rock.

I would like to invite you to view 18 of my favorite images from this last week . . . just click here.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these images on canvas or as framed art, just let me know.

If you would like to see our family vacation photos (almost all unedited snap shots), which includes some pictures of our trail runs. Just click here.

Enjoy Summer!

Spring Burst 10K

Today I ran the Spring Burst 10K to support the Micah Project, in Honduras, and to test out my training. It was my best race I have ran so far. Everything was working right for me. I ran it in 52:43 which was a PR for me (my last one was 58:23), and I hit my goal pace for the race to the second (8:30 min/mile)!

I placed 16th overall, out of 88 runners in the 10K.

Thanks Darin and Trisha for the great race! It was a blast!

My First Biathlon - The Aluminum Man

No, not the winter version combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. This is the Maui version which combines swimming and running. Lynsey and I had plans to come to Maui to celebrate our 8th anniversary, so I set out to see if I could find a race while we were here. What I found was the Aluminum Man. A 1/2 mile swim, 1/2 mile beach run, and a 3 mile road run. Here is the "run" down on the race.

First of all, big props to the race organizers. They did an amazing job, everything was clearly marked, and they carried the spirit of Aloha into the race.

First Leg . . . the 1/2 mile swim.
We had an ocean start at the race . . . which was a little challenging as the surf was high, and waves were crashing into the beach. In addition, there were rocks every where and as I was making my way out I smashed my foot on a rock. But I got over it quick as I put on my fins and snorkel mask. (Yes, this was a not so serious race, so they let you do whatever you want . . . as I have never swam competitively, I thought I would use fins for a little help). =)

They said "go", and we were off. This was a tough portion of the race. We swam down the length of the beach. There were several currents and strong waves really made you work for your half mile. It was hard for me to know exactly how to pace myself as I have never done anything like this. But before too long I fell into a rhythm and it felt strong.

The highlight of this section was passing a large green sea turtle in the water.

My time for the swim portion was 16:57.

The 1/2 mile beach run.
As I was getting out of the ocean I was looking forward to this next section. Running. Something I have a little more practice at. But it wasn't more than a few steps before I realized this section was going to be harder than I thought.

Everyone had to make a choice here. Do you run where the sand is hard, which was at a very steep angle, and every couple seconds a huge wave would crash in trying to drag you into the ocean, or do you run up on top of the slant where the sand was very soft, and it was hard to get any forward motion.

I went back and forth, but finally opted for the hard sand, trying to fight it out with the waves. I pasts a few people in this section, but was moving rather slow as I was recovering from the swim. It has never taken me so long to run a 1/2 mile before. But oh well . . . i am in Maui!

Beach run . . . 6:20

Transition
From the beach you had to run to your shoes, they had a baby pool full of water to get the sand off and your running shoes on.

My transition time was 1:33.

The 3 Miler
After the beach run, it felt so good to be in running shoes! It took me about a mile to find my stride, but then I was off. The course had some gentle hills, and of course it was beautiful. I was able to pass a few more people in this section.

After the two previous sections, I didn't have a lot in reserve to rock this leg. But I gave it everything I had left.

My time on this portion was 26:37.

Total Time: 51:29

As a reward for running a race on vacation . . . Valentine's day of all things, I took Lynsey to brunch at what used to be the Maui Prince (they have a new name as they are going through foreclosure), and we ate sooooo much incredible food, it gave me the food sweats while I was eating.

It was amazing!
Oh yeah . . . I almost forgot. For dinner we had my favorite Hawaiian treat Shave Ice.

Maui . . . On a Budget

While most tourist are paying top dollars ($$$) to ride on a crowed boat, be forced to go where ever the captain wills it, and are left fighting to get a view from the side of the boat: there is a well kept secret on Maui. With a little muscle and only $60 you can rent a two person Kayak, come along side the same whales, snorkel the same waters, and even pack your own PB & J in the dry bag they provide for you. Not only are you being eco-friendly and burning calories, you also don't have to deal with the crowds, and can see God's creation the way it was meant to be seen peacefully.

So today we rented a Kayak, and headed out to see some whales and snorkel the south coast of Maui. It was incredible.

Below you can see 3 videos I took today on our trip, as well as a few pictures. I am sure at some time in the future, there is a good chance I will post more photos.

I am looking forward to what tomorrow will hold . . . as it is Lynsey and my 8th Anniversary!

A Few Pictures

Things have been going great in Honduras. So many God stories along the way, and we are beginning to see the pathway coming together to take us into the future. To see pictures from the last few days . . .

Click here.

Sight in Honduras

There is a story in the bible where Jesus gave sight to a blind man, and he saw for the first time. I saw Jesus do the same thing in people's lives today . . . giving sight to the blind.

For many of us it is easy to have a vision for the future. To be able to see what it could be . . . what it might be one day if we give ourselves to something today. For some, it is difficult to envision what the future looks like.

For a couple years I have had a shared vision with others about our church sending the Wiggs family to launch a vocational school in Honduras so that street kids who are addicted to glue, and have no hope for a future might be able to be trained for a vocation, find a new life in Christ, become self sustaining, and make a difference for others in Honduras.

For those who share this vision, it is easy to see, and know what a street kids will become if they are willing to leave the glue bottle behind and start a new life. But while inhaling the toxic fumes the street child has no vision or hope for the future. Their mind is numbed by the glue and they are blind.

For the Micah Boys, they are not street kids any longer . . . they have left the glue behind, and are beginning to see in new ways. For a while they have heard about a "vocational school" starting at the Micah project. Something distant and something they really didn't understand. But today it is becoming a reality.

the Vocational School is beginning with simplicity. A few wielding stations on the top of the roof at the Micah house (which by the way to enroll you have to start a discipleship program, and get involved in a local church). It is a humble beginning, yet it has launched . . . Brian just recently purchased the tools and materials to put it together.

As the tools came in a few of the Micah boys eyes got wide open, and they are beginning to see the school take shape. Our "future" vision is becoming a reality as Brian taught Eric to cut metal with a torch. Eric has had a rough past and has struggled with addiction. But today he saw with eyes wide open a clear pathway into the future as he made the first official cut with the vocational schools first tool.

As I sit here in Honduras on this warm evening, it is hard to describe how amazing it is to see a once future vision start to become reality.

On our journey today, not only did we make the first cut in metal in the Vocational School, but we got to go to the streets to play with and love on the street kids. Later we headed for the city dump where 1000+ adults live and work with their families . . . some 250+ children.

While we were there we handed out bread and water, and got to talk with them for a while. The AFE school (which was started by the Micah Project), is trying to give vision to the children of the dump. Loving on them, and teaching them so that they might have a future out side of the dump. A future outside of the dump is hard for them to see when they were born in the dump and have lived there their whole lives. They have no idea of what life for anyone is like outside of the dump. Yet some of them are beginning to see.

It is not only Hondurans that are gaining sight today though. My other two friends who traveled here with me and I are beginning to see as well. As Doug and I see the effort we have put into this project so far, and the difference it is only beginning to make we are reminded that those who want to keep their lives will lose it, but thought who want to give it will find it. I over heard Doug saying today "this has been the best day of my life." He has traveled the world, he has seen more things than most people dream of . . . I have also had my share of nice vacations and lived for self, yet nothing compares to the fullness of life that you feel when you put your life aside, and see what that one act does for so many others.

I wish everyone could see . . .

The Malibu Marathon

It finally happened. After over 12 years of wanting to run a marathon I finally did it. This last year I have been on a journey of training my body to run the 26.2 miles. My year's journey lead me to run my first half marathon last June, log my 1000th mile of recorded running, and last Sunday run through the finish line of the Malibu International Marathon.


Race Day . . . Pre-race:
We (my wife and I) woke up at 4:00 Sunday morning, and started our day with a bowl of cereal, a banana, and a quick shower rushing out the door at 4:30 . . . to make it to the buses by 5:00. After sitting in the buses for a while, they took us from the finish line up to the starting line. It felt like the longest bus ride of my life (I think it took over 45 min.) and the realization hit home that I was going to have to run this entire way back. I settling into my seat, and tossed down half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to complete my breakfast.

Once the buses dropped us off we had to wait around in the cold for another 45 minutes or so until the race began.

Race Day . . . the first 10 miles.
The first ten miles of the race were great. We ran through farm land in Camarillo. We began the race doing everything right. We started with a slow pace that was going to take us through the race and help us finish strong. Running right at 11:00 minute miles.

The sun rose over the Malibu hills, and we felt strong. Our only complaint was that the first 9ish miles or so the porta-potties were lock. It wasn't so bad for me, but Lynsey was in need of one. She held it, but I can't say that for all the runners. Yeah . . . avoid eating this season tomatoes from Camarillo. =)

Race Day . . . miles 10-13.
Miles 10-13 we still felt strong but they were incredibly difficult. As we came around the point just past Fort Mugu, the wind started to pick up and developed into a head on wind that was extraordinarily strong. It was the type of wind that blasts sand into your legs, and feels like needles going in your skin.

It was unknown it was going to be like this the rest of the race. Should we walk through the wind to conserve our energy or should we go for it? With idealistic determination we muscled through the wind. I have never ran so hard to travel so little distance. My heart rate was up over 200 as I fought through the wind. Lynsey got some water at one of the aid stations, by the time she lifted the cup to her lips the water was blown all over her. Big props to the volunteers who manned that aid station all day. You guys are the real heroes!


Race Day . . . miles 14-18.
Miles 14-18 were really nice. We were into the heart of the Pacific Coast Highway with beautiful views of the Ocean to our right and canyon mountains to our left. The wind had died down, and so did our pace to help our bodies recover a little from the previous miles with the wind. We thought we would bring it down a little in hopes to still finish strong. For the most part we were still feeling good and enjoying the run.

Race Day . . . miles 19-26
Mile 19 . . . the hardest mile I have ever run in my life!!! Several things converged all at once. Here they are. 1) The sun . . . I don't do well in heat. It was only 75 degrees out, perfect right? Not so much. After my heart rate being up my body was working too hard to cool, and the heat was starting to get me . . . I think I was developing a mild case of heat stroke. 2) I hit the wall hard and my body didn't want to go on. 3) Mile 19 was were the course started to climb in elevation, I was staring at a big hill in front of me. 4) My body stopped processing the electrolytes I was taking, and the water wasn't getting where it needed to. The result? My leg cramped . . . actually locked up and knocked me off my feet into the guard rail on the side of the road! As my calf muscle balled up near my knee, and my quads followed the example, I was sitting on the guard rail unable to unlock them. Finally I stood up anyway, and used my weight to free them.

So what do you do? You only have two options . . . continue on or drop out, and there was no way I trained for a year to drop out of the race. I would finish if I had to crawl the last 7 miles!

For the rest of the race my legs were cramping off and on. At times it was cause me to stumble a little, while other times it just hurt. About mile 21-22 I caught a bit of a second wind, and running became a little easier.

As we made our way through the 6ish miles of hills we decided to walk up the hills and run down them. This helped, as I had a had a chance to rest a bit on the up hills.

By mile 23, I was quite nauseous, stopped sweating, and was turning into a pillar of salt.

Eventually, I saw the 26 mile marker, and I have never been so glad to see the number 26 in my life. (By the way, I would like to take a moment to thank the boys and girls club of Malibu for making all the mile markers! Great job!)

The last couple miles were down hill so we coasted on through the finish line to finish in 5:37:31 (with an average heart rate of 184 for the course. yikes.). Not really a good time for a Marathon. I was hoping for something more like 4:45. But hey, I finished! And I had over come a difficult course and didn't stop even when my body wanted to.

Highlights . . .
1) My wife! She ran the whole course with me even though she could have smoked me (as heat doesn't bother her). This race was a testament of her love for me, and she kept me going! Love you honey (incase you are reading my blog).
2) Though difficult, the course was amazingly beautiful, and I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. Even through the pain, I was able to enjoy the beauty of God's creation. I guess like life it is what you choose to focus on as you journey through it. In my case, should I focus on the the trashed quads or the gorgeous beauty all around me? I tried to choose the beauty.
3) Playing leap frog with Barefoot Ken Bob. Not only was he in a recent addition of Runner's World Magazine, he actually runs marathons barefoot! Nice guy. We passed each other enough times, that I finally stopped the race to ask if I could get my picture with him.


4) Our friends the Swanson's, came down to run the race, and cheer us on in our first marathon. It was so good to see them smiling at us at the finish line. Hanging out with our very own post run at In and Out burger. Then off to the hot tub at our hotel.
5) Speaking of hotel . . . our $54 a night hotel was the best place we have stayed when comparing value for your dollar. Thanks Good Nite Inn.

In Conclusion . . .
Though we could hardly walk the next two days, by now, the pain as all worn off and is a distant memory. But the accomplishment sticks with me, and will for the rest of my life.

I now turn my sights to my next race the 10K give and gobble in Sherwood on Thanksgiving morning. I ran the route today in preparation, and did it faster than my race time last year. It felt good to get out there, and run a shorter distance faster!

Much love to all who prayed and supported me on this journey (especially Lynsey) . . . I couldn't have done it with out you!

To see more pictures of our vacation and race, click here.

Westside Christian HS Senior Discount

If you are a student at Westside Christian High School, and you get your senior photos taken in the month of October with Jon Knapp Photography LLC, you are eligible for 10% off the price of the digital images should you decide to purchase them.

Here is more information on Pricing and Contact.

Wedding Photography

It wasn't too long ago that I officially photographed my first wedding. I am pretty familiar with the wedding scene as I grew up playing guitar in weddings, being ushers, and candle lighters. As I got older I began to be a groomsman, then best man, while still playing guitar in weddings. Then I became the groom!!! (My favorite wedding ever!) More recently I began officiating weddings as the pastor (in fact I am doing that later today over on the coast), and this year marked the year I took my photography business to the wedding scene.

I love weddings, and it is fun to be able to see weddings now from the photographers stand point. Trying to capture the amazing moments, and create a few as well.


Here are some of the images that I got from the wedding. I will also put a link at the bottom of the page with a few more pictures to view.


































http://photography.jonknapp.net/photography/geist/

Laughlin Family Pictures

I was recently able to do a photo shoot with the Laughlin Family. The family is very photogenic, so my time with them was fun, and I am pleased with the images we got.








It was especially meaningful as their oldest Stephen was home for a little over a week from the Navy. So we were able to take pictures of him while he was in uniform. You can view more photos of the family here.
























































Now is a great time to get family pictures done as the weather is nice, you can use the pictures in a couple months for your Christmas cards, or even Christmas gifts!

East Coast Trip

This month was the first time that I have gotten to visit the East Coast. We packed our bags, Lynsey's parents and grandma, and headed East to visit Family in Connecticut. While there we took a couple of day trips. The first to New York. We left at 4:30 am to catch a train into the city. While there we got to visit Liberty and Ellis Islands, see ground zero, times square, Rockefeller plaza, and central park. The city skyline is impressive to see, and I was doing my best to capture a couple of worthy photographs of them.


Our next day trip was to Boston.

While in Boston, I was excited to see the rich history the city has to offer, so I drug the family along the freedom trail, which is a line that goes through the city leading you to sites of historical significance in Boston. On the left you can see a picture of the Old North Church where Paul Revere road his horse into town to light the lantern warning of the invasion by the British (though at that point we were all British, a technicality they like to point out on the trail).

The picture to the right is said to be the oldest pulpit still in use in the United States. Made in 1717. You can find it at the King's Chapel in Boston. Being a pastor that sort of thing interests me.

And of course no trip to Boston would be complete (if you are a runner) without a picture of the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Maybe someday, I will run across that legitimately (without blocking traffic with my camera!).



If you are interested in seeing more of my picture from the trip, I have broken them up into 4 different links.

For my favorite pictures for Boston and New York click here.

While there I also took some nice pictures of Lynsey's family. On this site you will also see Ashley's (Lynsey's 27 year old Cousin who past away last February) graveside. To see the family pictures click here.

The rest of the pictures I will link are more of snap shots to document our travels. If you are not already board to tears looking at pictures (or if you have nothing better to do.) you can see more family pictures here, and a bunch of miscellaneous pictures here.