How a Half Marathon Reflects My Photography Journey
This past weekend, I took on my first half marathon in over eight years. To give you some background, I ran track in high school and a bit in college. Over the years, I've been running on and off, using it as a meditative practice that helps me think things through and quiet my mind. It’s also my time to catch up on podcasts and listen to YouTube interviews.
Just like running, photography has been a constant in my life, providing a way to express myself and explore the world. Both require patience, persistence, and the ability to push through difficult moments. Whether I'm capturing a perfect shot or pushing through the final miles of a race, the sense of accomplishment is deeply rewarding.
As the miles added up, fatigue began to set in. The last stretch of the race was particularly grueling. My legs felt like lead, my breath came in ragged gasps, and doubts began to creep in. Could I really finish this? Did I have the strength to push through?
This experience made me reflect on my journey with photography. There have been countless times when self-doubt has crept in. Moments when I questioned my skills, my creativity, and whether I could truly capture the essence of a scene. Just like in running, there have been stumbles—missed shots, failed experiments, and frustrating days when nothing seemed to go right.
Around mile 12, I stumbled and fell. The pain shot through me, and for a moment, I lay there, contemplating giving up. But something inside urged me to get back up. I took a deep breath, pushed myself to my feet, and started running again. It was far from a graceful finish, but crossing that line felt like a victory over every doubt and fear.
In both running and photography, the key to pushing through these moments is self-compassion and perseverance. It's about understanding that setbacks are part of the journey. When I stumbled in the race, I had to forgive myself for the fall, pick myself up, and keep moving forward. Similarly, in photography, I’ve learned to embrace my mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures.
This weekend, despite the setbacks, I was reminded of why I love both running and photography—they keep me grounded, help me focus, and provide a space for reflection and growth. Finishing the race, even with all its challenges, felt like developing a roll of film and finding unexpected moments of beauty in the negatives. It’s these moments that make the journey worthwhile, teaching us resilience, patience, and the beauty of perseverance.
Before race look.
Post race.