I woke up waiting for the runners from the Syracuse Half-Marathon to thunder down my block in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood for the third year in a row.
It’s become a happy day for Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle, my dear wife Karen and I.
We happily discovered them by mistake at the mile 5 mark on March 25, 2013. Ellie B watched from our living room picture window.
On March 23, 2014, it was 16 F, but I ran out there to snap the 1,600 runners cover the hill in front of our Little Bitty and more of the course around our cherished house.
Today, just as cold. What’s up with that?
Brr. Repeat. Brrr.
Come 9 a.m., I began to get a bit worried that I hadn’t heard or spotted any marshals coming down the street to place orange cones for the runners. I had given them a grace period because of the snow that had fallen overnight. Maybe they’d delayed the 8 a.m. start, I was thinking. But, that little nag …
I called up the event’s site. Clicked the course directions. They’d turned the runners a block above our hill. On went my jacket and Jets cap. I stuck my iPhone 6 into my jeans pocket and walked briskly up that hill.
Cheers resounded from the crowd of a half-dozen and police.
As I reached the small knot of fans at the corner, I heard them exclaim that the first woman was streaming up the street toward us. I got her picture as they cheered enthusiastically.
Root, root, root for the runners.
One woman agreed with me that she was disappointed that they’d altered the course to turn before the steep hill to our right. One of the policemen said he’d heard that the race director toured the course last year, spotted the hill, and ordered the change for this switch.
Cold weather, hot runners.
I marveled at how the white snow, city neighborhood and determination of the runners to cover the 13.1 miles added to a great Syracuse scene, and took more pictures approaching, around, and down the side street.
Heading to the corner.
Taking the turn.
And away they go.
Hill in glory.
That’s what the race director chose to cut out for the runners this year. Maybe they’d have wanted to tackle it.
Thank you, runners, for your efforts adding to my art. I hope your times and my city and street made a good match today.
And now to make this Post Two in my Black-and-White Challenge response to the tag from PriorHouse.
A turn in the shadows.
I chose this shot for black-and-white because of the sun spot in the top left corner made the color tones dark and moody.
My hill, again.
A similar photograph in color made my quite happy. I wanted to see if it had the same effect in black-and-white.
My tag in the challenge on this one goes to Radical Rumblings, my new friend from Photo 101 from over by the Mersey.
Mark Bialczak 
WOW! Those runners have some stamina! The last race I ran in started at 7 AM, and it was cool outside (like around 60), and it felt like my lungs would burst from the coldness! I mean, it felt great on my skin, but just not to run in. I can’t imagine running when there’s snow of the ground. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your hill photo both in color and monochrome!
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These runners kicked it, Rachel. Thanks, I’m glad you like the photos!
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Really love the B&W’s on this post. Nice juxtaposition, Mark.
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Thank you, Fannie. I think you would have liked to be on my block for this event.
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I believe you are right. 🙂
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Whew- just don’t know how you braved those crowds. 😀
the photos look great Mark. i especially like the black and white of the hill on your street. It lloks like 1950’s . neat effect.
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I’m pretty sure our house was built in 1951, so it could be that era, Paul!
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We had a local run this weekend, as well. Yesterday, in fact. Poured rain…I felt terrible just watching.
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You were out there. Good for you, Aud.
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way to run after the missing runners, mark! love the bw too
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Thanks, Beth. I hustled right up that snow-covered hill. fastest 400 I did in … ever.
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How fun! They came on your street this year? Did you know that you have ads on your site? If you see ads on my site will you please let me know. Why do you put out cones for them??
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I have ads on my site because I signed up for the WordAds program, PJ. I get paid through it. Not a lot, but it’s figured by how many “Impressions” your site gets. Views, in other words.
The runners have come on my street three years now, PJ. This is the first year they veered off and did not come right in front of our house.
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That is awesome that you can sign up for that. I didn’t realize they had that program. I figured it had something to do with the popularity of the person’s blog because I only see them on popular blogs. I got confused on your post, I thought you had said they didn’t come down your street this year and then at the end it sounded like they did. That is nice that you get to enjoy them!
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My street has three blocks. They ran the first two, made a left, and missed the third block, the one I live on.
Anybody can sign up for WordAds, PJ. Google it and you can get the application. If you’re approved, you pick out where you want the ads — some folks take them up top and at the bottom, I notice, so probably get paid more — and they put the ads on for you.
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That’s interesting. Is it worth it?
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I make more money than I have to pay for my customized blog, by a couple of times the annual fee, PJ.
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That’s awesome! Since a person has to “apply” for it then I probably wouldn’t be approved. Haha! (My blog isn’t as popular as yours is).
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Don’t talk yourself out of it, PJ. Get the online application and apply. You have nothing to lose. I’ll talk you through it by email if you’d like me to help.
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Do you have to have a “upgraded” Theme?
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I don’t think so. I’m not quite sure, PJ. If you Google Word Ads, it’ll pop right up for you.
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I sent you a message in a comment.
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I thought, well, why not. I sent in a request for an application and they told me that when my blog reaches a certain amount of traffic that they will get in touch with me. (I may be waiting for a long long time. LOL)
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Good for you, making the contact, PJ! Maybe the threshhold will be met soon. 🙂
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Maybe… I’m not sure what their threshold is or how far I need to go. It will be interesting to find out.
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Cold weather, hot runners is a great shot, enhanced by the fact that the front runner is floating. Your hill is glorious both in colour and back and white.
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Thank you, RR! It was quite the morning to shoot these athletes. The floating was a wonderful stroke of fortuitous timing. Or good luck, in other words.
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I liked the brilliant lime green, red and colored details in the color shots. I mostly love black and white when it comes to portraits and old photographs. I felt this to be a great effort, in the brisk cold air and loved the post! Having stood out watching my brother in all kinds of weather, I could relate to your comments!
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You are a true and loyal sister, standing out in the cold to root on your running brother, Robin. Of course, that’s what I expected. 🙂
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Thank you, Mark! I loved how blue the sky was and still cannot get over how the road down the hill had so much snow left on it! Smiles, Robin
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They did not plow it, with the race skipping my block this year, Robin. We had an inch or two overnight before the race. Yes, the sky was a bright blue by race time. I liked that part of it. 🙂
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I particularly like the “Cold Weather, Hot Runners” shot, Mark. How fun, to live right by the route! And more fun to live right by the kitchen and easy access to hot cocoa.
🙂
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I had to warm my hands on the coffee cup the size of my head when I got back in the Little Bitty, Babe. Whew. Coooooold shooting those runners. Thanks for your kind words.
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You are always welcome, Mark.
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Can’t beat the dedication of runners, even in cold weather! Mark I love your neighbourhood and all the wonderful photos you shared; I especially like the first B&W, it does carry an interesting mood. ❤
Diana xo
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Thank you, Diana. Cool city neighborhood street I live on, right? Little houses, big hearts. Thanks, my friend. You’d fit right in. Move here! ❤
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Nice pictures. Maybe you can get one of those go cams and run it next year. Now that would be epic. Has that been done before?
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I bet is has been done before, Benson. Hasn’t everything cool? Now what hasn’t been done before is me running a race. Not cool.
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I have to give those runners credit where credit is due to run in such cold weather, and of course, you, cuz, gets credit too for being out in that cold to photograph the run. Brrrr is right. It snowed here too! What’s up with that? Great shots and my fav is the hill in black and white. Good job! (((HUGS))) to keep you warm, cuz from the west
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Thank you, Amy Rose. I feel warmer already. 🙂 Praise be.
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Darn if the Spring birds are not here, but the warmth is not! Gee willikers! I was draped on my couch with many of my cats this morning, face turned up to the sun, just soaking that warmth through the window in. Ahhhhh ….. now for the real deal. COME ON!!! We just better have a GREAT SUMMER, Cuz! We are due!
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We are overdue, dear. 🙂
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AMEN!!!
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