cascade lakes relay 2013 - from the other side

For the past five years, I've made the trek to Diamond Lake to run one of the most scenic and challenging relays out there. Over the years, I've come to love every nook and cranny of the course - from the morning mist rising from Diamond Lake to the baking red glare of the cinder roads.

This year I experience the race in a whole new way - from the perspective of staff. At times exhausting, exhilarating and often hilarious, I felt myself growing as the hours progressed, and here, on the other side, I feel changed. It's hard to explain.

Still, I had my camera, and while I had limited opportunities to capture the beauty of the race I call home, I found a few moments when I had to stop my car and lift my lens.