Training Day with Craig Alexander

As the year winds down, I can finally look back and show you some of the shoots I never had time to blog. (As it turns out, blogging just takes up too much time to do regularly like I used to.) Today's treat is a shoot I did for Inside Triathlon (a branch of Competitor Magazine). They did a video production called Training Day with Craig Alexander. It's an inside look at the then two-time World Champion, Craig "Crowie" Alexander, preparing for race day at Ironman Hawaii where he would go on to claim his third title. The mini-movie was published on the web, and can be viewed here.



I was brought on as the still photographer for the promotional shots they would use for the video. It was an amazing opportunity to see one of the world's finest athletes in top form, and discover what it takes to be the best.



The day began with a 110-mile training ride up in the mountains behind Boulder, Colorado. As Craig put it, it's a tough ride, but when this is your office, it's not a bad day's work.



Craig keeps good company: beside him is Mirinda Carfrae, and she was the defending World Champion coming into the race this year.



Here's what the years of training will do to your legs.



Most of the time, Crowie was all smiles...



...but sometimes he was strictly business.



I was part of a crew of four who followed Craig throughout the day. Bob Babbit, the founder of Competitor, stopped Craig a few times to interview him about how the day was going.



After the ride, it was a lonely run for Craig, with 12 mile repeats at 5:30 pace. Insane.



His face is a mask, but he was working to the limit here.



Back home, one of my favorite shots is just Craig sitting, zoning out, and taking in the day. He would go on to win the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii just a few weeks later. Congratulations, Crowie!