For whatever reason, I gravitated to portraits and candids in the running world...Maybe it's connecting with the person or their feelings and spirit...Most of my cover shots are people in the act of running, so it's a rare treat and special honor when one of my portraits is selected. This one is of Laz taken at this year's Big Dog's Backyard world satellite championship. My connection to Laz goes back to the early 2000's, first via the UltraList. I don't think I've ever met someone quite like him, he's so complex, yet simple at the same time. He's been challenging others to be their best for a long, long time. His storytelling is world class, and his mind for crafting events that inspire the world are genius level. I've been lucky to have the opportunity to be on both sides of the lens around him and it was my experience attempting Barkley eleven years ago that made me want to come back years later as a photographer to try and capture him and the beautiful dark magic that Barkley and Big's brings out. For the opportunities to tell the stories, I am forever grateful to Laz and everyone involved. For the shot, there was no setup, just a few of us having a conversation with Laz while the runners were out on the loop sometime on the third day. @maggatronruns joked I had too many smoking shots, and I had enough smiling ones, so I sought out something more pensive and serious...Because at the end of the day, these events are the real deal in challenging people to their ultimate limits. As always, thanks to @amyalys and @ultrarunningmag for all the support! #bigdogsbackyardultra #bigsbackyardultra #bm100 #run #runner #running #trailrunner #trailruning #ultrarunner #ultrarunning @canonusa @bigdogbackyardultra