Over the last couple of weeks, I had the privilege to be featured in @casa_de_espanol ESTAMOS AQUI photography exhibition. This was my submission with the following description: My vision for this photograph has been years in the making. As I reflect on my time in the Sacramento area, both as a runner and photographer, I feel grateful to have been immersed in such a strong local running community.
I took this self-portrait because I wanted to dedicate my recent LA Marathon race to la raza. It’s for the hard work that brought us here today, for the resilience we show on a daily basis in this ever-changing country, and for the early mornings we sacrifice so we can all take one step closer to our goals and dreams.
Through my lens, I am drawn to the stories of fellow Latino runners -each of us navigating our own paths, our own struggles, our own victories. To witness and capture their pride for their roots is something I will never take for granted.
Es nuestra manera de decir ESTAMOS AQUí y estamos mas fuerte y unidos que nunca. _____________________________________________
I wanted to show that the community and runners I’ve met over the years have shaped who I am as a photographer and videographer in this space.
Thank you @casa_de_espanol@corremossacramento@entrelosrobles for allowing me to realize that my work goes beyond just capturing races/runners. As I continue to expand in my work in the running industry, a huge shoutout to @corremossacramento for igniting that spark for running and to @jasminsparkles for the support in those early morning alarms for training and race day coverage. To every local race that has reached out to me to work together, I truly appreciate your partnership and hope to continue providing marketing that speaks to ALL of us. The work continues 📸🎥
Back to the city I was born in.
Chasing the light through every corner of Oakland as runners chased their own goals was a privilege to witness.
Thank you @oaklandmarathon for bringing me home 🙌🏼
#oaklandmarathon
4 years since marathon #1… and this one humbled me. Big time.
Missed a couple key long runs in the 3-month build. Glad I listened to my body during those 2 weeks or else I wouldn’t have made it to the start line. During the race, I felt in control until mile 15 and thought sub-4 might still happen. By mile 17 the struggle became real, the sun kicked in, and my HR had already been in the 180s since around mile 12.
The last 8 miles were a BATTLE—lots of walking and watching my B, C, D, & E goals slip away. Even my “bad” marathon debut time? Gone.
At that point, the only goal was the finish line, no matter the time.
The last few miles were hard to process—hundreds of people cheering while the sun beat down on every exhausted runner to my left and right.
At the finish, I felt the most nauseous I’ve felt in years, dehydrated, and on the verge of collapsing.
Legs dead, mind dead, but proud of the effort.
4:37:30 A HUGE thank you to the LA community for not letting runners give up and for providing the best support a runner could ever ask for. I only wish I’d been able to fully enjoy that last section with you all—my mind just wasn’t there anymore. Considering I was able to run a 1:40 half just last summer, it goes to show that without the proper training, execution, and weather on your side, the second half of a marathon can take upwards of 3 hours. I am proud to say: I didn’t use a single cup on course (as I carried my own refillable water bottle) and threw my gels in garbage cans, even if it meant holding onto them until I found one. Didn’t want to add to the thousands of cups already on the floor.
Checked off my first goal of 2026- to finally run a marathon again. Seguimos adelante ✊🏽
#lamarathon
It’s always a blast working with @runcim262@sacramentorunningassociation
This video would not be possible without the thousands of runners and the community that comes out to support 🙌🏼
#californiainternationalmarathon #cim2025
