A Few more Pics

Our picture diaries don't always line up, so I'll try to fill in the few blanks that Keith left. It's Memorial Day, and if a leaping catch in front of a gigantic American flag isn't patriotic, I don't know what is.

(not even close to the biggest flag we saw)

Early in the trip we got a jump start on yearbook photos for next year. Part of being fast is being smug: here Keith nails the stair-strut and the pursed lips half-smile.

You're not going to keep this b-boy from walking it out on the grass.

The next day we hit the links for some L3 training, making sure that we dressed to the proverbial tee.

Golf is really just the means to a greater end, like looking' real fly, wading around in the mudflats looking for balls, and playing with little snakes that you find.

Though layering helps disguise it, don't think for a second that any of us changed clothes for the duration of 5 days. Or showered.

Our 3:45 A.M. wake-up call was so successful that it's going to become a staple for Sunday morning runs next fall. Forget making it back for brunch, we'll be waiting in line for breakfast to open at mission post-4am workout.

Don't let those smiles fool you, it's 5:10.

Undaunted by sleep deprivation, Matt strides it out to LFO on the 5th interval in 5X4 level 4s. Note the seamless transition from Chacos with socks to running shoes. Mix your training with fun, listen to Summer Girls, and take naps.

Acadia, Blue Hill, etc...

Along with our buddy Matt Cranshaw, Evan and I started the summer off with a little swing up the Maine coast. Matt and Evan left Williamstown at 10:30 pm and arrived in Jackson at 2:30 am, where we spent a couple nights. From there it was off to Maine.

Matt

We arrived at Evan's grandparents' house that evening. They live in East Blue Hill, which is a beautiful little town on the ocean. We hit the water for a sunset cruise- Matt and I in Kayaks and Evan in his beloved skiff. Matt fell in twice.

He did some impressive water-treading and boat-emptying and
eventually we got back to the shore.

Quite literally the view from out tent- full moon included. We woke up at
4 the next morning to catch the 5 am sunrise. We woke up excessively early.

But as we had no places to be nor people to meet, a mid morning nap was
in order. Matt, in sweatpants and winter hat, is a total jamoke.

After the nap, we did some running intervals on the majestic road that
runs along the shore. Two people drive and blast music, while the third runs all out for
a mile. It's really the only way to ensure adequate intensity.

A good time was had by all.

Evan has some other photos, which he will probably post soon.

Name That Animal

Today, Casey and I came across a common sight at the top of the Taconic Ridge.

(Porcupine!)

Unfortunately, we couldn't get a better picture of one of the (apparently common?) ridge-dwelling porcupines. When we tried to approach it and ask it for a photo-op, it raised its quills and glared at us like we were making it watch reruns of Hannah Montana episodes. So we got the hell out of there.

(Looking into eastern New York.)

Instead, we fueled our inner animal and continued on to the snow hole. There, a blanket of leaves still insulated a thick snowpack, a not-so-subtle reminder of the culmination of this year's training next winter.

(Casey checking out some nice quartz veins.)

After a brief water break in the hole and an interesting geology discussion, we continued on down from New York into Vermont, where we followed a logging road down to Northwest Hill Rd. and back home.

Despite our inconsequential porcupine incident, the important thing that I find on these long runs has everything to do with a wild animal. As I become more and more accustomed to long workouts, I find that I take an increasing amount of pleasure from running for more than two and a half hours. (I never had a single workout longer than two hours until last summer) No matter how long they are or how much rolled ankles hurt, the endorphins are always there to pick me up at the end. I just need to be able to find my own wild animal inside to want to go out exploring, and to want to put myself through a little pain.

It has taken me a while to find that wild animal, because I definitely did not have it in high school. This year was the first that I had a real hunger for training, and in reality I am glad it is coming so late. It makes my goals for the future that much more exciting. My wild animal is still growing. As for Casey, this was only his third year skiing. He will come with a vengeance next year, which should strike fear into the hearts of all his competitors.

Williams in Alaska

A gorgeous Saturday morning in Anchorage, AK found a handful of Williams skiers - shown above: Fiona Worcester (09), Coach Smith, Sam Sterling (09), and Dylan Watts (06), - joining a couple dozen other nordies for some crust skiing in the mountains on the edge of town. 38 degrees quickly warmed above 50 with no clouds in sight, and the sparkling white terrain met a sparkling expanse of blue on the mountainous horizon.

Sam takes in the grandeur (that is him, little dot, center-pic)

Sam stops for a breather. It is impossible to ski easy out there!

Fiona and Sam cross the mountain base into the valley

The Big Splash Preview

Because Phil missed the Big Splash in the fall due to a bout with the Swine Flu, we decided to preview next year's big tour with a big run. We included David Kealhofer, a cross country runner, who has been running with us lately. Because it was forecast to be 85 degrees by mid day, we decided to set out at 5:40, before the heat wave set in. We had all been up late the night before, but we warmed up as we headed down north hoosack road towards the Appalachian Trail. We took the AT to the beginning of the Schnell, and followed the Schnell to the top of Greylock. We then took Roaring Brook Trail to route 7, where we encountered the world's longest straightaway. Although we were only on route 7 for two miles, it felt like hours. After a brief break, we took a dirt road to Oblong road and to the Phelps Trail. By this point, temperatures were verging on unbearable, and running became tougher as we approached Berlin. The view from Berlin, though, was pretty incredible, because we could see where we had been on Greylock several hours earlier. We made it onto the RRR, but had to flag down a car to take David back, because he wasn't feeling so hot. After ensuring he was ok, we made it home and collapsed at Mission, where thankfully, the dining hall was much cooler.

Training Season Kick-Off: O.D. on the A.T.

There is a section of the A.T. that runs from Williamstown to Rt 9 above Bennington, VT. Yesterday a group of us ran from campus and started up the trail just as the heat waves started crashing onto the hills. We began with 70 degree temps and ended above 80 which was quite a shock to the nordic system, but fortunately there were several streams and lakes along the way - and even snow patches on the high hills! - to help cool us off.
17 miles was tough this early in the spring, but the woods, early flowers, and hilltop scenery was gorgeous enough to keep us truckin'.
Today a couple of us raced in a "Run for the Cure", which is a benefit for cancer on a course that hits every steep hill near campus in a 2.5 mile loop. Another hot day, above 80 degrees - so a post-race jump in the Green River was a must! Atay was second, Mojo third, Robby just behind. Meanwhile, Aubrey booked past the recreational walkers for a women's win.

The first 1.5 miles up to the top of Pine Cobble were the steepest: Dimitri, Evan ,Erik hoof it up the hill.

Evan and Keith run through the woods just at the Vermont border

Erik takes a breather

Evan tries to get a view of where we are

Keith looks across the valley from a high point

Snow patches from the early week storm provide delicious material for Gatorade slushies

The trail had a lot of fallen limbs and trees from the winter - fun obstacle course

Aubrey takes a cool-off dip in a beaver pond along the trail.

Evan in the shade of a beaver tree and lodge.

The last half mile was a doozy to tired legs and knees: straight downhill on stone steps.

Cooling our legs in the river at the end

The finish at Route 9 and looking forward to icecream. . .