My newest training edit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAZfj9VX8gU&feature=youtu.be
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
S U M M E R !!!
Hello from Minnesota, land of 10,000 hot dishes! (Actually, the official count is 11,842, but for some reason the sloganeers thought 10,000 had a better ring. And, if you include our lovely jello-concoctions, the number is actually 21,871.)
I have found that lately, my mind, untethered from the strain of essay writing and choosing what to eat for brunch at Driscoll, has started to turn to mush, kind of like the middle of a green-bean casserole. In this state of raised mushiness, I've started to forget some things, so I decided to make an acronym to ensure I keep track of what season it is. (I'm sure many of you are feeling something similar so feel free to adopt this helpful memory aid.)
Sweating - With the volatile mixture of following the training plan, hot and humid weather, and just generally existing outside of air conditioned spaces, sweating has become one of my daily (hourly?) activities. But don't worry, I've been getting in the proper hydration by having a sip of water or sports drink every 15-30 min round the clock.
U-betcha! - Despite the sometimes cringey sayings and lack of mountains, it's good to be back in the midwest, where people know what 'hair binder' means and don't sleep in alcoholic beverages (I like to sleep in my room, not my rum).
Mosquitos - For the month of August, I'll be working at the same summer camp Nick Gardner works at up in Northern MN, leading kids on canoeing and backpacking trips and swatting away the numerous mosquitos and black flies that call the Boundary Waters home.
Mountains - Minnesota might be pretty great, but I had to get a dose of the mountains in sometime this summer, so I flew out to Truckee, CA for a training camp with the group that I've been training with this summer, Loppet Nordic Racing. We did lots of amazing mountain runs and uphill rollerski sessions and overall, it was a blast. The highlight of the trip was, of course, seeing Dylan's smiling face and having him join us on the run to a sick-gnarly waterfall.
Escape - Unfortunately, the Truckee camp wasn't all fun and games, as the group was hit by a stomach virus midweek that successfully knocked out 16 of the 33 athletes present. Sugar Bowl Academy had been kind enough to let us stay in their dorm for our trip, but as many know, this style of living does tend to encourage the spread of sickness and paranoia. One full day of training was canceled and instead devoted to being very sick, cleaning, and generously applying lysol, bleach, and hand sanitizer to everything. I fortunately was able to escape the plague, but lived in fear for the rest of trip that I was going down next. (Perhaps the third wave is still coming...)
Racing - Racing the New York Times mini crossword, that is. As we all know, summer is NOT the time to be getting in lots of L4 race efforts, but I have to let my competitive spirit out somehow, so the NYT mini crossword has become the new arena.
Summer's been a blast so far, but I'm also excited for fall to come- new classes, new teammates, new coach, new friends, and, best of all, a new acronym!
I have found that lately, my mind, untethered from the strain of essay writing and choosing what to eat for brunch at Driscoll, has started to turn to mush, kind of like the middle of a green-bean casserole. In this state of raised mushiness, I've started to forget some things, so I decided to make an acronym to ensure I keep track of what season it is. (I'm sure many of you are feeling something similar so feel free to adopt this helpful memory aid.)
Sweating - With the volatile mixture of following the training plan, hot and humid weather, and just generally existing outside of air conditioned spaces, sweating has become one of my daily (hourly?) activities. But don't worry, I've been getting in the proper hydration by having a sip of water or sports drink every 15-30 min round the clock.
 |
| Sweating it out on a run in June |
U-betcha! - Despite the sometimes cringey sayings and lack of mountains, it's good to be back in the midwest, where people know what 'hair binder' means and don't sleep in alcoholic beverages (I like to sleep in my room, not my rum).
 |
| Oh for cute, what a nice midwestern sunset! |
Mosquitos - For the month of August, I'll be working at the same summer camp Nick Gardner works at up in Northern MN, leading kids on canoeing and backpacking trips and swatting away the numerous mosquitos and black flies that call the Boundary Waters home.
 |
| Photograph of Nick G. from 6/31/17 |
Mountains - Minnesota might be pretty great, but I had to get a dose of the mountains in sometime this summer, so I flew out to Truckee, CA for a training camp with the group that I've been training with this summer, Loppet Nordic Racing. We did lots of amazing mountain runs and uphill rollerski sessions and overall, it was a blast. The highlight of the trip was, of course, seeing Dylan's smiling face and having him join us on the run to a sick-gnarly waterfall.
 |
| Rollin with the crew |
 |
| Just some midders juggling massive pinecones |
 |
| Running with Dylan at Royal Gorge (You could probably already tell but I'm the one in the orange tanktop with a black backpack and Dylan is right in front of me) |
Escape - Unfortunately, the Truckee camp wasn't all fun and games, as the group was hit by a stomach virus midweek that successfully knocked out 16 of the 33 athletes present. Sugar Bowl Academy had been kind enough to let us stay in their dorm for our trip, but as many know, this style of living does tend to encourage the spread of sickness and paranoia. One full day of training was canceled and instead devoted to being very sick, cleaning, and generously applying lysol, bleach, and hand sanitizer to everything. I fortunately was able to escape the plague, but lived in fear for the rest of trip that I was going down next. (Perhaps the third wave is still coming...)
 |
| Margie and I, a couple of the uninfected, taking a hike on the sick day |
Racing - Racing the New York Times mini crossword, that is. As we all know, summer is NOT the time to be getting in lots of L4 race efforts, but I have to let my competitive spirit out somehow, so the NYT mini crossword has become the new arena.
 |
| Yesterday's mini. Spot that time of 0:38. |
Summer's been a blast so far, but I'm also excited for fall to come- new classes, new teammates, new coach, new friends, and, best of all, a new acronym!
Get psyched,
Ingrid
Monday, July 17, 2017
Greetings from Tahoe
Everyone back at home kept telling me how large of a winter I had missed. The phrases it is snowing again or there is too much snow became the mantras that I would hear whenever talking about Tahoe. The bottom line is it was an anomaly to be mentioned alongside the big years of 1990's and 1980's. The first month I was home I was able to ski groomed trails and when they stopped grooming (not do to lack of snow but rather cost of operation) I went up to Bend continuing to chase the snow.
Peter Holmes sending it
Bend
Flash forward to Mid July and the snow is still defying the summer heat at higher elevations
A long hike section with about 15 feet of standing snow
Julien and Lena posing up above Marlett Lake and Lake Tahoe
A view from the Flume Trail
-Dylan
Salutations from Sun Valley
Hello purple cow nation!
This summer I am lucky to be living with the wonderful Lucy Alexander in Sun Valley, Idaho. We've been having some awesome Idaho training adventures with The Real Braden Becker and the rest of the SVSEF summer training program. I've been spending much of my time learning to mountain bike, reading Hemingway (who spent the last few years of his life here), and working on my internship with Snow Sports Industries, a non-profit based in Park City which focuses on increasing participation in snowsports.
Here are some of the lessons I have learned so far from Sun Valley:
1. Idaho might just be America's best kept secret. Don't tell your friends but there is waaayyy more out here than just potatoes.
A fresh bouquet I gathered for my summer bae Lucy Alexander
2. Mountain biking is both an immensely terrifying and incredibly exhilarating sport.
The views may be worth all of the falls... maybe
3. Sun Valley is a low-key a mecca for writers. Lucy and I were lucky enough to be out here during the Sun Valley Writer's Conference, and got to listen to really cool speakers like Lindsey Addario, Abraham Verghese, and BJ. Miller. We also recently listened to author Sherman Alexie give a lecture on Ernest Hemingway!
Lucy and I paid a visit to Hemmingway's grave the other day
4. I now fully understand the phrase "This ain't my first rodeo" after Lucy and I went to our first rodeo...it was quite the experience.
Lucy and I rodeoing with our friends Laura and Julia, some fellow Ephs!
5. Idaho potatoes taste very similar to normal potatoes, but Idaho boysenberries are INCREDIBLE. Also just boysenberries in general, because you expect them to taste like blackberries, but then you are surprised by a truly unique taste experience.
Lucy and I exploring the Pioneers Mountains (I don't have a picture of boysenberries because they are just too mysterious)
6. Listening to your own body is key to summer training. After jumping into the Sun Valley training program with perhaps a bit too much exuberance, I realized that I was still injured from a certain steeplechase fall this spring. I finally listened to the signs that told me I needed some more recovery time, and and now have a great modified training regimen to get me back and at em'.
A photo from my lovely bike ride today
7. There is a lot of cool wildlife around here. So far I've seen many snakes, deer, chipmunks (I swear the chipmunks here are a different species than back east, they are so so tiny) and Lucy saw a bear on her run the other day!
Couldn't find a photo of an Idaho chipmunk but honestly there are probably a couple lurking in this photo of a sunset if you look real closely
8. Time apart from the team has made us miss everyone so much.
Skype sesh with Ingrid and Ivy
9. Last but not least, Lucy Shepard Alexander is the absolute best. But you all already knew that ;)
whatta gem
In other news, I have been preparing myself all day for the Game of Thrones Season 7 premiere tonight...winter is finally coming my friends.
This summer I am lucky to be living with the wonderful Lucy Alexander in Sun Valley, Idaho. We've been having some awesome Idaho training adventures with The Real Braden Becker and the rest of the SVSEF summer training program. I've been spending much of my time learning to mountain bike, reading Hemingway (who spent the last few years of his life here), and working on my internship with Snow Sports Industries, a non-profit based in Park City which focuses on increasing participation in snowsports.
Here are some of the lessons I have learned so far from Sun Valley:
1. Idaho might just be America's best kept secret. Don't tell your friends but there is waaayyy more out here than just potatoes.
A fresh bouquet I gathered for my summer bae Lucy Alexander
2. Mountain biking is both an immensely terrifying and incredibly exhilarating sport.
3. Sun Valley is a low-key a mecca for writers. Lucy and I were lucky enough to be out here during the Sun Valley Writer's Conference, and got to listen to really cool speakers like Lindsey Addario, Abraham Verghese, and BJ. Miller. We also recently listened to author Sherman Alexie give a lecture on Ernest Hemingway!
Lucy and I paid a visit to Hemmingway's grave the other day
4. I now fully understand the phrase "This ain't my first rodeo" after Lucy and I went to our first rodeo...it was quite the experience.
5. Idaho potatoes taste very similar to normal potatoes, but Idaho boysenberries are INCREDIBLE. Also just boysenberries in general, because you expect them to taste like blackberries, but then you are surprised by a truly unique taste experience.
6. Listening to your own body is key to summer training. After jumping into the Sun Valley training program with perhaps a bit too much exuberance, I realized that I was still injured from a certain steeplechase fall this spring. I finally listened to the signs that told me I needed some more recovery time, and and now have a great modified training regimen to get me back and at em'.
7. There is a lot of cool wildlife around here. So far I've seen many snakes, deer, chipmunks (I swear the chipmunks here are a different species than back east, they are so so tiny) and Lucy saw a bear on her run the other day!
Couldn't find a photo of an Idaho chipmunk but honestly there are probably a couple lurking in this photo of a sunset if you look real closely
8. Time apart from the team has made us miss everyone so much.
9. Last but not least, Lucy Shepard Alexander is the absolute best. But you all already knew that ;)
In other news, I have been preparing myself all day for the Game of Thrones Season 7 premiere tonight...winter is finally coming my friends.
Update from Nantucket
Hi everyone!
Looks like summer is off to a roaring start for the Williams Nordic family. It was great showing Braden around the old Central NY stomping grounds on his trip West at the beginning of the summer, but I was bummed to have missed Nick and Elowyn's trip to Minnesota. I've been spending most of my time the last few weeks on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard biking around with a bunch of middle schoolers as a leader for Overland! I'm currently posting from the computer at a cool little hostel on Nantucket. A few short breaks back in Williamstown between bike trips has allowed me to run into a few teammates, including Sonya and Jack Schrupp, plus a couple alums (Luke and Jordan) trying to figure out the real world.
Here's the Overland crew mid-ride rolling into Provincetown.
Stoked to be able to team up for the summer with Princeton swimming's finest, Izzy Reis,
and learn some sweet new core exercises too! Go Tigers!
Here's an action shot.
Looks like summer is off to a roaring start for the Williams Nordic family. It was great showing Braden around the old Central NY stomping grounds on his trip West at the beginning of the summer, but I was bummed to have missed Nick and Elowyn's trip to Minnesota. I've been spending most of my time the last few weeks on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard biking around with a bunch of middle schoolers as a leader for Overland! I'm currently posting from the computer at a cool little hostel on Nantucket. A few short breaks back in Williamstown between bike trips has allowed me to run into a few teammates, including Sonya and Jack Schrupp, plus a couple alums (Luke and Jordan) trying to figure out the real world.
Here's the Overland crew mid-ride rolling into Provincetown.
Stoked to be able to team up for the summer with Princeton swimming's finest, Izzy Reis,
and learn some sweet new core exercises too! Go Tigers!
Here's an action shot.
Woah, we can also do planks on the beach!
-Evan
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Summer in Williamstown
Greetings from Williamstown! I am spending my summer in the Berkshires doing ecology research with Professor Morales. This means that I spend time outside counting treehoppers in Hopkins Forest. I am also helping Perry coach Berkshire Nordic Ski Club.
Driving the Gator in Hopkins Forest
Knee or chest deep in weeds! I'm trying to avoid tics but this has proved difficult.
Last weekend, Hannah Cole and I went to visit Benson up at Lakes of the Clouds. It was sweet, highly recommend!!
We saw a moose on our way up. Now, Hannah Cole and I have seen the same two moose in our lives.
Off to a late start at the trailhead
Headlamp selfie!
Finally, our arrival at the hut after a quick dip at the Lake over 5,000 ft
We trekked to the top of Mt. Washington to watch and help Hannah pack the gear down. She is ripped, as we know, carrying 70lbs!!
Our hike down to the hut
Day two we hiked down the ridge to Mitzpah and into the valley
The Hannahs on top of Mt. Eisenhower.
Our wonderful guide taught us all about the White Mountains. Here is the ridge we hiked earlier that day.
Sunset at Lakes of the Clouds
After our hike, Hannah and I visited my grandparents at Lake George.
Update on the tiny sweater that I knit this winter: My grandmother decided she had to rip it out so we could fix it. It's unclear whether I will have to redo the whole project. It was very emotional but hopefully it will eventually fit.
A storm rolling in from Vermont.
A big welcome to our new assistant coach! I can't wait to train with my teammates and coaches in Williamstown and hopefully in less humidity.
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