A quick update from the running world!
As you may know, I've continued to compete in cross country at Williams and spend my fall primarily training with the running team before making the transition to full-time ski training at the conclusion of the running season. This year, I get to share the multi-sport ride with first year, Carmen Bango!
The cross country team is impressively big this year, with 21 first year men and 13 first year women bringing our roster total to 91. A huge contrast to the tight-knit ski team, these past few weeks have been filled with lots of introductions, re-introductions and trying to get to know each person as an individual beyond their name. It's going well so far and I'm very excited about the energy, enthusiasm and support that's driving the team dynamic.
The first race of the season was hosted by Vassar College this past Saturday. Coach Pete Farwell decided to make a day trip of the meet, complete with a post-race picnic and visit to the outdoor sculpture garden, Storm King. Despite muggy conditions and plentiful sun, the team did a great job executing Pete's race plan, packing up in the first few miles and finishing with a strong progression over the final mile. I've been sidelined the past month so did not compete, but did get to go and cheer and get a good look at how the team is going to work together over the upcoming weeks. Up front we had a mix of strong senior leaders, improved returnees and some speedy first-years. One of which was Carmen, who came in as the seventh Eph!
Although it's been a hard hit to not be racing at the start of my senior season, I have really enjoyed the opportunity to get in some extra ski training with the team. Last week we had a solid L3 interval session in Pownal, VT and a sunny over distance classic ski across the border in NY (all on FRESH pavement). Having spent a lot of time sweating it out in upper Lasell on my own, I can't tell you how wonderful it is to practice with a set of motivated, smiling, just all around awesome, teammates. This team is going to be a force come winter!
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| Listening as the president of Storm King gives us a brief tour of the sculpture garden. PC: Anna Harleen |
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| A couple of guys on the men's team, Alex Cowen and Liam Simpson, on T-Bear duty for the day. PC: Anna Harleen |
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| The women's team warming up for the race. PC: Anna Harleen |
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| CARMEN! All smiles post race. PC: Anna Harleen |
Hannah
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