We were due to receive a bit of sun and heat after a typically-grim Vermont April and start to May. And we were delivered an amazing week to start pushing into some of the tougher and more challenging workouts now that we have our feet under us! It has been a while since our last 3k/3000m running test…so long in fact that I couldn’t find the times I had written down. No matter, we have a new archive and one that will probably be updated a lot more as we continue to refine how we approach and incorporate good testing into our groups.
The 3km was held over 2 days with 4 separate “races” in order to keep numbers low. It took place over two of the hotter days of the year, which gave way to some serious sweat and sunburn. Thankfully we have a new after-practice staple that I picked up from Coach Sara…POPSICLES. Usually I am a big watermellon guy for warm training…bring a big melon, split it up after training, and everyone digs in. Though these days, all that shared touching of food is off the table (pun intended) so the hot temps, combined with single-serve nature of popsicles, is just so simple it makes you wonder why we DIDN’T do it sooner!
Anyway, enough about popsicles and more about training…the 3km was a good baseline test which we will use not only for a pure test of fitness, but almost more importantly to correctly pace other track and running workouts whether they’re distance or intervals. From the soon-to-graduate 8th-graders to the soon-to-graduate-high-schoolers we had some speedy times and some great efforts in the race: it’s always great to see how people respond to a race situation and what steps can be taken to improve the mental side of things too.
Kai is spent. It’s popsicle time.
With a sweaty rollerski on Thursday and Friday, including some of the first double-pole specific work of the year, the legs got a bit of a break. But only until Saturday, when we had our first day at Cochran’s for a run group and a bike group. The sun was shining bright and families, riders and runners were out in force. With a new pumptrack and beginner loop right at the main base area, my theory of Cochran’s/Richmond becoming the next Kingdom Trails/East Burke is unfolding right before our Bliz-covered eyes.
A squad of MNC bikers reaching the top of the ski hill
Hanna reaches liftoff!
And to cap it all off, here is a special shot for all the OG fans out there…Greg, Conor and Kai out for a ski. Greg and Conor are headed to Bozeman, MT now where they’ll link up with Meredith and Will along with many other college folk in preparation for next season.
#throwback
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