This spring and summer, the MNC masters have been getting in the training with trail runs, gravel rides and rollerskiing. Whatever you like to do, there is bound to be a group of MNC masters doing it and we’d love you to join in the fun!
A growing cohort of rollerskiing masters has started taking to some of the quieter and better groomed roads and bike paths around Champlain Valley to get their skiing fix during the summer months. Meetups are on Saturday mornings at 9AM, weather permitting. Routes typically range from 10-15 miles and feature scenic vistas and flat to moderately rolling terrain. Check the MNC Masters Training Doc each week for details. The more the merrier!
Lots of Masters have been doing some great trail running on many of the local trails around Chittenden County. Most of these are within 30 minutes driving distance from Burlington, Jericho, Williston, etc. and offer a variety of terrain and technical challenge. There are organized MNC trail runs every Thursday evening at the Catamount Outdoor Family Center and every other Sunday morning at various places. Trails that we have explored so far have included Preston Woods in Richmond, Saxon Hill in Essex, and Mud Pond in Williston. All these runs have options for shorter and longer distances and varied paces. We are hoping to do several group hikes later this summer including the Stowe Pinnacle loop and the Mt. Abraham/Mt. Ellen ridge on the Long Trail. Keep an eye on the MNC Slack channel and Masters Training Doc for dates and info on these.
In addition to training runs, MNC masters have been participating in trail races around the area and beyond, starting with the weekly Catamount 5k trail races. With three different courses, these races are a great low key way to get the heart rate up and run fast with other people. Several people did the Sleepy Hollow Mountain Race which featured steep climbs, slipping and sliding downhills and blueberry pancakes. Both Carolyn Siccama and Kort Longenbach recently did very challenging technical races with significant climbing with Carolyn doing the Seven Sisters Trail Run in Massachusetts and Kort, the Great Adirondack Trail Run in New York. Upcoming races for masters will include the Catamount Ultra 25k race at the Trapp Family Lodge at the end of June and the Race to the Top of Vermont at the end of August.
If you are more of a biker, there are organized MNC Gravel Rides every other Sunday. This weekend we will ride the 35mi. route from Underhill Center that got rained out last time. In addition, there are also rides organized by Jericho Dirt on Thursday evenings plus Mt bike races at Catamount Outdoor Center every Wednesday. All the info, times, and contacts are on the MNC Training Doc so be sure to check it frequently!
Happy training out there!
Georgia Shore Road Rollerski last Saturday
Pascal and Jim pause to admire the view during a trail run.
Skiing the Southridge neighborhoods.
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