Tuesday, September 6, 2011

2011 Mammoth Training Camp Highlights

Day 1:  Our adventure begins.

Manzanar




How can it be windy, but still so hot?

Memorial for those who died at Manzanar.



Even the furry family members were given proper burials.


Watch out Mammoth, the Wolf Pack has arrived!!



Our condo.  Everyone is exhausted from fighting over the best places to sleep.

After a nice (gasp!  gasp!  Am I really this out of shape, or is the air really thin up here?) 3 mile run, we went to an outdoor movie.  The nights get REALLY cold.  Thank goodness we brought our sleeping bags.



Day 2:  Do people really get up at 6:30am?  You want me to do what?  Run?  Seriously?

AM Run: Preparing to run St. Mary's Loop, which included running around three small lakes.
Putting our after-run food and drinks in the bear bin.  Hope its all there when we get back.


Does it really have to be this cold?  Next time, remind me to bring gloves.

 Ready.  Set.  Run. 

We had to stop and look at the breath-taking views.
Still running.

What the heck is Zumba?  Hope we don't look funny.

This isn't bad.  We're getting the hang of this.

One more dance and we'll be able to teach the next class.


Day 3:  The coaches woke us up to run 3 miles uphill?  Did we do something wrong?


Base of the hill.

We can do this!!

Halfway up the hill.

Still climbing.

Mile 3.  Success!!  It's all downhill from here.

Afternoon Activity:  Gondola ride to the top of Mammoth Mountain.

Does your dog want to join our team?  He looks like he could be a fast runner.


No brakes!  Hop in Cesar!

Is that snow?  In August?


Yes, it is snow.

How many coaches does it take to miss the hiking trail sign?  Only 3. 

Snowball fight, anyone?

Those had better not be aimed at your coaches!  No ride back to the condo.

More beautiful views.




Back at the bottom of the mountain.
Hey coaches, what took you so long?


What? The boys are cooking dinner?

Does Cesar know something about the food?  He seems to be daring everyone to eat the dinner.  Okay, athletes eat first.  Coaches, wait a few hours.

Day 4:  The 4.7 magnitude earthquake was our 5:00 am alarm clock.  Thanks mother-nature.

We are off to Devil's Post-Pile and Rainbow Falls.


Double rainbows.



Lunch at Rainbow Falls.  Coral is really enjoying her sandwich.

The dangerous wildlife stalking its prey.  Coral's lunch?

What a bold hunter.  Watch out Coral.

A closer look at the waterfall.

Are Cesar and Francisco walking on water?

Cesar, taking a break.  Walking on water is exhausting.

Another photo op.?

What an adventurous crew.

Time to head back and complete our evening run.

Francisco, the horse-whisperer.
"Coach White, may I ride the horse for my afternoon run?"

Another beautiful view.

Back at the Ranger's Station, waiting for the shuttle to take us back to the van.

Coral finally gets to touch a bear.  In her excitement, she misspoke and proclaimed,  "I touched a bear, but it was died.  Oops!  Did I really just say that?"

Yes! we found our shuttle tickets.  We don't have to walk back to the van. 

 Where's the shuttle?  It's hot out here.

Thank goodness for water!!

I can't believe this is the last day of camp.

We had a wonderful time, and are looking forward to a fantastic season.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Quote of the Week

Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition. Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust.

Jesse Owens, American track and field athlete and Olympic gold medal winner

Monday, July 18, 2011

Quote of the week

Even when you have gone as far as you can, and everything hurts, and you are staring at the specter of self-doubt, you can find a bit more strength deep inside you, if you look closely enough.
Hal Higdon

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Quote of the Week

A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.

Steve Prefontaine, American middle and long-distance runner

July 12, 2011

Congratulations on completing your first day of practice!!  Remember, you might feel extra tired and/or some pain, and both are perfectly natural.

Some important reminders for tomorrow's practice:

1.  bring a bath-sized towel
2.  wear sunblock
3.  bring water for drinking during practice
4.  drink Gatorade or juice after practice (NOT an energy drink)

Please look at the post about hydration.  Hydration is very important!!!  Drinking water during practice is not adequate because you will not drink enough water (only small sips of water at each water break) during practice to make up for coming to practice dehydrated. Hydration must be maintained on a long-term basis.