Camp this year was uplifting as usual. But it probably had the greatest finish ever as most of the boys finished with a 12 mile trail run, followed by one last run up the hill to the camp. Wow! Also, 4 girls finished with 6 miles runs, but one finished with an 8 mile effort. What a great way to blow out the last day of camp. The 'Dogs are ready to roll in '13!
We arrive at camp, unload and start to stretch our legs. It's slightly overcast, but the weather is perfect.
It's time to rearrange, prepare the snacks and move-in. The Team pitches in to get set up.
We gather in the main cabin. It's time to get the ground rules and hear how camp works.
We start with brief intros - anyone remember the guy in the middle?
A couple of Bulldog vets are here to help get things rolling. It's camp #5 for Garrett, camp #8 for Dan. Time for the old Dogs to pass on some tricks to the Bullpups.
Time for a little R&R. The guys play '500' with the frisbee.
As the afternoon becomes early evening, the Team prepares for their first group run - the Solstice Run.
Everyone prepares in their own way..........
Looks like we're ready for that first run. The vets know what it takes to beat this hill. The rookies are a little anxious.
It feels good to get the first run underway.................
All the summer miles are paying off as Robert leads the team to the finish..........
.............with Nathan close behind. This is the first payoff for the summer sweat.
Tuesday morning is a beautiful day in the mountains. We'll start with some flexibility exercises, do our stretching and then go for a run.
After we run, it's play time.
In the afternoon Wendy Thomas joins us to talk about training, competing and life as a top competitor for the Olympics. She's an inspiration to anyone who thinks they've started too late, or didn't have enough experience as a runner in their youth. Thanks for taking the time to talk & run with us!
It's a beautiful day for the 4 mile jaunt around Lake Estes. Having Wendy run with us makes it more fun.
Once again Robert & Nathan lead the group to the finish. It's a gorgeous setting with Lake Estes & the Stanley Hotel in the background.
Nathan somehow manages to dominate his teammates in 'Capture the Flag', racing off with it each time. How did he do that??
After all that runnin', it's time for an ice bath. The Thompson River qualifies for that. Brrrr!
The girls enjoy icing down too!!! In fact, maybe they enjoy it too much.........
Back at camp, the exhausted team tries to regain some energy. Oh wait, these are Cross Country athletes. They NEVER run out of energy.
Jack shows that CC runners have some serious leaping ability.
Jack shows that CC runners have some serious leaping ability.
Time for some serious hiking. These trails are not for the weak and old (like our photographer).
What a great, scenic view from up here. On Friday morning, most of the varsity boys will run this trail. Looks like fun, huh?
Can you believe the view from up here? The reason you can see forever is because there's NO AIR UP HERE!!! Bring some oxygen!
After our morning hike it's time for some exercise. Maybe we'll take a little jog and see how that feels.
After all that exercise it's time to relax & have some pizza. Nothing like pizza in the park on a sunny afternoon in the mountains.
Let's see. We've run a few miles, hiked a bunch and overloaded on pizza. Time for some kickball!
She's OUT!! Uh oh. Isn't this where the fights start? Nope. It's too beautiful a day to waste time with that.
Next to our favorite ice bath in town, a bear cub is up in the tree getting some snoozetime. It's fun to see a bear cub close up like this. On the other hand, who forgot to put up the fence and make sure the cub isn't hungry????
Thursday morning is time for some training in the pool. After training, the fun begins!
It's a little overcast, but another cool day. Perfect for running. A light breeze, a pretty golf course and a bunch of runners. Hmmm. What shall we do?
The girls come back from their 3+ miles smiling & laughing. Say. What's that all about?
Here come the boys. Smiling, energetic and sweaty after their run. Really sweaty. Really, really sweaty.
Wait. Shouldn't they be tired, stern and stumbling to the finish? What are they thinking?
How awesome!!! A team/group hug!! Who's in the middle of this cool display of togetherness?
Ugh! Yuck! Coach got SLIMED!!!!!
Friday morning. The last day of camp. Can it really be over already? It just doesn't seem possible. It's been a great week. Camp has been tough, a ton of hard work and training, but a lot of fun. The Team has come together and is feeling a lot of Bulldog Pride. It's going to be a great year. Other teams are hoping that it's a down year for the Blue & White, but they're going to be hit in the mug like a splash of cold seawater in the morning.
After a tough, grueling week of work, today's goal is light. Everyone will do 3 miles, but can go longer if they feel up to it. We start near downtown, do a light jog for 1/2 mile, stretch & then go.
After a tough, grueling week of work, today's goal is light. Everyone will do 3 miles, but can go longer if they feel up to it. We start near downtown, do a light jog for 1/2 mile, stretch & then go.
Led by JP & Kelton (two of our 2011 2nd Place in State team) on bikes, the team starts off the morning's activity.
Leading by example, these guys finish the week with one more run up the hill to Old Man Mountain. Wow.
Today a group of girls ran 6 miles (one ran 8), a group of guys ran 12 miles on the trail, then finished with the run up to camp.
We've had a great week and answered some questions about the spirit of the team after a State Championship season. We may or may not
reach that goal again this year, but don't ever question the spirit and toughness of the Bulldogs.
EVER.
Today a group of girls ran 6 miles (one ran 8), a group of guys ran 12 miles on the trail, then finished with the run up to camp.
We've had a great week and answered some questions about the spirit of the team after a State Championship season. We may or may not
reach that goal again this year, but don't ever question the spirit and toughness of the Bulldogs.
EVER.
Our seniors at camp this year. It's been fun - again. Thanks for your contributions and leadership for the team.
We'll see you on the course. We're looking at another successful year of competition for the Blue & White.