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. . . a great weekend as a matter of fact.  Friday’s heavy rainfall gave way to a high pressure system on Saturday, bringing clear skies and cold temps to the Champlain Valley.  With both the Adirondacks and Green Mountains at peak color, the conditions were perfect for the Vermont State Collegiate Cross Country Championships and Terry Aldrich’s Retirement Celebration.

The Crown Point Bridge might be gone, but the temporary ferry across Lake Champlain is pretty cool.

The Men’s and Women’s teams swept the State Champs in front of a strong contingent of alumni.  Congrats!  Afterwards, the alumni got to show off their stuff in the legendary “Middlebury Legends 5km.”  I used the event as a chance to catch up with my boy Pete Murphy, while the rest of the crew duked it out in front of us.  In the end, Jimmy Butcher and Rainey Johnson had a photo finish for first at the line.  Unfortunately, no one took a photo!

Afterwards, the cross country team hosted a retirement celebration for Terry, with speeches from runners over Terry’s past 36 years at Midd.  At least 300 people filled the CFA for the event.  There were some classic Terry stories, accentuated with some classic lines, including: “We’re from Vermont, we do what we want” and, of course, “It’s a great day to be a Panther!”

The quote chalked up by the men’s team in the locker room pretty much summed up the sentiment of the day–and the essence of Terry Aldrich and running at Middlebury.  (Note: On Saturday, I also ran into my freshman writing Professor, Karl Lindholm, who might have had something to say about the use of apostrophes).

It was great to catch up with all the Midd folks, current and former, at Terry’s party.  Early Sunday morning, I was off to the Adirondacks for some skate intervals with my CXC teammates and guest skier, Andy Newell.  Great day to hammer out some skate intervals in Placid. . .and a great day to be a Panther!

Choo-choo

Luckily, no one on the CXC Team is into kayaking, otherwise it’d be hard to pass up water like this after two days of rain.

Got out for some classic speed in Placid today.  Championship workout.

For words, check out: CXC Elite Blog.  All photos: Gus Kaeding.

Santi and Kuz

Melissa Schwarz

Kuz vs. Eric

Gregg

Gregg's flying double-pole

Cooling down

Just in time for the Fat Tire, we are getting some serious rain in Hayward.

Santi goes big during our plyometric strength.

Nice win for the Green & Gold in the season opener at the Eagles today too!

I’m finally getting back in the groove after the trip Down Under.  Sleeping well with a full training load.  The Michigan Tech team came down to Hayward for a weekend of training in God’s Country.  We all got out for a skate speed workout in the rain this morning.  It was cool to have a big crew of new athletes to train with and fun to get some over-speed going on the roller skis.

Sondre Sandivk and Kuz (photo: Santi Ocariz)

On Wednesday, the CXC Elite squad made our annual pilgrimage to Kozeluh Family Dentistry in Minocqua.  As athletes on a budget with minimal health insurance, Dr Dave Kozeluh’s sponsorship of the CXC Team is perhaps the best sponsor we’ve got.  He cleans our teeth and keeps our smiles bright for when we stand on top of the podium.  If you live near Minocqua and are looking for a great dentist that supports skiing, be sure to give Dr Koz a call.

In return for the clean teeth, the CXC Team athletes hosted a roller ski clinic at Premier Physical Wellness in Minocqua for local skiers of all abilities.  Dr Jim Mullen always helps us draw a big crowd.  Coach Gus Keading set up a challenging obstacle course, similar to the ones that we practice on regularly.

Wayne Fish, father of legend Bryan Fish, tests out his balance and his new hip while skiing backwards through the obstacle course

Will has fun showing off his skills on the course

Resistance training

Gus set up three stations to work on various aspects of skiing: Gregg led the plyometric station, teaching the basics of the “V2 Hop Skate.”  Karl led the power station, working on resistance training.  Jenny helped work on balance, having contests to see how far skiers could balance on one ski.

Jenny Bender helped Tim prepare for the Birkie

The highlight of the clinic was Pam Schoville’s Apple Bars and Rice Krispie Treats.  She wanted to make sure that Dr Koz stayed in business, so she brought some extra sugary snacks to share with the group.  What a treat!

By popular demand: Scott Johanik working on his V2 Hop Skate at the Northland Endurance Camp in August.  Nice work, Scotty!

Back in town for less than a day and rejoined the CXC crew for trail clearing on the Birkie trail and Chequamegon course.  The trail is in some of the best shape I’ve ever seen in my life.  Looks like a golf course.  Felt good to take in the refreshing scent of a pine forest and get some sap on my hands after 3 weeks of eucalyptus and gum trees.  Lots of folks out pre-riding the Fat Tire trail for the race next weekend.  Rad to see so many riders.  If you  haven’t been up north lately, get up to Hayward and do some riding.  The trails have never been better!

Hucking trees wasn't enough work for Gus who hammered out 150 push-ups on the manicured trail.

Back in the USA.  Still traveling and will get out a more detailed update shortly, but for now, enjoy the kangaroos I saw on my last day in Mt Beauty.