Turf Monsters!

The artificial turf that will be the infield of our new outdoor track and field complex started to go down today. Check back for updates as the field progresses. The track surface will follow!.

Fan Fest!

This morning the U Athletics Department hosted Fan Fest at the football stadium. This annual event allows our huge fan base to meet and greet all the different athletes and coaches at the U. It's always fun gathering of fans young and old. Each team has an activity for the kids and adults to participate in. Our kids also signed autographs and handed out team posters. This year we ran an inflatable obstacle course that proved to be a huge hit. Our team provided instruction and helped kids into and out of the course. The smiles on the kids' faces was priceless. Yet, another successful event and opportunity to reach out to all of those who support us for our team. Check out some of the pics of the kids having fun.

BMOC??

What does BMOC stand for? Check out the picture in the following link and see if you can figure it out.

http://tweetphoto.com/41368969

I attended a very nice Scholarship Dinner at the President's House with four of our student athletes. The President holds this dinner annually to allow some of our athletes to meet and speak with the very people who provide their scholarships. It's always a very special event for everyone involved.

What Should We Wear?

Today was equipment and gear day for our team. Check out the video and see all the cool stuff we get.

What a day!

Although camp came to a close this morning, it did so under perfect running conditions. We ran at the Deer Creek Reservoir trail near Soldier Hollow on a cool morning with blue skies mixed with fog in the low lying areas around us. I'll let the pictures tell the story.

I attempted to put the finishing touches on a great camp by making the girls blueberry pancakes following the run and I have to say they turned out pretty well.

Catching Up with the Freshmen

AuraLea Fain (Billings, MT) and Rebekah Winterton (Salt Lake City, UT)

Down and Dirty

The Thursday afternoon workout included doing some hill repeats on a dirt road about an hour after it had rained for 90 minutes. This hill was located in an area north of Midway that had a very rural feel to it with the horses, fields, tractors, and birds nearby. Overall, the footing was decent and the gals did a great job of pushing each other. At 8,000+ feet this was a fairly tough workout.

Moooooooo!!!

Our morning run took us to a trail near the Strawberry River in a very remote area south of Heber Valley just over the Daniel's Summit area. As we ran ranchers were herding cows along the trail and roads we were on. The rain from yesterday made the trail a little mucky, but overall it was a great run. We also packed breakfast and hung out and enjoyed the area.

This year's camp has featured special guests as well. Our sport administrator, Zack Lassiter, also made it up for this run and held his own. He left his house at 6:15am to make it up so kudos for that effort. Former Ute runner and current professional, Shayla Houlihan who now runs for Brooks and just returned from her summer season in Europe also made it up to visit with the team and hang out last night and during the morning run today.

Pictures from this trip will be available shortly so be sure to check back.

What's for Dinner? Chicken or Chicken?

Camp-Day 2

Today's activity began with a early morning recovery run, breakfast, goal setting session and lunch. After lunch naps were followed by an afternoon workout that consisted of running some 1200 meter threshold repeats. A nearby neighborhood park featured an easy rolling loop that was perfect for these repeats. Tonight's dinner includes baked chicken, vegetables, and bread. We have predetermined groups of six to cook each of the meals. The remainder of the women are relaxing by playing table games, getting to know each other, stretching, icing, or working on goal sheets.

...and they're off!!!

The 2010 cross country season has officially begun. Preseason camp in Heber Valley (50 minutes southeast of campus) is underway. I was very fortunate to find a great vacation rental home that was available to host the largest team we've had at Utah in my sixth year as the head coach. It has everything (minus a hot tub so I was reminded) that a team could want. Board games, ping pong, pool table, Wii, and great living space allow our team to spread out, have fun, and get to know each other. Yes, I know...sounds more like a country club than a "camp". However, we also have great access to running trails, parks, and other space for the reason that we are truly here for---to train and prepare for the upcoming season. The summer stories have been outstanding so far. A game of Scategories broke out with eight girls playing. The baton pass ice breaker we did as a team introduction was entertaining. The girls also make their own meals. Tonight a group of five girls and myself drove and bought all the groceries for the week. Another group then made an excellent spaghetti dinner. Buying and cooking for nineteen people is probably the biggest challenge of the entire camp. However, it allows the girls to work as a team and provide the energy we need after our runs and workouts.

Check back tomorrow for pictures of our sweet home base as well as some from the daily running and team time.

Progress!

More evidence that our outdoor track facility continues to move forward. We now have sod on the entire east side (homestretch) where crowds will gather. We will not put stands on this area, but rather leave it as a natural bermed hillside that will welcome camping chairs, blankets, and picnic tables. Work on the artificial infield surface has began this week. The track surface will be installed before the end of the month.

Dream Big!