So for camp, the UCSD cross country team loads up 4+ vans and drives the 8+ hour drive to Mammoth California to experience the trails, elevation, and views. It's really beautiful up there, but the most remarkable thing about the small ski town is its usefulness in uniting a bunch of very different girls and guys into one solid team. With results as if we were stranded on a deserted island together. Not that I am familiar with being on a deserted island. Anyway, our coach controls every aspect of our running lives; our eating and sleep patterns, our ice bathing, our trails and workouts; and can monitor each in a way that he can't do when we are on our own. Yet by doing so, he teaches us the way we SHOULD be collegiate athletes and actually taught us the science of our metabolism, nutrition, and workouts. To be honest, it wasn't very different from what I did in high school. Good to know that I've been good at being healthy.
As for the team, I've learned that there is a very high proportion of twins as well as nicknames. At least 6 kids are one half of a pair of twins. And nicknames range from Brown Bear to Johnny Boy to Swag. And yes, the coaches use those names just as often as we do. We learned which people we run better with, because each person favors a certain side to run on (I like running on the left which means most people find it comfortable to run with me. Because most people like running on the right).
While up on top of the mountain, my status changed from freshman athlete to an officially enrolled student athlete. With the help of my sophomores (thanks Kaity, Chia, and Kellen!), I got every class I wanted with a pretty decent schedule. Soon I'll do a dry run of my classes to get the directions right in my head (those who know me, know it needs to be done). Next quarter, I get priority registration. So much less stressful. Yay for athletic props! :)
So I am back in La Jolla. My first race is today. And I'm coming home this weekend. So that's the end of my update. Thanks for reading. :)
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