Winter Update

Once August and Hike-a-Thon ended, my life, as usual,  became a whirlwind of work and coaching.  I can't believe that it's nearly the end of 2011!  I guess it's about time I update this thing with the highlights of the last few months.
First, an update on Hike-a-Thon!  Despite everything that got in the way of my mileage goal, I still ended up with my second-highest monthly mileage, and it was good enough for a repeat performance for highest H-A-T mileage (full discloser: one of the WTA board members did well over 300 miles, but as a board member she doesn't qualify to win the category).  My H-A-T mileage got me into good enough shape that I was able to run some decent times in a few 5ks during the cross season.
Speaking of the cross season, it was fabulous this year!  The girls set some lofty goals for themselves.  They fell short on getting the whole varsity team to the regional meet, but they did qualify five individuals (and I could have a separate blog post on the unfairness of having five athletes in a race but not being able to score as a team).  Three of the five qualified to state!  It was the first time since I became head coach that we had anyone at state, so to have three was fantastic.  It has also made EVERYONE even more determined to get there as a team next year.  Four team members went on to compete in the Footlocker race in California, so the cross country season extended all the way into December this year!
Even though the girls were still training, I had my weekends back starting in early November.  I haven't been able to get out of town quite as often as I would like, but I have managed a couple of overnight trips to the Colville National Forest, including one December backpack trip to 13-mile.  That one made me realize that I had lost all of the conditioning from Hike-a-Thon--I had a 45-50 pound pack and we only went in about four miles, but I was dying!
The ski season has also gotten off to a good start, although snow totals have been disappointing.  I haven't been out on my AT skis or my new skate skis yet because I'm afraid there are still too many exposed rocks, but I have been on my older skate and Nordic skis quite a few times and that has been great.  Blaze has been out skijoring with me twice, and I have done one snowshoe hike to the summit of Mount Spokane.  I have also been doing quite a few trail runs--mainly up Antoine Peak, but a couple at Iller Creek as well.