Well, the 2014 High Altitude Camp at Estes Park has been completed. It was a great camp, and the team had a great time working hard together. Thanks to everyone for your sweat, laughter, team spirit and positive attitudes. We're off to a great start for the 2014 season. (click on a photo to enlarge it, then click on a side of the photo to go forward or back).
We arrive at Old Man Mountain in Estes Park on Sunday, July 20th, in mid-afternoon. There's time to stow our gear in the cabins, unload & organize all the food & drinks for the week & then meet for some ground rules. We also go over Rule #1: We're FOR us! Next we have some subs, relax at the campsite or climb some rocks, then prepare for HUGE TEST #1. The Solstice Run. Ugh. 3 miles of 60 degree slope downhill, then back up. You ask "Is it really that bad?" Yes. It is. This one takes a lot of guts. And every Bulldog finishes tonight at a sprint. EVERY Bulldog.
The 'Dogs take off down the hill. After they finish their run, they hydrate, catch their breath and then run back down the hill and run back up with slower teammates. This is a long-standing team tradition and an important one. After everyone completes the Solstice Run, they get their legs up, roast marshmallows/Smores on the fire and relax.
Day 2 starts with breakfast around the fire, card games in the Dining Room and then training at the park. The 'Dogs go thru core-building stations, with short runs in between. It's important work and the team attacks each station.
Day 2 starts with breakfast around the fire, card games in the Dining Room and then training at the park. The 'Dogs go thru core-building stations, with short runs in between. It's important work and the team attacks each station.
These circuits are tough, and the run in between each one is no picnic. But the team works hard and finishes each one with top efforts. After a tough workout, the team breaks for play-time. Work hard, play hard, laugh & have fun. It's a great way to go!
Later in the day the Bulldogs go for a run around Lake Estes. It's a long loop, but it's beautiful and the weather is just right. With the Stanley Hotel in the background, the 'Dogs finish the 5 mile loop with a sprint back to the tunnel.
The lake run is tough but gorgeous. A bird of prey circles our photog, then decides there's not enough prime protein there to mess with! Later there's some midnight Ninja, then sack time to get ready for Day 3.
Day 3 starts with a hike up the mountain next to Lake Lilly. It ends up being a looooooong hike, with temps in the high 90s, but the views at the top are stunning. We can see Long's Peak and Estes Park. Almost everyone made it to the top of the mountain - a tremendous accomplishment. After the tough trail hike, the team votes for a cool-off in the Thompson River. There's nothing like 50 degree water on a 95 degree day! Then it's off to the park for Capture the Flag, kickball and a back to camp for a pasta dinner. It's been a tough day, but a good one.
Wednesday starts with getting fueled up at breakfast, some relaxation, then off to the pool for a water workout. This too is tougher than it looks! But it's good cross-training and a good way for the team to learn more training methods. After some play time in the pool, going down the slide and doing acrobatic dives, the 'Dogs head back to the park for a short run and a game of kickball. Dinner time is a pizza party at the park, then back to camp for our last night. :-(
Day 5. Thursday morning dawns bright, sunny and beautiful. We head off for an early run at the park.
The Bulldogs finish their run at the park with some great sprint close-outs, then we load up and head back to camp one last time. We have a full breakfast, then start cleaning up and loading our equipment into the van. Before we say goodbye to Old Man Mountain, we take some team photos (thanks George!). We're out of the camp before noon, then down into town for some lunch, shopping and snacks. Then we're back into the vans one last time, and the final trip to Greeley begins.
It was a great camp, with high spirits and maximum efforts from the team. We learned some new things, worked our tails off and celebrated together. It's amazing how much fun you can have when you're working harder than you ever have before, but we did. Now we start our work towards a championship. Let's go 'Dogs!
It was a great camp, with high spirits and maximum efforts from the team. We learned some new things, worked our tails off and celebrated together. It's amazing how much fun you can have when you're working harder than you ever have before, but we did. Now we start our work towards a championship. Let's go 'Dogs!
Our seniors invite you to join us for our run for a championship!