Our fist group bike ride for the 2020 season will be this Sunday 5/24. Meet at Mills Riverside Park 9AM. We are working on a schedule of rides for the summer and will post on the website when ready. We must stay in groups of 10 or less which should be day to do. If you wish to lead a ride please let me know. See you Sunday!
We will try to post ride location every week on the Training Doc but please subscribe to our MNC Slack channel to get the latest updates and RSVP.
Masters Thursday Running Group
Tired of running on your own? Looking for some new trails to explore? Need a regularly-scheduled workout to stay on track with your summer training? Desperate for some social interaction??? Then mark the Masters Running Group into your calendars for Thursdays at 6pm, beginning this week (5/21).
These are free, informal meet–ups for MNC masters where the goal is simply to get out for a run and have some fun in the process. This year we’ll be moving around each week to explore different trail networks or the occasional dirt road. Current plans include runs at Preston Woods, Catamount, Mobb Farm/Mobb Hill, Sleepy Hollow, Bolton Valley, and Shelburne Sugarworks, among others.
Runners of ALL fitness levels are welcome. We typically split into smaller groups as needed based on how far/fast people want to go on a given night, with most people running 3 to 6 miles. Some of us think a long, gnarly uphill looks like fun while others are alternating between jogging and walking while getting back into running shape or recovering from an injury. Women in particular are encouraged to come – we have several 50+ women who are regulars. We’ll figure out a way to accommodate your goals wherever you are on the fitness spectrum.
Logistics:
· Weekly meeting locations will be posted in advance on the Masters Training Doc and also emailed to those on the running group distribution list (email Katie Hill at khill@gmavt.net if you want to be added to the distribution list).
· RSVPs: We’re still limited to gatherings of no more than 10, so for now we‘re requesting RSVPs for those who plan to attend, including “maybes”. If it looks like we’ll have more than 10, we‘ll meet in two smaller groups either physically spaced out (if room), or staggered by 15 minutes.
· Social distancing: Six feet minimum & masked when we’re together at the meeting point. Running side–by– side: six feet minimum with a mask on, ten feet minimum without. Running in a line: twenty feet minimum. Everyone’s comfort level is different on this, so we’ll check in before starting the run to see if anyone prefers more distance.
· Masks: Please carry a mask (or a least a buff) at all times. Wear it when we’re gathered together. You may take it off during exertion when adequately spaced out, but please put it back on when passing or if you encounter others out on the trail. Even if you feel comfortable at a distance without a mask, the other person may not.
· Don’t forget the bug stuff!
FIRST RUN OF THE SEASON – Thursday 5/21 at 6pm. Meet at the Round Church in Richmond (overflow parking at Volunteers Green on the other side of the bridge). The River Trail offers 6 miles of out-and-back on a flat trail along the river; as of last week the trail was relatively dry and open, as the fiddlehead ferns were just starting to unfurl. The heavily wooded Preston Woods trails across the road are open and offer several loops with rolling hills to very hilly terrain. It’s possible to combine a bit of both trail systems. RSVP “yes” or “maybe” to Katie Hill at khill@gmavt.net.
Trail maps:
The Trailforks app is recommended as it shows many of the trails we will be running this summer; download the free Vermont map, which is supposed to work when there is no cell phone signal. Trailforks shows both the River Trail and Preston Woods trails, and also includes other trails that continue up the hill and through Cochran’s beyond the limits of the Preston Woods property. Other sources of info on these trails:
River Trail on trailfinder.info
Preston Woods on trailfinder.info
PDF map of all Richmond trails, including River Trail: click here
PDF map of Preston Woods: click here
This past weekend we had a huge turnout, over the course of 2 days and several locations, to help MNC tackle the NENSA “25k in May” rollerski challenge. On Sunday, groups met up at 2 ends of Southridge and spread out over the neighborhood to get 25k in one go…with 8 skiers it meant 200k in one go!
A bunch of 25km skiers after conquering most every stretch of pavement in Southridge
There’s PLENTY of time left in May, and we are on a mission to have the most club participants in this challenge! The webpage for the event can be found below:
There are two components…”Registering” via SkiReg which gets you into the prize pool for a small ($10) fee, and the “Ski Data Entry” page where you input the details of your achievements.
Let’s try to show the NENSA community how many skiers, and how many kilometers, we can put on the pavement this month!
It has been a very different week of training in comparison to years past…with COVID-19 always on the mind we approach training differently every day, and with a careful eye for safety in areas we used to take for granted.
Hand sanitizer is omnipresent
Getting creative has always been a ski coach job requirement, but this Spring has been a whole new level. Not only in terms of how to effectively meet as a group
while adhering to many safety guidelines, but in terms of how to have fun as a group and spend quality time together with an invisible 6-foot barrier between everyone. Skiing is not a contact sport BUT…team games, most teambuilding activities, snacks and food, fitness challenges…so much of what we often do does involve closer proximity than we can have right now. We don’t realize it until we’re restricted as we are now. So the creativity has to fill the gap.
We split training into blocks. Usually the Spring program is Tues/Thurs/Sat. This spring, two back-to-back days are scheduled as identical in time, location,and session. Athletes sign up ahead of time to indicate which they’ll attend, which takes a larger group and splits it across multiple days. Saturdays are divided into morning and afternoon.
I was worried I’d lose my mind because I’d be doing (or at least present for) everything twice in a row. But in fact it has been great! The first day of a given session gives me a chance to see how things play and I can make adjustments if needed for the following day.
But nobody wants to read more recaps and responses about Coronavirus at this point in the news cycle: so here are some photos showing what positive and cool things we HAVE been able to do!
Registrations are now live with programming fees available! We had held off until knowing that the first week could be done successfully and safely. We continue to forge ahead in this brave new world of spring training, so if you have not signed-up yet, OR have signed up previously and would like to go ahead and submit payment, please see the MNC Registration page.
For info about Mountain Camp, please see this recent post. If you had signed-up for Mountain Camp before the location change, your spot is still in place!
Coach Perry brings it home as his group completes their 10-mile run along the Winooski River in Richmond. We split into 2 groups, one running a loop clockwise while the other ran it counter-clockwise, swooping past each other in the middle
Warmup run with some foam pipe insulation…”if you’re close enough to hit someone, you’re too close”
Ali and Sammie spotted at Saxon Hill
These guys have graduated BKL and are headed to the world of Junior racing now! Watch out world.
As of 5/14, Mountain Camp and Mini Mountain Camp are STILL ON.
Dates remain the same
Mountain Camp July 8-12 (Wed-Sun)
Mini Mountain Camp July 16-19 (Thurs-Sun)
However, in light of COVID-19 several changes have been made. Please read on:
Location Change
In order to eliminate travel across State lines, both Mountain Camp and Mini Mountain Camp have been relocated to Killington, VT. Lodging for both camps will be located at the base of Killington Resort, with training to take place on the numerous roads and trails of the area.
With Killington marking the intersection of the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail, hiking and trail running options are vast.
With two of the top mountain biking areas in the state (Green Mountain Trails and Pine Hill Park) there are great options for riding
Quiet roads in nearby Mendon, Chittenden, Bridgewater, and Pomfret are ideal for rollerskiing
Participation Restrictions
We ask that all participants at camp be Vermont residents, or athletes (for example college-age skiers) who have been living in Vermont for at least 2 weeks.
Pricing changes
Good news! Lodging and location changes have not increased costs. Camp pricing will remain equal or less than originally-planned.
Can I register and reserve my spot?
You can register for Mountain Camp and Mini Mountain Camp on the Registration page of the MNC website. The cost to register is currently still $0.00 as we will wait until June 1 to confirm that camp is still “on” pending and further COVID-19 developments or restrictions. Thank you for your understanding!
Click through to check snow conditions at Tomasi Meadow in Underhill. Submitted by on-the-ground reports, as current as possible. Read More about “Snow Conditions”…
Our summer training is OPEN for 2026! Come join us as we work to improve and grow as skiers. Summer kickoff BBQ on June 20th! Read More about “Summer”…
A piece sharing memories and photos of MNC’s dynamic and inspiring founder, Murray Banks, who passed in February 2026 Read More about “Tighten Your Boots: A Murray Banks Remembrance”…