Day 3 @ Ragged Mountain Running Camp

CROZET, VA -- Day three at the fifth annual Ragged Mountain Running Camp started off with a morning run ranging from 30 to 40 minutes as it would be the campers only run of the day. The third day at Ragged Mountain Running Camp would be a day of rest from the challenging run of Sugar Hollow the day before as well as the camp relay race to be held tomorrow afternoon.

After a shower and breakfast, the campers met in the gym for a coaches panel as a collective group of coaches answered questions from the campers on coaching and training. The panel included the likes of William & Mary head coach Alex Gibby as well as Western Albemarle head boys and girls cross country coaches, Lindy Bain and Carin Ward, who have multiple state cross country titles to their credentials among others.

Once the question and answer session was concluded, the campers were given nearly 2 hours of free time before lunch as well as another hour and 15 minutes after their meal. Many campers took advantage of this extra free time to catch up on some sleep with naps. Those still with plenty of energy either ventured down to the lake to jump off the rope swing, play water polo in the pool, or play basketball in the gym.

From 2:30 to 4:00 PM, the campers went through a cross training section of a pool workout, pedestals, and pilates. The pool workout served a nice break from the pounding of running with the pedestals and pilates gave the campers beneficial techniques of how to improve their overall strength without having to hit the weight room.

The pool stayed open for campers until 4:45 as an early dinner was held at 5:00 because the campers were in store for a fun trip to Charlottesville.

The vans packed with campers departed from the Miller School at 5:45 and arrived in downtown Charlottesville sometime before 6:30. The campers were then broken up into four groups for the night's activities as they would rotate among four locations in a two and a half hour period.

Two stations were located at the Ragged Mountain Running Shop. In the store parking lot, store owner Mark Lorenzoni gave the campers an informative talk on the types of running shoes and their purposes. Then, each individual camper was given a gait analysis. so they would be able to make an educated decision on the type of running shoes they should be wearing. After receiving their gait analysis, campers ventured into the store to check out their fine selection of running apparrel and shoes.

Across the street from the Ragged Mountain Running Shop at a nearby church, Dr. Bob Wilder, one of the most respected "running" doctors in the state, gave an informative lecture to campers on injury prevention.

Campers were also allowed to explore the various restaurants and stores located in downtown Charlottesville as well as the nearby Rotunda of the University of Virginia.

At 9 o'clock, campers departed Charlottesville to return to the Miller School as the camp store was open and a brief meeting was held by Buz as he went over what tomorrow will bring.

While the campers continued to mingle by the Canteen and camp store, the counselors were busy assembling the teams for tomorrow's always exciting camp relay race.