MUUUUUUD!

THE HORROR! Actually, not that horrible... Another successful tempo scratched off the list! After a night of hard rain, lightening and thunder, Childs Park was left a touch muddy. The women ran well, nonetheless, dodging puddles the size of Champlain!... well... perhaps Sophia would say they were more the size of a bird bath, but whatever... the proof is in da puddin'.

Meet the Team!

Runner of the Week, Micaela Young

 Runner of the Week and wear-er of "The Queen" T-shirt in Friday's workout is Micaela Young.  A sophomore from Saugerties, NY, Micaela is known for her big smile and contagious optimism. Although a knee injury has held back her running since the beginning of the season, it sure hasn't stopped her from keeping all our spirits up at practice and at the starting line.

Cross-Country Competes at Williams

Caroline Kimball-Katz led the way for the Pioneers at Williams' Plansky Invitational last weekend. Her 24:02 performance over the 6k course earned her 45th place. Abby Mosca closed out the course with a 25:40 showing while Katie Paulson-Smith was close behind at 26:00. They were Smith's number 2 and 3, respectively. The meet featured teams from all three NCAA divisions including D-I Fordham University. Caroline, Abby and Katie will be accompanied by the rest of the team in two weeks at the Open New England Championships at Franklin Park. Look for a strong showing against another mixed NCAA division contest. 

Former Smith assistant coach Ben Raphelson, now at Williams, starts the race. Look out for Smith, the group closest to the camera!

The Burpee Lowdown

Is this what a burpee (how is that spelled, anyway?) should look like? Check out your form!  These short videos show you a few snippets from Wednesday's circuit workout.  Admittedly, the burpee video isn't the best of the bunch because you'll have to analyze your form while tilting your head (you'll see what I mean), but you can still get a pretty good idea of what you are doing well and what you need to work on for next Wednesday.

And now check out your donkey kicks. Yee haw!

A little brushing up before Williams

Mile repeats were on the menu today for the Smith cross-country women. Brushing up on charging hills, packing and pacing, they clipped off mile loops with great consistency. The Smithies will be competing at the Plansky Invitational this Saturday hosted by Williams College. The meet begins at 12:45pm.

Meet the Captains!

Seniors Hania Thomas-Adams and Liza Rosenfield are this year's cross-country captains. Both have been running with the team for four years.

Whether running, cross-training, cheering, video-taping, or lugging the behomothic bag of laundry  from the field house to the gym, both Liza and Hania have shown limitless enthusiasm for the team...as well as stoic grit: neither were able to run in the first meet because of injury, but we hope all the ice baths and aqua jogging will put them back in action soon. Here are a few tidbits about this year's classy captains.

Where are you from, and what is your major at Smith?

Hania: I am from Deerfield, MA, and I'm majoring in psychology with a minor in government. 

Liza: I am from Wayland, MA. I'm also majoring in psychology, but with a minor in education.  

What have been some of your favorite classes at Smith?

Hania:  Child Clinical Psychology, Learning and Behavior, and The Politics of Sexuality.

Liza: Education in the City, Abnormal Psychology, and Psychopharmacology.

Where is your favorite place to run?

Hania: Northfield Mountain, MA.

Liza: Dogtown Commons in Gloucester, MA.

Do you have a favorite post-workout or post-race treat?

Hania: Hot chocolate on cold days, watermelon on hot days!

Liza: I don't really have a specific post-race meal, but I almost always have a peanut butter sandwich before races.

Unfortunately, both of you have had your share of injuries.  What is your advice for other runners to help them stay sane while injured?

Hania: I love everything about this sport, and even if you have to take the running out of the picture there's still so much left. My advice to people who can't run due to injury is to remain as much a part of the team as you can, in whatever ways you can. Go to practice, stretch with your team, help time workouts, cheer like crazy. If people ask you what sport you do, tell them you do cross country. Don't ever count yourself out.

Liza: Cross-train, take it day by day, know you will be back up and running soon!

 

What do you love most about being on the cross-country team?

Hania: Most definitely my teammates. They are all incredible, brilliant women, and I never cease to be amazed by their talent and dedication--even at 6am!

Liza: Our teammates! They definitely make it all worthwhile!

Grizzly Morning

As is habit, the cross-country squad woke up with the birds to run a tempo workout. Little did they know, they would be waking up with the bears and that their hearts would be doing the tempo! BEAR SIGHTING!

The workout was underway shortly after Yogi crossed our paths. Strong and consistent all around... I could only imagine what Sophia (our mascot) would say about this!

Meet the Team!

Each week we will introduce you to a few of the members of the Smith Cross Country team.  Here are a few members of note for this week.

Runner of the Week: 

Caroline Kimball-Katz

Caroline finished third overall in this past weekend's Smith Invitational.  

Overheard: "When I get tired, I go faster...."

The Team Mascot: Sophia the Beaver

Sophomore Micaela gives Sophia a pre-race pep talk.  Sophia followed the team on the course on Saturday, courtesy of the Smith maintenance crew sweep vehicle.

The team's smallest biggest fan: 

Shea O'Neil

Keeps head coach and Mom Ellen O'Neil running....

Smithies Compete at Home Invite, Place 5th

Smith opened the 2011 cross-country campaign with a home meet, the Smith College XC Invitational. Under a sunny sky and against the backdrop of beautiful Smith College, the women competed against 15 other colleges and universities. First year Caroline Kimball-Katz led the way for the Smithies over the challenging 5k course, finishing third with a time of 20:10.10. She was bested by only Beth Gollin and Camille Basurto of the US Coast Guard Academy and Wellesley College, respectively.

Second years Abby Mosca and Katie Paulson-Smith were Smith's number two and three. Abby placed 16th with a time of 21:06.38 and Katie close behind at 21:31.87 for 22nd. Hanna Negusie, Kristen Peck, Courtney Collins and Clarke Knight ran in a nice pack to finish 48th, 50th, 51st and 53rd, in that order. They are sure to battle it out for scoring rights throughout the season! Overall, the team placed 5th beating cross valley and Seven Sisters rival Mount Holyoke College. Check out full results at Smith's official athletics website: www.smithpioneers.com.

Our next meet is in two weeks at Williams College for the Plansky Invitational.

The season begins Saturday, September 10, with the Smith Invitational.

Come cheer on the cross country runners this Saturday, September 10, at 11am.  The start and finish line is at the Smith track.

Smith Cross Country finishes up preseason with a hard, wet circuit workout in the rain.

Smith Cross Country Preseason--the ten days of double workouts, sore muscles, and freezing cold pond plunges--officially ended yesterday.  Some highlights from the week include learning to stretch with Jim, Phil, and Thom (Thanks, Jim, 'kay?), 40 minutes of freezing in Puffer's Pond followed by 70 minutes of roasting in the van in traffic, ice baths, a long run at Wendell State Forest, breakfast at Ellen's, circuits in the rain on the track, and the ever-spirited presence of Sophia the Beaver.