Whiteface...

Climb, Climb and then we climbed some more. I love doing things I have never done before and today was one of those days. I have never climbed up hill steady for 45 min!!!!

Gary, Trephina, Jennifer and Paula met in the parking lot at 5:40 AM so that we could start our climb up to Whiteface Mountain. We did a 10 min warm up an then we began our climb. It was raining and cold when we left and the best thing about climbing was that it kept us warm. Eric had told me to be careful and make the call at the toll booth as to whether or not to keep climbing. It was incredible you just keep going we climbed for the 4 miles to the toll booth. That may not sound like alot but until you do it, you just can't appreciate it. It took about 45 min or so all uphill. I have never climbed continually for that long. Jennifer and I approached the toll booth and looked at what was ahead and with the conditions , it was our vote to go back down. Paula, Gary and Trephina agreed.

So back down we went, it was a little hairy. Very wet and very cold. My triceps were screaming and my hands sore by the time we got to the bottom of the descent. We saw the rest of the crew with Eric going up and they went all the way to the summitt, the whole 8 miles, and saw temperatures in the 30's.

We regrouped at the C-store had the best hot chocalate, we were so cold. I was worried about getting everyone back on the rode, due to the conditions. We tried to help Shawn, he had flatted and went thru several CO2, not to mention he had to be freezing too standing out in the freezing rain, changing tires. I gave him the keys to the truck and we set out on the out and back section of the course. Those 14 miles were pretty good, warmed us up a little, we got back to CStore to find Hods & Juergens freeezing and sitting in the truck drinking hot cocca too. We made decision it was in the best interest of everyone to head back to the hotel and get out of the rain. It rained the whole way back but after riding Whiteface the cherries and the bears did not seem so bad.

We all got back took quick showers to warm up and headed out for a run on the course. We got in an hour and ten minutes that started out rough for me but then got better. Jennifer, Paula and I kept each other company. They have done amazing.

All my athletes have done so well here, really enjoying the atomsphere that is hard to beat here in LP.. They are so prepared and ready to race here. Chris, Paula and Jennifer will all be here next month to race and they are all going to rip it up. Chris rode all the to the top of Whiteface, and Paula, Jen, and Trephina have just been busting it! It has been awesome to train with each of them.

After the run we went to lunch at one of my favorite LP spots - The Cottage, excellent lunch. Trephina and I shopped our way back to the hotel. We all met at the Mirror Lake for a swim around the course. The water was much warmer than the air.

The conditions today were extremely tough but everyone made the best of it and had great days.

We all had another great dinner at the Adirondack Steak Seafood.

Tomorrow is a big day, we will be riding the course in it entirety, followed by a brick run and another swim. Suppose to be beuatiiful.

Looking forward to it. Check back tomorrow for more.