Hello friends and family!
I am incredibly fortunate to be able to run, ride, bike, ski, play soccer with my girls (the list goes on), while for others these tasks are not just a challenge, but near impossibilities. Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports provides access to recreational and competitive athletic training, equipment and support for people who have disabilities in the areas of hiking, running, biking, skiing, snow snowshoeing, horse back riding, rock climbing, boating and more.
Over the years, I've chased different endurance challenges, thoroughly enjoying the build-up to the event(s) as much as the incredible sense of satisfaction upon completion. This run is dedicated to those of us who don't normally get to enjoy this incredible feeling - and to helping them have an opportunity to do so.
June 28th Update:
After a two month mega training block, with weekly averages in the 12hr range, i tapered down last week to do a systems check at the Catamount 50k. I ended-up finishing in my target time of 4:20 (coincidence?), which was good enough for 3rd place overall. More important than scoring some cool swag, was testing-out my new downhill form, which i've been working on since blowing-out my quads and feet at Boston. The trick has been to keep feet close to the ground, make impact directly below my body, lean slightly forward and let feet kick way back behind me. At first, it felt alien to not reaching out (and subsequently more on the brakes on descents), but waking-up this morning with nearly no quad pain (and ripping the descents yesterday), has me pretty darn pumped. All i need to focus on now is staying healthy, putting-in a good training wk this wk, then enjoying the well deserved taper into the festivities on July 18th-19th.
May 10th Update:
After an amazing experience in Boston (ALMOST broke 3hrs, so close!), an angry cuboid (dislocation - foot) made running a real challenge. After struggling through runs for a wk, took to the bike for a week - and discovered to my surprise that the tight fit of the bike shoes pushed the slightly dislocated cuboid back into place! And the break from the pounding kicked-off the biggest training weeks (well, on foot) i've ever put in - almost 10hrs of running over 70 miles, a good deal of that on the technical singletrack we love here in Vermont. This was exactly the mileage i was hoping to be putting-in at this point, with the goal of ramping-up a 100mile wk before tapering down for the hundie. Of course, that goal, and how hard it is to run 100miles in a week, puts running 100 miles in 24hrs into perspective! In the middle of this block is the VT City Marathon, which i'll be 'training through', but still hoping for a decent result. As always, looking to push the training as hard as i can w/o getting injured. it's a delicate line!
April 1st Training Update:
It was a cold New England winter, but didn't let it slow things down. At the beginning of the year really began ramping miles back up into the 40's (per week), then by March into the 50's. This was complicated by a nasty 3wk GI tract bug which sapped my strength. What doesn't kill you ... For cross training (and fun) I also backcountry/xc/alpine skied with sundays dedicated to ripping around mad river glen with family & friends (season is still going strong!). March was one of the biggest training months I've ever had, with 225 miles of running and nearly 50 miles of self-propelled (non lift assist) skiing. 5a wake-ups to knock-out miles before work, then skipping lunch to snag more miles has become the norm.
April will be a fun month, as i turn 40 on April 3rd, run in my first Boston Marathon on the 20th, and continue the momentum into the Vermont City Marathon over Memorial Day. In-between I have some monster runs planned, as would befit the challenge I've committed to. I appreciate your support of my fund raising goal!
Thank you!
Jeff
MORE INFO:
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing recreational and competitive sports opportunities to people with disabilities. We believe sports and recreation provide a physical, mental and social experience that is immeasurable in promoting self-confidence and independence in an individual.
With nearly 400 active volunteers instructing and helping, plus generous partners and sponsors, and an amazing base of clients and friends, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports has been at the forefront of sports and recreation for those with disabilities in New England for more than 20 years. Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. We promote independence and further equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational activities.
The VT 100 is one of Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports biggest fund raisers every year. Without our participants, volunteers and sponsors, Vermont Adaptive would not be able to provide access to: skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, hand cycling, tandem biking, horse back riding, rock climbing, hiking, camping and other adventure weekends to their participants!
For more information about Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports: www.vermontadaptive.org.
Vermont 100 Endurance Race - VT 100 Fundraising
The Vermont 100 Endurance Race is in it's 27th year and was started by the same woman who founded Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. The VT 100 is put on every year by a committee of 10 dedicated volunteers who work year round, 200 volunteers who come out for race weekend, over 30 private land owners and many donors of funds, products or services. Every penny raised by the VT 100 goes to the continuation and improvement of the programs offered by Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports.
The course is a "shamrock" loop, consisting of 70% dirt or jeep roads with the rest on woods trails with just a couple miles of pavement. The course both climbs and descends 14000 - 15000 feet. Participants have 30 hours to complete the race and many strive to finish in under 24 hours. In 2008 we added a 100 K course that uses almost all of the same trial, just cutting out the first of the shamrocks leaves.
All 100 Mile participants must have completed a 50 mile race in 12 hours or less to qualify and everyone is required to volunteer for 8 hours at an ultra race to enter.
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is the largest year-round disabled sports non-profit organization in Vermont offering the most diverse program opportunities and unique, specialized equipment. Vermont Adaptive promotes independence and furthers equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational opportunities including alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports; kayaking, canoeing, sailing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, tennis, horseback riding, wellness and environmental programming and more. We serve clients of all abilities with physical, cognitive and emotional/behavioral disabilities from all over the world in three locations in Vermont during the winter – Killington Resort and Pico Mountain in Killington; Sugarbush Resort in Warren; and Bolton Valley in Bolton. Summer programs are provided state-wide.
With nearly 400 active volunteers, plus generous partners and sponsors, and an amazing base of clients and friends, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports has been at the forefront of sports and recreation for those with disabilities in New England.
Mission
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. We promote independence and further equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational activities.
Our Vision
We believe sports and recreation provide a physical, mental and social experience that is immeasurable in promoting self-confidence and independence in an individual. To that end, we extend an enormous thanks to our affiliates, sponsors and partners who believe in our mission and vision, and who afford us the opportunity to bring sports and recreation to our clients' lives.