Campers were up early again today for the morning run and stretch which also includes 50 push-ups. This morning we had the High Ropes going for half the group and the other half got to experience Sufferfest. At the Ropes it was individual goals coupled with Teamwork. Lots of cheering and challenges as well as the periodic sound of the Rubber Chicken, which resides at the very top of the Vertical Playpen (approx 45 feet in the air). Campers were pushing their limits, especially those who have a slight fear of heights.
Sufferfest includes 50 rock squats, rock presses, rock twists, a 50 yard rock run, 100 push-ups and 50 burpees thrown in for good measure. They were suffering, but with smiles! They then move onto agility heaven with the Slalom, Berg Und Thal and obstacle courses. Personal records were made and then broken repeatedly.
After refueling at lunch we had a quick talk about Nutrition in the gym before loading the bus for everyone’s favorite – the Sandpits! Inspecting the course the campers were silent and nervous, but they showed in the first training run that they were ready to Dig Deep! Two training runs followed by two race runs were enough to fill everyone’s shoes with sand and put smiles on their faces. Then it was off to the pond to swim, cool off, and clean up!
After dinner we’ll have more rock climbing and dirt digging before Andrew’s Crazy Relays begin and chaos ensues. Between all the laughing and giggling, we’ll get in a great workout too! We’ll finish up with the infamous Jello Drop. The jello was prepared by veteran Coach, but rookie Jello-maker, JT. Hoping for a good batch! We’ll end the night by giving the 2014 Europa Cuppers their special ELITEAM t-shirts before bed, which will officially make all the newbie campers “ELITEAMers”. So great to add so many new ELITEAMers to our family this year!
See you all tomorrow for the ELITEAM Olympics, which starts at 10am!
COACHES CORNER:
Musings from Coach Ben… Doing 150 pushups per day has a tendency for lacking originality. To compensate for this shortcoming the the campers have started counting out pushups in French, Spanish, and what has to be a made up language. 10 of the 150 pushups the boys did today were from being too early for morning run and done as a sort of reparation for walking by the coaches dorm and waking us all up. It may not seem like much but I can always use 10 more minutes of sleep to help me match the level of intensity and enthusiasm the campers bring with them every day.
This enthusiasm and drive was represented no better elsewhere than it was today at the sandpits. I watched from my dugout perch as campers progressed massively over their two training runs and two race runs. What started as a walk for Abigail on the first run turned into a top 4 finish and a place in the finals against her sister Chloe and two other campers. For the second week running a girl camper took home the overall title as Eliza D. finished with a whopping sub 17 second time.
I also watched campers excel on the high ropes course today as I stood below watching campers like Lauren and Julian climb farther than they thought possible. In addition it is worth noting that Winter managed to go up and across the world cup in a minute and 56 seconds, a feat that will hold more merit when you are introduced to the element on Saturday.
Well that’s all for me tonight. I have successfully avoided counting out pushups in Swahili or something like that so it is now time for some Swedish dodgeball. Who knew I’d be exposed to so many cultures this week.
Coach Lauren recaps the SANDPIT SLALOM: Sunny skies, sandy shoes, steep terrain and slushy popsicles! The sandpit slalom started with a quick uphill push and then a intense drop into tight turns. Campers had one inspection run, two practice runs and then two race runs. 4 girls and 4 boys moved on to the finals and for the second EC in a row a female won the overall title!! Some campers tried quick rabbit feet while others tried the hop turn technique! No matter your technique and speed, everyone learned high early turns were your best bet. The adventure ended with a quick dip in the local swimming hole which washed away all the sandy feet and then campers sampled their own yogurt banana bread they baked yesterday! Eliteamers had no problem pushing DEEP in the sand today!
Coach Sarah shares her take on SUFFERFEST:
“My arms feel like spaghetti!”-Julia
“I love my rock. It’s my baby” Casey
“Every time I do a push-up I make sure to kiss my rock!” No name
Today campers switched activities and a new set of campers faced Sufferfest. Between choruses of “1, 2, 3, SUFFER!!”, hard work and burning legs; this group tackled Sufferfest with a great attitude and lots of laughs. From Monty breaking his rock from throwing it so hard, to Julia powering through, everyone killed it today!!!
CAMPER QUOTES
So far what has been the best part of ELITEAM?
Alex – The sandpits are awesome because you need to be super stable around turns.
Case – Sandpits because I liked going through the the gates down the steep hill.
Sam D – The ropes Course – by far!
Zach – Definitely the Sandpits are the best because wheeling through the gates feels like you are flying.
Ford – The best part of ELITEAM is the sandpit slalom because it is fun and challenging.
Tom – I liked the sandpit slalom because i got some competition.
Luke – My favorite part was the sandpits because of the awesome steep course and I won.
Ben – Ropes because it’s so fun to be in the air.
Peyton – The ropes courses were the best because it added a challenge in a different venue.
Lea: Ropes Course-It’s so fun!
Eliza D: Ropes Course because they forced you to set and then extend goals, challenged you, and were super FUN.
Libby: The FOOD! I am always up for home cooked food.
Lauren: The woods-I love being out and challenging myself.
How much did you suffer at Sufferfest? How did you push through it?
Ford – I didn’t suffer in Sufferfest, but the soreness after was the suffering.
Sam D – I suffered a lot. I pushed pretty hard through the suffering though. I dug deep.
Case – I thought some things were easy but others were kinda hard.
Alex – I didn’t suffer really at all, but it was a lithe hard but I kept trying. I didn’t give up.
Zach – I suffered really hard and having a smile on your face while suffering is awesome.
Luke – I suffered so much at SUFFERFEST because the rock squats made your legs burn so you had to dig deep to keep going.
Ben – I pushed through the suffering by drinking a lot of water.
How was the food at ELITEAM?
Sam D – Great! Taco Thursday was my favorite.
Case – I liked it a lot. Breakfast was best.
Zach – The food is pretty good – I mean it’s really good for camp food. My favorite was Taco Thursday.
Tom – The food was great! My favorite meal was tacos!
Luke – The chicken sandwich because it was good chicken and it just tasted really good.
Ben – Yum!! Spaghetti and meatballs.
Peyton – The food is delicious. I love the breakfast.
Meredith: I loved the tacos!
Eliza D: The food is DELICIOUS! I love the spaghetti and in the morning the yogurt and granola.
What did you think of Sandpits? What was the key to having a good run?
Sam D – You have to fast and stable.
Case – I thought it was fun. You need to start your turn early.
Alex – The sandpits were awesome.
Zach – It was awesome. The key is definitely jump turns.
Ben – The key is to jump on the turns so you don’t slide.
Peyton – The sandpits were so much fun. the key is to jump and get a high line.
Quinn and Kate: Awesome and run fast!
Lauren: The key is to have confidence in yourself and have courage.
Lindsay: Jump turns.
ELITEAM is…
Zach – AWESOME!!
Case – Exciting
Sam D – AWESOME.
Alex – Super Duper AWESOME
Ford – The BEST!
Tom – AWESOME!
Peyton – AWESOME.
Meredith: AWESOME!
Lauren: You building your muscles and showing you can do anything.
