Big Run, Big Game, Big Names

Yesterday we had a fun, challenging, and busy day. The morning started with our traditional "Big Smokey" long run, with the boys getting a full half-marathon in while most of the girls ran a tick over 11 miles. All finished well and it was a successful run.

After some time to rest and recover, we headed over to Shady Rest Park for the afternoon. A second-annual game of kick ball commenced, with typical hilarity. The Meecen (don't ask, it's a word that just came to be, born from men in Mammoth) were victorious, in large part to Dustin Means' cannon of a right leg, the "rookie" launched two long balls and circled the bases in dizzying fashion. He won the Player of the Game award, a title so prestigious that the game ball goes to the winner. This year's sphere was a baby blue bouncer with Star Wars figures painted on it. Sweet stuff, that.

We were treated to a delicious BBQ of burgers and dogs by Coach Peirce and the "Lords of the Grill", Mr. Andy Schupp and Mr. Mike Ritter who cooked 'em up to order. It was goooood.

The night was topped off with a presentation of Q-and-A by members of the Mammoth Track Club, a group of professional runners who live and train in the altitude of Mammoth Lakes. Among the six who spoke were Ryan Hall and Deena Kastor. Both are the leading marathoners from the United States, and Ryan ranks as one of the best in the world. Deena was the bronze medalist in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and was poised for an even higher finish in 2008 before her foot broke at mile three of the race. These and several others shared candidly and with humor the lessons they've learned along the way. This, after serving watermellon to the couple-hundred high school runners who came to listen. There was no fee for their knowledge.

Following the presentation, the pros mingled with the kids posing for photos and smiling gamely. Truly a unique aspect of our sport is the humility of it's very best! Good times.

The boys with Ryan Hall


Trevor Berney makes the catch


The girls with Ryan Hall


Girls, girls, girls!


MVP of the game, Dustin Means!