Cross Country camps & Track and Field camps are integral to the performance of an athlete. The summer is a very important time for athletes especially cross country runners to begin their practice before the season begins. I went to a track and field camp "Dick Fosbury Track Camp at Bowdoin College." It was an amazing experience. For anyone who does not know, Dick Fosbury was the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Champion of the high jump. Before 1968 jumpers would use the scissors technique or the western roll. By winning the 1968 Olympics, his high jump form called the "Fosbury Flop" became the high jump form that is used today.
It is an amazing honor to be able to learn from the man who invented the style of high jump. He is very kind and extremely knowledgable. He is someone who will work with every jumper individually to make sure that they become the very best. I had the honor of learning from him for 4 years and I may be his only jumper to ever decide to switch jumping legs.
The Dick Fosbury track camp is not just for high jump, they have a wide range of events (not limited to): hurdles, distance, middle distance, javelin, hammer (which is unique because most camps do not teach hammer), shot put, javelin, pole vault, and many more. Even for people who are decathletes or heptathletes, the camp will design a specific schedule for these particular athletes so that they may get the most out of the events.
The coaching staff is top notch at the Dick Fosbury Camp at Bowdoin College. I have learned so much from them. There are two work out sessions a day which are broken up by the amazing food of Bowdoin college. (My favorite day was when we got mussels for dinner) There are game times like a very fun track trivia night, water racing, dance with the band "the party killers" featuring Dick Fosbury singing and playing the guitar. The college also features beautiful spacious dorms.
Head Coach Peter Slovenski who runs the entire camp, is very knowledgable and works as a head coach at Bowdoin College. He also runs other camps like the cross country camp and a middle school camp at Panther Pond in Raymond, Maine.
The track camps at Panther Pond in Maine give the camper a more "summer camp" experience. Where campers can sleep in cabins, play in the surprisingly warm lake, eat food provided by the camp's chefs (it's really good) but to get dessert everyone has to use the SAT word of the day in a sentence. Like every good camp, there's of course a camp fire with sing alongs accompanied by the Slovenskis on the Cello and guitar.
For any running athlete using the resources of a summer camp is extremely helpful. But to help get a step ahead of the pack, the Slovenski Track Camps: Cross Country camp lead by Bowdoin College Coach Peter Slovenski, Middle School Track Camp, and The Dick Fosbury track Camp, are a great asset. I would definitely say this was integral to my success as a high school athlete and would rate my experience a 10/10.
The Dick Fosbury Track camp is ages 12-18 including high school graduates.
-Atalanta Iasus
For any questions on reviews or business inquires please send to Atalanta.Iasus@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
Saucony Shay XC Running Spikes
I never really thought of wearing spikes during cross country meets during high school. Most of our meets were on the street and having spikes in would be way more difficult. Now that I'm in college our meets are through trails and on grass, I decided to start wearing the XC spikes that were given to me.
I really enjoy the Saucony Shay XC 2 spikes. They are a great color, they are very light, and fit my feet perfectly. The only problem with them fitting perfectly is that I can only wear my thinnest socks with them, and I can barely fit in my team's thicker socks that we decorated together for Nationals.
I do enjoy the light feeling of the shoes. It is almost like they are an extension of me. The bottom of the shoe is thick enough that I don't have to worry about sharp rocks but the shoe is light enough it's like it's not even there. I even enjoy wearing the shoe after the meet is over, when most athletes throw there shoes to the side.
Since I am a forefoot striker I feel like the shoes allow me to be a forefoot striker. The shoes have stayed in really great condition even through the muddiest and hilliest courses that I have been on. I love how the underneath of the shoe looks like a foot and that the forefoot spikes. There doesn't seem to be much of a cushion in the shoe but I've never felt that the shoe was too tough or that there wasn't enough cushioning. Saucony's website says that the shoe has, "the first sole-based ability and cushioning system" which would explain why when you look at the shoe you don't see the cushioning.
A weird side note: The color inserts for the sides of the shoe were confusing and was unable to figure out how to put them into the shoe.
I would give the shoes a 9/10 since I am only able to wear the shoes with thin socks but all other aspects of the shoe are phenomenal, and I would buy them again. I love wearing them during meets and they have great traction when running on wet slippery surfaces.
-Atalanta
As always any business inquires should be sent to Atalanta.Iasus@gmail.com
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Mizuno Wave Rider 17 Running Shoes
What is a runner without their running shoes!?
For my "trainers" I wear Mizunos particularly the "wave riders." I have tried other brands of trainers but always come back to Mizuno, as I have also tried other types of Mizuno trainers but find that the wave riders are perfect for me. I have been wearing the wave riders since the Wave Rider 13, when I fell in love with the blue shade and decided to try out the shoes. Since Mizuno offers very little for spikes, and I prefer the slight advantage of spikes during a meet, I do not often run with Mizunos during a meet. In previous years when most of my cross country meets were on and off the road and wearing spikes was difficult, I very much enjoyed my Mizunos for meets.
I have a normal arch that is almost learning towards a higher arch. I was born a forefoot striker but can switch my gate to a midfoot stride. I have snapping of my Iliotibial bands due to congenital hip dysplasia (I was born with it) but find that these shoes work perfectly for me. I normally wear between a 9.5-10.5 women's shoe and my Mizuno's are a 10, so it's right in the middle.
The Wave Rider is known as a "neutral shoe." I find it to be lightweight but very durable, lasting me around 6 months while running a minimum of 20 miles a week. I have never had an issue with the shoe's ripping or falling apart. After 6 months I feel that the sole begins to wear down as does the cushioning at the bottom of the shoe but I feel that with all the pounding I have put on the shoe, that it is well worth it. The grip on the bottom of the shoe is very good and have had no issues with slipping. The shoes are breathable and I have had no issues with cold feet in the winter or of sweaty feet in the summer.
Just to even confirm how great this shoe is it has been given, "The Competitor Fit, Feel, Ride Award for Greatest shoe update" for the new Wave Rider 17. It has also been "An Absolute Runner's favorite for 16 years."
And just to seal the deal a little more: it comes in some fabulous colors.
Rate: 9/10, since the shoes do not come as spikes.
-Atalanta
For my "trainers" I wear Mizunos particularly the "wave riders." I have tried other brands of trainers but always come back to Mizuno, as I have also tried other types of Mizuno trainers but find that the wave riders are perfect for me. I have been wearing the wave riders since the Wave Rider 13, when I fell in love with the blue shade and decided to try out the shoes. Since Mizuno offers very little for spikes, and I prefer the slight advantage of spikes during a meet, I do not often run with Mizunos during a meet. In previous years when most of my cross country meets were on and off the road and wearing spikes was difficult, I very much enjoyed my Mizunos for meets.
I have a normal arch that is almost learning towards a higher arch. I was born a forefoot striker but can switch my gate to a midfoot stride. I have snapping of my Iliotibial bands due to congenital hip dysplasia (I was born with it) but find that these shoes work perfectly for me. I normally wear between a 9.5-10.5 women's shoe and my Mizuno's are a 10, so it's right in the middle.
The Wave Rider is known as a "neutral shoe." I find it to be lightweight but very durable, lasting me around 6 months while running a minimum of 20 miles a week. I have never had an issue with the shoe's ripping or falling apart. After 6 months I feel that the sole begins to wear down as does the cushioning at the bottom of the shoe but I feel that with all the pounding I have put on the shoe, that it is well worth it. The grip on the bottom of the shoe is very good and have had no issues with slipping. The shoes are breathable and I have had no issues with cold feet in the winter or of sweaty feet in the summer.
Just to even confirm how great this shoe is it has been given, "The Competitor Fit, Feel, Ride Award for Greatest shoe update" for the new Wave Rider 17. It has also been "An Absolute Runner's favorite for 16 years."
And just to seal the deal a little more: it comes in some fabulous colors.
Rate: 9/10, since the shoes do not come as spikes.
-Atalanta
As always any business inquires should be sent to Atalanta.Iasus@gmail.com
Welcome!
I am Atalanta Iasus. I am beginning a blog in the hopes of helping others with similar interests. I am a cross country athlete, high jumper, middle distance runner, relay runner, and long distance runner. I am also a figure skater and a tennis player. I am in college in the hopes of becoming an Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist. I am interesting in trying out products.
On my blog you'll find info about the sports I participate in, particularly running. You'll find reviews about athletic merchandise like running shoes, tennis racquets, ice skates, and reviews about some of the athletic camp's I've participated in, and other fun things. I would like to hear from you as well. :)
I've been running and doing track and field for 7 years, playing tennis 9 years, and I skated for 10 years. As a track and field runner I ran the 1000 meter, the 800 meter, and ran in the 4x800 relay. I ran the 5k in cross country throughout high school and now run the 6k in college cross country.
I am not a professional but am interesting in increasing my knowledge. If you are interesting in me trying an item out, all business inquires should be sent to Atalanta.Iasus@gmail.com.
I am Atalanta Iasus. I am beginning a blog in the hopes of helping others with similar interests. I am a cross country athlete, high jumper, middle distance runner, relay runner, and long distance runner. I am also a figure skater and a tennis player. I am in college in the hopes of becoming an Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist. I am interesting in trying out products.
On my blog you'll find info about the sports I participate in, particularly running. You'll find reviews about athletic merchandise like running shoes, tennis racquets, ice skates, and reviews about some of the athletic camp's I've participated in, and other fun things. I would like to hear from you as well. :)
I've been running and doing track and field for 7 years, playing tennis 9 years, and I skated for 10 years. As a track and field runner I ran the 1000 meter, the 800 meter, and ran in the 4x800 relay. I ran the 5k in cross country throughout high school and now run the 6k in college cross country.
I am not a professional but am interesting in increasing my knowledge. If you are interesting in me trying an item out, all business inquires should be sent to Atalanta.Iasus@gmail.com.
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