The Dallas Mustangs organized a training trip to Los Alamos, New Mexico for five days just before Christmas. Twenty-five swimmers from the National and Gold groups took part and ended up having an experience that will last a lifetime.
Along on the trip were 13 swimmers from our friends at Lewisville Aquatic Club. The teams were jointly coached by Mook Rhodenbaugh and Doug Moyse from DM and Matt Rowe and Shannon Gillespy from LAC.
The group flew into Albuquerque and rode a chartered bus to Los Alamos, stopping in Santa Fe to get lunch at the famous Coyote Café and do a bit of shopping.
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After departure from Santa Fe we rode north through the valley and then the bus started its climb up the steep mountain road up to the high mesa and Los Alamos. The view was spectacular and there was a buzz of excitement and anticipation at every turn. After arriving at the hotel late Saturday, the team unpacked and got ready for their first workout at the pool. The first workout was in the evening after dark. We set out by foot - flatlanders in the dark surrounded by hills, valleys, tall pines…well we found it but took the long way. The workout on Saturday evening was light but there was some mention about "the air up here". Plans to ski the next day were a no go because of very little early season snowfall. The team started two a days on Sunday. It soon became evident that swimming at 7,000 feet plus was a challenge, but all team members were up to it. |
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Prior to afternoon workout on Monday, the team went on a "little walk in the woods" (where does this trail go anyway?!?). Two hours and six miles of up and down trail hiking later, the team hit the pool. A couple painful lessons were learned on this hike -
After the hike, the group hit the pool for the afternoon workout (no need for any dry lands to warm up. At left, Sarah Wells and Warren Renick lead the faithful back toward civilization. |
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During the remainder of the trip, the team had opportunities for more hiking; a bit of shopping; ice skating at an outdoor rink; a visit to the Bradbury Atomic Museum; and a lot of team bonding, and plenty of training in the highest 50 meter indoor pool in America. |
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Mustangs who took advantage of this wonderful opportunity were: Matt Acuff, Candice Blackman, Jennifer Blackman, Dennis Bowsher, Alexandra Buckley, Kathryn Collier, Debbie Forinash, Jeff Girard, Eric Gusa, Andrew Hansen, Greg Henderson, Margaret Henderson, Christina Hoover, Bryan Jester, Matt Knubowitz, Jason Luter, Oscar Masters, Courtney Patterson, Warren Renick, Jessica Rowe, Jeff Shipp, Brian Stephens, Sarah Wells, Kenneth Wherry, and Mohamed El Madani. Before heading back to Dallas, the team members and coaches strike a pose! |
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