University of Richmond Athletics
Behind The Web - Spider Cross Country
08/29/2014 | Cross Country
Behind The Web takes a special look at Spider student-athletes, focusing not only on their success in athletic competition, but on their accomplishments, achievements and interests away from the field, court, pool and track.
This month's Behind The Web features a behind-the-scenes look at Richmond cross country's preseason training trip to Mountain Lake Lodge in Giles County, Virginia.
Click here to view the SpiderTV Behind The Web video.
Mountain Lake, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, is one of two natural lakes in in Virginia, and was the site for the on-location filming of the 1987 film Dirty Dancing.
Aside from the history and the beauty, Mountain Lake is an ideal place for cross country preseason training. Given the terrain, Mountain Lake Lodge provides opportunities for the athletes to run trails and mountains.
“The scenery is breathtaking and the mountains provide the challenges we are looking for in our preseason training,” said Richmond coach Steve Taylor.
Additionally, the student-athletes have the opportunity to train at Bald Knob, one of the highest points in Virginia, located next to Mountain Lake Lodge. The teams run from the bottom of the mountain to the top, an elevation gain in excess of 2,000 vertical feet. Taylor cited the run as being “difficult” but also a “metaphor for the challenges athletes face in life”.
In addition to tough training runs, the cross-country teams also have time to bond outside of running. In the evenings, the athletes held campfires, which served to unify the team members before classes start. The ability to hold preseason camp at a getaway destination is extremely valuable.
As Coach Taylor describes, “Mountain Lake Lodge provides a place where, as a team, we can gain complete focus on training and laying the foundation for the upcoming season without distractions.”
Stay updated on all the latest Richmond Cross Country news on RichmondSpiders.com.
More in-depth coverage can be found by following head coach Steve Taylor on Twitter and by reading his blog. The Spiders also have their own Facebook and Instagram pages and have also launched their own YouTube Video Channel.
