Stitch in time

As we prepared for two challenging workouts at the rail trail in New Paltz on an impossibly steamy Friday, the biggest concern was adapting to the relentless humidity and heat. But, as often happens, life takes unexpected turns. Everybody handled the humidity as well as could be expected and got their workouts in to varying degrees of success -- both in the midday men's workout and the mid-afternoon women's workout. Sophomore Dan Hillman had perhaps his best tempo workout at the trail, covering the 6-mile out-and-back tempo is a very strong time for him. He was pleased with it, and we've been thrilled at his excellent progress so far in the early stages of the XC season. After hydrating, he set off on his cooldown, heading south on the trail toward the Village of New Paltz. His foot caught a

little lip in the pavement (been there, done that) and he went airborne (been there, done that), landing hard on his knee and the palms of his hands. He was a bloody mess by the time we found him, but he said he wasn't in too much pain (Hillman's a tough kid). We patched him up as best as we could in the park-and-ride lot (good thing we remembered to bring a med kit with us), got him back to the training room for evaluation (photo to left from van ride home) and treatment, and he was dispatched to the ER for stitches. As you can see above. He will be fine, although given the location of the stitches he was told not to run, bike or swim for a week -- a death sentence for a high mileage XC runner. He took the news well and we're confident he will come back strong soon.