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The 2011 US Mountain Running Team took time to pose for a team photo outside the US Embassy in Tirana, Albania. Richmond Spider athletes Ryan Lee and Billy Fayette (back row) along with Clare Moretz (3rd from right) joined US Team Leaders and teammates who had the opportunity to meet with US Ambassador Arvizu.
(Photo compliments U.S. Embassy) |
The U.S. Mountain Running Team will compete in the 27th World Mountain Running Championships in Albania on Sunday, September 11. Today (Friday) they visited the US Embassy and spent time with Ambassador Arvizu and also previewed the World Championships race course.
Here are the locations people can follow along the USA Team:
Coach Taylor’s Twitter go HERE
US Mountain Running Team (USMRT) Twitter go HERE
Coach Taylor’s Blog go HERE
US Mountain Running Team (USMRT) Blog go HERE
US Mountain Running Team (USMRT) Facebook page go HERE
Here is a short post we received from
University of Richmond Sophomore, Ryan Lee regarding their first full day in Albania:
"We had the course preview in the morning today so we did our short fartlek workout this afternoon. The course was really cool. It’s supposed to be mid 90's on Sunday and I'm pretty sure it hasn't rained here in 20 years based on how dusty it is, so the course/race is going to be pretty hot and dusty since it’s all on gravel/ dirt. The course is really cool though. The first half of the uphill isn’t too bad, and then it’s the steepest thing I’ve ever seen, but only lasts for about 600 meters. The first 400M of the race or so is open gravel road then single track all the way to the top, including the steepest part which is a staircase pretty much. It then opens up at the top for about 200M until it’s very, very steep single track for about 400M-500M before the rest of the downhill which is more gradual and on a gravel dusty road where we will absolutely fly. That completes the loop and then it’s back up again to repeat for lap #2. The race is going to be a lot of fun and should be exactly what we prepared for. Even on the preview after we crested the top and were a little winded, after that short open flat at the top we were ready to roll downhill which should be the case Sunday. As for the fartlek Billy and I both felt really really good so that’s also a good sign. I wrote this pretty quick because we are about to go out to get some food for race day but I’ll send the pictures of the course preview tonight when we get back. Go USA!!"----
Ryan Lee
VISTING THE U.S. EMBASSY IN TIRANA, ALBANIA:
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| Members of the of the U.S. Mountain Running team pictured here chatting with U.S. Embassy officials. (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy) |
Statement from the U.S. Embassy: “The Embassy received a visit from the US Mountain Running Team that is here in Albania to compete in the 27th World Mountain Running Championships held in Tirana on September 11th. 33 countries will be competing and the US Team is hoping to defend its Men’s Silver Medal from 2010 and win medals with the women’s and junior teams as well. We wish the best of luck to the 20 members of the US team who will be competing and hope they have an injury free competition!” ---U.S. Embassy-Tirana
“Thank you Ambassador Arvizu, Niles Cole and the rest of your staff for your hospitality. This visit really helps motivate the team for Sunday’s race. Go USA!"---Richard Bolt-Team USA Staff
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| Members of the of the U.S. Mountain Running team pictured here chatting with Ambassador Arvizu about the team, the sport, and Albania. (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy) |
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| Members of the of the U.S. Mountain Running team pictured here chatting with Ambassador Arvizu about the team, the sport, and Albania. (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy) |
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| Another photo of members of the of the U.S. Mountain Running team pictured chatting with Embassy officials about the team, the sport, and Albania. (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy) |
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| Another photo of members of the of the U.S. Mountain Running team pictured chatting with Embassy officials about the team, the sport, and Albania. (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy) |
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Ambassador Arvizu receives a gift of a team cowbell (a mountain running symbol), hat, and medal from US team leader and USATF representative Nancy Hobbs at U.S. Embassy, Tirana Information Resource Center.
(Photo compliments U.S. Embassy) |
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| A photo of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania. (Photo compliments U.S. Embassy) |
WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS RACE COURSE PREVIEW:
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| The 2011 World Mountain Running Championships start line. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| The race course narrows quickly...(Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| ...and becomes steep, narrow single track. This is mountain running! (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| Billy Fayette climbs into the sun as the course reaches 40% incline. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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The steepest part of the course is single track with steps carved into the mountain side.
It's dry, dusty and hard packed dirt. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| The course had a special guest on the course preview...(Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| I'm not sure how they got by this guy...Can anyone say "andale". (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| The course climbs for great views of Tirana. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| The city of Tirana, Albania. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| The top of the climb...Far below at the bottom you will find the start. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| Spiders runners Ryan Lee and Billy Fayette pause at the top of the race course for a photo with Tirana, Albania in the back-drop. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| Billy Fayette at the top with Tirana, Albania in the background. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| More of the single-track race course. Here the course is flat before the steep drop back off the mountain. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| A little further across the top of the mountain you pass an abandoned building before starting the descent. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| Billy Fayette in the edge of the photo looking at part of the steep, technical running descent...(Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| More of the descent...Here you see the fastest part of the course. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| The finish line of the 2011 IAAF World Mountain Running Championships. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| Ryan Lee photo, so who's knee is this? Welcome to mountain running. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| (R-L) USA Junior Team (under 20) members Clare Moretz, Lara Shegoski and Krisztina Dearborn take a photo at the hotel. (Ryan Lee Photo) |
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| University of Richmond freshman Clare Moretz with the Adriatic Sea in the background...(Ryan Lee photo) |
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| The mountains outside Tirana. |
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| The tram overlooking Tirana. |
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| Albanian money...the Lek. (Ryan Lee photo) |
