Teams run, raft and relax along McKenzie River

Becoming a strong team of runners requires some vigorous physical training — but that’s just the beginning.

The Outlaws cross country teams have learned that recreating together can be the glue that holds a squad together and makes it strong.

For this reason, the teams have made a tradition of having a mid-summer running camp on the McKenzie River that features miles of trail running as well as plenty of time rafting down the scenic waterway and hanging around the campfire.

The girls team, lead by assistant coach Rima Givot, spent July 10-12 camping at Trail Bridge. The boys had a shorter trip on July 15-16.

A typical day had the girls and boys running a section of the 26-mile McKenzie River Trail, sharing a meal and then heading out on the river. An evening run or hike before dinner gave those with energy to spare another chunk of trail to cover.

Givot’s husband, Gabe Chladek, along with Sisters High School alums Conner Burck, Laura Campbell and Lindsay Chick acted as raft guides. According to Givot, one of the highlights of the trip is running from Carmen Reservoir downtrail to Tamolich Pool where the McKenzie River reappears after disappearing beneath the lava a mile or so upstream.

Tamolich’s turquoise clear water is inviting to a sweaty runner, but the frigid temperature of the pool gives potential swimmers pause.

“It takes a lot of nerve to jump in, but once the first person goes, the rest of the team tends to follow,” said Givot.

In contrast, runners appreciated the therapeutic hot tub-like temperatures of Deer Creek Hot Springs where they soaked tired legs later in the trip.

Two girls, Jena Rickards and Ryanne Conrads, actually covered the entire length of the trail, which extends from Clear Lake to just beyond Paradise Campground, during the trip.

The boys did 19 miles of trail in their shorter trip.

Time around the campfire is spent getting to know one another, swapping stories and sharing goals. In addition, the “paper bag game,” another tradition of the trips, provides a physical and mental challenge for those willing to try standing on one foot and picking up a paper bag from the ground in their teeth. Round by round, the bag is torn shorter and closer to the ground. This year, Rima Givot, Kyle Rickards and camp guests Trinity Chick and Micah Hillis all picked up the flat bottom of what remained of the bag.

Just under half of the team’s expected runners were able to make the trip, including Rickards, Conrads, Janelle Hjelmstad, Deirdre Kelleher, Emily Rickards, Erin and Claire Kanzig, Kyra Weber, Sydney Randall, Awbrey Cretsinger, Lani Ulmer, and Hannah Boles. Boys’ team members included Lucas Glick, Kyle Rickards, Thomas Schantz, Dylan Hicks, Jared Henderson, Cory Bigelow and Benton Urquhart. Cross country alum Micah Hillis joined in as a guest leader.

“We’ll try to do some other outings for those who couldn’t make it,” said Givot. “It’s empowering individually and collectively to spend time outdoors together.”

In fact, an assault up Black Butte is scheduled for Thursday, July 20. Anyone interested in running or hiking the butte can meet at Sisters High School at 5:30 p.m.

Members of the team meet on Wednesday mornings at 6:30 a.m. at Buck Run, Thursdays at 6 a.m. at Sisters Coffee Company, and Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the Tollgate Pool for informal running opportunities. Community members are welcome.