Hello, Calvin writing here. The first full weekend with the high schoolers began with a morning run to Taray. Paul, Curtis and I jogged over the Chaska to meet our group leaders, Tyler and Meghan. A longer recovery run along our usual morning route of Taray was planned. It was a sunny and brisk morning. I often start out feeling cold before the sun crests the Andean Mountains in Taray a couple miles into the run. The powerful sunshine not only warms up my body, but my mood as well. There’s nothing quite like experiencing the breathtaking scenery of the Sacred Valley during morning runs in Pisac. The thin air can be breathtaking as well, but now that the interns and our leaders have finished our sixth week here, our bodies have adapted well to training in the high altitude of 9700 feet.

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Runs to Taray in the morning always seems to fly by on the way out. I often lose track of time as we get lost in varying topics of conversation about anything from the daily agenda to old running stories. This was a longer recovery run at what we call conversational pace. After reaching our six miles turn off, we flipped to begin the long, gradual three kilometer ascent that we had just strolled down.We have yet to name this stretch of road unlike other significant routes and landmarks, such as the Big Bridge Loop or Big Black Llama and the infamous Meru hill on a different dirt road. Although you may think you are feeling good on a Taray run, you never know until taking on the three kilometer climb. We took it at a relaxed effort today because the focus was on feeling good to ensure we were well rested for our long run Sunday morning.

Almost immediately after we turned around to head back to Pisac, a large truck hauled down the center of the road and caught us off guard. We narrowly avoided the truck by jumping aside and running along the ditch. However, Tyler overstepped and sunk his left leg into the ditch. This did not please him, but a water logged shoe was better than a broken ankle. After we collected ourselves, we got rolling again and made it back to the high schooler’s hotel Chaska Wasi in Pisac.

Every run as a part of STRIVE is completed with the dynamic stretching routine known as “Ethio.” The focus is on hip mobility and balance. By this point on the trip, I can go through each movement and stretch unconsciously. I think it’s a good way to loosen up and initiate post-run recovery. The real recovery begins at the market though. Each morning the high school group along with their leaders Nick, Meghan, and Tyler flood the Pisac Market for breakfast. I enjoy accompanying the group and scavenging like a condor on the assortment of leftover food and juices. I was well nourished this morning, as I indulged on several half-eaten pancakes, a partial omelet, and a couple glasses of beet juice concoctions. It was a satisfying breakfast to refuel before embarking on our trip to Cusco.