Articles

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Long Trail. Originally envisioned by James P. Taylor, construction of the ridgeline trail began in 1910. Traversing the Taconic Mountains in southern Vermont and stretching northward along the spine of the Green Mountains, the Long Trail marches relentlessly from the Massachusetts border to the border of Canada.

Tourists from near and far will be filling their gas tanks and driving through Vermont admiring the palette of colors that residents enjoy every autumn. Luckily, readers of Vermont Sports are pluckier than those who need an internal combustion engine to see the sights. They know that some of the best ways to admire the views require muscle, not motors.

Prized for its naturally insulating, odor-free, breathable, moisture-resistant, and elastic properties, merino wool is fast becoming a clothing staple among dedicated athletes and active outdoors people.

The gang and I recently finished a post-work mountain bike ride in the dark and had to resort to a style of riding we call Brail Trail. As we were making our way out of the woods, a realization hit me just like the low-hanging branch that soon followed: light season is here.

The summer months so far have seen the successful completion of 10 running races hosted by the Green Racing Project at Craftsbury, and I have to say, organizing races is harder than you might think. We’ve learned a lot being on the other side of the start and finish line; in other words, we’ve made plenty of mistakes this summer as rookie race organizers.

Last month, I read Bill McKibben’s new book, Eaarth. It impressed me enough to devote my August column to thoughts stimulated by the book. Under normal circumstances that would have been enough, but recent newspaper headlines and NPR commentaries have kept the book on my mind.

Toenails are subjected to repeated micro trauma from sport activities that can cause them to become deformed and painful. Court sports, field sports, and running are at the top of the list of sports most likely to be associated with toenail injuries.

INGROWN TOENAILS