Hola friends,

I happen to be a sophomore Feb at Middlebury College (I started school last February and will graduate in February 2013).  I started trotting around in sixth grade as part of my middle school cross country team.  Graduating from the little leagues, I went on to run for my high school but never really fell into the right stride, 5k’s were just too short.  Vouching to trail race after my final cross country season senior year, I took some time off and ended up forgetting about running.  Some unforeseen events, surgery and a failing digestive system, sparked me to regain interest in maintaining a more healthy lifestyle.  During the fall after graduating high school, while other soon-to-be Febs were adventuring around the globe, I spent time resting from surgery, in physical therapy, and focusing on my body.  It didn’t take me long at Middlebury to rekindle my love for running, and a semester after beginning school, I began training for my first ultramarathon, the Vermont 50.  After finishing the 50k race (31 miles) much faster than anticipating I knew an addiction was brewing.  And soon enough some local Vermont runners were coaxing me into trying out my first 50 mile race.  5 weeks after my first race, I towed the starting line of the Stone Cat 50 in MA.  Finishing that race only further solidified my addiction.  4 weeks later, I shot out to San Francisco to race in The North Face Endurance Series 50 Mile Championship on the weekend before my final exams.  Whoops, I’m hooked.  My upcoming season is packed full of races (hopefully not too many!) with the centerpiece being the Vermont 100.  I’m having a pretty fun time, and I’d love to share it with you.  Local to Middlebury?  A college student?  Let’s go for a run.  That would make my day.

See you on the trails,

Alex Russo