Disclosure: My race entry fee, accommodations, and meals were paid for by Cabot Creamery Cooperative. All opinions and such expressed here are my own.
Meet the 2016 Cabot Fit Race team:
Anne @ fANNEtastic Food
Jess @ Dietitian Jess
Katie @ Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Amanda @ The Wholesome Dish
Danielle @ Food Confidence (me!)
Roni @ Ronis Weigh
How much fun can you have on a mostly rainy weekend in Vermont prepping for a relay race? A TON! I had such a wonderful weekend with these amazing gals and the Cabot team, who have been hosting these running experiences since 2013. If you don’t know Cabot, they are a cooperative owned by 1,200 family farms in New York and New England.
I’ve been on the Cabot Cheese Board for the last few years and given the opportunity to taste many a Cabot cheese. I don’t cook a lot with cheese, mostly because I prefer to eat it cold, but I do love sharing Cabot with friends and family.
My weekend began late afternoon on Friday when I was greeted at the airport by Sara in the infamous Cabot Cheese van. We arrived at the Swift House Inn, which became our home away from home for the weekend. I stayed in the Governor’s room, which was a treat given I had my very own fireplace.
On Saturday morning we toured the Kayhart Brothers Dairy Farm, an award winning, family run Dairy Farm.
We got a fun farm tour from Steve Kayhart, a runner himself and a part of the Cabot fit team. He talked candidly with us about what it means to be a dairy farmer and how he cares for his dairy cows.
Then we visited the babies. We spent a lot of time hanging with these sweet baby cows, they were excited to see us and enjoyed licking our fingers!
We gave some love to the momma cows as well.
We also explored the very quaint town of Middlebury….
….and enjoyed a pre-race dinner of pizza and salad. What else should you eat before a race, right?
On Saturday night, I set out my race outfit and tried to get some sleep.
I woke up Sunday morning excited to get out there, regardless of the dreary weather!
Finishing up the last mile!
Being part of the Cabot Fit team was totally fun! My relay partner Katie Webster ran the first 7 miles and I ran the last half. I didn’t run fast (at all!), but I finished strong and I felt pretty good. I sort of regret not training harder for it, but I plan to pick up the pace for my next race in September, which is a full half marathon in DC’s wine country.
On Sunday afternoon we had a Cabot cheese and local wine + cider tasting and ended the weekend relaxing and cutting loose with a good old-fashioned Pictionary game.
Is life better in Vermont? I don’t know for sure, but after spending this fun weekend in Middlebury, I might like to find out!
