By Christopher McLaughlin

Although Eric Blake has taken on the head coaching duties of both the men and women’s cross country teams, he still finds time to do what he loves most: running.

“I usually run about 340 days of the year,” said Blake. “I really enjoy running, training and racing, so when I shoot for a race I always train hard. During the school year I don’t have a lot of time to train for big races so I do most of them over the summer.”

One of the biggest races Blake is involved in is one that he has run every year since 2004, the Mount Washington Road Race.

“The Mount Washington Road Race is my favorite race to participate in. It’s got a 5,000 foot incline and goes for 7.6 miles,” said Blake. “I know the course so well that I usually do very well in the race.”

This year Blake finished second overall with a time of 1 hour and 40 seconds. His finish was what allowed him to qualify for a place on Team USA at the World Mountain Running Championships in Slovenia.

While finishing second in a favorite race and qualifying for a spot on Team USA would be enough for most runners, Blake’s summer was not quite finished. Blake kept up his winning ways in Vermont as he not only won the Mount Ascutney Mountain Challenge, but set the course record in the process.

“I knew what the record was and I just wanted to pace it until the end. It was pretty much a time trial for me.”

Blake used this race as his final tune up before heading overseas to Slovenia to participate in the World Mountain Running Championship.

On Sept. 6 Blake finished 27th overall in the World Mountain Championships in Kamnik, Slovenia. He ran for team USA, and he was the fourth American to finish the race. Blake’s fourth place finish helped team USA tally enough points to finish second overall and win a silver medal.

“It was a great experience. It was my last big race of the year so I’m glad I was able to do as well as I did,” said Blake.

With the school year in full swing and his cross country teams participating in their own races, Blake doesn’t have the time to continue his training. Instead he looks to help his athletes defend the NEC title that they won last year.

By taking over the women’s cross country team he hopes to implement his winning methods into their training.

“To succeed in my program you have to enjoy running. I see that passion in the returning class and I anticipate a few late bloomers,” said Blake.

The passion that Blake sees is the same that he possessed during his days as a student at CCSU.

“When I was at CCSU I had a few tough seasons because of injuries. Since I was able to bounce back, it really made me enjoy the sport. The hard times made the good times that much better,” said Blake.

Whether or not that passion manifests itself in his athletes the way it did with Blake remains to be seen, but it’s something Blake would love to happen.

“I hope that my runners enjoy the sport as much as I do and are able to continue running after they graduate,” said Blake. “When I left CCSU I still felt like I had things to accomplish, I would love to have my students leave here feeling the same way and continue running and carry on CCSU’s legacy.”

While Blake is currently taking a break from running he plans to continue to train and race whenever he gets the chance.

“I still think there’s something left. I think I have faster races left in me. I’m resting now, but I can’t wait to get back out there and run,” said Blake.