'Season of Healing' Set To Begin As Lam Prepares To Leave for Vacation

"For some reason, things just run more smoothly when he's gone," said a Pink Puffer who chose to remain anonymous when word spread that Coach Blaine Lam was due to head back out on vacation.

The troubling trend of injuries, arguments and training disputes on Serendipity prompted Loren "Duckfoot" Wise to wonder aloud "if we can even recover. I'm not sure what's causing it, but we look to be going down the tubes. Duckfoot's running partner, Angie "Hotfoot" Wiersma, has been wearing her Brigadeer General boots of late and telling people to suck it up. "Now I think she's just pulling our chain," said Mary "Beep Beep" Vajgrt, the voice of reason among Puffers.

"Yeah, we have to put up with that goofy blog, but really, we see fewer injuries, more harmony and more progress -- individually and collectively -- in his absence," the unnamed Puffer said.

"I'm sure Blaine wouldn't take this personally," the source said. "Just the same, I'm not taking any chances by naming all the people who feel the same way I do."

Lam claims to bring healing gifts and messages from his travels and disputes reports that he absence is good for the team. "You decide who's giving you safe counsel," said Lam. "Hotfoot or me."