One of the fastest ways to grow as a athlete is to attend a camp. But it shouldn’t be a random decision. In choosing a camp you should decide what it is you hope to get out of it. Camps offer a wide variety of benefits. The most common are greater fitness, improved skills, training and racing knowledge and fun. When choosing a camp you should also consider your race distance, seasonal periodization, level of ability and experience. Another consideration is camp length. Some are only a few days while others last a week or more.
Let’s take a look at the common types of camps with all of this in mind. The accompanying table summarizes the camps and seminars I offer this year with the following topics considered.
Athletic Growth and Base Fitness
There is no better way to start your season than to attend an athletic-growth and Base fitness camp. These are best done more than 12 weeks before your A-priority race. The typical growth opportunities such a camp offers are establishing Base fitness, refining your skills, physiological testing, physical assessment, establishment of limiters, bike fitting and classroom learning. When scheduled in the Base season, which is the best time for such a camp, the training is usually low-intensity but done with higher volume. Most camps have no problem with you ending a workout sooner than the other campers if you aren’t ready for real long sessions. Check first. This is a great camp to kick start your training for the season if you’re an advanced athlete. These are also camps that are highly recommended for novices since basic-ability training is what they most need.
Race Fitness
With less than 12 weeks until your A-priority race it’s best to choose a camp that is specific to the distance and terrain of your A-priority race. Weather may also be a strong consideration if race day is expected to be hot or humid. The workouts at such a camp typically focus heavily on muscular endurance training with moderately hard tempo workouts, threshold intervals and hill work. This type of training is valuable for racing at every distance. Some camps may also include anaerobic-endurance training with fast-paced intervals. Race-specific camps are often held at the race venue. This is valuable as it gives you the opportunity to train on the course you will race on. That can pay huge dividends on race day.
Fun
Probably the most common reason athletes go to camps is because they are fun. They offer an opportunity to escape from wet and cold winters, make new friends and get motivated. Some provide unique experiences such as sampling the local food and wine, training with a pro athlete or learning from knowledgeable coaches.
Other Camp Considerations
For some camps everything is included—meals, housing, local transportation, bike mechanic and even entertainment and massages. As expected, these camps have higher fees. Others may appear to be very inexpensive at first but they could require you to make your own arrangements increasing the cost. Be sure to find out all of the details before committing.
Packing for a camp can be a challenge. Most camps will tell you what kit and equipment are needed. But even if not suggested it’s generally a good idea to take extra layers of clothes even if it’s a warm-weather location and a rain cape even if the location is not known for rain. It’s better to have these things and not need them than the other way around. Be sure to take plenty of clothing as laundry facilities may not be available. Also, find out what sort of gears you will need on your bike. In mountainous terrain expect the steepest possible climbs and come prepared with low gearing.
If the camp focuses on fitness arrive well-rested. For a long fitness camps pace yourself the first couple of days. The most common mistake I see is campers training at much too high an intensity early in the week and then struggling to finish the last few days. To avoid the sag wagon late in the week, pace yourself by holding back the first few days so you can finish strong.
If you find yourself completely wasted skip a workout, but let the camp staff know. After a particularly hard camp you may need several days of rest on returning home. While at such a camp put a premium on nutrition, rest, naps and sleep.
My 2011 camps and seminars
Location |
Date |
Camp/Seminar Details |
Website |
Barcelona, Spain |
April 8-15 |
Triathlon. Women-only. Athletic growth and base fitness. Swim, bike and run. Beautiful venue. |
http://www.tridynamic.co.uk/events_more.asp?eventType=1&eventID=29 |
London, UK |
April 17 |
Seminar for endurance athletes. 1.30-3.30pm. Bespoke Cycling |
http://www.tridynamic.co.uk/events_more.asp?eventType=2&eventID=34 |
Denver, Colorado, USA |
May 8 |
Seminar for endurance athletes. Details TBA. |
TBA |
Boulder, Colorado, USA |
May 11-15 |
Race fitness. Cycling-specific. 4 days of climbing, descending, skills & classroom. For roadies and tris. Swim, run options available for tris. |
http://www.tridynamic.co.uk/events_more.asp?eventType=1&eventID=31 |
Zurich, Switzerland |
June 10-17 |
Race fitness and course familiarization. Official camp of Ironman Switzerland. 1 month prior to race. |
http://www.tridynamic.co.uk/events_more.asp?eventType=1&eventID=33 |
Isle of Elba, Tuscany, Italy |
Sept 22-23 |
2 short (90 minute) seminars. How to race the course. Usual race-day concerns. Week of Elbaman Triathlon. |
http://www.tridynamic.co.uk/events_more.asp?eventType=2&eventID=35 |