Coming off of another iron camp experience means I have more time to reflect her personal and professional growth. For those of you who don’t know, iron camp (www.ironcamp.com) is a joint venture I started with Richard Strauss of crucible fitness (www.cruciblefitness.com). Our goal for these events is to create a space where really cool stuff happens. We then try to bring as many people as possible into this space to challenge their training, their assumptions about endurance, and hammer them with the as much information and miles of possible. Last week’s camp was in Lake Placid on the Ironman USA courts and it was her biggest of this size represents a great learning opportunity.
To date: 21 athletes from the US and abroad.
You simply can’t underestimate the value of bringing together such a large group of committed athletes. Assuming these athletes didn’t talk to one another, just getting a chance to check out everyone else is here — from their bikes set up, to their running shoes, to their wetsuits — is invaluable. Most triathletes live and train an information vacuum, bringing together such a large group into one space means a significant amount of learning will happen, both formally and through osmosis.
In addition to getting all the miles in, having a focused a five-day camp really gives athletes a chance to geek out. People were talking power, GPS, shoe soles, Helmut’s, recovery protocols, etc.. All the stuff that your significant other never was the year again is fair game at iron camp. And while I think I’ve been coaching long enough to have seen it all, there’s always something new at Camp.
Did I mention the miles? The biggest opportunity that iron camp represents is a chance for folks to step outside of their daily routine and challenge themselves physically. Over the course of five days most athletes at iron camp log somewhere between 20 and 30 hours of training. On the low end that meant doing two to three loops of the bike course. On the high end it meant doing six or more, putting in somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 miles in four days on the bike. Without work and family obligations, athletes are free to push their physical and mental limits further than they thought possible. I’m not sure if getting back on the bike after riding yourself into the ground the day before is a skill but I do know that it’s invaluable.
Another element about iron camp that I forget about every year is the motivation factor. There are some seriously committed athletes out there who are doing amazing things on very limited schedules and was very limited resources. It’s kind of funny to size everyone up via e-mail, than to repeat the process when you see them taking their bikes off of their car, only to have to recalibrate everything when they start working out. That is by far one of my favorite things about the endurance aspects of triathlon: Cisco Prete requisites aside, if you don’t have the mental focus and dedication doesn’t matter what gets you have.
I think another huge benefit for the campers, aside from being able to tap into rich in my collective experience, is to learn as a group. Sending 21 people out to ride the Ironman USA by course is almost like having 21 different tape recorders at the same teleconference. Between everyone you’re able to capture every salient data point on that course. Coming together at the end of the day to discuss and review means having a full appreciation for the entire 112 miles.
Coming out of iron camp hopefully means that the participants have a wholeness circle of training partners and friends. Even if they’re just virtual because their new friend is in Ohio or Ecuador Como having someone else with whom you can share your training and personal growth within the triathlon space is invaluable. Rich and I have done a lot of work to ensure that athletes will be able to continue to interact even after camp is over.
Iron campeast coast 2007 was also the first time outsourced a lot of the administrative work. I had two very talented staff people without whom the camp would have been a disaster. On the front/administrative and, had someone organize all of the lodging and travel logistics, including developing all the camper materials, setting grooming assignments, creating shopping lists, etc. this alone meant that I was actually able to do my regular coaching job and actually train in the weeks leading up to camp. On the campsite, we had our newly minted PTS in turn who helped make sure that every single day was a success. From shopping for 2100 athletes, to providing food and water on the bike course to helping prepare food, and for just giving us a healthy dose of perspective, her help was invaluable. Have an intern there meant that I was asked to able to train as well. And as everyone knows, an exhausted Patrick is a happy Patrick.
Looking ahead to the rest of 2007, we have at least one more chance to go. There’s a race specific camp for Ironman Wisconsin that will be led by Rich (learn more at www.ironcamp.com). We are also considering another camp in September. This camper focus on athletes who are peaking for a late-season race, Kona, or the 70.3 championships. As always, this cam will be open to our athletes first and the general public second. Looking beyond 071008 Art calendar really starts to fill out. We’ll have iron camp West Coast in February, we hope to have iron camp Southeast at the tour to Georgia in April, and an iron campeast coast again in June. Top off the schedule with our race specific camps for Louisville, Wisconsin, and
Korda Lane, and you’ve got a full year. Considering the positive vibes I have from iron campeast coast, 2008 can’t come soon enough!
Happy training!
Coach Patrick.
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