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August Article #1: Top 10 Reasons to Attend a Training Camp
Top 10 Reasons to Attend a Training Camp
By Ryan Riell MS
As the head coach of Break Through Multisport, I am commonly asked if a training camp is worth an athlete’s time and money? My answer is not only yes, but HECK YES! Below, you will find the top ten reasons that ANY triathlete should consider attending a triathlon training camp.
10. Athletes of ALL levels come to camp.
At a well run training camp, beginner, intermediate and advanced triathletes will be split up into different ability groups in the pool, while riding and running. This allows each athlete to participate with the group that is going to help them achieve their own personal goals. This also allows athletes of every ability to participate in the same workouts without feeling like they are slowing everyone else down, while still having a blast while training in a group!
9. Guilt FREE constant exercise.
Attending a training camp is a guilt free excuse to train all day, without having to hear about taking out the trash, cleaning out the garage, cleaning the house or preparing meals. There are no significant others (unless you want to bring them) to make you feel guilty for your training gluttony. A well run training camp is a catered vacation for athletes! All there is for you to do is train, eat and socialize!
8. Food galore WITHOUT guilt or gaining weight.
For the 3-4 days of the training camp, you will be able to eat just about whatever you want without feeling guilty about the large slice of cheese cake or the extra weight that is associated with such a treat!
7. Social activities.
A good triathlon training camp is an all day experience, but there is more to it than swimming, biking and running! You will be surrounded with like-minded athletes for the full 3-4 days, with social activities galore between training events and once training for the day has ended. You are guaranteed to make some new friends and training buddies at a good training camp!
6. Identify YOUR skill-sets.
Each athlete has their own specific skill-sets, and you will be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses. It’s very common for an athlete to be on the slower side of a morning swim, and then hammer the rest of the group on the mid-day ride! This will provide you with a controlled opportunity to identify your limiters and access to coaches who can address them!
5) You can be lazy.
You can do as much or as little as you want at a well run training camp. You get to choose the intensity that you train at, there is not a one-size fits all setup at a good training camp. A well run training camp will take care of everything from putting your bike together, providing a SAG vehicle (nutrition, tubes, bike pump, special needs bag, etc…), food and just about anything else.
4. Video analysis of swimming and running.
A well run training camp, each athlete should be filmed while swimming and running in order to have their biomechanics analyzed, corrections suggested and drills demonstrated to improve your sport-specific skills!
3. 24-Hour access to coaches
At a well run training camp, you will hang out with expert coaches and like-minded athletes. You will have 24 hour access to the coaches, that will constantly be observing your training and making suggestions about things to sustain and suggestions of things to correct. If you have questions, you will be able to get them answered!
2. Get the SAME education as USA Triathlon coaches.
A well run training camp will be complete with the same lectures, by qualified instructors that USA Triathlon coaches pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars for! Between workouts, athletes will attend lectures on hot topics such as running biomechanics, training adaptations, training and racing nutrition, training with power and heart rate, periodization and many, many more. An educated athlete is a better athlete!
1. Quality location specific training.
Training camps are setup at specific locations for a reason. If you attend an Ironman camp, it should be on the actual race course, which will be invaluable experience to you the athlete. Fall, winter and spring training camps are held in locations that are perfect for training at any time of year! Add in the outstanding training that takes place and the camp becomes a perfect experience!
Now that you have seen the top 10 reasons to attend a training camp, click HERE to head over to the full list of training camps that we have to offer. The two camps coming up are for the Soma Duathlon and Ironman Arizona! Our training camps are the perfect synergistic blend of training, education, analysis and socializing for you the athlete to accomplish your goals!
Ryan Riell is recognized as one of the top triathlon, fitness and nutrition experts in the nation. Ryan has been selected by USA Triathlon to give multiple continuing education lectures to USA Triathlon certified coaches on the topic of time trialing and pacing. He was selected by USA Triathlon to attend multiple Elite Coaching Mentorship Programs at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO and the year-long webinar based program. Ryan is the Head Coach of Break Through Multisport Inc., a national triathlon and endurance sports coaching company that has locations in Chicago, IL, Tucson, AZ and Phoenix, AZ, that provides professional coaching for triathletes, swimmers, cyclists and runners of all levels and abilities. Ryan also hosts a free triathlon and endurance sports training blog (http://breakthroughmultisport.blogspot.com) that is packed full of training tips, nutritional advice and racing tactics. Ryan holds two master’s degrees, one in exercise physiology and biomechanics and the second in organic and biological chemistry. For more information, please contact Ryan Riell at (931) 220-7050 or at Ryan@BreakThroughMultisport.com.
These articles have been written by the professional coaches at Break Through Multisport and are packed full of useful training and racing information. For more information and articles similar to this, please feel free to visit the 100% FREE Break Through Multisport training and racing blog!
