ironguides

Quick update on Camp here in El Paso. Under sunny skies Day 2 launched with a speed-oriented swim session -- Neal and Felipe knocked out sub-27sec for the final 50y effort of the morning. Our petite campers May and Laura swam a different set than the others and were instructed to revert back to the higher turnover, shorter stroke they originally came to swimming with. It took no time for them to improve their splits once they dropped the long and pretty, stall-me-sweetly approach they learned from various TI instructors.

Next followed a short (no offense Francois) dissertation on swim fundamentals for triathlon and understanding how swimming in triathlon differs from lane or "pure" swimming, and why individual swimmers need to "use what they have" in adapting the optimum swim stroke. Campers were left with the question to ponder: Why does TI not use Janet Evans' swim stroke as an example for those neophyte swimmers with a similar physique and makeup...

Following the talk and a little group photo, we jogged over to the local track and launched into session 2 -- a tri-specific run session combining the use of bleachers and track to force campers to run fast on tired legs. Again, in a short talk we discussed why many pure running training methods are not entirely appropriate for triathletes, and how a little planning and understanding of triathlon running can help you shape and schedule more effective run sessions.

Campers by this stage had completed four relatively intense training sessions in two days, something most would never have combined into their own training programs. However, by understanding how each session stressed a different System and enabled them to train hard while other Systems rested, campers learned that all fatigue is not created equal and quality of training does not need to be sacrificed in a consistent training schedule.

After a spot of lunch and a little rest, all that remained was the 30-minute afternoon time trial effort on local favorite Columbus Road. Heading out to the start we kept the pace at a glacial-like effort to ensure a full, thorough warm-up, something that often gets neglected in a group ride.

Despite the morning's two hard training sessions and a strong headwind for the 2/3 portion of the TT heading out, everyone managed to push hard for the duration of the bike effort and we saw several "best average speed" efforts from some of the locals. Campers learned why a thorough warmup and cooldown are so important, and why they were able to sustain the intense effort of a TT over 30 minutes despite the efforts earlier in the day and on the previous day.

Finally at the end of the day Felipe introduced Tyrel and Jerome, who provided a brief discussion on nutrition and tri-bling.