1) You don't have to be an elite athlete to go to camp.
Because beginner, intermediate and advanced triathletes can be split into different lanes for swim workouts, different groups for bike workouts, and different paces for run workouts, everybody can hang out together, have a fantastic time, and never feel like they were left out for "being slow". I've literally seen complete amateurs have a blast right alongside a group of pro triathletes.
2) You learn a ton. While it doesn't limit you in any workouts, if you actually are that "slow person", you're suddenly thrust into the middle of a large group of diverse athletes with different strengths for swimming, cycling and running, so you pick up an enormous number of practical tips and tricks that can literally make you faster, better and smarter by the hour.
3) You eat a lot and don't gain weight. Bumping your training from a sane 8-10 hour week up to 3-4+ hours of exercise per day suddenly means that you can fuel your body with just about as many high quality, tasty foods as you like. After a breakfast egg casserole buffet, followed by a 50 mile catered ride with a short run, then a big pizza lunch, an afternoon open water swim, another big salad lunch, a late afternoon nap, and an easy evening run with a post-run salmon and roasted vegetable feast, you can hop on the scale to find you've amazingly lost a few pounds.
4) Social activities abound. Just when you think your day is about over, triathlon camps will shuttle you off to an evening show, a night out on the town, a trip to the movie theater, or a fuel stop at a local dinner hotspot. Training and eating are quite popular activities at a triathlon camp, but socializing also plays a big role, ensuring you pick up at least two or three new best buddies. Or at least Facebook friends.
5) You can be lazy. Don't feel like assembling or dissembling your bike? Camp staff takes care of it. Don't want to cook? Camp staff handles that. Don't want to pack a bunch of nutrition and spare tires for your ride? It's taken care of. Don't feel like showering? Proceed at your own risk.
6) The 10% rule doesn't apply. Remember the mantra that you should only increase your volume by 10% a week? A camp flies in the face of that. By inserting one "big week" into your training structure, then recovering properly after a camp, your body actually absorbs the training quite well, and you experience an enormous boost in post-camp fitness.
7) It's OK to skip workouts. Just about every camp I've attended has the option to take part in a yoga class, massage therapy session, or game of cards if you're just too pooped to make it to a session. There's very little "guilt-tripping", which takes a bit of pressure off if you feel like you just can't handle a three-a-day workout week.
8) You learn that everybody has a different skill-set. The girl who's huffing and puffing behind you for 40 miles of a morning training ride will suddenly leap off her bike and leave you in the dust during the 2 mile post-ride brick run. And the guy that passed you like a fish in the morning open water swim? He can't run worth beans. Suddenly, it becomes apparent that triathlon really is about being a well-rounded athlete, and a camp thrusts your limitations into the limelight, then inspires you to work on them.
9) You get smarter. It's kinda like going back to school, except with really long recess. There's nothing like playing all day long, then finishing the day with a short and highly effective training lecture about how playing all day long actually helped you become a better athlete. You'd be surprised at the number of practical tips and tricks you can learn by sitting through a Powerpoint presentation while you stuff your face with post-workout sandwiches.
10) You exercise constantly. A triathlon training camp is an honorable excuse to train as much as you want, whenever you want, with no other obligations. Since everyone else around you is doing the same thing, nobody teases you for going on a 2 hour bike ride and 1 hour run in the middle of the day, when you could be doing something more "productive" at home, like cleaning the garage.
So, now that you know the Top 10 Reasons To Go To Triathlon Camp, you're going to want to click here to surf over to http://www.pacificfit.net/calendarofevents.html , where a very cool surprise awaits. Enjoy.
Ben Greenfield is the Renaissance man of the sport of triathlon.
He's a fast triathlete, a coach, a personal trainer, and much more more.
We recommend that you surf on over to
www.bengreenfieldfitness.com, for more great training advice.
