Training Camp Recap

Two years ago I opted to do training camp “on my own” which resulted in me gaining a solid five pounds and nearly dying of oxygen deprivation when I got back to Colorado.  Last year, I made the right decision and traveled to Tucson with my team for camp.  That week I rode more than I ever had before, improved my overall fitness, and had a blast.  I thought that trip would be hard to top but I’m pretty sure this year was even better!  With Ian along for the suffering too, I couldn’t have asked for more (except maybe some warmer weather).

DAY ONE

A few of us headed down a day early and I had the absolute pleasure of spending our first day with my friend Angela and her husband.  We got in a nice long brick to burn off the previous night’s Mexican food and margaritas.  I was feeling pretty weak from having a little flu bug but I think the workout helped me get it all out of my system.  Side note, running was pretty stinking entertaining as it was the second of January and all the New Year’s resolutionists were out jogging in jeans (ouch).

DAY TWO – Mount Lemmon

Yikes!  This ride goes up about 6000 ft (from 2 to 8) over about 25 miles, starting in a cactus filled desert and ending in a pine-filled ski area.  While slow and daunting, it was such a beautiful ride and a great time to bond with a few of my teammates as well as one of my NAU girls (Hannah).  Of course, the giant cookies at the top serve as a pretty decent carrot but I think the true reward is the 40 minute decent home!

Rammies Ready for Mt Lemmon

Windy Point - Halfway Up!

With Steph, Hannah, and Eliza - Picture break at Windy Point

DAY THREE – Run/Swim

I always dread group runs a little but, running is definitely the weakest of my three sports and it stresses me out to watch others effortlessly stride along while I slowly die.  However, on this run, I vowed to go my own pace, even if it meant running alone or at the back of the pack.  Low and behold, I settled in with a few Tricat ladies pretty quickly.  We weren’t at the front of the pack but we certainly weren’t at the back either.  The scenery was gorgeous (we were just outside the Saguaro National Forest) and the 10.3 mile run flew by as we chatted and got to know one another.  I love when a workout can surprise me!

It was pretty (relatively) chilly out so I was dreading swimming in Arizona’s gorgeous outdoor pool.  Fortunately, the water was heated and the sun was in the perfect position for a comfortable swim (I even got a little tan line).  It was a tough workout but being in the water with 60 college triathletes was inspiring their presence helped me really push my body.  At the end of practice, we had some fun with a few crazy relays (I just won’t tell you which relay group had to do planks on the deck for coming in last).

Rams After Our Run

DAY THREE – Gates Pass Ride/Swim/Run

Brrrr what a cold morning!  The entire group of riders stayed together for the first portion of the ride.  The cold really made me want to push the pace but it was also nice to hold back and get to know another Tricat.  Once we hit the “real” ride though, it got super intense!  I was bound and determined to stick with the lead pack for as long as possible.  I cannot describe how much fun it was to fly down a flat road at 30+ mph with a group of about 15 riders (almost makes me want to be a cyclist)!  I worked my booty off and stuck with the pack until about 2/3rds of the way through the loop when the boys dropped me on an incline.  I managed to stick with a second pack though and we finished the flatter section not far back from the pack.  Then the hill hit.  Gates Pass was steep and, while short, more difficult than Lemmon.  What a great feeling it was to get to the top (and to find the boys waiting for us).  We descended back into town and went to the Tricat president’s house to warm up and devour his leftovers (from the dinner they hosted) before swim.

I’d venture to say this swim was even tougher; it required a lot of mental toughness and simulated a race start and transition into race pace, yikes!  The subsequent run started out pretty treacherous but had the pleasant side effect of loosening my stiff legs.  On the ride back home, I couldn’t help but be awed by the gorgeous sunset.  Equally jaw-dropping was the fact that a group of us had been riding for both sunrise and sunset that day!

Top of Gates Pass with Ian

DAY FOUR – Final Ride

This ride took us north of town.  It was nice to ride over rolling hills and some false flats (so I could actually hold on and not get dropped for the most part).  Again, it was so wonderful to chat and make yet another new Tricat friend on this ride!  The way home was a little hairy due to a little crash but I couldn’t help but love the descent when I realized the whole way out had been a false flat inline!

Sadly, that was the end for me though.  While a few Rammies were able to stay an extra day, my group loaded up the truck to drive home through the night.  The better part of this week has been devoted to light training and recovery as we head into another tough week.  I’m giving yoga a try and will be getting a massage tomorrow as well.

Overall, I cannot say enough what a pleasure it was to spend the week training with my team, NMU, NAU, ASU, and UA; thank you thank you thank you to Coach Brian Grasky and the UA Tricats for hosting such an amazing camp!  I logged some quality miles, strengthened old friendships, formed new ones, and had the opportunity to train with Ian (though he was always pretty far ahead of me).  Can’t wait to keep the training ball rolling at to see all of my MCTC training camp buddies again for our regional race in Havasu!