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Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle?
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 2013-02-01 12:50 PM |
Member  67 |  Subject: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle?Me and 6 of my middle aged friends have done a number of Olympic and sprint distance tri's over the past few years. Nobody's winning age groups but we are not BOPers either. We have all talked about doing a full Ironman and recently committed to each other with an official spit sealed handshake, to enter Ironman Arizona 2014. In long term preparation we are going to do our first half iron sometime this fall. I'm way ahead of planning here but with tight budgets and time commitments you can't start letting the family know soon enough about the crazy things we do. Motivation is a big issue and we all thought that we would get our full Iron 2014 training off to a start by attending a professionally run long distance triathlon training camp in late winter/early spring. Would love any thoughts, suggestions and advice on the value of this investment and if you've had a great or bad experience maybe you can share. Locations not really important and we'd even consider out of country locations. Thanks for any feedback. |
| 2013-02-01 2:42 PM in reply to: #4604603 |
Pro 4675    Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? Pretty much depends on what is included and who is putting it on. Is it just tech/SAG support while you're out there training or are there lots of hands on coaching like swim technique, lectures, etc?? How long is it? Personally, I think such a package is much more valuable if its held at the race venue so you can get a first-hand look at the course and get the pros to give advice on various portions of the bike and run courses. To me, the visuals of seeing the course before the race is worth a lot. |
| 2013-02-05 11:59 AM in reply to: #4604603 |
| Extreme Veteran 763 | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? This is an intresting question. My take is not for me. For my birthday my wife and kids got me a training camp for IMLP. I never used it. My take is that I don't want to make this journey someone elses journey. I learned things the hard way. In the end i know why things work and dont work and the answer isnt because coach Troy said so. I am a self learner kind of person and i dont listen well. You can even ask my wife. Kevin |
| 2013-02-05 1:45 PM in reply to: #4604603 |
Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? I think they can be fun... but not sure it is a "must do". I have a client who is going to one for IMLP and that's great. But if someone hasn't mentioned it, I don't hunt one out, etc. Honestly, a better use of your money is getting a coach. You will get a lot more out of private coaching for 6 months that you would a weekend training camp. For example, the camps I know of that last 3 days, are around $400-$500. If you pay a coach $125 for 6 months it would be $750. More bang for your buck. |
| 2013-02-05 2:10 PM in reply to: #4604603 |
| over a barrier | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? I'd rent a house and just do my own camp. Ride everyday 4-5 hrs throw in some runs and a swim or two.... |
| 2013-02-05 3:14 PM in reply to: #4604603 |
Expert 1233 | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? Sounds like the American TTT would be something of interest.
http://www.americantriple-t.com/ |
| 2013-02-05 4:13 PM in reply to: #4609942 |
Member 67 | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? I'm up for a good sufferfest but that American TTT sounds like a nightmare. A sprint on day one. Two olympics in day two (with the second olympic being Bike Swim Run) and a half on day 3. No thanks. |
| 2013-02-06 1:02 PM in reply to: #4604603 |
Member 319 Seattle, WA | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? I think a camp is worth attending if it's held at the race site. I went to a 3 day camp last year for IM Canada and came away knowing that bike course like that back of my hand. I was able to get in a ton more training than I would have at home that weekend, because there was nothing else to distract from it.
Then again, if you're choosing between one camp or several months of quality coaching, I'd likely pick the coaching. |
| 2013-02-06 2:42 PM in reply to: #4610062 |
Pro 4675 Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? dswezey - 2013-02-05 4:13 PM I'm up for a good sufferfest but that American TTT sounds like a nightmare. A sprint on day one. Two olympics in day two (with the second olympic being Bike Swim Run) and a half on day 3. No thanks. Its not a nightmare. Its all about wise use of time and energy over the 3 days. Heading to TTT #4 in May |
| 2013-02-06 10:18 PM in reply to: #4610062 |
| Expert 1233 | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? dswezey - 2013-02-05 5:13 PM I'm up for a good sufferfest but that American TTT sounds like a nightmare. A sprint on day one. Two olympics in day two (with the second olympic being Bike Swim Run) and a half on day 3. No thanks.
Yes it is! Did I mention that it's also in the mountains?
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| 2013-02-07 2:55 AM in reply to: #4610062 |
Extreme Veteran 1332 | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? dswezey - 2013-02-05 4:13 PM I'm up for a good sufferfest but that American TTT sounds like a nightmare. A sprint on day one. Two olympics in day two (with the second olympic being Bike Swim Run) and a half on day 3. No thanks. This might now be on my to-do list. The more punishment, the better :p |
| 2013-02-07 8:41 PM in reply to: #4604603 |
Master 3205 ann arbor, michigan | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? I don't know what the camp costs but I will say this; if you and your buddies are planning IMAZ 2014, you had better plan on the expense of attending IMAZ 2013 and volunteering. That is the only way that you can really be sure of getting in to the 2014 race. 2013 sold out on-line in 40 seconds. Just an FYI I have no idea about the value of a camp. I like one of the ideas above where you rent a house somewhere in a swim, bike, run-friendly area and have your own training camp. If you need a location, The Northern Lower Peninsula of MI is training paradise (in the summer)  |
| 2013-02-08 6:44 PM in reply to: #4609798 |
| Member 354 | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? running2far - 2013-02-05 2:10 PM I'd rent a house and just do my own camp. Ride everyday 4-5 hrs throw in some runs and a swim or two.... This. Of course, you don't get any lectures, info, technique tips, etc., but this is a great way to get away from it all and just "live training" for 5-7 days. Dan Edited by danimal123 2013-02-08 6:45 PM |
| 2013-02-10 9:52 PM in reply to: #4604603 |
| New user 4 East Lansing | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? x2 on volunteering for 2013. It will be sold out. IMAZ isn't that technical of a course. You guys should just do an "epic weekend" where you swim a couple times (1-2 miles), bike at least 100 miles one day and then a brick (20 mile ride and 2-3 hours running). Keep it close to home and keep costs low. |
| 2013-02-11 8:56 AM in reply to: #4604603 |
| Veteran 389 sacramento, Colorado | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? Take your friends to Club Med Sandpiper in Florida. They have triathlon coaches there as well as fitness and nutrition coaches. The food is unbeliveable, heated lap pool, awesome running in a no traffic neighborhood and cycling routes beside the ocean. This was the ride I did last Friday when I was there http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/230572546 |
| 2013-04-07 9:58 AM in reply to: #4604603 |
| 1 | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? A comprehensive camp can be valuable, as at least one other person pointed out. It's especially valuable if you or any of your gang have specific weaknesses you want to work on. You mentioned your families -- how about combining a training camp with a mini-vacation for the families? One that I'm partial to is run by Multisport Performance Institute at the Portofino Island Resort and Spa near Pensacola Beach, Florida. I'm guess the AZ Ironman doesn't include any salt water (Salt River Project?), but Portofino has multilane pools if you don't want the open water. It's adjacent to the Gulf Islands National Seashore -- and only a few minutes from the shopping/partying town of Pensacola Beach. But there are miles of paved path, road and of course beach, as well both Sound and Gulf swimming -- and that full spa. <a href="http://www.portofinoisland.com//spa/fitness-center/triathlon-training/" target="_blank"Portofino Island triathlon camp page</a>. |
| 2013-08-18 3:10 AM in reply to: dswezey |
| 2 | Subject: RE: Ironman training camps. Worth it or boondoggle? I work for a company called Tri Amour we provide online coaching and triathlon training camps for all levels and distances. Next year we are running camps : march 28-30th and July 25-27th accommodation and all meals included for only £200 pp + free tshirt ! (Staffordshire) Places do go quickly but please feel free to check out the site for more info www.triamour.co.uk I am a firm believer that you can maximise your training and racing potential if you have support, knowledge and structure that is why these camps work! Good Luck with everything Danielle (jpeg.jpg) Attachments ---------------- jpeg.jpg (166KB - 29 downloads) |
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