Lake Placid 2008 Notes

Mary Primrose writes:
Camp was a wonderful, funfilled experience -- even though it kicked my butt. I do feel stronger and today I'm thinking to myself "maybe if only I pushed a little harder." Of course, I'm never satisfied with my performance! But all in all, it was a wonderful group of people. I not once felt like I didn't belong even though my skill level was less than most. It only showed me where I can go.

The bike fit was good for me -- I rode in my aerobars more than I ever was able to and that must because the position was more comfortable.

My next race is June 29 - Mountaineer, WV 1/2 Ironman (my first). Hopefully the work I did at camp will be kicking in full gear by then!

Thanks for a great experience!

Catherine Viola writes:
WOW!!

It has taken me a few days since training camp to really reflect on the experience & let me tell you… the "magical" feeling from camp is still with me!! Although I am not in my best shape & my training up 'til camp was "sporadically" building I entered camp determined to get as much out of the experience as I could-& I did!!!! I brought my positive attitude & my willingness to push myself outside of my comfort zone (as advised by my coach) & I challenged myself like never before….

The drive to LP was long, but, beautiful. I was reminded by a fellow IMFL finisher my 11-1/2 hr drive was shorter than my IM time??!! Strange thought process, but, I get it ;-) The beauty of the Adirondack National Forest really helped to set the mood as I slowly approached LP. The Inn was the perfect location; just across the street from Mirror Lake & the Olympic Complex (where Miracle on Ice occurred) & speed skating oval were on the other side of the street. If the Olympic memories don't inspire you, what will??!! To top it off, I must have seen the ski jumps 2-3 times every day when out for a bike or a run!! They are majestic beyond belief-television & photos just don't capture how massive they truly are!! And people think we triathletes are crazy??!!

The primary goal of tri training camp for me was to face my fear of riding "fast" downhill… Strange fear for a triathlete who started as a cyclist (I know), but, one that has truly limited me as I do give up speed every time I am faced with a long or steep decent. I was really scared that 1st day of camp as we rode out to "the big downhill." Compared to the other athletes in our group, I was definitely the slowest & the most out of shape… I didn't want my lack of training or lack of speed to hold the group up… I was also feeling a bit silly about my fear. My coach was there w/ the group & I asked her if I could go off somewhere less "threatening" & train by myself. She would not hear of it & told me she would be with me as we rode the hill for the 1st time…and she was. She stayed w/ me, right over my left shoulder, offering support & encouragement as the downhill miles rolled by. Later in the ride & in subsequent rides throughout our training camp, her words & support were felt in spirit as I learned to tackle more downhills & "the downhill" again.

Every day I was amazed at how much I did push myself outside of my comfort zone & then how well I would recover just to do it again the next day. I found that I have even more strength, drive, & determination than I thought!!

The added bonus of camp was to meet so many talented athletes who have a drive & passion for the sport that I truly admire & hope to gain. Each & every one of you was so nice & supportive as you would pass me while we were all out there training together. You all offered positive support & even some advice to help me develop as an athlete. For that I thank you all!!

Overall camp was everything a triathlete could dream of: days filled w/ long, hard workouts in beautiful venues; a good dinner at a great restaurant (or fellow triathlete's home) with fellow campers & coaches; going to bed exhausted & then getting up early the next morning to do it all again!! It went by way too fast!! And then, I had to face the long drive home…alone… Then-back to reality (work)… But-inside, I realize that this camp has changed me a bit… I am again looking forward to long & hard trainings, & the long road back to the next IronMan start line…

Thank you!!!
Cat

Winterfest 2008 Recap

Winterfest camp was an amazing bargain. I was a bit apprehensive when I signed up seeing that I am new to this sport and I didn't know how I'd fit in in relation to everyone else, but that apprehension was immediately extinguished within the first moments of camp. From the beginning that started with heart rate testing to the end on day two with an outdoor long run was just packed with solid fun and good people. AND it was all run on schedule like a well-oiled wheel. We did everything -- heart rate testing, cycling, running, stretching, strength training, swimming, and meditation! I also learned some things about myself during camp -- the most important things I learned were the awareness that I'm a lot stronger than I ever gave myself credit for and I actually run better off the bike (which is a real plus). Also to have coaches on hand to critique you in person on your swimming or running is so helpful. Just a minor adjustment to my swim stroke has me seeing results. Yes, we did a lot of training and we sweated bucket-fulls, but it was so worth it and the time just flew by. I can't wait until next year because I definitely will do Winterfest again! - Mary Primrose

Winterfest 08
     There's nothing tougher than getting re-motivated to start training again following a fun summer season and a month or two of rest!!   But fear not, Angela has the answer.  Winterfest 2008 was just the jump start I needed to get back into the swing of training.   It started with a very entertaining bike fit and HR test with two of the most motivating people I've ever met, Angela Forster and Eric Hodska. Eric guided us thru an intense bike training routine, which involved an amazing amount of sweat considering more than 12 athletes in a relatively small space all giving it their best.  Eric provided us with a lot of different ways to mix up our training on the mind numbing bike trainer!  The run that followed was filmed and Coach Eric provided verbal feedback on the video relative to each of our personal running styles.  By this time the almost fraternal bonding of being confined in the same space was starting to take hold amongst all the athletes.   The strength training instruction portion was terribly helpful in learning some key areas to focus for improved strength and injury resistance that is critical to a successful season.  Definitely the most interesting part of the weekend was a session conducted by Tod Livengood.  He walked us thru an entry level session of meditation and Tibetan energy work.  Again a new facet of training which makes a lot of sense to incorporate into my training.   The following day swim training had us receiving personal instruction on our stroke and also video of ourselves, both below water and above.  The best entertainment of Winterfest 08 by far was watching a few individuals, really just one, display their butterfly stroke!   I'm still smiling thinking of it.  Words cannot do this justice!   The trail run that followed was a lot of fun and particularly challenging just staying vertical with all the ice and mud.  In the end it was just too much fun, in a weird kinda way, challenging ourselves with a great group of like minded individuals.   
 
We had a lot of fun while at the same time got our humps busted!
 
I can't thank Angela, Scott, Eric and especially Baker for a weekend I won't soon forget!
 
Brad

PS-  if you have any pictures of saltstick doing the butterfly I think they would be priceless on your website! Actually, on second thought maybe not, because something tells me he might try to get even!

What I liked- training in a group atmosphere.  It's fun, inspirational and motivational.  It's fun because it takes your mind off of the task at hand.  It's inspirational too see someone accomplish something that they didnt think they could do.  It's motivational because it pushes you when your mind and your body want to back down.
 
What I learned- train to strengthen your weakness.  One of the key ways to get better both physically and mentally is to improve your weaknesses.  You tend to do things in training that are easy for you and you are good at.  However, if you don't like hills, but can practice and get better on the hills you' ve just improved your game both mentally and physically.  You just might even gain an advantage over your competition that might not like hills.
 
Another thing that stuck was to think of equating the pedal stroke to cross-country skiing.  This was a great visual for me.
 
 
Thanks!
Aimee Millward
 

I have had a lot of people asking me if the Winterfest Camp was good, worth it, what I thought it would be...  The answer has been a "YES" to all of those.  It is amazing how pushing your body and rising to the challenge of others can be so much fun.  I had a great time this weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the humor.  It is funny how, just 2 days later, I can only remember the laughs...the pain has already faded (well at least until I try to stand.)
 
Triathlon can be a lonely sport.  It is often easier to train alone so we can meet life's time commitments.  It is a rare occasion when I can afford to add travel time into my workout schedule so I can meet others and train as a group.  Then you have the whole pace issue.  Meeting up with others often means training too fast or too slow...rarely can you find just the right tempo of training partners.  This was a great group!
 
This weekend was so much fun just to be in the bunker with others (well, swimming in the same lane with Jeff and Liz proved that was one bunker I wanted out of...I swear I saw gills on their necks.)  Saturdays trainer session was a great event.  All those bikes, pumping music, Eric encouraging us.  What motivation; exactly what was needed in Northern Ohio in the heart of our grey winter.  I will admit that four months into my Ironman training, the weather and indoor trainer time had begun to take its toll.  I leaned over to Angela during the trainer session on Saturday and said "this is just cool!" Of course, that was before she had to help me get off my bike due to the severe leg cramps, then it kind of turned not so cool.  Being able to knock out a 90 minute run and have a perfect pace going with 4 others whose company I truly enjoyed was a blast.  That is a rare opportunity and a great finish to the weekend.
 
It is always great being able to pick others brains about the sport; there is so much to learn.  Angela and Eric, thanks for all the motivation and helping us lessen the learning curve of this sport.  Scott, thanks for being a great waiter and sorry I forgot about leaving a tip.  Angela thanks for hosting and letting me borrow that trainer mat (really would not have wanted to make the drive back to your place on Monday to clean my sweat from your basement carpet.)  It makes me smile every time I think about the weekend and picture Angela's head bumpin' to the music while in one of those grueling bike intervals.  (She was making it look so easy.)  Eric, thanks for changing my bike seat position.  When I got on my trainer Monday morning for an easy recovery spin, I forgot immediately how bad my legs hurt...I could only focus on how bad my ass was killing me. YIKES, it's like the beginning of base training all over again.
 
Eric and Baker, I will definitely try to be running those lonely stretches of Lake Placid so you won't heckle me :-), but then again, I realize you will anyway.
 
Hope to see you all around.
Jay