We're in day 2 of Tucson camp #2 and having a great training experience so far. This camp includes 17 athletes from throughout the country and Canada... and as always, everyone is as nice as can be. We have some very accomplished athletes at this camp too... including a couple Ironman Hawaii finishers and some top age group athletes. The balance of experience levels is great with several folks new to endurance sports competition as well.

Yesterday, we rode our now infamous San Manuel ride, which is a challenging 70 miler, followed by a 30-40 minute run. The weather was great, with temps in the 60's and sunshine, but with some steady winds. After a lecture on nutrition, we went over to a former camper's home for dinner and drinks. Situated high in the Tortilita Mountains, this new resort-like home offered incredible views of the valley and the mountains.

This morning, over half of the group ran (some pictured here) the Arizona Distance Classic Half Marathon or 5K Road Race. It was a beautiful morning with temps in the low 40's warming to the 60's. The course is touted as 'rolling hilly' ... but most would agree it's a very tough race. Everyone had a great time and we'll be planning on this event again for future camps. Go here for results, http://www.arizonadistanceclassic.com/results.shtml

Those who chose not to run rode 50 miles instead. The runners then went out on a 1.5 hr 'easy spin' at noon to loosen the legs, which felt great! Then we had a 3 pm swim, totaling around 2500 yds, followed by a lecture on bike fit at 5pm.

Overall it was a great day of training in Tucson with cloudless skies, warm conditions and a nice mix of high intensity racing with some lower intensity recovery. Tomorrow (Monday) is our ride up Mt. Lemmon... always a memorable experience!

Train Smart,
- Coach Troy

Training and more

Hi All. Travel for work has been minimal lately, which has been nice. Like all good things, this too must come to an end as I get back 'on the road' starting this coming weekend. Looking at the calendar it would seem I'll be spending MANY weekends at events or training camps. It's all good though... I enjoy what I do. I just wish that the teleporter from Star Trek was in development so that airline hassles could be taken out of the travel equation!

Last week was a groundbreaking week of training as I start to build some base. I compiled lots of solid time in the saddle, in preparation for being off the bike for several days this coming week while I travel.

My approximate weekly totals:
230 miles cycling
28 miles running
1 hr swimming :), 3000 yds

All miles were 'aerobic / zone 2-3' and I totaled just over 15 hours of work for the entire week. That was a lot for me now... and I felt some tweaks in my left knee as a result. After some icing, it's doing better.

Most of my running has been done at night on the treadmill. My cycling... out on the roads surrounding Tucson. I just started swimming, and in the hope to avoid shoulder injury after 4+ years of not swimming, I'm doing only about 1000 yds / workout for the time being. Yesterday I did 1250 yds.

Building base is all about being consistent, so being on the bike at least 5 times a week is the goal. Running too... 4 - 5 times per week and swimming, at least 3 times. Of course, 'real life' tends to interfere with the best laid plans... and 4 days of travel tend to limit opportunities to treadmill workouts and if lucky, some time on a hotel lifecycle. I do have a huge advantage in that when I go to a Life Time Fitness for work, I get to use the best training facilities in the world... but nothing beats the open roads with the Catalina Mountains in the background for riding!

I tell you what... due to my higher weekly training volume, I am eating like a horse! I noticed that I'm hungry a lot and crave sugary foods and other carbohydrates. Do you notice that same response to higher volume work? I stopped at the convenience store yesterday and bought a bag of strawberry Twizzlers, polishing off the bag in my car on the way home.

Above is a pic from yesterday from the pool deck in Oro Valley, looking up at the Catalina's as the sun begins to set. There are a few swim team practices in progress... what a great view!

Enjoy the day.
Train smart,
Coach Troy