- Now if you ever considered a triathlon training camp,
you may have seen a number of the pros
heading away to warmer climates
over the colder winter months,
but it needn't be limited to just them
because with a bit of creativity and planning,
you can also create your own training camp.
That could be a long week away with some training buddies,
it could be a family holiday
and cramming some training in around that.
Maybe a long weekend away training.
Or just a week off work and from home.
Whatever it is, it's all possible.
And you'll notice that I'm currently out
in some warmer climates, I'm in Fuerteventura
at the Playitas resort.
We've obviously got a week of filming a head of us,
but I'm going to be fitting some training in around that.
A mini training camp of sorts.
So I thought I'd take this opportunity
to teach you some tips on how to create
your own training camp.
But before we do that, why not subscribe to the channel
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Now I've been out on countless training camps over the years
and one of the biggest factors to consider
is when to actually go.
Now I appreciate not everyone will have the luxury
of being able to choose when they go,
given they're probably bolting a training camp
onto an existing family holiday.
But if you do have that luxury,
then I'd often advise the winter as a great opportunity
to maybe avoid some of the poor conditions
or weather conditions
and get some good quality training in un-disrupted.
Now personally, I would often do this,
I wouldn't head away at the first sign of winter though,
because, well, I try and embrace for a bit,
enjoy the change and then I try and predict
where maybe my patience might be wearing thin,
which happens to be about now.
Now, another consideration other than the climate
and the weather is also your phase in training.
Now the winter is perfect for working
on your base aerobic training.
So a training camp will serve as a good opportunity
to build on that aerobic engine.
But another time is also immediately prior to race season,
again, heading away getting some un-disrupted
quality miles in, but now, really race specific.
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Now I said when to go was the most important factor,
but where to go is pretty up there on the priority list.
Now ultimately going on a training camp is an opportunity
to get away from the distractions of day-to-day life,
work, and other obligations,
so that you can solely focus on your training
within that training camp.
Now that could simply be a bit of time at home,
a bit of time off of work,
it could be just going a couple of hours
down the road from your own home.
Or it could be going slightly further afield
if time and budget allows it.
A little bit of a treat for yourself.
But also maybe avoiding some bad weather back home.
Now, whatever it is,
things that you may want to consider
having available to you are,
firstly, a pool or somewhere to swim
even if that's open water,
some good running,
and some good riding from your accommodation.
Also, what do you need to work on for the season ahead?
And does the location help that?
For instance, are you looking to work on your hills?
Does that place have any hills?
And is there any other relevant infrastructure available
such as an athletics track, or a gym, for instance.
And maybe somewhere to chill out.
Don't mind if I do.
Now also, who you go away on a training camp with
can have a big impact to.
Now personally, I'd always head away with someone
that can push me when I'm training,
but also someone I enjoyed having around.
Now naturally, we often end up a little bit more tired
on a training camp, so if someone ordinarily winds you up,
they're going to wind you up even more on a training camp.
And given that you are planning your own training camp,
I'm going to safely assume that you're not going to have
a coach on hand to you there.
So that also backs up the benefit
of having other training partners with you,
or a group with you.
People that are not only going to push you
but may be able to provide some training tips
or give you some feedback on your training.
But that said, there's nothing wrong
with heading away on your own.
Some people just prefer that and like it.
But if you are perhaps going away on a family holiday
and you're bolting some training onto that,
then maybe get creative with your training,
get your family involved in some way.
Maybe you're going to do a brick session,
get your kids to set out a T2 for you.
Or maybe get your partner out to train with you.
Maybe on an eBike or just train with you full stop
because they might be fit enough.
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In terms of the training that you do on a training camp,
well, it can be all too easy
to get a little bit carried away, a little bit excited
and end up on a pro level training schedule overnight.
I'll be honest, it rarely ends well.
Now, that said, here on GTN,
we're quite often recommending the 10% rule,
in which you never increase your training by more than 10%.
But on a training camp, obviously, you want to make the most
of this time available to you,
and the fact that you're on a training camp.
So you can skirt around that 10% rule to a degree
and really make the most of it.
But obviously, not too much.
Now also, if you are heading away to better weather
and better conditions, such as we're in right now,
you might be wanting to make the most of that.
So if you're struggling to get bike mileage in back home
due to the conditions, the lack of light, et cetera.
Then now might be the time for that.
But that might mean just ticking over to a degree
with your swimming and your running,
doing slightly easier sessions, slightly lower volume,
allowing you to savor that energy
for those quality bike sessions.
Now there's also the length of time for that training camp
that you want to be considering here.
So if you're heading out for two weeks,
you will definitely want to be considering
a recovery day or a day off within those two weeks,
that just allows your body time to adapt,
recover, absorb that training,
and allow you to stay consistent throughout the two weeks.
But regardless of whether it's a week or two weeks,
you'll also want to be coming back from that training camp
and making sure that you recover.
Again, adapting, absorbing that training, recovering
and moving on, and ultimately, getting better as an athlete.
That's what the training camp was for after all.
Well, I hope that has been interesting for you today
and helpful for you.
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