It was just over a week ago that we were in Connecticut for our summer training camp. What a great three days of training! We kept this camp small - purposely - to ensure that the athletes in attendance got the one on one attention they deserved, and everyone could get to know the other athletes.
Friday evening was our meet and greet, and education session. We covered swim mechanics, form, and technique for open water swimming. Sponsor / Partner products were handed out (many thanks to Nuun, Tailwind Nutrition, Enduro Bites, Training Peaks, Training Peaks and US Masters Swimming).
Saturday morning started bright and early with a form and mechanics based session for the athletes. Video was captured for each athlete from three differing angles / points of view in the water for individual video analysis. It wasn't a hard session, but it was focused, and very detailed.
A quick pic with a few of the camp attendees by a friendly gym staff member.
We then moved to the track where we did some running mechanics work. While it looks easy, doing tow-outs is harder than it seems!
Coach Dave, and Theo, working on body position and foot-strike via tow-out drills.
Theo and Zach getting it done during the K-Pump session.
We concluded the session with a K-Pump workout - again, harder than it seems. five x 2 min efforts of :10 max effort, :10 easy. Nothing like working the anaerobic energy system hard!
After lunch and a talk on racing prep, technology, and yearly periodization, we moved to the bike handling and skill section of the camp. This is one of my favorite parts of the camps we run. Bike handling is such an important aspect to racing, and is often overlooked. Being able to corner faster, and maintain speed throughout the apex of a turn allows the athlete to not work as hard maintaining, or getting back up to, speed after a turn.
Theo working the apex of a 90 degree turn
Zach cruising through a 180 degree turn drill.
We wrapped up the day with an optional long run around Lake Waramaug. Not a bad place to get in some extra miles.
Lake Waramaug in New Preston CT. Such an amazing place to visit.
Sunday started with another swim session. A few more drills to work on stroke mechanics, and then a solid threshold set to get the HR up.
Podium Training athlete, Theo, working on his head position: Swimming with a hand paddle on the crown of your head. A great drill to maintain head and body position.
In the middle of our Sunday threshold set.
After our final pool session, we moved back to Lake Waramaug for the final sessions of the camp. 1/4 mile hill repeats, and open water swim drills. It was cool, but very humid after the overnight rain. But the athletes were undeterred!
A great stretch for our hill reps.
Glenn working on his buoy turns
We had some great spectators for our open water session.
We then sent a couple athletes off for a long ride through the foothills of the Berkshires, which wrapped up our camp. It was a great weekend, and there was so much enthusiasm at the end of the weekend that we are already planning our next camps.
A special thanks to the New Milford Sports Club for the use of their pool and facilities. And to the Hopkins Inn, for their hospitality and accommodations during our stay.