Day 1 of the ironguides Spring Training Camp kicked off with a full day of seminars and swim, bike and run training in El Paso, Texas.
The day kicked off early at the University of Texas El Paso swimming pool with a welcome to the campers and quick handout of ironguides schwag. Following introductions we started the ironguides Camp with a brief overview on triathlon training and why it’s different from training for swimming, cycling and running. Campers learned that the order and structure of the training sessions they would be undertaking during the next four days was specifically designed to illustrate the concepts discussed in the seminars.
With the lecture behind us it was time to hop in the pool for a set of short intervals with sporadic, all-out efforts all on plenty of rest to ensure full recovery and full effort, punctuated by a longer, all-out effort to work tired muscles to maximum aerobic benefit.
Following the swim we had our second lecture of the day combined with lunch at a nearby buffet restaurant. Campers learned about the Five Systems and how the interaction between the Systems – and the impact of this interaction on training and recovery – can be manipulated using the order and structure of one’s training sessions. In short, the order of your training sessions matter.
With lunch digesting and after a brief rest, it was time for Session Two of the day – a strength-oriented cycling session. This was held a short bike ride away on a nearby 300m 12% gradient. Sounds short, doesn’t it? Well, campers learned why this session left their legs feeling like rubber without taxing their aerobic system to a significant extent – and why we wanted their legs to feel like rubber.
Next up and immediately following the cycling session came a short, fast run. Despite the broad range in fitness levels, each camper was instructed to perform by and large the same session, with slight modifications to accommodate individual goals and training experience.
By the end of the day, each camper had learned how the three training sessions had complemented each other and had trained different aspects of their fitness without compromising recovery from prior sessions. Stay tuned for Day Two.
