Camp has been great so far.  Everyone has been a blast to hang out with ... (Kevin B, Danno <whose wheel I held for quite a while>, Gordo, Justin, Anthony,Alan,  Josh, Tim, Chuck and Michelle, Dave and Selina, KP, Richard, Flip and Laura, Scott and Dan of Wheels on Wheels. 

I slept hard last night and work up starving at 2AM.  I ate a cliff bar and then Kevin my roomie got up to make a trip to the vending machine since then back to bed for another 5AM rise. 

One thing I have learned at camp is to not go looking for work, just let the work come to you.   This really applies to climbing huge hills.   Plus, pacing yourself over the week to be able to hit all the sessions will pay off big versus hitting a select few workouts so hard you are torched for the rest of the week.   I was feeling torched this morning before the run.   Danno lead our group on the run for 90 min in the park.   We saw lots of cacti, dirt and views of the valley and mountains and a couple of park rangers.

I ate a ton of food after the run.  Three full plates at breakfast, two glasses of OJ, and a glass of water.  We are talking, eggs, pancakes, bacon, potatoes (multiple passes on the bacon and potatoes).

We headed off the the Oro Valley Pool again.  Beautiful outside pool with the mountain range in the background.    We all sat down in the snack room after the pool and ate and chatted.

Only one more day of camp.   A big ride up Kitt Peak a 12 mile climb at 8% with the final 2 miles greater than 8%.   Bring it on... after I get my recover on today.

Peace out.

Well, I was feeling pretty good and fit then I got the camp schedule and now I have a bit of the nerves.  LOL.  I'll probably need eat an entire batch of cookies when I get back.

Monday: Madera Canyon ride. 150K route Southeast of Tucson. The first (and last) 60K is generally flat before a gradual climb of 8 miles followed by 3 miles of a steeper grade (return is a descent; route is an out-and-back). Quicker riders will be swimming before the ride and rolling out at 9:00. Base riders will roll out at 8:00 with a loosen swim to follow in the afternoon.

Tuesday: Mt Lemmon Day (On your left). Be ready with your cycling, running, and swimming gear to depart Hotel Arizona at 7:15 a.m. for Udall Park. We will roll out as a group from Udall Park at 8:00 am. We will regroup at the base of the climb (approximately 30-45 minutes into the ride) and everyone can ascend at their own pace. The climb is 21 miles long with over 6000 feet of vertical gain. The turnaround will be just past the village of Palisade. After reaching Palisade you will descend for one kilometer where you will see the sag vehicle on your left just shy of the 8000 ft elevation sign. After descending, athletes will have the option of running off the bike in Udall Park.

We will provide lunch in Udall Park following your transition run. After lunch, we will travel to the pool for a loosening and/or base swim workout.

Wednesday: The 40 mile or 40K day. Today will kick off with a swim at Archer Pool (depart hotel at 5:45 a.m.; seriously :). Following the swim we will have breakfast at the hotel. There will be two group rides today with a 40 mile or 40K option. The primary focus of today is to allow a bit recovery after two challenging days. Run options will be ad hoc. Afternoon is off with massages occurring from 2-6 p.m. Laundry Day!

Thursday: Oro Valley Day (Big Swim Day). Today we will cross town to the beautiful Oro Valley Pool of the North side of Tucson. The day will begin with group runs in the a.m. prior to swimming (determined the night before). Following breakfast; at 8:45 a.m. have all your cycling and swim gear ready for a 9:00 a.m. departure (by Van) to the Oro Valley Pool. After swimming (and lunch in Oro valley) we will ride 90K back to the hotel via Sandoria Road and Gates Pass.

Friday: Long run in Saguaro East Park. Athletes will depart from the hotel at 6:00 a.m. (or earlier TBD) for a long run in S. E. Park. All run routes will be done on an out-and-back course. Swim will follow at 11:30 a.m after your morning breakfast. Today will be a day off the bike with a free afternoon to lounge and recover. Massages from 2-6 p.m. today. Laundry Day!

Saturday: Kitt Peak (on the right). What we have all been waiting for!!! This is a 170K (106 miles) route that includes a summit of Kitt Peak (12 mile climb to 6000+ feet in elevation). The first and last 40 miles are generally flat and can prove to be challenging (or really fast!) if the wind kicks up. The middle section of the ride is a 12 mile climb with a consistent grade (8%) that kicks up slightly in the final 2 miles. It is best to save something for the final 40 miles in case the wind is not in a favorable direction. An optional swim will be available to athletes at 2:30 p.m. 

Fly home on Sunday with my legs in the suitcase! 

Craig Nicholson

When I first started all this triathlon stuph, I attended a local camp in Dallas (2006) to try and figure out what base, build, peak and all the tri-talk terminology meant.   It had been quite some time since I had done any serious aerobic exercise for performance, and I just wanted to pick up some knowledge from others.

I met Justin Daerr at this camp, and it was pretty kewl to get to train with someone of the Elite status.  Super great guy.

Awesome race Justin!  I was pulling for you all the way.

Check out his blog for training tips.