Camp

Best training buddies ever!

The QT2 Systems Pro Camp was 17 days of awesome.  I loved camp in every sense of the word.  And I didn't want it to end!  But don't get me wrong, it was tough.  There were some instances when I wanted to cry:

1) The day we did 20x25, 20x50, 35x100, 20x50, 20x25 in the pool - ALL PULL!  This is literally my worst nightmare.  At points I thought it was never going to end.  But I did it.

2) On the day we rode 6.5 hours and each 28 mile segment of the ride was to have an average HR higher than the last.  My HR was SO very hard to get up that day and I was barely squeaking by each 28 miles with an ave just 1 beat higher than the last.  Of course that's when Jesse told me he wanted the next segment to have an ave HR TWO beats higher than the last.  I wanted to punch someone in the face.  Or cry.  But I did it.

3) The morning that I was CONVINCED we were going to have a recovery swim (one thing about camp, you NEVER know what's coming next) and instead Jesse announced we'd be doing 15x400 instead.  A joke?  Not so much.  And after the 15x400 we did an 800 TT.  (luckily we didn't know about the time trial in the midst of the 400s).  My arms were whimpering.  But you know what?  The beauty of camp is, there is no time to be anxious about it.  We all jumped in the water and 2 hours later, thanks to the leadership of my teammates and the encouragement of our coaches, I had another 7000 yds in the bank.

4) The evening on the clay trails when, after a very long day of swimming, riding and then a 10 mile run, Jesse lined us up and told us we'd be running an all out mile.  It was one of the most painful things I did at camp.  My stomach, nor my legs forgave me for that one for a while.  But I did it.  And now I know I can if that's what it comes down to in the last mile of a race.

(there were many more instances like these but I think my mind has already blocked them out for protection)

Over the 2+ weeks of camp, I trained close to 35 hours/week with some of the hardest workouts of my life.  It was volume and intensity that I NEVER would have been able to sustain at home, by myself.  But with awesome teammates and AMAZING coaches there ever step of the way (and some serious focus on recovery), it never felt like a chore and I truly looked forward to each day and what it would hold.  It was an amazing opportunity to train along side some of the best athletes and PEOPLE in our sport.  And I learned so much!  And I laughed so much.  And I made some really great friends because special bonds form when you suffer along side people for days on end.  I'm really thankful to QT2 and the coaches who gave up their time to make it happen.  It's easy to see why they are some of the best in the business.

Our home, every morning.  Love me some LCM!

The day we ran a marathon.  One of my favorites!

Best coaches evah!!  Tara, Jesse and Tim (and an absent John).

My roomies!  I miss them already!!  We had quite a fun few weeks.  AND they taught me how to cook!

Wouldn't have survived without this one.  Kim prepared me well for what camp was all about.  And she spent 25 hours in the car with me on the drive down and back.  This girl deserves an award!!!

How I felt about leaving camp and the warm weather (and drinking tea w/my meal instead of Diet Coke!)  But it sure was nice to see Oscar and The Roxy Dog again!!

A great video that sums up camp well, put together by Pedro Gomes!