1st Camp

First off I would like to apologize for the tardiness of this post. The words "Busy" and "Tired" are too often used excuses, but between packing up and "moving" to Las Cruces, training, and then "moving" to Tucson, they are apt in this instance.  So my humble apologies to any who may have been awaiting an update on "Squad Life."  But alas, here goes.

Coach Paulo wasted no time in setting the tone for the Las Cruces camp.  No introduction, no touchy-feely "Welcome to the Squad" dinner, it was, "be at the NMSU pool at noon on Saturday."  I hadn't even been to the hotel yet.  For the most part, the Squad all rolled in and after a quick chat (brevity is one of Paulo's strong suits) we were on deck for our first swim.  An hour and twenty minutes and 5,700 yards later, we were told who our roommates would be, and to meet at a, "to be disclosed" location for a run in 2hrs.  So it was a quick check in and unpack the car and off for workout #2.  Whirlwind.

Ayway, I won't bore you with the details, you can check "The Triathlon Squad" Facebook page if you are so inclined, but suffice it to say that we got some solid work done in New Mexico.  If you have read my blog in the past, you will be aware that my former coach was a fan of some pretty big workouts, those 8, 9 & 10hr epic days I wrote about in the past.  For the Las Cruces camp at least, I found none of that.  In fact our longest runs were 1:35 and longest rides just over 4hrs.  It wasn't about one or two epic days, but rather, putting in solid work, most times 3 times a day, day, after day, after day.  Repitition and accumulation.  As one of Paulo's favorite acronyms goes; G.T.W.D - Get The Work Done.

Unfortunately, early in the first week I managed to tweak my left adductor/quad and had to miss a session or two.  But thanks to the incredible support offered by Chiro and ART practitioner Dr. Bobby Harrison, my time on the DL was short lived.

The Squad is made up of some great people, personalities, and athletes.  I joined the Squad becuase I wanted to be pushed in every workout.  I think I underestimated just how "pushed" I would be.  It's no secret that I am not a standout athlete in any of the disciplines of triathlon and that fact was readily apparent in all our workouts.  Just about everyone on the Squad is a better swimmer than I. Chris Coble swam for USC, Pedro Gomes is a former ITU stud and thus can more than handle his business in the pool, and the "ITU Girls" as we like to call them, can all hold thier own, and some of mine.  Needless to say, the almost daily 5300-6400yd workouts started my days off with a full helping of "challenge."

Me 3rd lane in & behind as usual

The bike offered no repreive from the above-described Smash-O-Ian.  This is where the Canucks of the Squad really showed their prowess.  Trevor and Heather Wurtele, professional triathlon's talllest couple, laid the smack down, day in, and day out.  We were also blessed with another talented cyclist from our Great White neighbor to the North in the person of one "Johnny-O!"  On the mend from some health problems that plagued him the past two seasons, Johnny-O definitely showed some of that form that took him to the podium on several occasions.  

Hill repeats

On the run it was more of the same.  I have raced Trevor in the past and been unfortunate enough to watch his long legs run away from me several times.  Thus, I knew he would be one to push my heart rate to death metal speeds.  I would say that Pedro Gomes was the cause of similar, coronary close calls, but as he was so often, so far up the road, my eyes, brain and heart did a simple "fogettaboutit."

All this meant that I and all the members "got their money's worth" on the trip to Las Cruces.  I know it may not make for the most entertaining reading, what with no "8.5hrs, 135mi and 10,000ft of climbing" adventures to take you through, but trust me, none of us are the weaker for it.  In fact, I think all the members of the Squad learned a little something about what has become one of our other Squad Mantras, "Backing it up."  Plain and simple, it is about getting the work done, in a professional, responsible and dedicated manner.  Then waking up and doing it again the next day.  To sum up the "lesson" if you will, of the Las Cruces camp, its that there is no secret, there is no magic session and the is NO SHORT CUT.  "DO YOUR JOB." EVERYDAY.

"DO YOUR JOB"

Again my apologies for the delay, but there you have my report on Squad Life: Part 1.

I am now in Tucson, reunited with Maiki and some other great training partners including Pedro who I convinced to tag along, and plodding along waiting for the next camp to begin in a few short weeks.

Interestingly enough, opportunities have become available to come train with the Squad here in Tucson. If you are interested, check it out.

Stay tuned as now that I have gotten a little better settled, (and am blessed with more reliable internet access) I will be reporting in more frequently.  I have some BIG, if not HUGE (at least for me) news to report in the coming days.  Suffice it to say, I am VERY excited about 2011.

Cheers