Benefits of attending an early-season triathlon training camp
Attending an early-season training camp can be one of the best investments you can make to set yourself up for having your best race season yet. After years of coaching, organizing and leading training camps, there are many benefits I’ve observed that make this worth taking into consideration. Escaping to a warmer climate, enjoying a very well-deserved vacation, or taking a solid week to get good base miles in before your first race, are just some of the benefits we’ll explore in this blog. There are so many physical and mental gains from spending a week with likeminded people training for the sport you love. Let’s go ahead and explore the case of why it’s an excellent idea to sign up for an early-season training camp.
The weather
This is a big one for me as I really dislike training in cold weather. From my experience as a triathlon coach, I know it is very hard for people to be consistent and keep their motivation high after months of shorter days, cold, and rain. February or March are great months to escape for a week and get a decent amount of hours training outside to kickstart your season. There are many reasons why indoor training is highly beneficial, but there’s only so much biking and running you can do facing a wall. Additionally, camps often offer openwater swimming sessions, which is something you most likely have neglected during the winter. Once you get back home, the weather will hopefully start improving, and you will have returned fully motivated and fitter to get that last push in.
on-site coaching
Training camps by themselves are great opportuniies to train next to top-level coaches, and receive onsite feedback that will help you improve. You will also learn tips and techniques, observe live demonstrations, have the chance to ask all of your questions and get them answered on the spot. Our training camps, for example, are designed to provide a unique experience in which you get the chance to train in thoroughly planned sessions that prioritize learning new skills and techniques. Some of these are:
Bike handlings skills like descending or cornering
Running technique
Pacing
Fueling
Off-season strength and conditioning
Mental strategies
Race execution
Open water swim tips
fitness Boost
Spending a few days with other triathletes training and learning will come along with technical improvements and fitness gains by the higher volume of training you will be doing compared to at home. A training camp with allow you to focus completely on training instead of squeezing in your sessions before and after work and leaving enough time for recovery with valuable lectures and lessons in between. A one-week intensive block can be a huge performance booster to get you ready to start building throughout the season.
Rest and Reset
A training camp will offer you the chance to train as much as you can and still get time to rest and recover like the pros. By balancing work, family life and training, rest is often neglected. In our training camps we always schedule workshops to teach you how to fuel, stretch, sleep and disconnect completely in order to maximize the most out of your training sessions. You also get down time, to enjoy the destination and all it has to offer. During an early-season camp, you can get the rest your body and mind needs before the start of the season.
Community
During the long winter, chances are that you haven’t had opportunities to meet up with your training partners as often as you do during spring, summer and even fall. Most likely, you’ve been putting in miles on the trainer, isolated from society and the community that drives us triathletes. Early season camps, offer a time and place to break up those monotonous pain cave sessions, to meet and reconnect with like-minded people who love the sport as much as you do. We’ve seen first hand how our training camps are life changing experiences that forged huge friendships and bonds between athletes. If you are new to triathlon, this is a great chance to connect and meet people that know the journey you are just starting. It is not something strange to see new people leave our camps with life-lasting friendships!
Top-level facilities and destination
In 2021 we organized our first early season training camp in the sunny Southern California triathlon mecca of San Diego. Next year we decided to take over Tucson, a location many pros favour before their first races of the year. This 2023 we are heading to the island of Cozumel in Mexico for an unforgettable experience. We chose it because it offers beautiful open water swim locations, great running routes, and endless smooth cycling roads, accompanied by the most magnificent weather. At every camp, we prioritize finding top-level facilities and services that give athletes the chance to experience triathlon training at its finest.
Are you looking to attend an early-season training camp?
Join us at our 2023 Training Camp in Cozumel for an early-season-focused triathlon training camp for athletes of all levels. Our days will be packed with workouts and workshops directed by the Mauna Coaches. They will help you prepare for your 2023 races by providing tips and strategies to kick off your season with a bang!
What is included?
4 nights at the all-inclusive Grand Park Royal Cozumel
3 days packed with coach-directed workouts and workshops.
Supported land and water training sessions
Welcome Kit
Photography package (20 high-res individual and group photos)
30-minute massage with our sports physio
Boat and snorkel tour
Farewell dinner at a local restaurant
Raffle with top-level prices
***Flights, ferries, and transportation to and from the hotel are not included.
If you want to join us or want more information click on the link below:
Philip Billikopf
Philip is a Competitive Age Group Athlete and a Triathlon Coach. Check out his coaching profile!
