Colorado Training Camp
Every year, I do a substantial portion of my IM training at my home in Colorado @ 8400'/2600 meters. And every year, I extend an open invitation to ENers to join me during the time I am there. The dates this year are Aug 15 thru Sept 11. My focus will be towards IM Tahoe, but it also works well for any other Sept or early Oct race, eg IM Wisconsin, 70.3 champs, etc. The USPCC bike race - "Tour of Colorado" - which usually features the best of the Pro Tour peloton - has its first two days of action in my neighborhood, with a crit of 5 laps around the upper Roaring Fork Valley on day one, then out of town and over 12,090' Independence Pass to start day two. Aug 19 & 20.
Already two folks have expressed interest, and I'm looking for as many people as my house can hold to come along on my rides, runs and swims through the central Colorado Rockies in some one of the most beautiful training settings you'll ever experience. PM me or post here with questions or interest.
I used to push this by saying, "train on the same roads Lance uses to get ready for his races", but maybe that's not the best slogan anymore. It is true, though, that he has a house in town (Aspen), and he's usually around this time of year, doing local running and mountain bike races.
Comments
@Al, my world is beyond upside down right now, but I dream of a day when I can do something like this.
Comment (@ Brenda) on timing: I've been doing this training at altitude before each IM I've done since 2005, twice a year. I do the training in the range of 3-6 weeks before the IM, usually incorporating one or both race rehearsals there. I do not really do a volume boost of any significance during that time, but follow the EN plan with slight modifications to account for the altitude. It may only be coincidence, but it was after my first such camp that I first qualified for Kona, and have been performing well ever since.
@ Coach P, and those doing IM AZ or FL: a great time for an altitude/volume boost is just before the final 8-12 weeks push for an IM. So that would also be mid/end August. As to how late to let me know - as long as I have room, you can let me know any time. There's no preparation needed, I'll be at the house no matter what. The main requirements: $10/night to cover cleaning and utility costs; no car needed. Transportation options include drive your own car there; fly to Denver, rent a car one way to Aspen; fly to Aspen, we pick you up (we're 10 minutes from the airport).
@ Dusty and Steve - hopefully, we can have a core group of at least 4 who will be training for Tahoe. Michele Moreno also wants to come.
@Al,
I will be training for Tahoe as well and it certainly would be a dream come true to get to spend some time before the race in the mountains of Colorado. Unfortunately for me no matter which way I look at it, those key dates for what will likely be some of my most important training weeks in the build up to Tahoe coincide with a major engineering milestone date at work... so I can only pray that we are on time for once and I don't find myself spending nights and weekends in the lab.
So I suppose for now I have to stick with that, I would love to attend if possible but I likely won't be able to know whether or not it will actually be possible until we get a bit closer to the date.
I need to check the BRAC race schedule for that weekend, but if I don't have any must do's with my team that weekend I may head over from Ft. Collins and join you guys. Also anyone who wants to check out the 2nd to last day of the US Pro cycling Challenge we have the start and the finish in Ft Collins that Saturday. The stage will be broadcast on NBC and you're welcome to crash at Casa de Manning.
Cheers,
Joe