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Wednesday- EH Blog
The campers arrive this afternoon. Camp officially begins this evening with an easy run at 5pm. Jeff and I however had a very busy day planned.
What is it about swimming, biking or running that is fulfilling? Sure, going fast on race day is fulfilling but what about the day to day grind of training is fulfilling? I'm sure there are many different answers here but I know that Jeff and I both had that deep sense of satisfaction after a day like today. It was cool to have a calmer day before the hecticness begins. Don't get me wrong - I love the camps but there is a lot of behind the scenes to pull these things off and the days are busy and long. read on
Day 1- EH Blog
Man, after a day like today, there's not much to say. Actually, there's a lot to say but I'm really spent right now and I also have a couple of beers and a glass of wine in me and the bed is looking mighty good. But I feel this obligation to post something and I owe it to the campers who put it out there today.
We started with an early 6:30am trail run up to Avalanche Lake. Most come here to train and just stay on the IM course. The course is great and it's important to learn it and experience it, but there is also so much more to see up here. I staggered all the campers to get us all to Avalanche Lake around the same time. The run starts on a horse trail for a few miles where you reach a beautiful lake and a damn. Then we continue on single track trail for a few miles until the last mile which is up hill and on log crossings, boulder leaping, and rock scaling. It's adventurous and the reward of Avalanche Lake and the views here are well worth it. I ran back and forth trying to run with each camper during this 2+ hour run. read on
Rain, Rain, Go Away
3am this morning I awoke to the sound of hard rain pounding the pavement outside my hotel room. The plan for the morning was to leave at 6am and ride down 86 and climb to the summit of Whiteface Mountain. I tossed and turned over whether to send this group up, and finally decided around 5:30am to play it safe. So instead, we went running on the course along the river. It was a cool, yet humid morning and everyone started the run very gingerly, feeling the effects of yesterdays hard effort still in their legs. The plan after running was to be ready to ride by 10am. From 8am until 9:45am, it didn't rain much, but, guess what, it then started pouring. So I altered once again and we went swimming in Mirror Lake. I'm not against riding in the rain by any means. We have all day to train here and with people tired why take a chance? The lake is frigid upon first entering, but 5 minutes later, all is good. read on
Hot, Humid, and Windy
That was today's forecast. A beautiful sunny day although very strong wind and very humid. If IMLP were today, there would have been a lot of carnage. The issue with the strong wind, especially blowing down 86 in your face on the return trip to LP, is that you are working hard and don't realize the humidity. We all rolled out on our bikes between 6 and 7am. Those racing LP (Pam, Margit, Jay) were doing the 112 mile course. Most of the others were doing the course minus the out and back loops (84 miles) and the remaining athletes were covering a full loop of the course plus a bit more. read on
MVPS
Ed Sparkowski
Some guy said something about the road less traveled years ago and Eric and Ange took it to another level this weekend at the LP triathlon camp. Most of the runs were on trails that were kind to your legs, very challenging and providing views that were spectacular. In addition to leaving the roads out of the runs, everyone left their ego behind. It was a pleasure being part of a group that worked hard, laughed a lot and enjoyed getting to know each other.
Some of my friends thought I might be a little old for camp, but a very thoughtful friend reminded me that I’m going to be dead for a long time and that it makes sense to do as many fun things as possible before that last day arrives. This was one of those things to be checked off of the list. The good news is that it doesn’t need to be done only once and I expect that all of us in attendance this weekend will be at another camp soon.
Eric and Ange don’t need me to say how organized, encouraging and thoughtful they are in their approach, but I will anyway. They had a plan and an ability to alter that plan as the situation dictated, always creating the optimal result.
So thanks to Eric, Ange and all the other happy campers for letting me be part of the group. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Ed S
Testimonials
Brad 'Robin' Scholtz
My summary of LP goes like this:
We do in life what makes us happy, and surrounding ourselves with people who are upbeat and like minded is a great thing and makes me happy. Well this is exactly what Lake Placid is with Eric and Angela! Being new to the sport I didn't have any clear expectations other than to learn as much as possible, and it wasn't until my drive home from LP that I really had a chance to digest all that I had learned. Almost 10 hours on the road gives plenty of time to reflect, since camp was so busy there wasn't really time to comprehend all that was being shared. The more experienced athletes were
also VERY giving of their time and insights.
This was my second camp with Eric and Angela, so I knew it would be great. What I didn't know was what an awesome group would be attending. It was amazing how supportive, fun and knowledgeable everyone was. Throughout the different rides, runs and meals(not much talking during the swims) there
was time to get to know almost everyone, their goals and background. We were at all different levels of ability and experience, yet somehow Eric and Angela still found a way to spend personal one on one time with each of us.
We received encouragement and constructive criticism/coaching. The people made the experience great, but the coaching and training absolutely finished off a perfect experience. The training was intense, and in talking to people at the other camps that were there, we were definitely doing a lot more than them. There were a few times when I found myself just about out of gas, and almost magically there would be Eric or Angela with some encouragement, and bang I was ready to dig deeper and push harder.
They promote the competition within ourselves versus competing with our peers, and they also promote "balance" in life. Life doesn't revolve around our training, although it's obviously a very big part and who we are. I was able to push myself way harder than I ever thought possible!
Every night for dinner the entire group would go out together. Despite being absolutely exhausted we would all be doubled over laughing and telling stories. It was a blast. Although it would get really quiet once the food showed up!
Each night when it was finally time for some shut eye, I'd find myself smiling, almost laughing at all the things that had transpired that day!
And equally excited about what we'd be doing tomorrow! The LP camp was a great life experience and a tremendous confidence booster as I get into the heavy part of my training. Leaving camp there was
no doubt in my mind that I will be able to finish my first ironman.
Thank you so much Eric and Angela.
Brad (aka. Robin)
Jason Dufour
I don't know what to say Eric. Although it sounds cliche, L.P Camp exceeded my expectations. I can't stop talking about it.
The location, the training and the other participants have me thinking about attending another camp. It was a great opportunity to escape the monotony of everyday life and do what I love. I feel I am finally understanding what it takes to race an Ironman not just survive it.
I learned a lot from everyone, so thanks! And a special thanks to Angela and Big Rocks.
Gratefully,
Jason
