By Cameron Elford
March 26, 2007 – Like most anything triathlon related, triathlon training camps have exploded in both frequency and scope over the past few years, such that on any given weekend throughout the spring and summer you can probably find a camp designed to fit your short-course, long-course, swim-specific or skills-oriented ambitions.
But with triple-digit race-entry fees and pricy high-tech carbon go-fast toys all competing for your attention over the coming months, your triathlon dollar only stretches so far, and most tri camps take a good-sized bite out of your wallet. To that end, we’ve been begging our way into a few multisport camps recently. As much fun as these camps are for us, we also hope we are able to provide a bit of insight into camp life to help you determine whether to sink your hard-earned dollars into a new wheel set or a week of tri-camp training.
In February, Triathlete associate editor Rebecca Roozen dropped in for a few days at the Multisports.com camp -- led by triathlon greats Paul Huddle and Roch Frey -- in Encinitas, Calif. Then, earlier this month, Triathlete Interactive editor Brad Culp joined top multisport coach Troy Jacobsen in Tucson, Ariz., for a week of sun and big miles in the desert.
Next week, I’ll be joining LifeSport coaches Lance Watson and Paul Regensburg in Waikoloa, just north of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii -- on the Big Island -- for their
Lava Camp
, which begins the day after the Lava Man Triathlon this Sunday. Joining the LifeSport coaches will be a few top athletes including Chris Lieto -- the first American at the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship and all-round great guy -- as well as top Canadian athletes Charlene Waldner and Carolyn Murray.
I’ll be filing daily dispatches from the island -- provided I can still put fingers to keyboard by the end of each day -- so please check in to follow our progress as we get technical feedback and workout guidance along with nutrition, gear and heat acclimatization advice.