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Sivota Triathlon Training Camp

jojojojo Posts: 76
Hi Guys



Well I made it back in one piece and as requested I thought I'd tell you all what I've learnt and feel free to to ask any questions.



The Camp was excellent - set in a beautiful place high up in the mountains. We did lots of open water swimming and learnt how to go round bouys, how to correctly and quickly take off your wetsuit (and of course how to get it on), drafting (ie swimming up to the person in front of you's legs so it uses less energy), and were given general swimming tips on breathing and technique.



The cycling was amazing (my fave bit) we went on rides for up to 6 hours on hill that we'll probably never have to encounter (certainly in race conditions). Again we were taught, how to deal with punctures and other mechanical problems (don't ask me this bit - I wasn't really paying attention), drafting again, best use of gears and most importantly the transitions. How to jump on and off a bike - how to set out your stuff etc etc.



Then on last day we did a proper race condition sprint tri.



For people like me who aren't going to get the experience of open water swimming and practising transitions and a practise race it was invaluable. I've still got a couple of months to my first London Tri and loads to do but really looking forward to it now.



It was a fantastic experience and have definitely come back way more confident.



Jojo

Comments

  • jazdogjazdog Posts: 223
    Hi Jo,



    Sounds fantastic- I'm green with envy[:'(]!



    Did they give you an individualised training plan for the next few months?



    jazdog
  • jojojojo Posts: 76
    to be honest didn't really ask - but I know some did. But I guess its easy to tell what you're strengths and weaknesses are. Under the race conditions you get to tell what you need to work on.



    JoJo



    Gonna rest today though and get right back into it tomorrow - just wish I could get rid of these shin splints - any advice anyone?
  • madnursemadnurse Posts: 782
    HI Jo - Good to se you back and fired up with motivation ..... am hoping you have laid off running and given your shins time to heal. Mine well on mend have managed a few easy 5 milers (albeit off road). The ultrasound has helped along with the stretches. I found when i did evenaully try a run my fitness wasnt far off where it was before (thanks to bike swim & weights etc).





    If you need more let me know



    Phil [:D]
  • JasonBJasonB Posts: 303
    Couple of questions.



    Did you take your own bike?



    How much roughly is somethig like this?



    What sort of levels of people are there at the camp?



    How long does the camp last, and is it over a long weekend or something?



    Sounds bloody awesome to do though.



    I love training in the heat, glad you enjoyed it.

  • jojojojo Posts: 76
    Hi Jason



    Yes it was pretty good.



    I didn't take my own bike - they gave me a bike for the whole week - but most people did. I had a mountain bike which is quite a bit slower than a racing bike - but I will be buying a racing bike



    It cost around £700 (a bit more) but that is the one I did - I think some are a bit cheaper



    Re the levels. To be honest I thought I was in pretty good shape - but I have never done any sort of tri so I was by far one of the weakest - there were very mixed people ie one was training to do an ironman and some that had done a few tri's before and a couple like me who were complete beginners - but they put us into groups - elite, intermediate and beginners and everybody was as supportive and helpful and as encouraging as could possibly be. Plus there is always someone there with good tips.



    My camp was a whole week - could have done with a couple of days at the end ie 9 days in total as we were pretty exausted after the main race and by that time the group had bonded really well so it would have been great. But us triathletes - we're not really ones to just sit by the pool without at least doing 50 lengths first!



    If anyone wants some of the trainers email addresses I can probably pass them on. Email me if you do.



    Jojo
  • pacrfishpacrfish Posts: 266
    jojo - sounds fantastic, but exhausting.



    Question: what is the correct way to take of a wetsuit? I always struggle and end up having to sit down and wrestle.



  • jojojojo Posts: 76
    pressure or what - he he



    as you get out of water unzip it whilst running and still whislt running to the bike pull it off your shoulders so its just resting on your hips then when you get to bike transition area pull it right down and get one leg out first then stand on it with the other leg and pull it off - really hard to explain in words. But basically you shouldn't need to sit down.
  • pacrfishpacrfish Posts: 266
    Thanks - I'm just going to have to practice. Not sure what the family are going to think when I leap out of the bath in my wetsuit, then run thro the house trying to unzip it before standing on 1 leg in the kitchen trying to get it off without sitting down!



    But practice is needed before my first open water of the year in 2 weeks ......



    After the excitement of the camp I bet it's hard to settle into 'real life' again!
  • JasonBJasonB Posts: 303
    Is it somewhere sunny, where a girl could sit by the pool, whilst I slog me guts out. It wouldbe good if you could forward the email address thanks.



  • NigelNigel Posts: 3
    Hi,



    Regarding getting wet suits off in a hurry, another tip I was given which does work is to stretch the neck collar to the side just as you stand up out of the water. This forces water inside your suit and helps break the suction.



    Hope it helps



    Nigel
  • LegacyUserLegacyUser Posts: 0
    Parcfish, Funny I'm about to try out my (hired) wetsuit at home and planning the same scenario - reminds me of when I had a dog and had to lay towels all over the house!! I've been told baby oil around the ankles and wrists as well??
  • jojojojo Posts: 76
    well I don't want to be held responsible for any accidents with your wetsuits. After all - we were taught how to do it on a beach and I don't remember being told to go back to the room to practise!



    The best thing to do is if you are doing a practise or not serious tri just watch how the obviously 'elite' athletes do it. Baby Oil is good though I did manage ok without it.



    Jason - can you email me and I'll give you the addresses and yes the resort was beautiful and there were a couple of people who brought along partners who did other things whilst we trained.
  • guv001guv001 Posts: 227
    Thanks for the low down on your trip jojo I really am considering going on a training trip before next season starts. Was there anything for partners (not exercise) to do there and do they accomadate partners at all. Cheers Neil.
  • madnursemadnurse Posts: 782
    Hi jo - have been thinking about your shins it must be some 4 weeks since your injury & it seems they still giving you you trouble. Assuming you have been avoidant of running for that time (as well other impact activity which would agrievate things) along with rest, use of ice (& possibly ibuprofen for swelling) as well stretches for the anterior aspect of the leg; you might need to consider a gp referal for some ultrasound (usually via a physio). I would have thought you would have seen some recovery by now. However dont be worrying as you say you have a couple of months before London.



    phil
  • jojojojo Posts: 76
    Hi Phil



    Thanks for your message. Basically - my last run was two weeks ago last Friday (so three weeks on Friday) so it couldn't have hurt me that much - I reckon I just aggrevated them coz on Saturday I was limping.



    I went to a physio twice in the week before I went away and the first session she did a painful massage and ultrasound treatment and strapped me up and it didn't help all that much - the next session 3 days later she said that she didn't think it was shin splints but that I'd hurt my anterior tibialis muscle and said that I should just rest (hardly likely seeing as I was doing this training camp the next day) and that another ultrasound treatment wouldn't help.



    Anyway saw the camp physio after a couple of days (when I still couldn't run) and he said it was definitely shin splints and that really I need to rest etc etc - he did an ice pack thing.



    The main problem is that I am a freelance personal trainer and although I haven't been running - I've had to do a lot of walking so its really hard for me to rest though am trying really hard to.



    How long did they take you to recover - do you think the ultrasound will really help and also what stretches - the physio told me to take my foot away from a wall and bend my knee so its touching it (ie stretching my calf) and hold it for 30 seconds. I can definitely do it more easily now but I can still feel my leg seizing up even if I go into a slight run. Strangely the cycling and swimming is fine and even now just come back from a good swim session and went bounding up the stairs and it seems fine.



    Am soo desparate for it to go - I can't tell you.
  • madnursemadnurse Posts: 782
    Hi Jo - you going to have to be patient with this. use the stretches 2 - 3 times daily & also ice at least once per day whislt you are getting discomfort. the link I sent you (before you went away) should help with stretches also but be guided by the physio that assessed your leg(s). I dont know if you have access to a plunge pool (ie cold) or not but that would ideal for you. are you still seeing a physio now - always worth a follow visit if not (I cant really do much via a forum site).



    stick with it & it will all come good in London - if not then me & the loon have found a little tri in the lakes in september .. you more than welcome to come along [:D][:D]



    phil (madnurse)



    ps have a look at my link [8D]
  • loonytoonloonytoon Posts: 673
    Hi Jo,



    Sorry to hear your legs are giving you problems still. The lake tri will definately cure shin splints though only on account of having to have your legs removed post event (I have my surgery booked already)...



    I can vouch for the cold bath ... I used to get sore knees(dislocated my patella more than I would have liked) after a hard work out but after readin g that some elite athletes use cold (ice) water to aid recovery I started getting in the shower before it had warmed up and get the cold water on them and it seems to work...Haven't yet got to the stage of filling up the bath with cold water..



    For walking with clients (and you may already do this) you could get a pair of trainers with alot more cushioning than your normal trainers so reduce the impact..I wouldn't have thought losing any motion control you might need for running would be a problem when walking....Nurse might not agree and I sit to be corrected.



    Ian



    p.s.



    Your camp sounds cool as well and is good to know that "non-active" partners went as that gives me a shot of one.

  • jojojojo Posts: 76
    hi guys



    update re my shin splints ...



    well the 'bruising' as in what I can feel when I rub hard the area has practically gone so even when I massage my leg its not at all painful like it was. So whilst I can definitely still feel them - I do feel better - so today as I was seeing two clients who I know are desparate to go running (really light runs though as in 4 mins max) I decided to give it a go with one in a park on soft grass.



    I can run but the shin splint is definitely still there and not nearly as bad as it was before (I couldn't even run width way across a tennis court) and i've been doing the stretches since I've come back home and touch wood it feels the same.



    Am really hoping that I am on the road to recovery and have given it till next friday (4 weeks) otherwise going back to physio.



    Also yesterday bought my bike for london tri - hnaven't ridden it yet but looking for some riding clubs in n london. Any ideas?



    Jojo
  • madnursemadnurse Posts: 782
    JO --- if you have any discomfort in the shins please do not be tempted to run - you have ages yet before London .... a another week wont hurt (esp if you keep up bike n swim) keep using ice / stretches & non impact activity



    tread careful you have come too far to throw it away ...



    phil
  • jojojojo Posts: 76
    really? ok
  • DOtriHarderDOtriHarder Posts: 307
    Jo

    I have been where you are and i totally agree with Mad, DON'T run if there is any pain, you are understandably elated that they are getting better, don't ruin it now.

    Use the time productively to train hard in the other disciplines and possibly also on the rower. The ellipical trainer is good for low impact work but the stepper is possibly to high impact. I tried doing a spinning class when i had shin splints but that caused problems.

    supress the urge to run, wait don't ruin your chance

    David
  • jojojojo Posts: 76
    I know you are all right it is just soo frustrating. Running was my strongest discipline and if I wait til next Friday (which I will) before going back to physio I'll have been out for a month! Anyway good news is they're not feeling any worse - just a bit tight and luckily it's raining here in London so the clients I've got this morning won't want to go out (I'm so cruel)



    Have been doing swimming and got tri club tonight so that's cool and now I've got my bike am looking for a local cycle club - it's not the same cycling on your own.



    Anyway most people pray for a lottery win - me I just want my shin splints to go.



    JoJo
  • BonusBBonusB Posts: 279
    I almost (and I mean this in the most jokingly way possible) wish I had shin splints as I would hve an excuse for such diabolacle run times. Really need to start putting more work into it. And my swim really, possibly a bit more on the bike as well.... Argh!



    But likewise having had one to many injuries for my own good, don't go out and ruin the good work you've done so far by aggrivating them again. Otherwise it just becomes a vicious circle.
  • guv001guv001 Posts: 227
    jojo I can total understand where your coming from as I'll be out of action for about 3 months with a broken leg. If I was you I'd use the time to concerntrate on bike and swim without having to cram in a run session if thats your strongest discipline that should keep up your fitness anyway and it wont take that long to get back to form. As for the wishes thing I'm afraid even with my gammy leg I still want to win the lottery.
  • Hi Jojo



    Thanks for the info on the training camp - I'm tempted to try one now....



    Regarding the shin splints, I attended the beginners training day at Dulwich in April and the running coach made a couple of suggestions to reduce shin splints. He said that they were caused by repeated stress on the bone coming from the same direction (i.e. running forwards in a straight line always stresses the same part of the bone) - the best way to reduce the risk was to run backwards/sideways as part of your warm up/warm down and so balance the stress and exercise the other bits of the bone. He said that, apparently, no basketball players ever get shin splints despite jumping up and down all day, as they move in different directions rather than just forward.



    No idea if this is medically sound or not - the running coach was a British olympic tri coach from Loughborough. It may also be more use for prevention than for cure, but I hope it is some help.



    Mike

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