This past weekend saw over 30 athletes and coaches kick off the inaugural training camp in picturesque Lake Placid, NY. Held specifically (though not solely), for those athletes racing Ironman Lake Placid in one month's time, the camp was a great tune-up for the event, with all workouts being held on the race course.

The training began with an open-water Time Trial swim in beautiful Mirror Lake. If you've never been to Lake Placid, Mirror Lake is one of the main reasons to go. It features a three-season buoyed course that is the actual IM race course of 1.2 miles.

From the swim TT the athletes rode an easy hour, or so, before lining up for a bike Time Trial on the old Haselton Road "out-and-back". Although pancake flat, the TT ended with a torturous quarter mile climb that really made you feel that morning's swim session. Results from the Aquabike TT can be found HERE.

Day 1 concluded with dinner-in at the High Peaks Cyclery Guide House, which also doubled as the camp's headquarters for the weekend. Following dinner the athletes were treated to a Sports Nutrition discussion given by QT2 Systems Founder and Head Coach Jesse Kropelnicki.

Day 2 was "long-ride" day. Just about everyone rode two loops of the Ironman race course that included a total of over 6,000 feet of elevation gain, followed by an easy, 20-30 minute transition run. That evening athletes ate a QT2 provided dinner out, at Dancing Bears, and had time to relax and enjoy the day's hard work. Following dinner it was back to hang out on the deck of the Guide House for a low-key Q&A session with all of the coaches. With such perfect weather, the discussion also included an outdoor NormaTec recovery section, where the athletes were able to try out the new NormaTec MVP recovery pumps. What a great way to close out a tough day of training!

Day 3 had the added benefit of complimentary massage work, along with video bike fittings. But as day 1 was TT focused, and day 2 was long ride day, day 3 was back in Mirror Lake for a long two-loop swim of the course, followed by an hour long transition run.

Saturday night meant back to base camp at High Peaks Cyclery for some more amazing dinner and another discussion, this time on the topic of Mental Fitness for the Endurance Athlete, again given by Head Coach Jesse Kropelnicki.

Day 4 was absolutely beautiful, weather-wise. The easy 2-hour recovery ride transitioned directly into a steady state "Z1" 2-hour run to close things out. It was then time to wrap things up, with lunch and some closing awards. Eric Furfine won the honor of being the Power Bar Athlete of the Camp, and left for home with a great collection of training and racing fuels.

Once again we have to thank our sponsors who helped make this training camp a success: Fuelbelt for the great schwag give-aways, NormaTec MVP for their amazing recovery products allowing the athletes to recover faster, Powerbar for all of the product they provided allowing the athletes to stay fueled, and NUUN for their great "Optimal-Hydration" products! And of course how could we forget the massage work all attendees were given compliments of Tim from Be Well Boston Massage Therapy and Courtney Wheeler who is also a licensed masseuse!

Did you miss out on the Lake Placid training camp? Not to worry. You can still join us for our next training camp in Ludlow, VT August 23rd - August 26th. This camp is great for anyone racing a Fall Ironman. You can find all of the information related to registering for the Vermont camp, HERE.