Endurance Corner Tucson Training Camp

A few days have passed now since I returned from the Endurance Corner (EC) training camp in Tucson, Arizona. I had a great time and thought I’d share the itinerary and some of my thoughts….

Sunday, March 29th

I flew to Tucson and I worked on some office-related homework on the plane to pass the time. I had shipped my bike by UPS to avoid the hassle of traveling with the bike case….always a good decision, in my mind. I was met at the airport by Coach Justin Daerr (JD) and we drove to the airport’s cell phone lot to hook up with Gordo Byrn. Gordo was parked in his Sportsmobile (picture something from Scooby Do) in the deserted parking lot, playing host and serving up Monzie muffins (baked by his wife, Monica). It was great to finally meet Justin and Gordo who I’d known only by phone and email these past 9 months.

We checked in to the Hotel Arizona in downtown Tucson. I went for a walk, talked with my sister, Lori, by phone, and unpacked my gear. I hadn't spent any time in the desert southwest previously and I was struck by how little (or no) moisture there was anywhere. I wonder if it ever rains.

We met for a group dinner at 6 pm at the hotel. In all, there were 15 campers, 5 coaches (Gordo, JD, Kevin Purcell--from San Diego, Alan Couzens--also with EC, and Jeff Shilt--a pediatric orthopedic surgeon from Boise), 2 bike guys from Wheels on Wheels (Dan and Scott), and Sherry Daerr, JD's aunt, who would fill a variety of roles as the week passed. Introductions confirmed that everybody was a veteran of long-course triathlon. A couple campers had attended the 2008 camp and were back for more fun....I took that as a good sign.


Monday, March 30th

After breakfast at the hotel, the group self-seeded into a Peppy group (10:30 IM finishers and better) and a Friendly group (11:30 IM finishers and slower) for the day’s ride. The Peppy group began the day with an early swim, then rolled out for the ride at 9:00 am. The Friendly group (Larry, Gordo, Jeff, KP, Craig, Tim, Michelle, Chuck, Richard, Celina) rolled out with a head start, at 7:45 am.

The ride was 150K out-and-back to Madera Canyon. The ride began with a 50K ride out Mission Road, slightly uphill for most of the way. The Friendly group was led by Gordo and practiced team time-trialing….and with inexperience (and perhaps riding with strangers), there was one crash pretty quickly. I had 2 flats in the first couple hours…..not too bad except that extra energy was needed to bridge back up to the group. The route continued through Green Valley and then to Madera Canyon Park. At the park, there was an 8-mi gradual climb, then a steeper 3-mi climb to the turnaround. The downhill return through the park was fast, but the climb back out of Green Valley was a slow grind. I got a second wind on the return, and with ample encouragement from Gordo, put in a strong 2nd half of the return. The bike mechanics from Wheels on Wheels were terrific. It was like having the team car at a stage race….they traded out wheels when somebody had a flat and got the rider back on the road quickly. At the end of the day, the guys washed the bikes and had them ready to go for the next day’s rollout.

After lunch at our group’s hospitality suite at the hotel, JD took 3 of the Friendly group (Larry, Tim, and Craig) to the pool for a “recovery” swim after the ride. Unfortunately for Larry, there were leg cramps with each push off the wall, but we finished off an easy 3000 yard swim: 400 free; 4 x 100 free @1:45; 4 x 50 free ( ½ hard, ½ easy) @1:00; 500 free easy; 5 x 100 free @1:45 (descend 1-5); 5 x 50 free @1:00; 750 free pull (250-200-150-100-50). It was great to swim outdoors!

There was a group dinner at the hotel each night, followed by an informal talk by one of the coaches.


Tuesday, March 31st

After breakfast at the hotel, we drove as a group over to Udall Park, a short ride from the base of Mt. Lemmon. Wheels on Wheels had the bikes ready to go and we headed off as a group for a 7-mile ride to the base of the climb. We gathered there for a quick snack and a bathroom break, then began the 21-mile climb up Mt. Lemmon….a scenic ride that rose ~6000 ft. to the 8000 ft. summit. Marilyn McDonald, who was in town training, joined us for the ride.

For the hardy, there was a short transition run at the park before enjoying lunch in the canopied shade of the Wheels on Wheel trailer.

After lunch, the group headed over to Catalina pool for an afternoon swim in the sunshine. I hear that we apparently created a bit of a stir at an otherwise tranquil pool. I swam a 2400 yard workout with JD, Anthony, and Richard: 600 warm-up; 18 x 100 free pull with paddles on changing intervals. Like the previous day’s swim, JD chose comfortable intervals to keep us in the game.

Again, we ate dinner as a group at the hotel.


Wednesday, April 1st

Wednesday was planned as a “light” day to follow the first two days of riding. We headed out to the Archer pool for an early swim. I swam a 3500 yard workout with JD, Anthony (complete with swim skin!), and Flip (former UNH distance freestyler): 550 free; 4 x 100 free @1:45; 4 x 50 free ( ½ hard, ½ easy) @1:00; 6 x 100 free (2 cruise – 1 hard – 2 cruise – 1 hard) @1:35; 8 x 100 free pull/paddles @1:20; 12 x 25 free w/0:10 rest. I finished by swimming 100 free for Gordo to videotape. He was apparently pleased with my style of arm recovery. It would have been fun to see the video. We ran into Samantha McGlone swimming in a nearby lane….maybe greatness will rub off?

After breakfast at the hotel, the Peppy and Friendly groups headed out for separate 40-mi and 40K rides, respectively. The Friendly group did an out-and-back ride over/back across Gates Pass. The outbound climb was gradual, the return climb was steep! Of course, from Larry’s perspective even the “rollers” seemed steep. Sad to say….on one short, steep pitch, I had to get off and walk the bike up.

I did a short 20-min transition run through downtown Tucson after we returned to the hotel, then enjoyed lunch with the group in the hospitality suite. Sherry had become the camp photographer and was already doing slideshow on the laptop in the dining area. It was fun to see the photos.

Wednesday afternoon was “laundry day.” Sherry washed all of our dirty things and returned them to us at dinner later. It was also rest time. I enjoyed a 1-hour massage in the late afternoon that helped to resuscitate the tired legs.

Group dinner included a talk by Jeff about IT band syndrome and other common triathlete ailments.


Thursday, April 2nd

I was feeling sick on Thursday morning, but I accompanied the group out to Starr Pass for a trail run (I walked). The trail was pretty steep, but stretched through a very pretty divide that had large fields of cactus. The cool morning air felt great.

I skipped the remainder of the day’s athletic activities, but the other campers had a busy day. After breakfast, the group headed to the Oro Valley pool for a long, 5500 yard swim, lunch at the pool, then a 50+ mile ride back to the hotel crossing back over Gates Pass.

I spent the day with considerable GI upset....one of six athletes who was sick for some portion of the week. Thankfully, I was able to take in some soup by dinnertime and I rejoined the group for the after-dinner talk by Jeff on bike fitting.


Friday, April 3rd

Friday was our 2nd “light” day. We began the day by driving to Saguaro Park East for an early-morning trail run (I walked vigorously, with Michelle). This was as much as a 90-minute out-and-back run for some of the campers. Again, the scenery was beautiful with the many varieties of cactus….and particularly the large Saguaros.

After breakfast at the hotel, we headed out to the Oro Valley pool for a spirited swim. I swam 3100 yards with JD, Anthony, and Dave today: 600 warm-up; 500 (as 25 hard/75 easy); 5 x 100 @1:35 (#3 = IM); 10 x 50 free @0:45; 5 x 100 @1:35 (#3 = IM); 500 free pull/paddles. This pool was as nice as it gets….sunshine, breeze, mountain scenery.

The afternoon was free to rest up for the next day. Again, it was “laundry day” and there were massages for some of the campers. Before dinner I enjoyed visiting with JD, Marilyn McDonald, and Sherry. I’m really struck by how down-to-earth JD and Marilyn were.

There was a group dinner at the hotel, followed by a talk by Alan about muscle fiber physiology.


Saturday, April 4th

After breakfast, we headed out for a 170K ride out-and-back to Kitt Peak. The first 40 miles were gradually uphill (and into a pretty stiff breeze) and the group broke up into several small packs. We regrouped at that point, had a snack, and refilled the water bottles for the 12-mile climb (8% grade). I left some unfinished business this day, reaching only the 4-mile mark of the climb. The return trip to Tucson was helped by a nice tailwind, though, and there was ample time to spend on the aero bars.

After lunch at the hotel, a few hardy souls (JD, Larry, Richard, Kevin) headed back to Archer pool for a 2000 yard recovery swim. Again, we took some inspiration from Samantha McGlone in a nearby lane.

Farewell dinner at the hotel included a talk by KP about race-day bike strategy/pacing. There were some prizes (I got a JFT cap), closing remarks by Gordo, and farewells. I hope our paths will cross again.


Sunday, April 5th

People hit the road or went to the airport throughout the morning. I enjoyed the final breakfast with JD, Gordo, Dan, Tatiana, and Alan. I’m going to miss the group.

JD took me to the airport. We hugged at the curb and said good-bye. JD and Gordo did an awesome job organizing the camp and I’m so glad I got to meet JD. I knew, months ago, when JD suggested coming to the camp, that this would be a stretch ability-wise….and it was. But in a good way. I left with many fond memories….and a desire to do it again.