Over the last 5 days, I was able to experience something new. Since I completed my last “2-A-Days” in 1997, I could have never dreampt that in my mid-30s, I would once again return to training camp. A training camp put on by my coach. Wait, I have a coach? I think High School Ken would be amused, but somehow pleased. Luckily, I have a pretty good one.  Though, it’s no longer football, and coaching as a practice has changed a great deal, there are still some similarities. So the last 5 days have been spent in EK Endurance Coaching’s Ironman Boulder Training Camp. Most of the crew I regularly train with joined the camp, in addition to a few new faces. Between the coached sessions, nightly discussion topics, visit from local pro Katy Blakemore, I learned a ton and was able to put the task ahead of me into perspective.

I was also thrilled and somewhat amazed to see the talent of some of my close friends. This crew has spent the winter working hard, and racing season is upon us!  Have my tight “pain community” there with me made it much more bearable.  Seeing that everyone was hurting as much or more than I was made it possible to keep going.

The week started out pretty light, but by the end of the 3rd day, I felt like I’d been run over by a truck! Days 4 and 5 were a breeze by comparison. Here’s the breakdown on the week:

My fault for being a little light on the swimming, but I think all-in-all, this is a very bulky 5 days.  I’m fairly certain that this is the first time I’ve ever ridden 200+ miles in just 3 days.

Now of course, it’s time for recovery! recovery! recovery! It has to happen fast because the next race is this Sunday!