When I first was dreaming of what a Sabbatical would look like, one of my first ideas was for me to attend a week-long Triathlon Training Camp. As I began exploring options that would fit into my time-frame, a camp and coach jumped out at me from New York State. Coach Mark Wilson has been coaching for over 20 years and use to be a coordinator of event for HITS Triathlon. He has since started coaching on his own and runs the Hudson Valley Triathlon Club. I called him and talked to him on the late fall of 2016 to find out about his style. He was very familiar with both Total Immersion Swimming (he had been an instructor of the method for many years but now teaches POSE swimming) but also was an instructor in POSE running. I have studied both and wanted to be instructed directly in each. Mark also owns a bed and breakfast, (Coldbrook BNB) and offered for me to stay with him as part of the camp experience. Check out the link to the website if for pictures, or if you want to spend some time in the Woodstock area. IT'S BEAUTIFUL! I sent in a deposit right away!
Fast forward 8 months and I called Mark the week before Camp to see how things were coming together. It turns out that I was the only person registered. He asked if I minded, I said "NO! I'd love it!" So...I packed up to head to Bearsville, NY for a week of personalized Triathlon instruction. I left on a Saturday evening and made it to Columbus, Ohio for a hotel stay on the road. I got up early and drove the next 9 hours to Bearsville, NY and met Mark and his fiance' Tonia at his house. It was really cool! It's in the woods, backing up to Wilson State Park. We saw a bear in their yard! We headed out to dinner at The Bear Cafe in Bearsville, right on the border of Woodstock. The dinner was great and the company was outstanding. We talked about what would happen for the week at camp. It would begin with a swim at the local YMCA.
I had a great week. We road almost 100 miles over 4 days, with an amazing climb to a Tibetan Monastery just above Woodstock. I am most excited about the work we did on my running style and speed. Mark gave me a lot of confidence that I can run faster and survive, physically and cardio-wise. He was very complimentary of the bicycling work that I had been doing. (Thanks Cycle Studio, CycleBar, Monon Center LoKe Bikes, and the CLC Life Team!) We had some very good and fast rides together with some amazing scenery. Mark gave me a training plan to prepare me for the 140.6-mile Ironman Louisville Triathlon event that I hope to complete in October this fall.
I spent an evening walking around Woodstock and had dinner on Wednesday at the Landau Grill. (A Sammich - as was listed on the menu). There were plenty of interesting sites, people, signs, and wildlife. One highlight was spending some time in a soup kitchen at Christ's Lutheran Church in Woodstock. It was a great opportunity to talk to some locals. I picked up a Woodstock bumper sticker to add to our car-topper cargo-carrier. I thought about a tie-dye shirt, but passed. I have a few already.
After a great week of specialized training, I packed up my stuff, strapped my 2 bikes on the back of my MDX, and started back toward Indiana this morning. I currently am staying the night in Akron, OH before finishing my drive tomorrow morning. I miss Beth and the kids. It's been a great week, and I'm ready to be home. Until next time...
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