FFTTP (read: An Epic Weekend)

     This past weekend I fell into the good fortune and great opportunity to be a part of Fast Forward Triathlon's fall training camp in rustic White Lake, North Carolina.  Hosted by Pro Alex McDonald and Elite Coach David Williams, this camp was designed as a last big training block before a fall race for some, but for me this weekend represented the start of offseason base building.  Despite my inclusion, this camp brought together some of the southeast's more serious amateur triathletes, and I was stoked to be rubbing elbows with some very skilled and experienced athletes.


     Good friend and training partner Hallie Blunck made her way over from Birmingham, Alabama, and Friday morning we hit the road for White Lake before sunrise, fired up for a hard bike session upon arriving in White Lake.  The first workout of the day did not disappoint, as 15 eager riders set out for a 55 mile cruise through Singletary Lake State park and the surrounding countryside.  The ride was the key workout of the day, and the tempo was jumpy and quick from the start on a crisp fall morning.  With a rotating paceline of strong riders, the group quickly fractured, and by the second hour it became a 4 or 5 person smashfest with a 2 minute pull off the front.  The most fun I've had riding a time trial bike in a long time.  The rest of the day brought a big lunch, a wetsuit legal drill swim in Singletary lake, and a progressive tempo run with a couple of mates to flush the legs.  After a pasta dinner, I crawled into bed at the late hour of 8pm, crushed from the day. My belly was full and my legs were weary, and I was determined to rest hard so that I could hop right back into the mix the next morning.

Our swimming hole for the weekend, Singletary Lake at the start of another great day.

     Saturday brought an early run with drills on a chilly morning, followed by breakfast- and my new favorite thing in the entire world....pancakes garnished with greek yogurt and strawberry jam.  AMAZING, but maybe not suggested for those counting every last breakfast calorie.  Saturday afternoon was reserved for a another bike bike loop and a strong open water swim in White Lake.  My open water swimming skills leave something to be desired, and the two swims at camp were a huge opportunity to work on this weakness.

    After a long run Sunday morning on the fire roads of Singletary State Park forest (and one more big pancake breakfast), I headed home determined to rest and fully absorb this short, planned overreach.  I met some great people and established a few good contacts.  Most important was that I had a ton of fun.  Crashing in a sleeping bag on a bunk at night, wearing myself out each day and gorging on summer camp style meals.  No cell phones or email and showers were at a premium- It was an incredible weekend.  

A big thanks to Alex McDonald of Fast Forward Triathlon, Dave Williams of Triangle Multisport, and Lawrence Garcia of InsideOut Sports for making everything happen!