March 23, 2020

Make Your Own Quarantine Training Camp

When the apocalypse comes, you need to be in good shape right?

By: Taylor Mahan-Rudolph

We’re all in the midst of a new reality with the rise of COVID-19 and the rapid demise of the lifestyle we know and love as athletes. Pools are closed. Gyms are vacant. And soon there may be additional restrictions on non-essential travel and going outside in North America. It’s hard to deny that times are darker. And easier still, to feel moody, anxious and depressed about what’s happening.

However, triathletes are nothing if not resourceful. If any group could find a positive to this situation and a reason for hope and optimism, it’s the endurance sports community. 

With that in mind, enter our ‘Make Your Own Quarantine Training Camp’. We’ve compiled ideas so you can make your self-isolation period or quarantine a bit more fun and get fitter in the process. Choose one or two and make a training camp in the comfort of your own home.

Schedule a good old-fashioned Bike Block.

In triathlon, the bike is king and come racing season you’ll thank your legs when they’re strong and ready to go for gold in all your A-races. For those who don’t have a coach, we recommend using software like TrainerRoad or Zwift (We’re not sponsored! We just know quality) that comes with pre-packaged plans that you can mindlessly execute each day. Both apps are subscription-based but relatively inexpensive and will be well worth it when the season kicks off. 

Become queen of the third leg of triathlon with a run focused camp. 

Run intensity can be neglected during triathlon season so take advantage of lower training loads and get quality miles in the legs. Attack the hills if you’re able to go outside or do hill repeats out of the elements on the treadmill. With ample time available, it could also be a great time to do a run streak. Try getting in a run/walk everyday for 2 weeks. No treadmill and restricted to the indoors? Try stair running. Nothing will get your heart rate up faster and your legs will get even stronger.

Begin the day with a family yoga session. 

After years of sitting at a desk all day and then bent over tri bars on the bike, triathletes could use some extra flexibility and stretching during this time. It’s never been easier to stop midday and do a quick flow during lunch or to start every morning with a thirty minute practice. There are great videos online for runners and also apps that will guide you through the motions. Bonus points for getting your partner or kids to join in too.

Start a strength routine (for real).

Every year triathletes make promises to stick with a strength routine during the season. After one month that routine is usually by the wayside and forgotten. Well this year could be different. Instead of adding more swim, bike, or run training, you could heavily invest in a strength training camp. Unless you have a fully equipped home gym, focus on a series of body weight exercises or routine using equipment you already own like a balance ball or resistance bands. Nike Training Club has a great app for athletes with workouts that are generally 30 minutes or less. At the end of a couple weeks of consistency you’ll definitely feel stronger.

Forget the training and make a DIY recovery camp.

There’s never been a better time to focus on recovery. Recovery camps aren’t really a thing in triathlon culture, but this could be the perfect time to change that! Maybe you were training for an A race that got cancelled (hello, 70.3 Oceanside, Ironman Texas, etc). With nothing on the horizon for a few months, now is the best time to focus on recharging, eating healthy, and catching up on sleep. Take a bubble bath, have your partner give you a massage, or just sit on the couch with movies & ice cream. Triathlon will be there for you when the time is right.

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