Husky plays host to “Macca”and Pete, January 2010

On Saturday 23^rd January 2010, 20 triathletes from Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Singapore descended on the NSW South coastal town of Huskisson for 4 days of intense triathlon training at the inaugural Macca-X BPM Australian training camp. The event was hosted by multiple world champion triathlete Chris “Macca” McCormack and 2009 Australian long course champion Pete Jacobs, both of whom were ready to put the camp participants through their paces. With a ratio of 1 coaching staff member to every 6 athletes, participants were excited by the personal attention they would receive over the coming 4 days.

All participants received their Macca-X BPM goodie bags filled with a limited edition Macca-X cycling jersey, BPM dri-fit training shirt, Headsweats visor and nutritional products and training gear courtesy of camp sponsors CarboShotz and Biestmilch. The camp training commenced with an introductory steady ride where new friendships were created instantly. Participants were introduced to the Huskisson Long Course triathlon bike leg and the Booderee National Park before returning to camp HQ for a quick run off the bike along the shoreline of Jervis Bay with the Pro’s and Coaching staff.

After lunch, athletes were fitted with Zoot and Aerox wetsuits and Newton running shoes thanks to our good friends at Northside runners for use during the afternoon sessions. The cold front that came through during the lunch break lead to windy weather that provided choppy conditions for the open water swim session. Athletes were able to master swimming in the tough conditions with tips from one of the sports leading swimmers. As Pete Jacobs gave participants inside tips on race strategy, starts, sighting and buoy turns, Macca regularly chimed in with his words of wisdom on race techniques. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Macca-X BPM camp without a race or two. Teams were selected and the first race of the camp was started with a team relay allowing everyone to put their new open water skills to the test. As for the result??? Jacobs team winning by a nose!

After drying off and topping up nutritional needs it was time for a run session that allowed everyone to get a feel for some of the drills used by Pete and Macca. The run session provided some good laughs and technique tips from our 2 pro’s as everyone took note of the different approaches by each of the guys. As everyone was quickly learning, two of the best in the world take on board advice and input from others but they always remember that personal style and “what is best for you” is a key aspect of getting the best out of yourself. As for Pete’s Lawn Bowls drills, well Macca decided to give them a miss in his future warm ups, but the Zombie walk will remain! If you’d like to know more about the Lawn Bowls and Zombie Walk drills, you’ll have to get yourself to the next camp!               

After a long first day it was time to head back to HQ for some socializing, dinner and a debrief on the day. Plenty of laughs were had and it was great to see smiles on faces along with the weary legs. Tales of life in Europe as a Pro Tour Cyclist by special guest athlete, Nick Gates, kept everyone intrigued and at times in hysterics. With some big days training ahead it was an early lights out for most.

Day 2 started overcast and chilly with a constant drizzle so it was decided the scheduled long ride be postponed until later in the day. Campers were not disappointed as they huddled in the undercover Camp HQ briefing lounges, coffee’s in hand, listening intently to Chris, Pete and Nick share some race and nutrition tips while also sharing stories from the road. This is an aspect of the Macca-X BPM camps that continues to be a highlight, the open Q&A session where everything is open to questions. Athletes get to hear about everything and anything, including the behind the scenes stories that don’t make it to press.

By mid morning the weather was still not clearing so with wetsuits still in hand, we headed down to the ocean pool for a swim session to get everyone moving. Whilst the previous day focused on open water skills, this session was all about technique and stroke correction. With Pete Jacobs and the camp coaches keeping a watchful eye on everyone’s stroke, many picked up some refinement tips that saw immediate improvements. Macca of course was there throughout picking up the odd tip himself and then putting everyone through one of his personal swim sets to get everyone hurting! A 2 hour plus swim session and everyone still had smiles on their faces, although some tired looking shoulders.

After lunch it was on the bikes and off to Errol Bay for a bike/run brick session with the local kangaroos. This was a race pace session with participants getting a feel for running off the bike on tired legs and having the added inspiration of Macca and Pete riding and running with them, giving that extra push and motivation.

By day’s end it was time to head back to camp HQ for a late afternoon core and stretching session to finish the day. The legs were tired, the shoulders were feeling it, now it was time to engage the core! We weren’t sure whether the creaks and groans were coming from the surrounding trees or the participants but the session ended with everyone feeling better and learning more about an important aspect of attaining a stronger, more balanced body.

Day 3 started a little drier and warmer so with the 2 support vehicles packed the group headed out for the planned 120km ride through the rolling hills surrounding Huskisson and Booderee National Park. In order to cater for all levels and abilities, the peloton split into 2 groups allowing those who wanted a longer and faster paced ride to go ahead while the remainder paced themselves through the morning.

Everyone re grouped at the mid way point of  Summercloud Bay for a refuel courtesy of Carboshotz gels and Electrolyte tablets before a camp photo and return to HQ for another run off the bike. The scenery was a highlight of the day as athletes took in the beauty an d fresh air of the national park whilst climbing hills and running along the waterfront course.

After another delicious lunch thanks to Nostalgia Gourmet Deli and Café in Vincentia, the afternoon was spent learning and practicing transition skills with many mastering the art of scooting, mounts and dismounts – who said it was all too hard? For the Macca-X BPM team, this was a highlight of the weekend given the amount of people telling us they “could never do that”. All accomplished this new found skill and were able to do it  at race pace as the session concluded. The day then finished with either an open water swim session with Pete and the sharks or run with Macca. Funnily enough, only a brave few took on the sharks with Pete, all of whom came back safe and sound.

Dinner on the final night is always filled with laughs as the Award ceremony recognizes those who shone during the weekend or did something we won’t forget. Some of the awards included Most Improved on the camp, Uber Biker, leading swimmer and runner of the camp. However it was some of the other awards that garnered the big prizes, these are the awards for athletes that attended and created reasons for some of the best stories from the camp such as the finest dismount; nutrition habits (Pringles are good for salt replacement) or some of the statements made that we cannot print due to the censorship laws of Australia! As always Macca, his sponsors and BPM generously donated prizes for all camp participants and as the possums came out for their dinner, the weary athletes headed to bed, or for the not so weary, the Red Wine and Chocolate Cabin.

The final session of the camp was a waterfront recovery run followed by the All-you-can-eat buffet at the Huskisson Bakery…..a definite winner for those looking to replenish and refuel after a long weekend of training. The staff are still in counseling following the shock of observing the demolition caused by the ravenous group that took over on Australia Day morning. For the last time, the group was able to sit around and share stories of upcoming races, lessons learnt and camp shenanigans.