Top Ten Things to Bring on a Training Trip

1. Heating pad/The Stick

Training trips make you sore – that’s why they are called “training” trips. I’ve found that anything to alleviate soreness is useful to pack. Back stiffness is something that happens a lot on training trips and our room usually has a lineup of people to use the heating pad. The Stick is the same and probably the best $25 Christmas present I’ve ever gotten. Very useful for rolling out calves and hamstrings or – if you have a particularly nice teammate – glutes and forearms.

2. Sunglasses

This easily forgotten item (when it’s barely over 32 degrees at home) is a training trip necessity. Eyes need sun protection just like your skin does. Six hours a day on a bright sunny lake is not good for your eyes. I love Oakleys but I know a lot of people who also like Rudy Project. Just make sure they have UV protection – good sunglasses are worth shelling out the extra cash.

3. Pepto/Tums

I’ve never been on a training trip where someone hasn’t had stomach problems. The change in food and the extra workouts can magnify any minor issues. Last year it got so bad that our team – who celebrates such training trip holidays as Wacky Wednesday and TieDye Friday – dubbed one such day Poop Your Pants Thursday. Beautiful, I know. I personally carry Tums everywhere, but for those who don’t, pack some for the trip.

4. iPod (with new music)

One of the best things about a training trip is spending every minute of every day with your team, however, it can be one of the hardest things too. I like bringing my iPod because it gives me a little bubble of alone time – when the headphones are in, people usually don’t bother me. Training trips can be a tough time mentally as well as physically and listening to music helps keep me sane.

5. PreWrap

This cheap band serves two purposes: It can help warp a sore wrist or ankle, but it is also a stylish hair accessory. And by stylish, I actually mean functional. This is the only hairband that can keep my hair out of my face (I think that’s due to the fact that I have an abnormally small head). Our team usually wears red, but it comes in all different colors and patterns, like floral, leopard print, and tie dye (above) .

6. Epsom Salt

Whether you bring this or buy it en route, Epsom salt has always had a place on training trip. We’ve perfected the art of healing blisters: get the ice bucket, fill with warm water, dissolve Epsom salt in, put blistered hands in concoction and commence swearing. Epsom salt – as I’ve mentioned before – is a great way to keep blisters clean and on the right track to becoming callouses.

7. Extra Water Bottle

Of course you’re going to bring one nalgene, but are two really necessary? I think yes – hydration is vital to good performance and water bottles get lost constantly. Is it in the room? The cafeteria? On the dock? Did it get left in the boat? Did the coxswain accidentally drop it in the water? Just bring an extra and even if you don’t lose the first one, you can have one for water during practice, and one for your -ade of choice after. Or you can be nice and lend it to your pal who didn’t follow my advice.

8. Raingear

Training trips normally take place somewhere that’s always warm and sunny, right? Wrong. I thought that until it poured the first three days of our trip my freshman year. I ended up having to go to Walmart to buy pants because my only pair was constantly soaked. Fashion aside, water proof jacket and pants are good choices. Bring them.

9. Team bonding activity

Whether its Apples to Apples, a deck of cards or copious amounts of OPI nail polish, doing something the team can enjoy together is smart. There is down time on these trips and although napping and watching TV may seem like a better choice, you’ll miss out on that time that your teammate hilariously pronounced “mucus membranes” as “mu-chos mem-bra-nays”…and thought it was right. 

Getting excited during an intense game of Ninja last year!

10. Positive Mental Attitude

Training trips are hard. I wish that someone had told me that when I went on my first one – all I heard about was how much fun you have. Yes, training trips are fun, but it’s important to be prepared for a lot of work. When it’s 90 degrees out and you’re on your fourth of who knows how many five-minute seat racing pieces, it’s going to be a PMA that gets you through. Training trips put everyone through a lot of scrutiny, whether it’s through video, seat racing or just a lack of privacy. It is important to be positive about the work that you are putting in and how it’s going to help the team during the regular season. Because, really, that’s what you’re there for.

Honorable Mentions

Pillow and blanket for the bus

Good bus movies (usually easy to follow with same volume all the way through…Inception is not a good choice)

Team gear (a given)

Every pair of spandex you own

Every pair of socks you own

A scale to make sure that you’re not losing or gaining too much weight during this intense spike in training (and eating!)

And.....

....love for your teammates!

Interview with Iron Girl's Sarah Frey

We’ve all heard of the Ironman but what the heck is an Iron GIRL? Hint: it’s not Tony Stark’s daughter in a third installment of the “Iron Man” movie series. It’s a series of increasingly popular races – from sprint triathlons to half marathons – with one goal: female empowerment.

            “The best part of an all-female triathlon is that a girl comes in first,” said Sarah Frey, the athlete services and marketing coordinator for Iron Girl. “If people were to get passed in the race, they are always being encouraged, even by the people who pass them.”

            Iron Girl was started in 2004 and had just two events. Since then, it has grown to 14 events all over the country – from California to Minnesota to Florida to New York. When asked about the rapid growth of Iron Girl, Frey attributed it to the overall positivity of the Iron Girl race experience.

            “There’s no intimidation factor here,” said Frey. “This is the kind of event that’s fun for everyone who does it. Even if a woman decides the sport isn’t for her, she has a good time at our race.”

            While it would seem that an event that fosters a good time rather than intense competition would be geared towards novice racers, Frey said that it is usually a 50/50 split between beginners and experienced triathletes. Experienced triathletes often use it as racing practice or to introduce their friends to the sport in a less competitive atmosphere.

            “Because it’s a premiere event, it is geared more towards beginners,” said Frey. “However, the experienced racers use it as a break in their season because, while it’s still a race, it doesn’t have that cutthroat atmosphere. The environment appeals to everyone.”

            Experienced athletes concerned about whether the atmosphere is competitive enough need not worry.

            “With athletes, whatever the level, there will always be elements of competition,” said Frey. She explains how it is different from co-ed races: at an Iron Girl event that she participated in, a woman passed her and said good luck. This woman went on to win the race. Frey said that the woman wasn’t trying any less hard than she would have in a co-ed race, but at Iron Girl, she took the time to wish her competitors well.

While Iron Girl appeals to all experience levels and ages, Frey said that is the 30-34 and 35-39 age groups that are the most popular, with the average age of participants at 34.

            “Triathlon is becoming a more popular sport,” said Frey. “Women are starting later.”

            When asked for one reason why a novice triathlete should pick an Iron Girl event for their first race, Frey laughed.

            “I can’t give you one reason, because it’s the whole package,” Frey said. “Iron Girl takes care of everything. It’s the perfect kind of event to start a triathlon career .”

            And it certainly seems like they do. Racers have a good deal to look forward to when they sign up for an Iron Girl race. Leading up to the race, participants receive “countdown emails” with advice for race preparation. Iron Girl also offers free seminars from coaches as well as coached sessions for a price. The race directors send a race guide which explains how every aspect of the race is going to work. The day before the race, there is a pre-race clinic which is open to all participants. There’s also an expo with gear, nutrition and clothing all for your training and racing needs. Post race, Iron Girl offers participants a catered breakfast. (Of course, all of this premiere treatment means a higher price tag – entry fees range from $85-105 – but it’s completely worth it.)

            Iron Girl also has a special group for cancer survivors called “Team Courage”. Women with cancer or in remission from cancer can fill out a form on the website to share their story. Iron Girl then gives these women a complimentary race entry as well as a special bib to show that they are part of the team. Their stories are then shared with other participants on race day.

            “What makes Team Courage different is that women can sign up year after year,” said Frey. “It’s not a one shot deal. We believe that these women are inspirational to others and that their stories should be told.”

            As for women just getting into triathlon, Frey isn’t short on advice.

            “Focus on your weakness,” said Frey. “It’s a hard thing to do, but it will make you feel far more comfortable on race day. Also, meet others locally to train. It’s 99% easier to show up for training sessions if you know other people are counting on you.”

            The future of Iron Girl looks bright. Although they don’t plan on lengthening the triathlons to a full length Ironman anytime soon, (“We tried Olympic distance a few years ago, but we didn’t see the growth,” said Frey. “It just isn’t as appealing as a sprint”), they are definitely expanding their reach. The August 7^th sprint triathlon in Syracuse sold out weeks ago. Living a healthy lifestyle is important for women, and participating in an Iron Girl event can provide exactly the right motivation to get started and stay focused.

For a race in your area, check out www.irongirl.org. (Sorry guys, it’s girls only! However, feel free to come support the lady in your life with a “My girlfriend/sister/mom/grandma is faster than your girlfriend/sister/mom/grandma” t-shirt.) If you have questions for Sarah, feel free to email her at sarah.frey@irongirl.com.

Next time, check back for tips on training on vacation, a review of your favorite products for quick energy, and the top ten myths of getting recruited to row in college.