TeamBallard

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2019 Camp Flag V - Grand Canyon Edition, Aug 11-15

I started "Camp Flag" in 2015 to add a “big block” to my summer training, to acclimatize a little for the altitudes of the Mountain Man race and to build for late season races like IMAZ. Since then a number of brave souls have joined me in logging 1600ish amazing miles around Northern Arizona - Mogollon Rim, Sunset Crater, Jerome, Paige Springs, Cottonwood, Sedona, Happy Jack and Lake Mary. I’ve also managed to finish in the top-10 every year at the Mountain Man half-iron. OK, not including the pros like Pedro Gomes and that German guy that shows up sometimes...

This year, for my 5th consecutive camp (and in honor of my 50th year on the planet), Pedro is joining me as a co-host, and I’m excited to say we are finally riding to the Grand Canyon! (A broken arm caused me to nix this segment in 2018…). We have a great itinerary planned, and it looks like we already have a lot of interest/signups from a great group of athletes. Every year a number of us exceed the limits of what we thought was possible. That’s kind of the idea, and I can’t wait to see who crushes it this year….check out the itinerary, and let us know if you want to go! Fully supported, USAT sanctioned, Tri Scottsdale sanctioned. This is Grand Canyon day...

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OneDrive

Crush it Mary Jorden!

2018 Camp Flag Royale Draft Route/Itinerary (revised) - let me know if you want to join us for any of the rides.

Sunday August 12th
-Flagstaff gather, optional late afternoon pre-ride
-Shopping/dinner

Monday August 13th
7am - Drive to Lake Mary
8am - Lake Mary International Duathlon, swim 1500, run 5 miles
10am - Mountain Man Half Iron Loop (56 miles)
6pm - Base Camp/Dinner

Tuesday August 14th
6am - Group run - 10K
8am - Breakfast at Base Camp
9am - Flagstaff Sunset Crater loop - 75 miles, 4200 feet
4pm - Base Camp/Dinner

Wednesday August 15th
6am - Breakfast
7am - Drive to Sedona
8am - Sedona-Cottonwood loop 66 miles, 3700 feet
10:30 - Cottonwood snack
11:30 - Cottonwood - Sedona via Paige Springs
3:00 - early dinner in Sedona
4:30 - Drive back to camp
5:30 - At base camp

Thursday August 16th
-Happy Jack 100 Miles O&B, 4700 feet
-We will coordinate start times/distances the night before

Fri August 17th
-6am - Group trail 10K
-7am - Breakfast
-8am - Min 40 mile bike Lake Mary
-12pm - Lunch
-3pm - Long Swim Lake Mary
-6pm Camp Completion Dinner Flagstaff (tba)

Sat August 18th
-Massage & Yoga

Sun August 19th
-Olympic or HIM Race

Hey everyone - sorry it has been awhile since a camp-flag update. I had thought about calling it off when I broke my arm, but I received alot of support from a number who were still committed to doing even a slightly less ambitious camp, so I sort of kept it on the back-burner. Good news is that I should be able to get back on the bike next week and be able to “rock”. I haven’t missed the camp or the half-iron race in 3 years, and I don’t plan to start now! So…here’s the deal!:

-Camp activities still start on Monday and end Friday just like before. Included (and very comfortable) Accommodation is Sunday night to Saturday morning, and cost is a reduced $450 (I will refund those that have deposited more than that).
-Race accommodation (Saturday Night to Monday Morning) is available to campers first at an additional $50/person/night
-I will modify the bike routes slightly so that we are doing out and back and loops every day (that could potentially include a drive to go do the Paige Springs loop).
-Distances will be comparable to the original camp, but we’ll skip the Grand Canyon rides this year :(
-There will be no SAG, but the out and backs, the loops and the general stores, make it reasonably easy for us to self-support. Worst case we can dispatch a car out, and no-one will be left behind!

I have a few spots left for the full camp and/or if you wish to come and train with us ($70/night if there is room) or stay for the race weekend ($70/night if there is room). I’ll update as to what is available both prior and during the camp.

So - those that have previously committed - just let me know you are still good to go and we’ll be up there before you know it. Those that want in, or are interested in staying with us during camp or the race can also let me know.

Few spots left for Camp Flag triathlon camp - fantastic opportunity to push yourself for 5+ days (Aug 13-17) in the high-country. Sunset Crater, The Grand Canyon(!), Lake Mary, the iconic Mountain Man Race, 6 nights accommodation, and full support, all for less than the price of an Ironman!? Let me know soon if you want to go!

Camp Flag Itinerary with some maps/elevations!

Very pleased to announce that Coach Dave Dwan (aka Dr. Feelgood) has signed on to provide support/SAG for Camp Flag. Dave is a seasoned Kona-based triathlete, and has run and provided supported for triathlon camps around the world including camps in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Hawaii. He is an accredited New Zealand triathlon coach and an Ironman Certified Coach. We are in great hands! For more info on Dave:

Triathlon Coaching with Dave Dwan | Fit&Evolving Whether you’re new to triathlon or you’re looking to improve your fitness and endurance, Fit&Evolving offers swim, bike & run coaching by Dave Dwan. NZ & Hawaii

takes out the Monterrey 70.3 last weekend! Nice work Mary and Becky!

2018 Camp Flag - "The Big Days":
-Day 2 - Flag-Sunset Crater-Cameron, 65 miles
-Day 3 - Cameron-Grand Canyon-Williams, 115 miles
-Day 5 - Flag-Happy Jack Out&Back, 100 miles

4th Annual Camp Flag Brochure

Camp Flag '18 Proposed Bike Route!