Growing up, I had a full range of camping experiences. My parents, my siblings, and I started with a tent, graduated to a pop-up trailer, and then to a pull-behind trailer. Actually, we camped in several pull-behind trailers, each longer than the previous one. I was fortunate to experience a lot of the USA during my youth in this way.
However, somewhere along the way, I fell out of love with camping. After marriage, Joy and I tried tent camping and camping from a conversion van with varying degrees of success. Allergies to tree pollen and almost guaranteed rain made camping a hit-or-miss experience.
But, I never gave up on camping completely.
Now, as I begin this post, I am sitting outside our rented RV in a KOA campground in northern Utah. It is 81°F with a light breeze blowing down the slopes of the Wasatch Mountains just to my east. Meanwhile, Joy, who came up with the idea for this latest run at camping, is sitting in the air-conditioned motor home.
Our Experiences Camping With a Triathlon
The idea of camping at or near the triathlon venue has been appealing. This was especially true if it meant less travel the day before and the day of the triathlon. Even without this benefit, camping meant being able to eat more ‘home cooked’ meals.
We had planned to tent camp at Lewis Creek County Park before the Best in the West Triathlon Festival outside Sweet Home, Oregon. However, as I reported in the post about this triathlon, we abandoned this idea because of the high temperature in early September.
Three years later, during our six-week road trip through the southeast part of the USA, we did camp using a tent.
Not surprisingly, it rained during the two-night stay at our first destination, outside Logan, Ohio, where I did my Ohio triathlon. To be fair, we followed this with two lovely nights of camping in Kentucky. Okay, it doesn’t always rain when we camp.
However, given the high temperatures in late September and early October further south, we left the tent in our van for the rest of that trip.
Our tent at the KOA Campgrounds outside Logan, Ohio, location of the Hocking Hills Sprint Triathlon. Our tent included two blow-up beds, a fan, and Joy’s special toilet, complete with a ‘Dora the Explorer’ seat. Let us know in the Comments below if you want more details. Joy will be happy to share these.
A Newer Experience – Motorhome Camping at a Triathlon
Our latest adventure of camping around a triathlon occurred last summer. This time, we rented a 24 foot Class C motorhome from a private party in Logan, Utah. For two weeks, the motorhome was our home.
From Logan, we drove to Truckee, California, for the Donner Lake Triathlon. It was at this triathlon that we stayed (for free) in a grassy parking area within a hundred yards of the transition area for the race. We both really enjoyed this.
After the race, we drove back to southeastern Idaho for the Preston Triathlon and Seeley Lake, Montana for the Seeley Lake Triathlon. You can read more about our camping adventures in the posts for these two triathlons.
What We Have Learned About Camping and Triathlon
Here are three things we have learned in our efforts to combine racing in a triathlon and camping.
1. Camping at the location of the race is convenient
While I have not polled the group, I am sure that triathletes are mostly early risers. I am an early riser; my wife, not so much.
Rising, checking out of the hotel, and driving to the race location, all in the dark, is what we do. And, it is the cross my wife willingly and cheerfully bears for being married to a triathlete.
It was incredibly convenient to awake on race day at the race venue. After setting up my transition area, I went back to the motorhome and enjoyed a protein smoothie and coffee while counting down the time for the race to begin. Meanwhile, Joy slept.
After waking, she watched through the back window of the motorhome while lying comfortably in bed as we completed the swim leg of our triathlon.
Camping at West End Beach in Truckee, California, in a rented RV. Joy watched the swim leg of the Donner Lake Triathlon from the comfort of our bed while peering out the back window of the motorhome. She was a ‘happy camper’.
2. You won’t necessarily save money
We paid for the tent through savings in the cost of hotel rooms while traveling to compete in the Ohio triathlon. The story is much different for the motorhome.
Motorhome camping is clearly more comfortable than tent camping. With air-conditioning, we slept well in the motorhome no matter the outside temperature. Since arriving well rested on race day is important, this is a plus.
There is also the benefit of eating food that we prepare. This is both more healthy and less costly. The gas stove and refrigerator in the motorhome made this convenient.
On the other hand, motorhome camping is expensive. The unit we rented averaged nine miles per gallon (mpg) compared to 25-30 mpg for our van. This was when gasoline was $5 to over $6 per gallon.
Add to the cost of the additional fuel, the costs of renting the unit, and parking it at campgrounds with electricity and water hookups, and we spent $250 to $300 per day for the convenience of a motorhome.
3. Camping leads to a new triathlon experience
Even though most triathlons do not offer an option of camping at the race venue, there are still wonderful benefits of camping nearby. It is a treat to be outdoors, exploring new areas of nature with its diverse fragrances, sounds, plants, birds, and other animals.
Once we get away from the city lights, it is wonderful how vast the night sky appears.
Camping along with a triathlon is another way to see God’s handiwork up close. I took this picture from Salmon Lake State Park (Seeley Lake, Montana), where we camped three nights before the Montana triathlon.
You Might Want to Try Camping and Triathlon
The more I travel, the less appealing hotels become.
As you plan your races for this season, you may want to think about camping at or near the race venue. Clearly, there are benefits.
Contact the race director to see what options for camping exist, especially for races held in city or county parks.
Have You Combined Camping and Triathlon?
Have you camped at the triathlon venue before the race? What has been your experience with camping while traveling for a triathlon?
Please share your thoughts and experiences with us in the Comments section below.
Comments: Please note that I review all comments before they are posted. You will be notified by email when your comment is approved. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a comment is published.
Based on the advice my wife Joy’s orthopedic doctor gave her after her first knee replacement, I believed that joint replacement meant the end of running.
However, when I spoke with Nikki Austin, I learned that joint replacement need not end your racing career.
Nikki’s orthopedic surgeon had encouraged her to continue swimming, biking, and even running after hip replacement. She followed the doctor’s advice. Nine months after hip replacement surgery, Nikki completed the 2021 Lititz recCenter Triathlon (Lititz, Pennsylvania).
A Triathlon Coach’s Perspective
Last month, a reader of SeniorTriathletes.com asked that we provide more information about training after hip replacement. She is eager to get back to racing, but also wants her new hips to last.
Jenn Reinhart, one of the Senior Triathletes coaches, and I spoke about triathlon after joint replacement. As you will hear in the recording of our conversation, Jenn speaks from experience. She is a senior triathlete and certified triathlon coach who has trained and raced after having both knees replaced.
Listen to what Jenn has learned and to her advice.
Recording of my conversation with triathlon coach and senior triathlete Jenn Reinhart
Additional Information from Jenn Reinhart
Here are links to the additional resources and products Jenn mentioned during our conversation:
Marathon Handbook, a website dedicated to “helping others achieve their health and fitness goals”. This website includes articles specific to running after hip replacement and after knee replacement.
What I Read About Triathlon Training After Joint Replacement
In preparing for our conversation, both Jenn and I did research to learn what medical professionals think about a return to triathlon training after joint replacement surgery. Following is a summary of information I found. You may want to review these as part of your own research.
Concerns About Running After Hip or Knee Replacement
An AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) post last reviewed in May 2022 included this statement, “Even though you will be able to resume most activities, you may want to avoid doing things that place excessive stress on your “new” knee, such as participating in high-impact activities like jumping, jogging, or skiing.”
According to a review of research published in European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, this advice comes from concerns about premature failure of a prothesis. The amount of wear and tear depends on individual factors, such as body weight, strength of bone and muscle that support the joint, and the individual’s running technique.
Majority of Replacement Specialists Support a Return to Running . . . After Some Time
One of these is Stone Clinic in San Francisco, California. A post on their website titled Running After Knee Replacement includes the following statement:
“By advising patients to return gradually to running, we build bone density and muscle strength—thereby decreasing the risk of joint loosening. The plastic inserts now used are so durable that there is a very low likelihood of them wearing out. And if they do, they can be relatively easily replaced.”
Reducing the Risk of Running After Joint Replacement
Part of the reason there is controversy is that we are all different. There are things we can do that are risky and things which will reduce the risks. According to sports medicine specialist, Dr. John Hill (age 61),
“You can also take steps post-surgery to reduce the risks associated with running. Keep your weight in check, consider a gait analysis to identify and correct issues with your biomechanics, and ask your surgeon about regular X-rays to monitor the wear rate and positioning of your implant.”
My Conclusion – Joint Replacement Need Not Be The End
Assuming that your orthopedic doctor allows you to return to training, a professional triathlon coach will help you navigate your return to triathlon or other multi-sport endurance racing. This is true whether your next race is your first or a continuation of your multi-sport career.
It’s Time for Your Questions and Comments
What questions and comments do you have about training for triathlon or other multi-sport endurance sports after a joint replacement? Leave this in the Comments section below.
I would also appreciate hearing what you think about the audio-only format for the interview with Jenn Reinhart. Do you prefer audio or text?
Comments: Please note that I review all comments before they are posted. You will be notified by email when your comment is approved. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a comment is published.
For Johny Dignam and his wife, Tracey, triathlon has been life-changing.
“My wife Tracey says she waited 30 years for this version of me! I have always had this stored energy in me. The only way I could relax [before triathlon] was with the consumption of large volumes of alcohol.”
Johny’s passion and love for Ironman training has become a new, healthy, life-changing outlet for this energy.
“Triathlon training and the inspirational people we have met have had a profound positive effect on my general well being. It has also shown that there are some amazing people in this world from all different walks of life.”
Introducing Johny Dignam
Johny Dignam, age 57, has been married to Tracey for 33 years. He has always been an active, high energy guy with hobbies that include surfing, swimming, and mountain biking.
He works as Refractory Installer for Pyrotek, a company that produces high temperature materials used in handling molten aluminium (or aluminum if you are from the USA). His typical work day begins with an hour long commute to be onsite at 4:30 am for a 10-hour workday. At the end of his workday, there is another one hour drive to return home. Considering other family commitments, this does not leave much time for training and sleeping.
However, as you will see, that hasn’t stopped Johny from pursuing aggressive goals along his triathlon journey.
Johny’s Path to Triathlon
The journey which has led to triathlon for Johny Dignam began around six years ago. It was a sunny Sunday morning in Sydney, Australia’s Central Business District.
Johny was sporting a massive hangover after a late night on the town. Meanwhile, over three thousands runners gathered for the Sydney Marathon.
Seeing the excitement around the race and realizing that he wanted to make a change in his life, Johny decided he would complete the next year’s half marathon in Sydney.
Fast forward one year. Johny had just completed the Sydney half marathon when he met an old friend. They talked about running and eventually triathlon. A few months passed and the two of them met again, this time at a dinner party with mutual friends. The conversation again drifted to running and triathlon.
The next day, Johny registered for Ironman 70.3 Port Maquarie along with a friend and his nephew.
Johny Dignam completed his first long course triathlon, Ironman 70.3 Port Maquarie, with his nephew in May 2019.
Triathlon History
Johny’s first triathlon was actually an international (Olympic) distance race in Wollongong, Australia in March 2019. He planned this event as a lead up to the Port Maquarie 70.3 two months later.
“My first triathlon was fun but underwhelming. However, since I had already signed up for the 70.3 in May, I continued training” said Johny.
Before the Port Maquarie race, he completed a 70.3 practice triathlon as part of his training. Then, in May, he successfully completed his first 70.3 and promptly vowed to never do one again.
However, before leaving the race venue, Johny wandered over to the finish line,
“I watched the final people complete the full Ironman. That night, I saw several athletes, some over 70 years old, complete the hardest Ironman race in Australia. The atmosphere and sheer determination of some of the athletes stirred something in me I had never experienced before. I was completely mesmerised and overwhelmed by the whole event.
“The next day, I signed up for my first Ironman, Ironman Australia.”
Then There Was Covid
The scenes in Port Maquarie on that May 2019 evening had truly impacted Johny. He continued to train for his next race as most of the world locked down in early 2020.
With his sights still set on Ironman Australia sometime in the future, Johny completed a virtual Ironman of his own design. He swam 4 km (2.5 miles) in the local pool. Next, he cycled for eight hours on his bike trainer. He finished it with a 26.2 mile marathon around his local neighborhood.
“I finished about 11 pm that night. I think this set me up mentally for Ironman Australia.”
In 2022, Johny was able to finally reach his goal of completing Ironman Australia. Once again, he took time to watch and be inspired by the final competitors completing the course.
Johny Dignam’s first long course triathlon was Ironman 70.3 Port Maquarie in May 2019.
Not Stopping Here
With Ironman Australia behind him, Johny set a new goal, to complete one full Ironman and one half distance triathlon each year.
“The people I have met have helped push me to places I would’ve thought were unachievable several years ago. Sure, age, sickness, and injury are all significate barriers for maturing athletes. However, if we push ourselves out of our comfort zones while listening to our bodies, we continue to grow.”
Training for Triathlon Has Been Life Changing
To reach his new goal, Johny decided to develop a training plan that fits his long workdays and family commitments yet provides enough rest to prevent illness and injury.
Johny has taken this approach in part because of the difficulty getting age specific training information. Like many, he found the available print and on-line training resources to be aimed at the younger generation. One approach that could have worked is joining a triathlon club. However, this option didn’t work for him.
Next best for Johny has been to subscribe to two triathlon training plans which he considers “great value for the money”:
Phil Mosley Intermediate Masters 140.6 plan on TrainingPeaks. This plan provides a schedule of swim, bike, run, and some strength and conditioning workouts to be completed each week. It also provides the number of hours for training and the intensity target for each week for the months leading up to the triathlon.
Low Volume Triathlon Plan from TrainerRoad. Most of his bike workouts follow the TrainerRoad schedule.
He has compared these two plans and selected the portions from each that work best for him.
One limitation is that even the ‘masters’ plans seem designed for a large age group – age 40 and over. And, many feel they are tailored to the younger end of this age range.
Combining Indoor and Outdoor Training
During the main part of the training period, Johny trains 7 to 10 hours per week. Given his work schedule, family commitments, and priority for rest and recovery, Johny completes most of his long training blocks on the weekends.
For the rest of the schedule, Johny has developed an innovative approach that combines training within his house or near it and longer weekend sessions outdoors.
Riding Indoors Builds Fitness and Mental Toughness
As already noted, Johny usually follows bike workouts from TrainerRoad. Each week, he completes one threshold workout, one VO2max workout, and one long ride of three to fours hours.
Interestingly, over 90% of his bike training is indoors on a trainer. This is because he does not feel safe riding on the road. However, he does some workouts on his mountain bike on a short hilly track outdoors near his home.
Is indoor training for the bike effective? This was a question Johny was asking going into last year’s Ironman triathlon.
“I wasn’t sure how I would do on the bike. My training included weekly, long indoor rides on the trainer for three hours or more. I did one or two rides of nearly seven hours outside before the event. As it turned out, I felt more confident on the bike leg of the race as the day went on.
“Having said that, it was still a slow time of 7 hours, 30 minutes, but I got off the bike and could run, and that’s all that mattered.
“I think the long indoor sessions prepared me mentally for the day.”
Johny pointed out that several professional triathletes, including Jan Frodeno and Lionel Sanders, also rely on indoor training for the triathlon bike leg.
Cross Training for the Triathlon Run
Johny also cross trains for running to avoid overuse injuries. He has found water running using the Fluid Running system to be effective for building running fitness and preventing injury. “Running in deep water is harder than people think.” You can read the story of the company’s founder, Jennifer Conroyds, here.
Typical Training Schedule
The table below summarizes a typical week’s training while preparing for an Ironman triathlon. It also highlights some of the other tools Johny has identified for training at home.
Swim
1x – Swim simulation using ZEN8 bands 2x – Pool swims (weekend)
Bike
1x – Threshold workout using trainer 1x – VO2max workout using trainer 1x – Long ride either using the trainer or riding outdoors
Run
1x – 5 km run using Zwift mid-week 2x – 30-40 minutes water running after a pool swim using H2Go app from Fluid Running * beginning 3 months before an Ironman triathlon, he will start doing longer runs outside
Mobility & Strength
3x – 20 minute using Calimove mobility app, Skill Yoga app, or Sean Vigue Pilates book/video * one mobility workout is done on Monday afternoon as part of his recovery day
Final Preparations for a Race
In the final weeks leading up to a full or half distance Ironman triathlon, Johny focuses on the “little things” that left unprepared can change the complexion of one’s race.
“Try to have all the little things in place that may impact your day. Come race day, you want to be comfortable and able to enjoy the moment.”
He also completes some long swims and long rides, focusing on completing them without worrying about his time. The main goal is to build confidence for race day.
For example, these last weeks typically include a 4 km (2.5 mile) pool swim and at least one longer open water swim. He will also complete at least one long bike ride to become comfortable being on the bike for several hours. Before last year’s triathlon, he rode seven hours along the bike track on a freeway. This ride “definitely helped on race day”.
During this period, he will practice changing a flat tire. He also uses this time to test hydration, nutrition, and any new shoes or clothing he may wear on race day. He doesn’t want any unexpected ‘tummy problems’ or body chafing during the race.
If the next race is a short (sprint or international) distance race, he may simulate the race on a course near his home. This was helpful for Johny before his first triathlon and can be for first-time triathletes.
However, for long course triathlons, he does not do a complete simulated race. He wants to arrive at the race fully rested and recovered.
Johny Dignam achieved his goal of finishing Ironman Australia in May 2022.
Refining the Training Plan Based on Experience
Johny has made note of the workouts that have helped him most and is using this experience to develop his own basic training plan. He has offered to provide a copy of the current working version of his plan. “This is only a draft. I will probably update it after this year’s events.”
You can request a copy of Johny’s plan using the Comments section below.
Lessons
What are the main lessons Johny has taken from his time training for and competing in triathlon? Here are his top four.
We are all different. Therefore, our triathlon training will reflect our differences in fitness and in the time we can devote to training. On the other hand, find a plan that works for you and try to stay with it.
Nutrition is the one of the unwritten disciplines of triathlon. Eat healthy, basic food with a good source of protein and fresh vegetables. Alcohol and sweets are not our friends. Have a tested nutrition plan for the race in place weeks before race day.
Rest and recovery are essential. Listen to your body. If you are constantly struggling to hit target heart rate zones or complete workouts, you may need a recovery week.
Come race day, just enjoy the experience. There’s no point worrying about the weather or if you have done enough training. Make the most of the conditions and be thankful that you have made it this far. Also, be thankful for your loved ones and others who have helped you get to this place.
“Don’t argue with the coach!” Johny is pictured here with wife Tracey, his “unofficial coach and biggest supporter” following the 2021 Husky long course triathlon at Jervis Bay in Huskisson, NSW, Australia.
Advice for Those Who Want to Take Advantage of the Life Changing Benefits of Triathlon
Here is what Johny told me when I asked what advice he would give to an older person thinking about doing a triathlon:
”Don’t believe that you’re too old. The over-50 age groups in triathlon events have some of the largest numbers of participants.
“In this sport, there are people from all different backgrounds – gifted athletes, everyday mums and dads, people with disabilities, and others just like you – all doing amazing things. You can do this!
“Don’t think too much about it. Sign up for an event and give yourself 12 months to build. Find a coach, join a club, or get some sort of plan.”
Want a Copy of Johny’s Training Plan? Have Questions for Him?
Want a copy of Johny Dignam’s Ironman triathlon training plan? Let us know by posting a Comment below.
Do you have other questions for Johny? You can also ask these in the Comments section.
Comments: Please note that I review all comments before they are posted. You will be notified by email when your comment is approved. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a comment is published.
Furthermore, was it reasonable to consider getting into triathlon later in life? I have had so many wrong impressions of age throughout my life. And, some were held not that long ago.
I decided to develop a one-question survey asking those of the Senior Triathletes community to give the age of their first triathlon. I promised to share the results this month.
Median Age is 50
The results show that the median age for a first triathlon among those in our community is 50. And, as the graph below shows, the distribution of starting age is relatively uniform from the 30s through the 60s.
Distribution of age of first triathlon for SeniorTriathletes.com quick survey respondents. Sample size: 18.
Admittedly, the sample size for this analysis is small. However, based on these results, I don’t see starting in triathlon as indicative of a mid-life crisis. If it were, the distribution should have been more concentrated in the 40s and 50s.
In our survey, these two age blocks represented only 44% of the responses.
Besides the results of this survey, I have spoken or corresponded by email with many of you. I have heard various reasons and motivations for doing a first triathlon. Many of these have involved younger family members whom you have inspired or who have inspired you. I do not recall any related to finding meaning for their life.
Take a look at some stories published in Our Stories. You will find many reasons and motivations for starting in the sport of triathlon.
