Hot humid training in October - Triathlon Week

Widon · 07-19-2007, 04:39 AM

Hi, I am looking to run a training camp for a few of our athletes for 18 days from 13th October in a hot an humid environment. However I am struggling to find anywhere in US with decent pool facilities, good riding and some off road trails for running, that have the required climate (80+F and 60%+ Humidity). Does anybody have any suggestions? Budget isnt that much of a problem and other areas we have considered include Mexico and Bahamas but dont know enough about them. We are UK based hence my lack of knowledge!

P.S we want North American based because we are racing in Cancun in November.

sfricks · 07-19-2007, 06:13 AM

Only one place... St Croix, United States Virgin Islands. Home to the toughest half Ironman in the world and of the speed bump we affectionately refer to as The Beast! Great roads, beautiful ocean swims and pleanty of well marked, well lit places to run.

Widon · 07-19-2007, 06:50 AM

Hi, Thanks for your response. Where would you base yourself for 2 1/2 weeks, that would give easy access to swimming, cycling and trail or quiet running? Is there any pool swimming available?

sfricks · 07-19-2007, 04:46 PM

Base yourself anywhere on the island. We're only 27 miles long and 6 miles wide at the widest point. Every May we host a Kona qualifier and the public is used to all the athletes (locals and non-locals) who are on our roads every day. It's easy to get semi-flat (small rollers) rides in or we have hills that make Tour de France climbs look like speed bumps. Our 70.3 bike course has about 3500 feet of elevation gain and the run can be grueling. We have athletes that train for IM Lanzarote (rated the hardest in the world) here to simulate conditions.

As far as swimming... Who would want to swim in a pool when the ocean is crystal clear and warm. Every swim is more like a snorkel with frequent sightings of fish, rays, turtles and dolphins. If you just have to get a chlorine fix, we do have an Olympic pool which you could use by joining the Masters ($50/M).

We're a US territory, use the US $, have no travel restrictions and are easy to get to. There are a ton of local athletes you could hook up with and we have run and or bike races almost every weekend of the year. We have organized rides on Sundays and swims on Saturdays. There's always someone here training for an Ultra-something or the other (IM KY for me) so you can get your ultra distance fixes as well. We also host 7 triathlons including the IM 70.3 and an Olympic that I'd rate as one of the toughest in the world.

If you want a great vacation and an opportunity to train, St Croix is the place!

Widon · 07-23-2007, 01:49 AM

Hi, sounds like paradise! Thanks for the info we will be looking into getting out there. Can I contact you again if we need more help setting up and finding training routes etc?

sfricks · 07-23-2007, 02:23 PM

Of course! Feel free to contact me. Drop me a private email at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and/or if you'd like I'll give you a cell # to call. I'll be tied up the 18th through the 21st of October but once I set you up, you won't need me. I'd give you a map and an Island tour and let you get going. Let me know if you need help with selecting lodging. As I mentioned, the island is athlete friendly. It's not unusual at all to see cyclists with a backpack full of groceries. You can get almost anywhere on the island by bike. Hope to see you soon.