Considering other running/XC camps? Here's why the Premier Running Camp stands out and lives up to its billing as the best camp around:
• DURATION:
Many camps last just a long weekend, or maybe are one week long. How much improvement will your child see in just a few days? Little to moderate, to be honest. And if you're headed to a camp at altitude, it takes about two weeks to
become acclimatized to the altitude. If the altitude camp is less than about one month, your child will struggle for most of the duration of the camp. That won't help their confidence. (See below for additional information
regarding the Premier Running Camp, altitude training and VO2max.) The Premier Running Camp lasts most of the month of July, with 10-11 workout sessions (plus optional Saturday long/easy runs). This gets the runners in tip-top shape
and prepares them for the upcoming fall sports season.
• VARIETY OF WORKOUTS:
Since the camp lasts nearly a full month (with 10-11 workouts included), the Premier Running Camp provides the opportunity for a variety of workouts that train the multiple aspects of distance running (strength, endurance, speed,
etc.). Other camps that less a week or less will include a long run and maybe 1-2 other workouts - not enough to really improve an athlete's fitness.
• TRAIN ON THE SURFACE YOU'LL RACE ON:
All of our workouts are held on grass, which is what all of the cross country meets will be contested on. This serves a dual purpose: 1) running on the softer surface (grass) requires more effort than on a track/road and this
provides better training feedback, and 2) the softer surface of grass helps reduce potential overuse/impact injuries, since the softer surface absorbs more of the impact than on the track/road.
• TOP-LEVEL SPEAKERS (DAILY):
Many camps will have the camp's head coach chat with the runners, or maybe have a former alumni pass along some wisdom. The Premier Running Camp head coaches will impart their knowledge to the runners throughout the camp, but
spotlight different topics each day by having some of the state's (and nation's) top coaches and runners discuss specific topics. These talks are very informative and definitely fire the kids up for their upcoming season.
Additionally, motivational speakers and other experts in their field return each year to help each child reach their full potential.
• NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT:
Over the course of the month, our runners often see a dramatic improvement in their fitness levels. It is not uncommon to see runners who apply themselves to move up within their group, and we even see some athletes move from
the Intro to the Intermediate Camp, or from Intermediate to Advanced. As noted above, running camps that last a week or less aren't really going to change an athlete's fitness level.
• LEARN FROM TEAM LEADERS:
The top runners in the Intermediate and Advanced Camps are the team leaders on their school teams. Often they are the top finishers for their team at meets and serve as team captains - but they lead their team in more ways than
just during the competitions. They coordinate team activities and motivate the younger runners. Several of the Advance Camp runners serve as assistant coaches for the Intermediate and Intro Camps.
• IMPROVED VO2max:
Repeated studies have shown that running in the heat also provides an uptake in an athlete's VO2max.
All Premier Running Camp sessions are designed to be completed before the true heat of the day, thus the increased summer temps will allow this increase of V02max to occur. And you won't have
to send your child to the Colorado or Arizona mountains to try to achieve this benefit! Running at altitude isn't the only way to improve a runner's VO2max (generally credited as the one of the best ways to determine an athlete's
top-end capabilities).
• PROVEN SUCCESS:
The Premier Running Camp has a history of proven success, and Coach Carlos and Coach Lance have helped numerous athletes achieve their goals. For many of these runners, they reached some of the highest levels of high school and
collegiate running (see the Alumni page for some of these achievements). Others wanted to improve their mile time, get in better shape for the upcoming season or make the varsity
team.
