Dreamchasers Stage Race Camp in October

Looking for a change in running scenery this fall? Want to learn how to stage race from the world’s best? If you answered yes to either question, get yourself to the Dreamchaser’s Stage Racing Camp to be held from October 6 to 11 on the western slopes of the Teton Mountains. During your six days in Idaho you’ll get a chance to run with and learn from Mohamad Ahansal, a three-time champion of the Marathon des Sables. Of course, you’ll also get to learn from Lisa Smith-Batchen, who is only American woman ever to win the race (1999), and Jay Batchen, who knows stage racing gear as well as anyone out there. While you’re there, you’ll get a chance to work on your desert running skills in the St. Anthony sand dunes.

Why am I telling you about this camp? First, it’s a rare opportunity to work with the two time defending champ of MdS. Second, I attended part of a Dreamchasers camp in August and was really impressed!

I more or less crashed the Dreamchaser’s trail running camp help at the Grand Targhee Resort in eastern Idaho in early August. I had an invite from Jay to swing by for a day and AJW, who was coaching at the camp, kindly offered to let me (aka, Uncle Junglegym) crash on his floor and hang with his boys. I had such a good time that I stayed for a couple days. (Hopefully, I didn’t overstay my welcome with anyone!)

Anyway, my training usually consists of one thing – running. At the camp, I got to pull a tire, learn various running drills, and do a core workout. I loved all of it. Lisa is a great teacher, who knows how to share her vast stores of knowledge and how to motivate the skeptical (i.e., AJW and me during core work :-) ). Not only were Jay and Lisa great hosts and teachers, but their guest coaches (AJW, Dr. Lisa Bliss, Ray Zahab, Barb Linquist) added at ton to the camp. I can only imagine that Mohamad will do the same!

Me finishing the 5k trail race held during the camp

Related articles:

1. Go Back to Summer Camp, You Trail Runner! A roundup of a few trail running and ultramarathon camps for adults being held in 2010....
2. MdS 2009: Stage 4 and Overall Results Wish I could have posted results earlier, but I missed a small window to post in camp after the Stage 4 results were posted and have been tied up since...
3. MdS 2009: Stage 1 (33k) I received an education in dunes today. Completed Dunes 101, 102, & am cramming hard for my 201 final tomorrow. When the difference between running fast or slow in a...

Filed under Administrative · Tagged with Camps, Dreamchasers, Jay Batchen, Lisa Smith-Batchen

Bryon Powell is the Editor-in-Chief of iRunFar.com, which he founded five years ago. Also the author of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, he's quickly approaching 10 years as an ultrarunner and 20 years as a trail runner. These days he calls Park City, Utah and its trails home.
All posts by Bryon Powell