Training camps
Don't let the title scare you; CUH&H training camps are a really fun experience for everyone. It's actually more of a holiday where some people will train hard and some will use it as a chance to unwind, but everyone has a great time! No one is forced to do any running if they don't want to! Find out about the next training camp here.
We organise two training camps per year: one at the end of September and one at the beginning of January in a variety of locations across the UK. You are welcome to stay for as much or little of the week as you like.
Contact: on .
For those of you who have never been to a CUH&H training camp, here's what to expect:
- Firstly no one is forced to do anything. We are a team in which EVERYONE is welcome. The training schedule will be similar to that during term: a mixture of steady runs, rep sessions and hill work - you can do as much of it as you like and there is absolutely no pressure! For all it is a fantastic opportunity to build a great base level of fitness on which to build during the term.
- We always stay in self-catering accommodation, do a big shop at the beginning of the week and take it in turns to cook as well as going out for one or two pub meals.
- When not running there will be plenty of time for eating, chilling out (napping is popular) as well as opportunities to explore the local area and go for walks.
You can also expect lots of banter and fun and games. There will be a fair amount of drinking, especially on Thursday which has become known as 'mental night' (in January a beer centurion was completed); but again there is no pressure and you will certainly not be the only one if you don't want to drink.
Freshers who have yet to arrive in Cambridge are more than welcome. It would be the best possible introduction to the club and a great start to your time in Cambridge.
CUH&H training camps are, without fail, simply amazing and unmissable.
Your doubts laid to rest:
Below are a few of the reasons people often conceive for not going. As you will see there is no need to worry about any of them...
- Cost:
It costs less to go on training camp than to live in college for a week. It'll also one of the cheapest holidays you'll ever get, and probably the most fun. - "The training will be too hard":
There will be so many people going that there will always be someone of your standard, or with your training interests. You only need do as much as you feel like, and the most popular person on camp is always the one who stays behind to make the porridge. - "The training will be of the wrong type":
People usually split up and do different things, from those who find marathons too short, to those who find the BUCS short course too long. Even 400m runners from CUAC come along! No matter what session you're doing, the landscape means it'll be spectacular. - "I can't see the point" (or "I'd rather be in Barbados"):
A week of running and relaxing is both a great way to give your training a bit of a kick start (and probably a massive boost), and also a great break from work. There'll be time to get out and do some sightseeing if you want, or just to chill out, before going back to Cambridge.
The 100 Point Challenge
During the training camp in Malham in September 2003, Darren Talbot initiated the challenge of accumulating 100 points over the course of the camp - one point being awarded for each mile run and each pint drunk. Since then, a tally has been kept on each camp. The entries below are in recognition of those Hareys who have successfully completed the challenge.
January 2015: Josh Carr, Edmund Gazeley, Matt Leach, James Hoad
September 2014: Josh Carr, Matt Leach, Paddy Road, Rich Ollington, Pete Townsend (200+ points!), Kai Hutenburg (100 dry points)
January 2014: Matt Leach
September 2013: James Hoad, Josh Carr, Pete Townsend (180), Will Mackay