As a relative newcomer to the sport of triathlon, I have found a mentor who has taken me to the next level. After two summers of shorter course racing, I arrived at my first Ironman healthy and able to successfully complete  the race. Thanks Eric - I can't wait to build on this base in preparation for my next IM!."

- Bruce Cook

Dear Eric,

Have recovered well from camp- rode with my biker friend this morning- and felt awesome on the hills. Tried to stay steady- more aero than usual- felt great. Short brick- ran for 30 minutes off the bike- again felt fine. Hope this continues. Am really excited to race now. Occurs to me I have not raced for 2 years!!!

So- thanks again. It was one of the best 4 days ever- and you can certainly- time issues aside- count me in for next year,

-Ann

Motivating, inspirational, positive, fun, and supportive are all qualities of a great coach.   Eric Hodska is all that and more. I have been with Eric for over 4 years. His programs are totally customized to your personal needs and goals.

Triathlon Camps.... Many athletes wonder if the experience is worth the money. Eric's Triathlon camp far exceeded any expectations that I had. I have been fortunate enough to attend 3 of Eric' camps and I am signed up again for 2004. Having been in the sport for over 8 years I have attended several other triathlon camps and nothing compared to my camp experiences at Hodska's camps. Eric's unique coaching style brings out the best in all his athletes.   Eric's camps are a great way to jump start your training, or to fine tune for race preparation. They are educational, action packed with challenging workouts, and most of all fun.

Eric Hodska brought me to a level of competitiveness I might not have otherwise known.   He brings out the best in his athletes and not just in the athletic arena but in life! Eric has shown me the importance of priorities and balance which have allowed me to become a successful athlete and a better person. I can't say thank you enough!

- Angela Forster, 6 Time Ironman Finisher, 2 Time USTA All American

While I was out on my Sunday run on this beautiful sunny and cool Sunday I was reflecting on how much my life has changed over this past year. I was thinking of the work, the challenges, the pain, the accomplishments, the awakening, the short races, and of course Lake Placid. Amidst all of this self assessment I kept coming back to Eric's Tri camp and how much I learned in those few days, of the new friendships that were created and how damn awful I realized I was. ;-) Running up one of the many hills in Easton I was calculating in my head that in just less than six months I will be back there once again. I found myself wondering how I will compare to this past year and what new doors I will open to myself. My journey this past year was just amazing in many levels and it continues. I don't mean to get too deep but I have been playing Springsteen on my computer while I'm working at my desk and that's mixing with the endorphins from my run.

It was a great camp and I was full of anxiety entering it not knowing what to expect. I look at the 2004 camp in a different light, yet I expect more out of myself and of the camp. To those that have done it before I need say nothing more but to those that are new to it I say that it will be the most valuable investment you make in yourself and in this sport. If you are teetering on the expense, you can always put off spending money on a new bike or wetsuit and get along with what you have but to invest in oneself offers much greater returns.

-  John Brennan

I would guess that each year there are a few people that initially feel like they may not belong in the camp, much like I did. Perhaps they are new to the sport. Perhaps they are more interested in short distance races than long ones. Perhaps they are intimated by the caliber of athlete(s) that they will be training along side of. Whatever the reason, by the end, they know that they DID belong. That's how Eric has designed and fine-tuned this training camp. It's for all levels, for all distances and for all ages. And each year, it's gotten better and more diverse. Something that I never expect, but has happened every year at the Connecticut Camp is the bonding of the group. Last year was, perhaps, the most diverse group ever to attend camp. A 26-year-old up and coming athlete, a single mother of 2, a veteran marathoner with 50+ races to his credit, a Clydesdale who can shred bike courses to ribbons... the list goes on and on. Most of them were strangers upon checking into the Interlaken Inn, but when they left on Sunday afternoon, they were all part of a new family.

- Kenny O.

I will always remember Tri-camp last year - as the time that I got confirmation that completing an Ironman could be a reality for me. Prior to camp I had being following EH's weekly schedule religiously, however in the back of my mind I still had doubts if I would be mentally and physically ready to handle the Ironman distance.

At camp I had the privilege of meeting and training with other athletes that had completed numerous Ironman races. I asked them numerous questions over the course of the camp about training and race day logistics. Their experience and insightful comments were invaluable.

It was at the camp that I started to feel that completing the Ironman was attainable, and allowed me to begin to exclusively focus on getting my self physically primed for race day.

I truly believe that being mentally ready for endurance events - is a huge part of the equation. Tri-camp allowed me to get over this very important hurdle in my Ironman training.

I will be back at camp in 2004 - and I hope that I can "Pay it Forward" and share my experience with someone new that is trying to accomplish an Ironman for the first time.

-  Jeff Molson

Camp was awesome. I can't think of a better place to have it- what a training environment. Eric set up some great ride and run courses and the new pool made even me feel good about swimming.

The chemistry of the group really helped- working the hill repeats was lot easier with everyone cheering you on. And just when things were getting tough there was Big Rocks with water, Gatorade and a few words of good cheer.

-  Alan M.

During camp we were asked to post our experience and thoughts, and as usual I ducked out on that chore. But on my ride home the movie started to replay, and it was a pretty good one. I saw the beautiful countryside speckled with this line of gasping athletes, flying UP that hill at 23 mph, and then banging out hill repeats and run intervals one after the other, all putting in no less than 100%. Day two tested more than our strength and abilities, Testing Day checked our fortitude and tenacity as well, and after the pain grimaces dispersed they all smiled...and no one whined (rule one).

On our first night Eric and Big Rocks shared many thoughts and things to think about, but the one that stuck with me was...'get out of your comfort zone and we will take you to the next level'. At 46 years old I been in a few situations where similar claims were made, whether it be educational or physical...and at 46 it is a very very cool feeling to get uncomfortable and find out there is a next level!

-  Steve S.

A HUGE thank you to EH and staff for an amazing camp over the weekend! From a personal standpoint, the camp really gave me a kick start as I begin the countdown for Ironman Coeur d'Alene -- I achieved a level of fitness that I could not have without the group support, especially this group of people. I can not emphasize enough how much the energy of the group drove the experience. I was inspired by the whole event -- the staff, the participants, the setting. The weekend emphasized the journey that makes triathlon and the Ironman. The experience was very memorable.

- Gus E.