James and I just returned from our own little training camp at Las Playitas, Fuerteventura. The training went something like this:Day of arrival:
Arrived in resort and built our bikes. We met up with Pete McCrory who showed us around the resort and took us out for an easy 60min “shake down” ride. This turned into an easy 45min spin followed by 45min TT ride home (we got a little lost & needed to get home quickly as the light was disappearing!). Total 46km.
Day 1:
Bike: 3hr15 (82km & 1200m of ascent)
Swim: 55mins (mainly drills)
Day 2:
Bike: 3hr (82km & 1200m of ascent)
Run: 43mins (8.6km, hilly, off road, very hot)
Swim: 30mins (drills)
Day 3:
Bike: 4hr23 (133km & 1720m ascent)
Swim: 45mins (swim & drills)
Day 4:
Bike: 3hr22 (86km & 1051m ascent)
Run: 20min off the bike (10min hilly/hard & 10min easy)
Swim: 1hr (swim & drills)
Day 5:
Run: 1hr13 (13.5km, easy pace but very, very hilly)
Swim: 45min (drills)
Bike: 3hr05 (80km, 1120m of ascent & very windy)
Day 6:
Bike: 3hr20 (82km, 1121m of ascent, wind was unbelievable, very tough day in the saddle)
Run: 1hr (11.92km/hilly & hard)
Swim: 55mins (drills)
Total hours:
30hr02
As you can see, the bike was the focus, but we didn't do huge, mega mileage. However, 21 hours of climbing up the mountains of (very) windy Fuerteventura was hard work, especially as the temperature didn't drop below 24'C on any of our training days! On the last day, we biked a bit with one of the Team Saxo Bank boys (they do Riding with a Pro days), we didn't pay for it we just caught up with the group and followed them around for 80km. The whole Team Saxo Bank squad were arriving the day we were leaving so we missed them, but we did manage to meet Rasmus Henning after his IM Arizona exploits only a few days previous, he seemed like a nice genuine guy.
There is a new half ironman distance race based here next year (part of the Challenge family) and I tell you something, it is going to be rock hard! We cycled the bike course (many times) and it is mega tough! And if the wind picks up, it's going to be a nightmare for anyone who's not a really strong biker. We also ran most of the run route and that's a killer too. Some of it is off road, some on tarmac, but it takes you out to a lighthouse which you run up to AND that's going to finish off loads of competitors, it's really that hard! There aren't going to be any sub 4 hour times here I promise you!
The resort is great. It's not quite as big (or busy) as Club La Santa yet, but the accommodation is miles better, the resort as a whole is better, staff were very helpful & attentive, the food and restaurants are great and the riding on the island is breathtaking! Would I go back? Definately!
8 comments:
wish I was going looks great,just seems the wrong time for that sort of week but I may be wrong?
Yes Daz, we didn't plan it this way, we were originally meant to go in March/April this year but the ash cloud put paid to that. This was really the only time James and I could fit it in (with our busy schedules!).
Check it out Daz (contact Pete McCrory or David Thorogood at trips4tri), I'm sure the wife and kid(s) would enjoy it & you could get some "secret" training in! :-)
Sounds like a great week; I hope you whooped James' ass on the bike!
More like I sat on his wheel for the whole week! ;-)
I have to admit, I'm jealous of you !!! :-)
Nice place, tons of mileage, tons of sun and I'm sure you had fun on top of that. We had to deal with freezing rain here in Montreal last week.
I can't wait to see your 2011 results and I'm looking forward to read all the great stories coming up for you.
Everyone I have spoken to has agreed it is a great venue. So how long before the RAF team change over to this one and use a great coach and a better venue.
Great report Frank, I can't wait to get out there in March, especially now we are knee deep in snow with sub-zero temperatures. Pity we didn't make it last April.
Michael, I tried for the last two years to get RAF Tri out there. I just gave up in the end, no one seemed to be bothered to make the effort to organise something different and some committee members seemed to think it their 'right' to do La Santa.
It is a great resort, you'll enjoy it K, and Mike, get yourself out there and check it out yourself, you wouldn't be disappointed.
With reference to where & why we do our training camps, this is probably not the best place to discuss it. Happy to discuss it with you guys, but not on a public blog.
Train smart!
Post a Comment