EDT Training Camp Lanzarote - Pre Camp

EDT Camp is a training camp put on by my Tri coach Steven at Everyday Training in Lanzarote to put in some volume training. Swimming, Biking and swimming everyday with the aim of completing over 30 hours of training in 6 days. Here is how it went…

Day 1 - Friday

Swim: N/A
Bike: 33k 1hr 19
Run: 5.5k

After only 2 hours sleep, up I got and somehow having talked a buddy in to driving me to Gatwick, off we set. Empty roads made the journey pretty painless and the only good thing about travelling that early meant I had arrived in Lanzarote mid-morning on Friday. This was 2 days before camp officially started on Sunday. I flew with a fellow camper FG who will be my roommate for the duration of the camp.

Having had to take apart my bike and pack it into a bike box which in itself was a drama, lucky for me FG was a dab hand at putting it back together and guided me through the process helping me put it together. Although FG hadn’t slept and I had only 2 hours we did take the bikes out for a 33k ride to put the bikes through their paces with my coach, Steven. I had a problem with my chain jumping on certain gears which worried me but we would see a mechanic tomorrow. The ride was very leisurely as we stopped for coffee and sat in the sun and talked all things Tri.

Once back I joined Steven for a 30min jog along the coastal road to get rid of any cobwebs. I suffered slightly as the sun was pounding down and I was wearing all black, clever!



Day 2 – Saturday

Swim: 1.8k 39:24
Bike: 56k 2hr40
Run: 10k 56min

My first full day in Lanzarote, although the majority of campers come later today it will be my first full day of training. FG and I struggled to get up for the 7:15am meet but made it although a little late. We walked to the beach which is only 2 minutes away from the hotel, getting a few heckles from some revellers on their way home from the night before, they must not be used to seeing Triathletes in their wetsuits!!

I was slightly anxious for the swim as I’ve never really swam in such deep water and all I could think about was Jaws coming from the dark to eat me up. He didn’t! I haven’t swum so much over the last couple of months and it was tough on my arms. I was glad it was over and we headed back to the hotel to eat, I’m good at that!!

The ride was slightly longer today as we headed down to a small Village called Le Santa as I had a problem with the gears on my bike. Steve at Pro Bike pointed out the few issues and as he didn’t have the parts he arranged to come to the hotel on Sunday, that’s service!

Lanza is pretty damn hilly and as I do suffer as I am quite heavy, boy do I go down hill fast. Having a Time Trail bike where I can get into a very aero-dynamic position and with the added benefit of weight, I’m off. I have only had this bike for a couple of weeks and was a bit nervous about bringing it out, as it will take my muscles in my legs some time to get used to the different position. But as I’m riding it in all my races this year I want as much time on it as possible. Boy was that a great decision, I might just be the downhill specialist!

Once back from the ride, I was out with Steven for another run. Unfortunately FG had a knee problem and was waiting for the Physio – Ali to arrive later to be assessed before he ran. I wanted to run for longer so we went out for an hour.

I was tired tonight and maybe I should have taken it a bit easier, but I wasn’t here to take it easy. I wanted to see how much my body could do, would I struggle towards the end of the week? I sat down with Steven to figure out what the plan was and also what where my objectives. The last day of the camp we would be riding the Ironman course which I will be racing in 7 weeks. It came down to completing the 110mile course and to run off it too with some kind of speed.

The gauntlet was laid down and mine to achieve…