The Lloyds TSB squad have built on the training they did in the last week at Font Romeu with solid sessions by the entire group before their return to the UK.
The mileage has been kept around 90 miles a week with conditioning and spinning bike sessions on top of that.
We were joined by the UKA hierarchy Charles Van Commenee and Ian Stewart who were looking for places to buy for athletes to stay in when at training camps and is part of the new thinking for UKA endurance.
One lady who doesn’t need any convincing that living and training at altitude has been a determining factor in her successes over the years is Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe. Paula has been living and training in Font for well over 10 years with husband and Coach Gary Lough and the benefits have been plane to see.
Steve Vernon who was instrumental in setting up the training camp had contacted Paula before our arrival at Font for any advice she could offer the group about training at altitude.
Paula and husband and coach Gary met with the group one evening at a local restaurant to give advice on training at altitude and the benefits that it can give athletes.
We found the areas to train in good, with miles and miles of off road trails and traffic free roads, hills so many to choose from, a track that 6 inches of snow fell on at 7.30am one morning but the local council had it cleared within the hour to train on.
Medical back up is good sports doctors and physios in the village.
Gymnasium we found more than adequate, with a one off payment of 90 euros for 6 people and as much use as you wanted.
8.15am – Caffeine intake, loosening stretch and hydrate as well as eating a small amount of carbohydrate
9.00am – Travel to training venue 15 minutes
9.15am – Active warm up and drills
9.45am – 11.30 am – Session, warm down, stretch, hydrate and eat carbohydrates within 30minute optimum window
11.45am – Travel back to apartment
Midday – Eat more carbohydrates and hydrate even more
1pm – Mobility and rest
3pm – Caffeine intake and light snack
4-6pm – Mobility followed by running session & mini-strength and stretching
6pm – Massage
8pm – Meal
10.30pm – Bed