Having prepped, prepped and prepped again, arrival day finally came around. There were so many occasions during the spring of 2021 that I felt it wouldn’t happen and indeed only 3 athletes from the original 12 were able to swing the new dates, extra costs, quarantine and general uncertainty. But by June 5th we were 2 coaches and 3 athletes….
This was the first camp in Tuscany and the focus was very different to camps in the past. Although Triathlon based we very much focussed on the cycling as the area is perfect for cycle training – good roads, long sweeping climbs and descents and stunning countryside.
Saturday turned out to be arrival day and our first session, as we met at the coast and the athletes had a sea swim before heading back to the house. The swim route is parallel to the coast so I was able to keep an easy eye on them, especially with the bright orange tow floats bobbing up and down. Supper was an easy affair I had prepared earlier, and eaten in the garden looking out over the stunning backdrop of hills, fields and villages.
So our first ride day arrived on Sunday and after a quick bike check we were off to Massa Marittima for a coffee before returning home for a 5k run off the bike, stretch, change and an easy coached swim. This time supper was out and we headed to a local family run restaurant for the first of several fabulous meals – but then we were in Italy!
Monday was back on the bikes to Monteriggione, originally an 11th century fort, for lunch, taking in the Via Francigena. This is the original pilgrim’s route from Canterbury to Rome and is still walked today. A second day of around 80k of riding with 1250+ of climbing and by the end of the day we were just starting to feel the workload. We went through a hip mobilisation routine before another group stretch rounded things off nicely before supper
Tuesday brought a slight change - Terry had some work to wind up so Lisa and Stefan headed out for a short bike while Nichola and myself did some strength work before we all headed back to the sea for another sea swim followed by a 5k tempo run. As it’s so hilly around the house the sea front is a perfect place for some race pace flat running…. The hot and humid weather created a huge thunder storm which struck perfectly at the end of the run, couldn’t have planned it better. A late trip home led to AHT pizza night delivered by the restaurant in the village
Weds had us back on the bikes. With an approaching IM for Lisa, I sent the long distance athletes off on a longish hilly bike ride with no stops – only 105k but 1740mtrs of climb made it a tough day. N and I, as Sprint athletes, started out with them before having a long coffee and a shorter route back before jumping in the pool. Supper was at San Galgano abbey which provided a wonderful backdrop and a fabulous meal
Thursday was not a rest day even though it was a day off the bikes. Lisa started very early with a 12k run which took her up, up, up for 6k to the local mountain top village, then down for 6k. Nichola and I clocked up a set of run hill reps, while Terry followed the same route as Lisa and did a 8k hilly run and Stefan did 1k running in the pool to rehab a tight calf before his 70.3 in a few weeks. The afternoon was a well earned trip to Siena with a late lunch on the main square before getting our covid tests for the trip home
And finally to Friday and Day 7 (in theory Day 6). We couldn't leave without putting a swim, bike and run together so we started early with a mini triathlon followed by our first laze around the pool before heading out for the final ride - the only ‘flattish’ ride in the area. Another medieval village, another coffee…. Then home to pack bikes and suitcases and an easy pizza/pasta/risotto delivery while sorting out
So much hard work, great food and amazing fun and laughter throughout…. a truly awesome week with 3 incredible athletes. I wonder what 2022 will bring….
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