PROVENCE TRAINING CAMP

[message from Jane Tooze]

PROVENCE TRAINING CAMP

In the first week of June, Len and I attended a week long triathlon camp in Provence with TheTriLife.com. This was the second year running we had gone on this camp as we had enjoyed the first year so thoroughly. The whole week is superbly run by the organisers, The Trilife, who have recently become official training sponsors to UK Ironman. The training camp is designed to cater for all abilities, from elite athletes to absolute novices. This year was especially exciting as TriLife (run enthusiastically by owners Liz and Duncan Scott) had managed to have amongst their coaching staff, Andrea Whitcombe, one of GB's finest female triathletes, and Sean Yates, as a cycling coach. Although I didn't know a huge amount about Sean before the camp, it was fantastic being able to cycle alongside GB's champion time triallist at 25m and 50m, a holder of the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France no less, and a member of Lance Armstrong's Postal Service team in the 90's. In addition to these two, the camp is also attended by Ain Alur Juhanson, an incredible Ironman Triathlete from Estonia who has a fantastic record especially in Lanzarote and Hawaii, and Rachel Joyce, a new full-time pro who just came second at Lanzarote Ironman 2009. Richard Jones, a former National Champion and now an excellent coach, also attends as Head Coach of the TriLife team along with his sports psychologist wife, Louise. Other Elites include Ben Ward (long distance specialist) and Kate Hodgkins, who recently came 4th at the European Duathlon Champs.

The camp is set in beautiful Provence countryside at Malaucene, which is in the foothills of Mont Ventoux. Whilst the schedule has a cycling bias with routes consisting of 40km to 100km rides, there are also swimming coached sessions in a nearby outdoor 50m pool, plus track sessions at the same venue. An Aquathlon is held on the Thursday at an excellent nearby Lake facility, which is then followed by a well deserved meal and coffee. However, the highlight of the week is the assault on Mont Ventoux. You can choose to ride Ventoux from either the Bedoin route (which is the most recognised and hardest start point) or the slightly less taxing route from nearby Sault. The climb is magnificent and the sense of achievement at reaching the top of this famous cycling landmark is tremendous. Of course, having reached to top, you have to get down, and the adrenaline rush of hurtling down Ventoux at 60kmph+ for 25 minutes non-stop is better than any fairground ride that's for sure.

So, why are we telling you this? We hope to go again next year and if we can drum up enough interest amongst club members, we could negotiate a discount for one and all. If you are interested, just let us know. The camps are usually held over two weeks at the end of May (usually covering the school half term), and the beginning of June in beautiful villa-based accommodation, with wonderful facilities. It is possible to take family and friends along as non-particiipants as there is plenty to see and do in the area, plus there is a swimming pool on-site. There is further information, and a photogallery, at www.thetrilife.co.uk for those of you who would like to know more about the organisation.

Jane Tooze

toozecompany@btinternet.com