If the previous days of training on Lanza this week could be described as ‘playing on lava mountains in the winds’, today was more like training in a wind tunnel (with mountains) with the windspeeds set at max–and from all directions.
The day started with an informal aquathon, in the form of a 3k swim in a very active ocean; i swallowed way too much of the cold saltwater to make for a comfortable 5k run along the waterfront. Maya and i decided to slog thru it together, and the time passed relatively quickly, thank goodness!
We returned to refuel with a hearty breakfast (I’m really going to miss these freshly laid, totally organic eggs next week!), in preparation for the extreme wind conditions on the ride up to the northernmost point of Lanza… where the winds shoot over to the island.
Iona, Josta and i had a solid ride together up to Orzola, the start of our day’s TT, and not a moment too soon–battling 30-40mph winds (mostly all crosswinds and headwinds) for nearly 3 hours was pretty challenging. Although we’d done most of the day’s work prior to the 9k uphill TT from Orzola to Mirador del Rio, the latter half of the ride turned out to be tougher for me. I’d basically just paced myself to get up the TT climb without triggering an asthma attack–and also have enough air to sing Happy Birthday to Wendy! (Good thing I wasn’t in race-mode, as my electronic shifting refused to shift for the first kilometer…..) Anyway, I was happy to descend from Mirador post-TT for a brief lunch. But I got shivery-chilled at the stop, and then my energy never really returned. For the second time on the day, Maya rescued me, slowing to ride–and guide–me back to the TriSportsLanzarote house without any detours. I was pretty tapped out, and barely made it thru Thomas’ yoga session on the veranda; while the stretching and gentle movement was definitely needed, I’d had my fill of cold winds for the day.
I really feel my age today; this may well be my last epicWoman camp (tho I’ve told Tara frequently over the camps that I’d be more than happy to participate in the camps as a member of the support crew 
)…..
BUT. Tomorrow is the last day, and unlike other epicWoman camps, rather than being a shorter day, it will be the biggest ride of the week: the legendary IMlanzarote course. Let’s hope the island winds die down as predicted!