day7 – Jo

It really feels as though we are in the last stretch of the camp, as we discuss plans for the data and tomorrow realising that the morning’s was our last swim in the ocean, there’s little time left now for much running or an extra KOM…..rather sad, actually!

When running camps, it’s always much the same  -there feels like a lot of pressure and energy spent on ensuring all details are covered, logistics in place, plans run on time, and everyone’s needs are being met…as the week goes on, we get to know the athletes tendencies (and they ours) and we begin to feel more relaxed with the camp “routine” and gaining a better knowledge of the location, training routes and where to find those things that they might need/want. That’s when as a coach or camp leader, it really gets to be a lot of fun – you get to do some cool training with a group of people who feel like good buddies thanks to the intensity of the environment where we are in one another’s company all day long, though bleary-eyed silent early morning coffees and yogurts to yawning and dragging ourselves to bed after a very long day,  a good meal and maybe a glass (or two) of wine.

I’ve got to admit that I had been “feeling it”  a little today…very reluctant to get out of bed, into the sea and even suggested that we cut this morning’s run down to 30 minutes  (there was no resistance whatsoever to that suggestion!) – although my legs did not feel half as bad as I’d anticipated once I got them going, I do think that after 43km running in the previous couple of days, that 6km jog on the flat was just enough.

So…our penultimate ride was a reasonably big one, taking in the lovely scenic road to Orzola, the little town at the very northernmost tip of the Island. I knew that this was a place that even those who’ve been here for the Ironman were unlikely to have seen before..and is very much worth checking out. From Orzola it is also possible to do the very long climb up to Mirador del Rio  (possibly the longest on the island – certainly equivalent to Tabeyasco) and then experience the descent off del Rio from the other direction – which is really spectacular. It’s a ride that, when planning,  I knew could be really tough in certain wind conditions…and guess what? That’s just what we got today. We rode 3 hours into a headwind, followed by 9km long climb up 500m  -into a headwind. Aggh.

Having only done 2 proper climbs in our QoM (aka Mujer de la Montaña) contest, we wanted to include at least one more before the end of the camp… and so we went for this big one. It meant trying to keep the group together for the long haul north…which we managed to do pretty much perfectly thanks to a staggered departure and some great group work along the LZ1 keeping the slower riders who we picked up along the way tucked into the line.

Suzanne helped us out by volunteering to ride up the QoM first and be time keeper, with the rest of us following at 30second intervals. I got a 30 second start on Tara and having managed to pip her for 1 second on the last hill race, my intention was to at least hold her  off, if not maintain or increase my gap. I think i was rather pleased with myself to have help her off for as long as i did, really – the final section of the climb to del Rio was directly into the headwind – a situation that favours Tara’s superior power…and that’s where she pulled past me with  sufficient conviction that mine almost immediately dissolved. I guess that I also knew I was far enough ahead of Karen…and knackered enough by that point. I wasn’t taking into account the time that Suzanne had ridden before us  (which turned out to be a mere 4 seconds slower than Tara – and that’s riding without anyone to chase up the slope!!)

we all got kind of cold at the stop and lunch stop, so huddled in the van to eat our sandwiches and yummy crumble (best lunch stop yet), leaving Daz outside in the wind with his blanket. He’s a real gentleman -simply lying down on the ground to keep out of the wind, under his blanket and shut his eyes…

i had in my mind that the ride back from there would be a synch – which it was after we’d gotten up and over M.del Haria ;o) From there is was tail winds and fast riding all the way home…just making it back in time for some of the gang to do yoga with Thomas…and others to sit down and write this blog-post :o )

I’ve got a groovy feeling that it’s a BBQ for tea….with a double BIRTHDAY today we may also have cake :o ) :o )

 

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