2016! The year on every athlete’s mind. It’s the pinnacle of so many athletes’ careers. I’ve only been on the Paratriathlon squad for a year and I have heard ‘2016’ or ‘Rio’ hundreds of times already. I can’t imagine how many times other athletes have heard them, it must be thousands. Now I can’t believe this year is finally here. Let’s face it; I’m a massive sports fan so I was glued to the TV during the summer of 2012, even when at work. This year holds even more importance for me with the guide selection in June, so the excitement has already begun. But I can’t wait for the Olympic fever to really kick in.
The last month of this critical year hasn’t exactly gone to plan. If you read my last blog you would know I was suffering with some fatigue before Christmas. I had several days of complete rest back at home over Christmas, trying to refuel my body and recoup. Thankfully, I guess if there was any time of year this was required, then Christmas is the best time! I came back to Loughborough to train and although my training was restricted and reduced, I wasn’t feeling strong during any of the sessions. Mentally I was ready for some hard sessions, but physically my body wasn’t there yet.
So....take 2. Conveniently a mini break to Barcelona with the boyfriend was planned for just after New Year. Another chance to take a break and get some rest. The main aim was to be ready for the winter training camp in Lanzarote so with only a run session planned in Barcelona, then surely I was going to come back refreshed?! I returned to Loughborough and had a week of low intensity sessions but still sticking with some duration. I was feeling refreshed. My muscles were feeling stronger and typically I was doing more than my planned sessions. Then came a high intensity session. A max effort watt bike session and the fatigue kicked in again. I only did half the session I completed a month ago and I was wondering how I ever did the full set. This was demoralising to say the least.
I was trying to push my body when it really didn’t want to go. Being ready to train hard in Lanzarote was now out the question, and after some professional advice from the Sports Med doctor, I needed to stop, rest and refuel. This hole I had dug was even deeper than we first thought. Thankfully I was still invited on camp despite the little training I would be doing. Take 3, but this time in Lanzarote. What else could help me recover other than sunshine, sun beds and buffet meals?! Initially I had no motivation to do any training, but my energy levels gradually returned. It was only now that I started to realise just how tired and poorly fuelled I really was.
The last month of this critical year hasn’t exactly gone to plan. If you read my last blog you would know I was suffering with some fatigue before Christmas. I had several days of complete rest back at home over Christmas, trying to refuel my body and recoup. Thankfully, I guess if there was any time of year this was required, then Christmas is the best time! I came back to Loughborough to train and although my training was restricted and reduced, I wasn’t feeling strong during any of the sessions. Mentally I was ready for some hard sessions, but physically my body wasn’t there yet.
So....take 2. Conveniently a mini break to Barcelona with the boyfriend was planned for just after New Year. Another chance to take a break and get some rest. The main aim was to be ready for the winter training camp in Lanzarote so with only a run session planned in Barcelona, then surely I was going to come back refreshed?! I returned to Loughborough and had a week of low intensity sessions but still sticking with some duration. I was feeling refreshed. My muscles were feeling stronger and typically I was doing more than my planned sessions. Then came a high intensity session. A max effort watt bike session and the fatigue kicked in again. I only did half the session I completed a month ago and I was wondering how I ever did the full set. This was demoralising to say the least.
I was trying to push my body when it really didn’t want to go. Being ready to train hard in Lanzarote was now out the question, and after some professional advice from the Sports Med doctor, I needed to stop, rest and refuel. This hole I had dug was even deeper than we first thought. Thankfully I was still invited on camp despite the little training I would be doing. Take 3, but this time in Lanzarote. What else could help me recover other than sunshine, sun beds and buffet meals?! Initially I had no motivation to do any training, but my energy levels gradually returned. It was only now that I started to realise just how tired and poorly fuelled I really was.
After staying in the resort for a few days I started to get cabin fever, so on the 4th day I went out to watch the guys do their hill climb. I was so excited to be out, I felt like a prisoner on day release. By the second week I was back to my old self and I was allowed to do some light exercise. It was by no means easy seeing everyone else going out training whilst I was barely doing anything. But that was a risk I was willing to take when deciding whether to go out there.
Despite the lack of training I did have a great time. I achieved my aim of the first week - to get a tan, and made progress during the second week. I’m so grateful to all the support staff for their help and all the athletes for keeping my spirits high.
Despite the lack of training I did have a great time. I achieved my aim of the first week - to get a tan, and made progress during the second week. I’m so grateful to all the support staff for their help and all the athletes for keeping my spirits high.
Here's a little video I created demonstrating the hard work the athletes put in on camp:
We all know the real fun happens outside of training. So none of that 'what goes on tour stays on tour'......here's a video going behind the scenes, plus some outtakes. Lucky these guys are athletes not actors ;-) Enjoy!