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Training week in France at www.sancture-sportifs.com
L’Sancture Pulse Training Week April 2007 – Review:
This was the first official Pulse training to be held on foreign soil. 10 pulsers headed off to the valleys of the Pyrenees for organised training. Our coach for the week being Richard Laidlow – former British National Team Swimmer; British Triathlete; and world record holder channel swimmer. Here follows a review of the week, but first up some info on those who comprised Team Pulse……….
Team Pulse:
David Adams aka Chairman Mao; El Presidente -Led Team Pulse in Clintonesq suave to the valleys of Amelie. This natural leader showed us the way to integrate memorably with the locals. Indeed, he took integration to a new level with his trusty Wilkinson Sword Mach 3.
Likes: Porridge with bananas (2); Profiteroles; Hand spitting (Brokeback Mountain Style)
Dislikes: Rose wine; Bogball; Liverpool
Rachel Eager aka Reager Behind every great leader is a woman! The glue of the fabric that was Pulse L’Sancture Tour, eager reager kept the local market fruit stalls busy with early morning shopping runs to top up the much needed supplies. Communication with the outside world was ensured with her trusty laptop.
Likes: Her Laptop; Tapestry; Early morning walks; Wind (meteorological)
Dislikes: Sleeping; Wind (Biological)
Kathy Grassick The lady at the side and by no means behind El Presidente. If she is as quick in transition as she is with the teapot, watch out 2006 T2 champion!
Likes: Tea by the pot; being right
Dislikes: Bananas; cycling behind Barry
Sonia Harbourne The pocket rocket out of the Blackrock hood has made a smooth transmission from horse to bicycle. Transfer rumours were nullified mid-week to the relief of all as this budding triathlete promises good results this year for Team Pulse. Just don’t get between her, a teapot and Ms Grassick!
Likes: Mayo, Sun bathing; Cycling downhill
Dislikes: American Visa Office; Playstation
Roisin Kellet They say you should watch the quite ones and by (f)eck! this was proved. High altitude and white wine saw this IT girl come to the fore. English tourists to the region will forever remember the Irish in Amelie.
Likes: Swimming; White wine; Park benches
Dislikes: Cycling downhill; Bad language; Meat
Margaret Laffan Laughen by name, laughen by nature! This high spirited Limerick lass knows a fine wine when she skulls it. A central figure in both training and socialising, forming a steadfast partnership with our IT girl, enough to send a shiver down the spine of all Longford men!
Likes: Honey; LimerickRugby Club; Roundabouts; 8 Vitamin Cereal
Dislikes: Insomnia; Political Correctness
Kate Keenan This triathlete loving vetinarian showed us the way on the Tango floors of Amelie. Centenarians from valleys across the Pyrenees were tripping over there false teeth to get a dance with this AnneNicole-esq triathlete.
Likes: Animals; Old Men; Red Jam; Her Ipod
Dislikes: Early mornings; Snoring
Jennifer Green Is fearr lei Triathlon! This lover of all things Gaelic kept the shamrock flying with the coupla focal. Her frustrations at trying to teach Barry Gaelic and answer questions about his sore knee were thankfully outweighed by her patience. Kept us all entertained with her bicycle tricks!
Likes: Hot House Flowers; Bogball; Coupla Focal
Dislikes: Chain-ganging;
Ed McEntee Mr Ed, what can be said of this true Gentleman of the tour - A champion on the run; a king in the mountains; a, eh…..survivor in the water! This man of international mystery was right at home on continental soil paving the way for many an Irish-French linguistic-charade fun night out. One cup of tea, doesn’t make you a tea drinker!
Likes: Red wine, Cow riding, hairy legs, Football hide & seek
Dislikes: Boris, a tea drinking thick necked Russian Mafia boss
The Author Jè suis Barry! Tá mé writing this review with still a sore knee but tá sé worth it to be on the Pulse L’Sancture Tour.
Likes: Clarification, Rubbing his knee, Tortilla chips, Chateauneuf du Pape
Dislikes: Swimming drills
Travel:
After bolstering the profits to one Mr O’Leary of Ryanair fame through excess baggage charges, we arrived at Girona where we were met by our hosts for the week, Coach Richard Laidlow and partner Michelle and transported to our Amelie Les Bains, the coaching venue for the week.
Day 1 - Breakfast – it fast became apparent to our hosts just how much Team Pulse was going to cost them in food. David Attenborough has not witnessed such displays of feeding frenzies on introduction of the porridge bowl to the breakfast table. A few casualties were had but the Chairman learned the moral lesson of Goldie Locks and the 3 bears – Get up earlier if you want your porridge!
After re-assembly of bicycles was complete, the first training run commenced – an uphill cycle. With great excitement and sun creamed faces we headed off. 2 hours (25km) later we returned beaten down by the cold winds and altitude snows. It was time to pull out the winter gear. David and Ed went out for more punishment and done another 30km with a nice 10km climb thrown in for good measure.
Later that evening after being feed and watered we had a nice easy 6km recovery run, which gave Rich a chance to look at our current run technique
Once thawed, we ventured out to investigate the nightlife of Amelie. After some fun with the food menu - animal noises and menu charades – we retreated home relatively sober for an early night.
Day 2 - The weather turned against us again today, so cycling was postponed and a trip to Perpignan (1 hr drive) to one of the two 50m municipal pools in the city was scheduled. The facilities were noted by all to be excellent. Coach Laidlow put us through some complicated technique swim drills. Thankfully Barry was on hand to clarify to all confused what was to be done
Next up a trip to Decathlon Sports Store in Perpignan for some shopping. Probably one of the better sports stores in terms of range and value in Europe.
Evening time back in Amelie, it was time for a technique running session with emphasis on heal lift and foot alignment.
Dinner was had back at the accommodation, the craziness of Amelie too much to handle for another night! The merits of hand spitting versus off the shelf lubrication was debated, chaired by the Chairman himself over a few glasses/bottles of wine.
Day 3 - Early start, Team Pulse style – 10 am group cycle kicking off at 10.30 for a 2hr cycle. Bike technique skills today with many of us realising that we have been holding the handlebars the wrong way for years! 30 second sprint intervals on the flat, with 30 sec recovery (approx 2-3km) followed by 30 second hill sprints with 30 sec recovery for approx 3 km. Tough session but worth it as downhill descents followed. Finally, the art of chain ganging was experimented with. Coach Laidlow could not believe his eyes as we chain ganged Team Pulse style home. In fact, it brought raw emotion and tears to the eyes of Chairman Adams – truly a sight to behold.
A sub group then proceeded to carry on and complete a 5km hill climb. Again worth the pain to experience the downhill descents, except for Ed who punctured on the descent. Undeterred and not content with doing it once, Ed repeated the climb only to puncture again on the way down. Sympathy in the form of laughter was offered!
After lunch, it was time for running and more technique sessions. A light 5 km jog with sprint interval sessions & running technique skills thrown in were completed.
Evening dinner was had in town and integration with the natives was full steam ahead. French kissing, Escargot and more linguistic charades capping off an enjoyable day.
Day 4 - Tough day today - 40km cycle to Perpignan in very strong winds. A few minor casualties were had but sideways cycling skills were improved! This was immediately followed by a swim session with a local triathlon club. Local news cameras were there to capture footage of Team Pulse in action, at least half of Team Pulse that is as some decided to check out the local talent in the saunas instead of the swim session.
Following the swim session, another trip to Decathlon sports store was had, new gear all round for everyone. Mr O’Leary was rubbing is hands in anticipation. A sub group then cycled back to Amelie from Perpignan, luckily with winds on our backs.
Once home another sub group put in a nice paced 6km run for good measure
Evening dinner was had at the accommodation and early(ish) night all round.
Day 5 - Part recovery day - 2 cycle groups were formed at their own choosing with each route approximately 40 – 50km. The sadists choosing a 10 km 12% gradient route to 860m elevation. Tough cycle with the king of the mountains title going to Mr Ed.
The afternoon was then spent pampering at the local thermal baths. Pink for the girls, salmon for the boys and off we popped to the salt and mud baths. This was followed by a wine tasting session. Many bottles later it was time for: a little tango dancing with the locals; and cow riding; whilst others in the group remained to discuss with the locals the prospects of Limerick Rugby club winning the Heineken Cup this year. Amelie’s finest geriatric talent couldn’t believe there luck!
Dinner was had in town again. Rosin enlightened us on the finer points of proper language skills at business meetings whilst Mags kept an eager audience topped up with water. Tourists to the region were well impressed by her business skills.
Day 6 - Bad weather and heavy heads this morning forced a reshuffle of the training schedule. A lake swim with the Penguins or were they ducks was first up – Not too sure what they were as I was personally too busy trying to decide if removing ones own appendix could possibly be more painful than the cold. A teeth chattering experience but braved by all much to the amusement of the local fishermen.
After thawing out over soup at lunch, the hard work started again. Tough brick interval sessions commenced with a 7km bike – 2 km run X 2. This was immediately followed by uphill bike sprint intervals and uphill run sprint hills – The Chairman and Mr Ed showing their true mettle here even with much attention from Leo the dog.
An evening meal at the nearby town of Ceret was hand with Coach Laidlow, Michelle and their son Sam accompanying us for our last night at L’Sancture. A great night was had by all – Mr Ed picking up a much deserved award for person of the week. Indeed “picking up” seemed to be a theme of the night as our silvered tongued Chairman, much to the amusement of all, attempted to get extra dessert from the waitress – Profiteroles of course! Others however could only seem to pick up an apparent stomach bug, seemingly aggravated by red wine and roundabouts ! Don’t they have roundabouts in Limerick?
Day 7 - Last day, trepidation on the faces of all at breakfast with the thoughts of having to pack. Up first however was a 1.5 hr relaxing cycle on the flat. This was followed immediately by a 5km uphill mountain run. This toughest run/brick session of the week but again worth it for the views. A 5km sprint back downhill completed the weeks training for all – except for Ed who preferred to carry on playing find the football in the local carpark.
Travel Home
Bags packed, bikes taken apart – it was time for home. First however, on behalf of the group, a surprise (!) presentation to Dave and Rachel for organising the successful Pulse training week.
A thoroughly enjoyable week was had by all. L’Sancture has over 90% repeat business and this confirmed by Team Pulse who all stated a happiness to return. Thanks are again due to Dave and Rachel for organising the week. Special thanks also to our hosts for the week, Richard, Michelle and Sam who made us welcome and miraculously kept us fed.
Until next time,
Au Revoir