Tropical Quad Training Camp!

Jean Ashley

The Quadrathlon Camp certainly exceeded all our expectations, the location was stunning, the weather was absolutely fantastic, and the training sessions were just perfect, varied and inclusive to all the various standards of Quadrathletes that joined the camp! Lots of banter, great company plenty of laughs, lots of tips, training sessions and stories shared during the week … not forgetting Alan’s cake too!

Those that wanted did 3 sessions a day, nothing was compulsory and there were always plenty of options to do longer or shorter. The lake was beautiful for swimming, a tad cold at around 15C but so clear. We did lots of kayaking, most days for some of us, the wind certainly had a mind of its own, some days flat calm and other days challenging waves, all good for stabilization techniques in K1’s, it was the first time I’ve paddled my Tor through ‘white horses’ … exciting stuff!! 

Time Trailers at the ready!!

The Biking was vary varied, from a hilly ride and a stiff hill climb up to the top of Llanberis, to a very fast time trial down to Porthmadog. There was a good trail road for running from the site and of course the beautiful mountain of Snowdon to run hike and walk up!

Llyn Gwynant Quad Options!

To top the week off we had our own ‘Llyn Gwynant Quadrathlon’ and as you can see from the map there were plenty of options to choose from – 3 swim distances, 3 bike distances, 1 – 5 laps on the kayak and 3 run distances … we even had a duathlon option!

So I would just like to say a huge Thank-you to Pete Chappill from Lincsquad that instigated the camp, it was chilled but at the same time we all worked as hard and pushed each other on! The training was thought out and planned really well! The beautiful weather really helped make it feel like a European Training Camp, we could of easily been in the Swiss mountains … so Thank-You Snowdonia for Blue Bird skies and Sunshine ….. a truly great week!

Hopefully we may do it all again next year ? The camp was for 8 days but athletes dipped in and out, so here’s an outline of the 5 middle days … just in case you fancy  ‘Camp 2020’

  • Sun – Kayak intervals (66,3333,111111mins) – Swim 1000m – Run Intervals (3 miles)
  • Mon – Bike 3 hours (inc Hill Climb) – Kayak intervals (88,44,2222,1111mins)
  • Tues – Snowdon Run/hike (8 or 13 miles) – Kayak (steady) – Swim 1200m
  • Wed – Bike TT (12 miles) Special Treat Coffee and Cake with the Dobbers!! Ride back supposed to have done a ‘Negative split’ but we ate to much cake!! Kayak intervals (5,4,3,2,1 x 2) – Kev’s Cross Fit!
  • Thurs – ‘Llyn Gwynant Quad’ various distances taking between 2 and 3 hours.

So a Big Thanks again to all that came and made it great fun! Pete Chappill, Kev Lovett, Donna and Jeff Chappill, Liz Dawson, John Redmond, Alan Cole, Lance Ball and Jean and Dave Ashley.

P.S haven’t mentioned the great food, BBQ’s and the odd Beer and Bottle of Red …. goes without saying that went down very well too!!!!

 

 

 

More Camp reading ‘Alan’s Blog’

Quad Camp Day 3 – Snowdon