Aberfeldy Spring Camp 2012

Many thanks to Tamara for the Spring Camp report 2012. Report taken from the forum. 

"I very reluctantly signed up for the spring camp in Aberfeldy as I have really no experience in triathlon and as I told most people on Friday night I am pretty pants at all three sports. So it was a very nervous Tamara who turned up on Friday afternoon in the glorious sunshine in Aberfeldy. We didn't make it in time for the Friday afternoon ride but we did manage to bagsy the en suite bedroom (much to Kay's chagrin). Moness was the perfect bolt hole with lovely cottages and plenty of room. My nerves were rattling enough on Friday when John D turned up back from the gentle afternoon ride to announce that Hans was a beast on his bike! Considering I had been out my my road bike approximately twice for less than one hour I was now even more nervous. We had a lovely dinner on Friday (thanks Kay for the delicious lasagna) and then headed to the bar for some socialising. Everyone was extremely friendly and really put me at ease although having to tell everyone I had never raced before and that I didn't have a sport was interesting!

So Saturday morning we made our way down to Aberfeldy leisure centre which is pretty much brand spanking new for an hour of swimming. I thoroughly enjoyed the swimming and at the end of the hour was amazed by the improvement in my technique from a few changes. John D was very encouraging. Back to Moness for breakfast number 2 ( have realised now that triathletes like to eat A LOT!) and then back out for a running technique and videoing session. We ran around the back of Aberfeldy for about 3 k and then ended up in the car park of the leisure centre for running drills where quite a few of us discovered that we don't have very good balance! Each one of us was then videoed running up and down the car park to be analysed later that evening. After lunch (even more food consumed) we then headed outside for the afternoon ride. Cue extreme nervousness. This was the bit I was not looking forward to the most. John D split us into groups based on our ability, Hans right at the front ( he is on another level) and me right at the back ( I am not on another level!) off we went and I was confronted with a rapid descent straight away! Panic! By the time we made it through the traffic lights in Aberfledy I was so tense my whole upper body was hunched up. Kay came up behind me and yelled relax! From that point on she was with me for most of the ride and I relaxed and lo and behold I enjoyed it! Our little group kept stopping for me to catch up and although I was the slowest it didn't really matter because I managed my first proper road bike of 22 miles and hit the dizzy heights of 18 miles an hour! Thanks to Kay for being there the whole way round and being so supportive. Also to Tony who rode the last 5 miles with me on the way back and imparted a wealth of coaching tips! I was spoilt with two brilliant riders looking after me. I know in comparison to most of the riders there I was the slowest and most inexperienced but for me it was a huge achievement and I have since been out on my first solo bike ride with the confidence I gained from Aberfeldy.

After everyone was back from the ride ( and after a bit more eating) we all trooped down to the hotel for our video analysis of our running technique. Again there was a whole host of training tips going on and I learnt so much in a couple of hours ( especially that Fran has an interview running technique). This was followed by a lovely dinner and a bit more socialising in the bar. John H was a bit miffed that I wasnt broken at this point and was still smiling!

Sunday was a shortened version of Saturday with swimming starting at 8am. We did a half hour session of working on our technique and then half an hour of open water swimming practice which was great fun. This was finished with a quick game which team 1 won! Woo hoo! We then reconvened in the car park for some transition training with the most impressive sight of Hans executing a running leap onto his bike! Most impressive. After an hour lunch break (more eating) everyone then headed off on their bikes for some hill training and descending practice. Due to a dodgy leg I sat this one out and got loads of pictures of all the riders. Best picture was a grinning Donna after breaking her downhill speed record. One brave lady. Some of the riders then did some chain ganging and time trialling on the way back to the car park.

With fantastic weather, brilliant company and the absolute best coaching the whole weekend was great and I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute. It has given me new found confidence to get out on my bike and sign up for a race so would recommend it to anyone.

Thanks to everyone for being so encouraging and making me feel at ease."

 

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