mallorcan dream - part II
Week 2 - Scientific Triathlon Training Camp
After a week of lower training, exploring and relaxing, batteries were charged and I was filled with anticipation about my first training camp outside the comfort of my club. I was diving into the unknown!
I have been listening to Mikael’s podcast (That Triathlon Show) for quite some time and had no doubts about the level of quality or organisation as Mikael sets very high standards through all his work. However, when a project is open to the public audience, it’s fair to not know what to expect about who will turn up and how it’s all going to work. I’ve had little experience training outside Optima and, after all, I’m still relatively new to this sport. Taking a ‘leap of faith’, I signed up without much thought or significant expectations.
Saturday: arrival and meet-up
As if we hadn’t been driving enough by this point, our transfer to Pollentia had to be done in two drives there (about 50’ each way from Son Macià), one for the bike boxes and one with the bikes and the rest of our stuff. Minor complication when staying in two different locations with bikes! (and yes we would always chose an extra drive rather than and extra set of packing and unpacking the bikes - easy consensus there!)
We are not typically interested in resort-style accommodation and rarely even book hotels unless there’s no other option. So our stay at the PortBlue Pollentia Resport and Spa was a new experience for us. With everything in our reach – the pool literally 10 steps from our room, a wide selection of food at the buffet and a wonderful spa, we found ourselves enjoy greatly what most people enjoy on a regular holiday. In peak season it would definitely be too crowded for our liking, however this time of year it was like a sport centre – all balconies had bikes on them and swimmers doing sessions at the pool from 6am. We definitely fit right in!
On Saturday evening we gathered to meet the coaches from Scientific Triathlon, our camp hosts from Next Level Camp and the rest of the camp participants. There was instantly a nice vibe (and some very fit people around!). We got split into cycling groups in readiness for the first ride the next day, based on some ability info we had sent to Mikael prior. So organised!
There were three groups and I felt I would be somewhere between 2 and 3 (3 being the ‘slowest’) so I decided to start with group 3 in order to gauge the level and also not feel too much pressure as I had some added uncertainty with my knee not being 100%. Despite cycling having been ‘mostly ok’ the last few months, there had been some random times where I’ve had discomfort on the bike so I couldn’t fully trust it. Not ideal when you’re riding with people you just met!
I was impressed by the set-up for the cycling: One guide and one coach in each group. It was obvious we were getting spoiled here!
First ride out and swim filming and analysis
Our first ride out was a speedy section through the rich countryside and up a 7.5km climb of a steady 5-6% named Coll de Sa Batalla. I was already loving these climbs, perfect for a steady little effort that matched well the long tempo sessions James had been giving me all winter on the Tuesdays. Our lovely guide was Chloe Laney, a professional triathlete and IronMan Champion no less! I enjoyed riding with her at the front of the group on the way out and pleasantly drafting her while on single file all the way back. It was some work but it was a great start! Towards the end we discussed the potential of me and one more rider that seemed a bit stronger to try to move to group 2 the next day. I didn’t mind which group I was on and I really enjoyed riding in group 3, the only thing was that we had to wait a fair bit to re-group on top of climbs or descents so the ride ended up being longer than the other groups. Based on that the plan was for group 3 to not follow fully the longer rides in the programme. Which is something I wanted to take on!
Into the pool we went pretty much straight after the ride and it was such a weird feeling for me swimming post-bike. I was only hoping the peanut butter and jam sandwich I devoured as soon as I came back would stay where it should when tumble-turning! (Happy to report – it did) We had our filming done for our swim analysis, something I was really looking forward to. I’ve been working so hard on my swimming and of course I am lucky to have James keeping an eye on my technique on a regular basis - but there is something quite impactful when watching yourself on video. Let alone getting analysed by experts.
I was the first to go and had barely warmed up but I guess the less prepared you are or overthinking it, the more genuine result you get. The result was pretty good and had some good points amongst the corrections I was quite pleased with. I wasn’t expecting to actually like what I saw (who does ever like watching themselves doing anything, right?) but this was an exception! Anyhow the focus was on the points to correct of course, mainly my left arm entry and high elbow catch and right arm dropping when breathing on the left. Also some cross-over the centre line here and there. All familiar points but now the brain had the visual. Great!
Formentor
The next day we tackled the famous Formentor - a ride literally next to us offering exceptional views over cliffs diving into crystal clear waters. I rode with group 2 led by Richard and Mike as our coach. What I loved about having the two of them was that the ride was well paced and there was no drama or complaining about people taking off too fast at the front or anything. Richard adjusted that every single day depending on the length of the ride and you could be in peace of mind that you would make it through in an efficient way. Let alone all the knowledge and heads-up about difficult sections, hazards, even the potholes he seemed to know by heart! And then Mikael giving training points throughout and just a feeling of being taken care of. Just brilliant.
Even before the camp started I decided to discontinue my build to running during the week, initially planned to do on the treadmill at the gym. But having tested that the week before I knew I was risking soreness that could interfere with the cycling which, looking at the programme, was going to be challenging anyway. I was so excited about doing it all that I was very happy with my decision. And also enjoying being pain-free. There was not much to gain for one week in my mind, only to lose. So I opted for the elliptical instead but only up to 40’ - this thing simply bores me to death and even I have my limits!
Swimming after the bike and heading to the spa afterwards started feeling like a routine after the second day. Easy to get used to such things! But just as in any camp, it is surprising how much better recovery you get when not dealing with ‘real life’ at the same time. Even preparing dinner requires effort that we didn’t have to waste there. The result? Having so much more to give (and hopefully gain in return) day after day in your training. Like the pros! (yes we will always be jealous!)
Sa Calobra
You can’t think about Mallorca in a cycling context and not mention Sa Calobra, its most famous climb and one that many of us were anticipating as our first long ride. And oh my, did it live up to its name!
An early start (9am) went a long way for this one as we were basically alone going down and only started seeing some cars on the way up. Not even one bus which is a huge deal on those narrow hairpins!
The way this works is you start from your departure point on the island slowly gaining the elevation of the climb. We rode the Coll de Sa Batalla as we did the first day, as the route through the Coll de Femenia was closed that day for roadworks (a common theme around the island after some recent heavy rainfall).
Then you enjoy going down at sea level keeping your mind off how you will climb back up! It all starts with the famous 270° loop of the tie knot, leading to a series of hairpins that feel endless as they twist and turn constantly, giving a very ‘3D experience’ of the place, sprinkled with glimpses of breathtaking views with the constant backdrop of Mediterranean blue. You literally had to remind yourself to keep focused as you were descending. What was most striking to me was the geology of the mountain, with its carst limestones assembling the Tsingy formations I’ve seen in Madagascar. Of course that passage through the split open rock allowing the road to pass through leaves you in awe. The scenery changes constantly and it just keeps giving and giving… until you reach the bottom. The port was also very beautiful with those dramatic green-dressed deforested cliffs diving into the sea.
After a short break I was ready to set off to tackle those 9.5km at 7% average. I’ve been saving my legs for days for this one!
It may not be an Alpine climb (for those used to these anyway!) but for me, there is something about tackling a constant effort like this, where you’re tracking your progress by looking (or not!) what’s coming up that is super exciting. I don’t get it often at all, only in short hills in Surrey (which do sting by the way as they are way steeper!). So I love it mentally. I was holding back quite a lot for the first half, but with 4.5km left I just went for it. And it felt amazing as the legs were so fresh! It ended up taking me about 48’ with barely crossing into zone 3. If only I could do it again to shave some time!
After a nice pit stop at ‘Orange Point’ we were on our way back. A little smashfest holding Richard’s wheel but thoroughly enjoyable. We had to work as a team taking turns right behind him! But we made it in the end and closed the ride with a shared feeling of satisfaction. And what better than a quick snack, swim, spa and buffet dinner. And repeat!
Important note: photos included in this section are not all by me (obvious when I’m in them but also some landscapes - they were kindly shared by various people in the camp WhatsApp group so a bit hard to assign rights specifically but big thanks to Sharon and Mikael for some great shots!)
After Sa Calobra we had one day off cycling to let the legs recover (well, for me not running anyway!) and then ready for another big ride the day after.
In the evening there was an excellent Q&A session with the coaches with invaluable knowledge shared generously. I had to pinch myself realising the level of athletes and coaches I was surrounded with. If only I was building to a race, I would have had so many more questions! I was trying to keep the depressing thought of carrying an injury at bay, and soak in all I could…
King Stage ride (or Queen?!)
My knee was definitely quite sore after the first long ride so I happily took the rest and went into this ride literally warning Ale to be ready to come and pick me up if I had to bail. Not a great place to start but I really wanted to give it a go, especially knowing that cycling has not been detrimental to the injury all these months not once. But two long (5hr+) rides in the space of 3 days was a bit of a risk.
The route planned was called King Stage (or Queen, by some) and it included the longest climb on the island - Puig Major: 13.9km long with an average grade of 6.2%, it takes you all the way up to the highest point on the island.
We headed out pretty fast on the first flat section and I was concerned for a bit. I reluctantly tucked at the back of the group to get more draft effect but it worked against me as there seemed to be a couple of people not that used to group riding so they were creating gaps and we had to surge constantly to bridge them. This definitely didn’t help with the knee or the overall confidence in terms of energy expenditure and it was, in all honesty, the only time in the entire camp where the group dynamics had a negative effect on me. But thinking of the mix of abilities and experience between so many people, this was nothing to complain about and of course it may not even have been ‘an issue’ if I weren’t carrying that weakness. Impressively enough Mikael picked it up immediately from the back and after some re-shuffling that happened naturally after the first climb where we all split, it was no longer an issue. And so wasn’t the knee anymore surprisingly by the way, as it settled quite nicely after the first small climb and I didn’t think about it until the end of the ride! Our bodies work in mysterious ways and I was appreciating that in this case for sure! We reached Soller and, after a short pit stop, we hit the climb. I definitely at too much at the stop but gradually felt better. It ‘only’ took about an hour to go up but I was feeling so good with the absence of pain and fully immersed myself in the long effort to go up. I just couldn’t get enough of that smooth tarmac to be honest!
The ride concluded with yet another dash back but at this point we were leaving the majority of the work behind us so we could squeeze something extra without too much worry. I had a total blast going down as I was more comfortable descending than ever now. And the privilege of having more experienced people looking after me by having me follow their lines and always glance back to see I’m still there was just invaluable!
It was an effort but the vibes of satisfaction were in the air and the excitement of coming back ‘victorious’ was felt all over the group. All captured in that great photo lifting our bikes!
Final day
And just like that… there was one more day left! Where had it all gone?
The last workout was a multi-brick, so well set up by the camp team that it was hard to push away the feelings of missing out! It involved going up the first Formentor climb three times over and run off each time; first at Ironman pace, second at 70.3, and third at Olympic, with whatever was left in our legs!
It was hard enough doing it without the running but I was still excited to put some intensity down. I also tried to grab the benefits of some technical aspects, even just taking shoes off and dismounting and mounting. I did the first two controlling the power going up but I hid it in the last one and just went by feel. The second one didn’t feel great so I considered the third as a ‘bonus’ and just tried, telling myself it was ok to bail if I had to… but just as it happens when you the ‘pressure’ off mentally, sometimes you just fly. Some great numbers showing despite the fatigue and I was loving riding my road bike after 2 full weeks on it!
What a great way to end a fantastic week on the saddle, probably my biggest one to date, at this awesome place that welcomed us so warmly.
By now I was longing the post-ride swims and I think this was a tough one to finish but well worth it. Always pampered by a coach per line but who also kept us honest and pushing till the end. Onto a final spa treat and drinks at the terrace with everyone before dinner.
Nobody wanting to leave already but everyone appreciative of the time spent in such great company, sharing experiences and promises to come back next year.
With special thanks to Next Level Camp and Scientific Triathlon and all the participants! See you next year!