Ever been - or thought about going on - a training camp? That’s where I currently am - in sunny Portugal, with 2:09 events (the name, incidentally, deriving from founder Mike Gratton’s PB in the course of winning the London Marathon). And though I’m only a few days in, I can wholeheartedly recommend it. Whether it’s the sunshine, the company of marathon legends (including the wonderful Bruce Tulloh - European champion in Belgrade in 1962, running barefoot) or just the astonishingly cold swimming pool (ice bath substitute) I’m feeling a more happy runner than I have in weeks.
It’s a little glimpse - with a fraction of the speed - into the life of elite athletes. Run, rest, recover, strength and conditioning, swim, run again - sometimes all in one day. Sunday’s long run was followed by a gentle leg-stretching walk up the road to see the Almond Blossom cross country race at the purpose-built course here in Albufeira. It was much like British cross country, only without the freezing weather, knee-deep mud and general aura of masochistic suffering. So, err, nothing like it at all, then. This is cross country I could get behind ...
So forgive me if I’m a bit absent below the line, but you lot don’t need me there anyway, right? As always, share your stories, PBs and woes below the line. I’ll be busy satisfying my burgeoning addiction to fantastic Portuguese oranges. And running, of course.
