Pre Season

Embarking on a fitness campaign is never easy. But now that winter is over it is time to get fit ready for summer. Our first guests for Tri4theAlps arrive on 1 June so I really want to be in good shape for when they do! So building the base is all about consistent sessions, slowly and steadily increasing the duration and getting the job done. I've been working predominately on aerobic conditioning with some strength work thrown in too and I'm starting to feel ok. I've been concentrating on good form and technique too. The stunning views around Morzine have been making the hard breathing and sore muscles all that bit easier to handle. Another blessing that has inspired me to get out and about has been rejoining the GIANT family. A beautiful new Giant Propel and Giant Lust mean I can choose between road cycling and trail riding. I'm new to mountain bike riding and I am absolutely loving it so far. Riding the river trails have become my 'easy' rides and force me to get out of my comfort zone to go over rocks and tree roots and down steeper inclines. Out on the road I can't miss a climb so I have an early recorded time up Avoriaz to work on decreasing over the next few weeks. My swimming and running are coming along and I'm really noticing an improvement in my core from my weekly Pilates session at Mountain Rehab. So the next few weeks will be all about keeping up this hard work and fingers crossed the form will return!!!

Me and the Giant Lust getting out and about.
Showing off Joe's Giant Anthem too. 

Ski Season

So winter has flown by! It's now spring and the snow is starting to melt away. The ski season has been great. Joe and I have hosted Cairn Lodge, a luxury chalet for 17 guests. We've cooked and cleaned and skied in-between. My skiing has certainly improved since last season. As well as skiing I've been on some great 'snow shoe' hikes, been visiting the pool and managing a few runs too. The bikes will be dusted off soon and back on the road. The sun is out so getting excited for summer!

Having a blast!

What a summer so far! It has been busy, exciting and fun! We have had a variety of guests to Tri4theAlps from singles, groups and families tackling cycling, triathlon and multi-activity holiday. We have had World Champion and Olympians Emma Moffatt and Brad Kahlefeldt staying in the Chalet and the arrival of the DSquad in town has also been exciting. From helping beginners learn the ropes to taking a crew to the Alpe D'Huez Triathlon it has been an extremely rewarding experience! Looking forward to welcoming our next group soon!

A couple of snippets from Trip Advisor:

"Exercise plan- we cycled a different route every day and given the chance to tackle climbs famous in the Tour de France. What an amazing opportunity and to get advice and assistance on technique to assist you up the lengthy hills. In addition we did a run session structured by Amelia which was focused and specific to individual needs and ability. Many went swimming in open lake and local 50m pool. Technique once again given from Amelia to get the best out of each session. I think I have exhausted all compliments I can give to the most memorable holiday I've had since I went travelling round the world. Thank you team tri4thealps."

"Just back from a Cycling trip to Morzine with 10 friends. The Chalet was excellent, clean comfortable perfect for our base. The whole experience was enhanced by our guides Joe and Amelia, they where fantastic and could not have done more for us. I urge anyone who is thinking of cycling in this area to employ their services, you won't regret it!!"

There's no shame in walking

When my coach introduced the concept of the run/walk I was a little hesitant. Really, using a regular run/walk cycle in my long 'runs' was going to be valuable? What if people saw me out 'run' training and I was walking, what would they think? That was about three and a half years ago and now I have total belief in it's benefits and get my athletes to train using the same concept. I'm back running now too, after an extended layoff and using the run/walk to help me get my fitness back. Using all sorts of combos I am enjoying being back on the move, using the walk to recover throughout the run, increase the total duration I can run for and increasing the pace I can hold while actually running. Morzine is beautiful for running. The river trails are beautiful, the lake circuit is stunning and an odd hill or two keep it interesting!

Why Morzine?

If you didn’t know Joe and I are living in Morzine in the French Alps and on May 5 (less than 50 days away!) our new business Tri4theAlps will host its first guests.

Tri4theAlps is triathlon, cycling and activity holidays in the French Alps. We offer a personalized training and holiday service in what we believe to be the most beautiful place in the world.

I first stayed in Morzine in 2005. At the time I was living in the Brittany region of France racing for the Cesson Sevinge Olympic Club in the National Grand Prix. Brittany was reasonably flat and some of the guys were keen to train in the mountains in preparation for a race in Embrun. I had such great week training in an incredibly beautiful place. The village was quiet; there was a 50m outdoor pool, hills to conquer and trails for running. This kick started my professional racing experience and I was lucky to go on to travel to races all over the world. By 2012 I had lost the drive to train and compete at the highest level and we were looking for a new adventure. I had started coaching after completing my Level 2 Coaching Accreditation I was keen to use my knowledge and experience to help others. The idea of a training base in Morzine was born. Joe and I traveled back to Morzine and a group of athletes that I coach who were racing in the ITU World Long Distance Championships in Spain came over to train before heading off to there big event. It was a great success and we knew this was something we wanted to build on. From there Tri4theAlps was born.

So, why Morzine?

Morzine is nestled in the Portes du Soleil region of the French Alps. It is just one hour from Geneva so access is easy. The village, founded in 1181, is at 1000m so you get many of the benefits of being at altitude without compromising your training. The village is well kept and maintains it’s alpine character. On our door step are Tour de France climbs Col de Joux Plane (1691m, 11.6km, avg 8.5%), Col de la Ramaz (1610m, 16km, avg 6.1%) and Col de la Colombiere (1613m, 11.7km, avg 5.9%) there are then a long list of less famous but equally rewarding climbs to keep the bike interesting. We also cycle down to Thonon on Lake Leman, or Taninges for some flat roads too. Last year the Aquatic Centre was renovated at it now boasts a 25m indoor and 50m outdoor pool with stunning views of the mountain peaks. We also swim in the 1500m long Lake Montriond and lakeside pools at Thonon and Evian. Running is mostly along trails and we drive down to Chamonix for track sessions. For recovery days there are endless activities to be part of from taking the chairlifts up the mountains for hiking or mountain biking, canoeing, rafting, tennis…. the list goes on. It is quite incredible how much there is to do here. We also like going to the thermal baths just over the boarder in Switzerland for a relaxing afternoon.

So maybe you can start to see just why we love Morzine….

www.tri4thealps.com

Makeover complete

Hope you like the new design, now stay tuned for new (and regular) posts.......

Makeover

Ok, I've been missing in action for a while now, no excuses, I've just been slack. Originally I created my blog when I was racing at the top level of Ironman Triathlon. The idea was to keep anyone interested updated on my training and race schedule. If you haven't noticed I haven't been doing any training or racing over the past couple of years, so the blog updates have been few and far between.

However I'm about to do a makeover and be doing regular postings, hopefully very interesting!
From May to September I will be hosting triathlon, cycling and multisport holidays in Morzine in the French Alps.... can I tempt you to come and join me?

check it out - www.tri4thealps.com