Sportsister reader and competition winner Lottie Bradford shares her thoughts on her prize of a running retreat in the Alps.
Me… Won the competition? Surely not? This must be a wind-up? But, no, it was for real and before I knew it my place was booked on the Adventures in the Alps Running Retreat with Liz Yelling in just a few weeks time.
It wasn’t long before I was winging my way to Geneva Airport and was met by the lovely Pip in the arrivals lounge, just as promised. This set the scene for the rest of the week, which went like clockwork as a result of Pip’s amazing organisational skills and ability to make sure that every little detail was covered.
After a short journey from Geneva we arrived at Les Lombardes; a small hamlet just outside St Jean de Sixt. It was the end of June, the sun was shining and the mountains looked majestical. What an awesome setting for the retreat.
The chalet was pure luxury. We were greeted with exquisite individually designed and furnished rooms, fresh towels, robes and Molten Brown toiletries (every girls dream!). Tommy and Jen were brilliant chalet hosts, ensuring that everyone was well fed and looked after.
Tommy’s culinary delights were such a welcome sight after returning from our running sessions. All of the food was tailored towards ensuring we got a balanced and healthy diet, perfect for helping us to recover and replenish our energy stores. Delicious food was served breakfast, lunch and dinner, with healthy snacks and drinks available whenever we needed them. My wheat allergy was catered for without any fuss and I was always provided with delicious non-wheat alternatives.
With both a sauna and a hot tub on site and available for use whenever we fancied, I couldn’t think of a better place to return to and relax after a hard session out in the hills or on the track.
The training sessions were designed to ensure that they were fully inclusive regardless of your ability. Each day was planned with care and consideration, but had enough flexibility to ensure that things could be changed around easily to accommodate weather and other such unknowns.
Liz and Martin Yelling were phenomenal coaches. We were all provided with support and encouragement every step of the way and were coached out of our comfort zones at regular points during the week. The sessions were well organised and planned, incorporating a mixture of practical running sessions, theory sessions as well as core strength and relaxation work. They both ensured that there was a relaxed atmosphere amongst the group, incorporating humour and fun into the sessions.
Each member of the group was given the opportunity to have a one-to-one session with Liz during the course of week to develop a personal development and training plan which was specific to each of our individual needs; whether that was being able to run a sub 3:15 marathon, race better or train better, whatever your goals, you were given suggestions of how to achieve them.
Group discussions were open and relaxed, with everyone encouraged to participate and share experiences and Liz and Martin offered all of us the opportunity to ask questions throughout the weeks retreat.
The sessions were mixed and the training ground for each of the sessions varied. The group were driven around in style, comfort and safety all week using the chalet’s fleet of luxury cars.
Nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff involved, whether that was organising additional activities at our request, such as paragliding and hang-gliding, going swimming at the local pool or merely requiring some ice to put on sore limbs. One request and it was sorted!
The week ran with clock work precision and was extremely good value for money.
I may have won my week away this time, but I would not hesitate to go back and take part in any of the camps. So much so, that I’m reserving a place on the running camp in 2012! Adventures in the Alps – I WILL be back!
I was pushed beyond my wildest dreams and made to realise that I do have the ability to do more, go further and go faster. A phenomenal holiday and I can’t wait to start putting into practice all the things that I learnt!
With many thanks to Pip Watkins, Adventures in the Alps & Sportsister
Lotty Bradford, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
More info: www.adventuresinthealps.com
