Monchique bike ride and brick run
Fridays at Embrace Sports training camps are where the week’s training culminates in the completion of a test, whether it is a PB-breaking run or a new personal record for cycling distance. On this particular day (Friday 17/10), the challenge was a 100km ride up Monchique followed by a 4km brick run.
We all gathered by the pool before heading out to the road.
We waved off the fast group, before setting off towards Monchique. I was still feeling a bit tired from my illness earlier in the week, but I was determined to complete the climb on my own (last time, Graeme had to push me up the mountain!)
The coaches had decided that we would tackle the mountain from the opposite side to my last attempt. This was quite a relief as it is far less steep on the other side, however, I had hoped to prove to myself how far I had come within a year.
It took me 4:56 to finish the 100km ride, with its 1469m of ascent. As soon as I got back, I put on my trainers and headed out for a brick run We had the choice of doing 1, 2 or 3 x 2km loops. I decided that I wanted to finish on 4km. I ended up running 4.2km in 26:50, which felt quite tough.
When I got back, I had a snack and dipped my legs in the pool for a while, before heading back to our apartment.
In the evening we had port and cheese before finishing off the week with a lovely group meal.
After the meal, we posed for a final group photo before some of us headed back to the apartments and others headed into town for more drinks.
What a fantastic end to a great fortnight of training!
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