Off-Road Running Camp with Phil Price & Juhanson

Posted: Monday January 5, 2009

The Off-Road Running Camp with double Ironman Lanzarote winner Ain-Alar Juhanson and Phil Price & Team took place last week.

Club La Santa’s third Off-Road Running Camp took place across Lanzarote’s volcanic landscape. A mixture of sandy trails, rocky and rough underground, hills and strong headwinds was enough to challenge all the participants.

Most runners had experienced Club La Santa training camps before, but then there were a few debutantes as well.

The group consisted of English, German and Danish speaking runners of different abilities but all could run the marathon within four hours. They could decide which runs to do and which ones to skip, so that they could avoid injuries and tiredness. There was also the opportunity to join in single days instead of the whole week.

Together with the double Ironman Lanzarote winner (2005 & 2006) Ain-Alar Juhanson, Phil Price, Rose and Terry Jones, they started their first run on Friday morning at 10 o’clock. After a short rest, Rose held an aqua jog in the Olympic Pool in the afternoon.

As a change from the normal training, it was much appreciated!

The following day, the group had a heart rate test to find out their optimal individual training zone by running for 13 minutes on the track. Another aqua jog was followed by a lecture and DVD.

It was all building up to Sunday and the first long run. At 10am, the group gathered for a 90 minute session to El Cuchillo and Muñique, through Tinajo and along the coast back to Club La Santa.

Not just a training session, but a chance to enjoy the unique volcanic landscape of Lanzarote and the steep cliffs at the nearby village of La Santa. It was quite windy and hilly, but the great views and sunny weather made up for it.

Rose’s aqua jog proved popular once again before a quick 40 minute run to La Santa and back.

No rest on Monday, instead an even longer, 2 hour run. 8 brave souls turned up for this one and were taken to Teguise by bus. From there they had to run the 22km back to base.
They weren’t helped by a strong headwind from north-west and sandy trails.
Everyone made it though and no-one got lost! At the half-way point, in Soo, event co-ordinator, Tiia provided them with water, cola and energy gels.

Arriving back at the stadium Phil proved he really was a gentleman and provided refreshments to all the runners (yes, not just the women). Although Ain-Alar hadn’t finished and ran a few extra laps on the grass.

Proving that he really is a top Ironman, while everyone else had a rest, he did a pace session on his racing bike and a swim.

The most popular run was on Tuesday with a trip to the island of La Graciosa. The small island north of Lanzarote is reached by a ferry and the run was 16-19km around the whole isle.

Incomparable to the other locations, La Graciosa has an even more wonderful landscape and an impressive view of Lanzarote. The sunny weather made it unforgettable.

What better way to cool down after a warm run, than jumping straight into the sea.

Following a picnic of sandwiches and fruit, the group headed home to relax on the beach.

Wednesday it was more technique with Phil and Ain-Alar teaching correct and efficient running styles. As they’d had a few tough days, they did an “easy” 45 minute run afterwards.

Normally we’d finish the camp with a big dinner, but this year it was on the penultimate night. This was because some runners and Ain-Alar were leaving Thursday afternoon. La Casa was the venue for the 3 course meal – although some of them had to remember there was still training to do the next day…

Thursday started off with an easy 40 minute off-road run and those who were still there in the afternoon ran to Soo and back in the afternoon.

So, another successful Off-Road Running Camp ended full of great runs, lots of new experiences and with happy participants and guides.

The next opportunity to run with Phil Price & Team will be during the Marathon Running Camp from January 15th to 22nd. Then, Phil will be supported by the successful German triathlete Stefan Vuckovic.