Training Camp Tenerife Archives

Tenerife Day One

August 18, 2011December 23, 2009 by Nico

We left from Geneva airport early in the morning. Our first flight went from Geneva to Barcelona where we had an almost 3 hours layover before we took the next flight this time nonstop to Tenerife North. From there we had a bus ride of about an hour to the other end of the island to our hotel.

Tenerife Day Two

May 4, 2012December 23, 2009 by Nico

Our first day of training started with breakfast at 7 am. From there we went straight to the pool for two and a half our of swimming. It was mainly long and smooth stuff. We were really just warming up for the days to come. The water was a bit cold at first but as we were constantly moving this morning we managed to get warm after a few minutes for the rest of the workout. Although, the weather wasn’t that great (it was raining) the outside temperature was just about right with 20°C.

The thing we had to find out is that in Spain they don’t serve lunch at noon. So we were rather hungry when we finally got to have lunch at 1pm. But we’ll be better prepared with after workout snacks from now on.

Tenerife Day Three

May 4, 2012December 23, 2009 by Nico

Starting to get used to the daily routine here in Tenerife. Morning wake up at 7 am and a short breakfast before leaving for morning workout. Again not really nice weather this morning and rather cold water at the pool. But again, as we’re using those two weeks to build up a basis for next year, we stay mostly warm after a couple minutes of warm-up.

I forgot to tell you yesterday that the pool here is a salt water pool. That’s pretty cool and I really like the feel of it. No gym work on the program today so I went to the “Stretching Room” after the morning workout and enjoyed the Ocean view.

Tenerife Day Four

May 4, 2012December 25, 2009 by Nico

Another day waking up with rain outside. They told us that it usually rains about four days a year and this was our third, so we’re positive it will be better soon. We keep sticking to the daily schedule and with two swimming and one gym session planned for this day there was plenty of quality workout time ahead.

We’re still keeping it rather low profile in the water going the distance and a couple fast 50’s mixed in. During the gym session we tried to take advantage of the new technology machines they have and did some strength tests. It was a pretty rough session but as most of the time I felt pretty good in the water afterwards.

Tenerife Day Five

May 23, 2012December 25, 2009 by Nico

First things first … Merry Christmas! Today was a big day. No gym work but a three hour session in the morning and swimming in the flume after the workout. And of course back for anther two hours in the afternoon. With our rest day coming up tomorrow both of those workouts were filled with pace sets and pretty hard.

The channel (flume) swim was pretty cool. It was my first time doing this and I look forward to get the video analysis and learn a lot more about my strokes. Also I’ll be able to do another session in the channel next week to compare my two swims. I will try post at least some pictures of next week’s swim or maybe even better a short video.

Tenerife Day Six

January 23, 2011December 26, 2009 by Nico

What a great day … it was our 1st day off after eight pool and two gym sessions. We did have a couple good ideas of what we wanted to do but it all changed that same day in the morning. After we all slept in a little longer for once and had our breakfast we tried to figure out what to do. The initial plan was to visit the “Monkey Park” in the morning and moving on to the “Siam Park” in the afternoon.

We did investigate the lady at the reception desk about all the different options and finally decided to go straight to the “Siam Park“. Apparently, the animals in the “Monkey Park” are held in small cages and aren’t happy at all. The lady told us to go and visit another animal park but this one was too far away since we don’t have a car at our disposal.

Tenerife Day Seven

May 23, 2012December 27, 2009 by Nico

Back in the water after our day off yesterday and back to the usual 7 am breakfast wake up. All was a little bit easier tough as for the first time we had a beautiful day here in Tenerife. Waking up and swimming under the warm sun already in the morning is why we came here. I was supposed to have a massage after the morning session and thus had to work a little harder than my team mates in the morning.

Unfortunately, the guy never showed up and so I went ahead with another quality stretching session with ocean view instead. And of course without the massage I was back working a hard set in the afternoon again with my team mates.

Tenerife Day Eight

May 23, 2012December 28, 2009 by Nico

Sunday but we still did doubles today. And to add to it, the workouts were pretty hard as well. The good news … the weather is finally set on sunshine from the morning hours.

One part of the morning session that we don’t really like is the 15 minutes “dryland” warm-up before the swimming. We already have to “climb” up to the pool early in the morning but once we get there it all really starts. Not that were not awake by the time we get to the pool but the routine our coach set up is pretty demanding and not so much fun early in the morning.

Tenerife Day Nine

May 23, 2012December 28, 2009 by Nico

After a hard day yesterday we did get some more easy swimming this morning with just some more intense kicking mixed in. In the morning the sun was still shinning and we went the full 8000 meters with ease. Before the afternoon session we heard a rumor that tomorrow afternoon will be off, so we got a little excited.

(Un)fortunately, the rumor got confirmed and we had to get to work during the afternoon session. Nothing like some serious pace work … even better if you get to do same set in fly as all the freestylers on your team. Although, I still felt the fatigue of the last week I managed to get through with the fly work in good style.

Tenerife Day Ten

May 23, 2012December 29, 2009 by Nico

Quite a lazy day. We started our daily routine in the morning but with the rumors confirmed we would not have to go back to the pool in the afternoon today. After a rough day yesterday this morning was mainly just swimming. And I finally got to have my massage as well after the morning workout.

There’s really not much to tell today. Swimming 7000m meters in the morning without getting too much hurt (aside from the pain that is there since day one) and a massage after practice … sounds good to me.

After lunch I tried to get some school work done but the training camp and “holiday” feeling didn’t help to get done a bunch. But at least I tried to be a good student.