18/09/2013
In Iberian Peninsula, next to Spain, we find the ALGARVE (in the South of Portugal) for training during the hard and intensive winter season. Therefore, this site is a reference for professional European athletes, also Pochefstroom in South Africa.
Algarve is a calme and relaxing place at sea level, where you can find all types of facilities plus the perfect weather. So, it is a perfect place to do a great and relaxing stage.
The sport center is located in Vilareal do Santo Antonio where you will have a lot of facilities like a track, indoor straight track, gym, physios... Outside you can enjoy training through a 5km.
My stage started in December 2010 for 20 days. I was sleeping in a flat in the same city. I rented a bike to go to the Stadium (it was ok, but the next time it will be better with a little car) and then I rode for 3 km on a completely straight road.
So, everyday, my trainings started in the forest, where I parked my bike, and my workout finished on the track or in the gym... IT WAS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
During this stage I had the opportunity of knowing some new people and improve my poor English. I met two amazing athletes from Europe and their coaches. One of this people was Sonja Roman from Slovenia. She is a 1500m professional runner. Another one was Lidia Chojecka, from Poland, a 1500m-3000m-5000m professional runner too. One day, during the second session of training, they explained to me they were going to Pochefstroom during the following Christmas... and since this day, I have dreamed of going there!
But there is a problem in this kind of paradise of stages; the hard and heavy wind and the short daylight hours (about 16 or 16.30 hour, the sun has gone), because of this we only had a short time to do two training sessions.
Now, I'm thinking AGAIN about the possibility of going back there or going to another new one, maybe a place near Spain... Font Romeu in France? Any recomendation for this???