Ironman Cascais - Training camp

Due to the Covid situation in Portugal, Ironman Cascais and Ironman 70.3 Cascais events were postponed from September 26-27 to November 7-8.

I was pleasantly surprised when a Swedish triathlete, Tobias, contacted me via the website in August asking whether I could organise a triathlon training camp to recon the course.  He kept the flights and hotel booking from the original race dates.  So, after a few emails we agreed on a bike-centric training camp with swimming and running included.

Day 1:  Sintra trail run in the morning to show Tobias the national park and the views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cascais peninsula.  Bike ride in the afternoon (taking in the first 10km and part of the main climb for the course) riding up to the highest point on the west side of the serra at Peninha sanctuary.  We rode into the clouds and then back out again, it was quite an experience for Tobias.

Day 2: Longer bike run in the morning (started the same route as yesterday).  Up along the coast and then anti-clockwise around Sintra.  Swim in Cascais bay in the afternoon, showing the swim course to Tobias.  Water temperature was 19°.  The bay is perfect for swimming in as its very sheltered from the ocean and has little currents and is usually quite serene.

Day 3: Brick session today.  We recon’d the bike course section to Lisbon and back to Cascais.  Then an easy transition into our trainers and we did one lap of the run course along the Guincho coast road and back again.

Day 4:  Full bike course today plus a detour to Cabo da Roca (most westerly point of Continental Europe).  Nice and easy, helping Tobias familiarise himself with the all the roads and climbs.

Day 5:  Rest day.  Tobias decided to head into Lisbon and be a tourist for the day.

Day 6:  Scenic Sintra bike ride.  Taking in the views, climbs and palaces of Sintra old town.

With Tobias’s hotel so near the beach, he was able to get another 2 swims in around our training plan.  He feels thoroughly energised and now more prepared for the race in one month’s time.  Good luck Tobias and see you soon!