Feb 9

Written by: marion clignet
2/9/2010 1:32 AM 

Another day in Vendée, though today it is surprisingly clear! I arrived late last night to start a camp this morning for a group of riders from Bbox, some fresh out of the Tour of Besseges (Thomas Voeckler), some fresh out of the Tour of Gabon and in between races (Bernaudeau, Quemneur, Claude, Chartreu, Lefloch), and some prepping for the bigger days ahead (Haddou.)

I was pretty tired last night when I got in, but as always driving several hours does something to my brain and it takes me hours to fall asleep. When I finally did doze off it seemed only minutes before it was time for me to get up, pack for the day, and zip off to race headquarters to fill the car with bottles, spare wheels, food for the riders, as well as check in on the latest news, who's driving who where, to what camp and who's picking up who at what airport.

In the month of February we'll be training and racing on 3 fronts, two in France and one in Italy, so logistics play a very important role. I'm basically on the road for 3 weeks, though I'll at least get to spend next weekend at home and at the same time celebrate my partner's birthday which is also Valentine's Day! yay!

Today was a four hour ride for the boys with 2 sets of 6x4' efforts in strength mode-53-12 at 55 rpms with 90rpm recovery between and ten minutes between the sets. It was chilly with a brisk wind but the sky was blue and my little group is motivated!

Meanwhile, back in the car I checked the 'pages jaune' on my iPhone to find the closest pool so I could swim after their ride. The local pool told me they were open from 19h30 to 21h, perfect evening hours!

I set out for the pool at 19h20 and was spot on time when the doors opened, though I cant say I was ready for what I saw! a 12.5m pool, heated at 34 degrees with a rail around the edges so grannys could lean on the rails and with their legs out in front of them to make circular cycling movements. I have to admit it just never crossed my mind that I should ask for the size of the pool, and by this time it was too late to find another pool so I hopped in and somehow managed to swim 2.5ksm!

It was actually like riding on a small velodrome, you're always turning. After my swim I wandered back to the hotel, well equipped with a bar and very good restaurant. The chef has become a friend and ironically grew up with one of my dearest friends and competitors Cathy Marsal. He made an awesome spicy fish soup with loads of green veggies in it, and just enough spice to give me the kick I needed. I had a glass of red to go with it that I hope will allow me a better sleep than last night!

While sipping my glass I got up to get L'Equipe, the french sports paper, which was in the bar next to the restaurant. I walk in to get the paper and there are 6 men sipping their 'appero'-happy hour drinks and unlike if I was in Oz or maybe the UK or NZ where I'm sure id end up trading buying rounds with friendly people, men or women, these guys just stopped for a minute, stared, didn't say hello, and one of them said 'well at least she reads l'equipe...I blurted out hello and told them L'Equipe was to disguise the medical journal I was reading, and wished them a merry evening....Just another day in Vendée!

Tomorrow 6 hours with some tempo TTT efforts in the middle for the boys and a 12kms run with some specifics in the middle for me....as for swimming, maybe Wednesday if I find a 25m pool.

Cheers and thanks for reading,
Marion

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