Ever thought about taking part in a #TeamTCUK training camp and wondered just what's involved? Here's Lanza first-timer and #TeamTCUK athlete, Jo Sutton, to tell you all about it and why she's now hooked!

Where to even begin with this guest blog post… This training camp at Sands Beach in Lanzarote was just awesome and certainly gave me the boost I needed to start the season strong!!

With the UK seasons cocked up and supposedly now in Spring, it didn’t feel like it with ‘The Beast from the East’ Strike 1 the week before we flew out. Lanzarote came at the perfect time for me, with the winter grind of training really kicking in, it felt so good to get away from the grim weather and be heading out to a warmer climate.

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Lanzarote was new ground for me. Whilst I’ve done triathlon training camps before, it was a first with #TeamTCUK and a first to Lanzarote. After landing around lunchtime we were soon in our apartments leaving enough time in the day to build our bikes (and ride them), run and do a swim time trial; a measure of the week to come…

I knew no one on the trip (except Matt, my coach) but the group of 16 (plus two coaches) gelled so well from the word go. We had such a laugh and everyone motivated each other during sessions (my roomy Hannah and I probably slightly too much with ‘The Greatest Showman’ soundtrack on before every swim!). It was such fun to be with such a great group of likeminded people. I know I’ll stay in touch with many of them.

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The weather was very different to home with blue skies, temperatures in the mid 20s and little wind (by Lanzarote standards), just what everyone needed! Most mornings would start with a pool swim and it was a far cry from home and digging my car out the snow to get the pool. The most effort you had to put in was to roll out of bed and walk ten paces to the outdoor heated pool. Needless to say more effort was required in the pool! Through the week the sessions varied from faster interval swims to endurance and recovery sessions. We also got the chance to have a swim analysis done at the start of the week and work on that all-important technique.

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With some fab riding to be had, we certainly managed our fair share while we were out there. Having never been to Lanzarote I was in awe of the scenery; the roads were so smooth, very few potholes and areas of volcanic rock and hills which were stunning. We did some BIG rides and got out almost every day. We split into two groups so everyone could work at their own pace. The most awesome day was doing the Ironman Lanzarote bike route; I hadn’t cycled more than 60 miles before this trip so to do over a hundred gave me a total high. I gained so much confidence in my cycling ability on this trip and getting through the tough sessions just proves you have more to give than you think. The routes were so varied from flatter faster sections to both steep and steadier climbs that certainly got your heart rate up (and power if you’re techy). And yes rides around ‘The Fire Mountains’ are as cool as they sound.

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The apartments looked right onto the sea so brick sessions were made easy with flatter runs along the seafront but also the option of hillier off road routes for our longer runs. The place was buzzing with triathletes with a lot of people out training or sea swimming. I was surprised at the water temperature in the sea given it was March it was not the cold shock I was expecting. It made for some good but challenging open water swimming.

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I cannot leave this blog without mentioning the food (a highlight of mine)! With all the training we ate a lot. Breakfast had everything from cereal, fruit, and cooked options with every style of egg you could think of…they definitely got me through the sessions. Lunches and evening meals were the same with a buffet salad and lots of cooked options and mini tapas-style puddings, meaning you just had to sample them all.

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No one wanted to leave when it came to our last day. You could tell the whole group had had a blast. We had filled our days with so much training and it was a total switch off from work and switch on to triathlon. I did more sessions than I thought possible and totally loved pushing myself to the max. Matt and Jon (our coaches) were awesome, so many helpful tips and it’s given me such a push to see what I’m capable of this season so thanks guys! Here’s to next year and Morzine in June - I’m hooked!!