CUAC WWT 2007.

18/03/07 - 01/04/07

CUAC Warm Weather Training 2007: Play Azul, Playa de las Americas.

Armed with sun cream, spikes and ‘guns’ (along with the whole gadgetry of supplementary powders, sprays, bandages and footwear of Charlie Romito) CUAC were ready to take on the rock-hard track and the seedy night entertainment that is Tenerife.

For the two-weekers, the first week was set to be a furious combination of flat-out reps, cold bathing and sadistic massages. This did indeed happen, however along with the expert introductory massage classes led by Coach Wheater, a new-found legend introduced himself – meet David ‘Nefsy’ Nefs. Still drunk from the previous night, he grinned sheepishly under a Guinness top-hat that he had found discarded in a trash-heap. The West Ham shirt that covered his pant-length shorts and the socks pulled halfway up his shins added the final touches to this true English holiday-maker who had come to remind us how close we were staying to the ‘biggest club on the island’ – Tramps.

Despite the sun-baked track feeling like concrete to run on, it was great to see such rapid improvements made by so many athletes. Personal bests were being run almost every other rep by Lucy Spray – Will Rice was also made exciting progress. By the time the rest of the CUAC wwt-ers arrived in the second week (37!) there was a fantastic atmosphere of support: plenty of people shouting and urging each other on to push themselves that little bit extra.

Although individuals were training impressively, the best thing gained was the team-bonding. Never was this better demonstrated than during circuit training sessions. To warm-up, all of us would jog from the apartments where we were staying down to the nightclubs and bars and loop back up. Picture thirty-seven athletes all in CUAC apparel with silver-glinting nicknames, filing down a road sidelined with touts and brothels. The dumb-struck faces of the touts were priceless. Having completed the route we would congregate around the side of the pool where we’d quickly gather an audience from overlooking apartment balconies as we started doing press-ups on towels, or emptying half the swimming-pool whilst attempting aqua-jogging. Dan Bray’s delicious paella during the first week, and the fantastic dinner on the final night at Pompeii restaurant brought to a close a superb fortnight for CUAC, as President Kieran Millar praised in his speech after the meal.

Of course, a trip to Tenerife wouldn’t be complete without scaling the 3710m peak of Mount Teide, running past a sign that indicates a huge fine for advancing any closer towards the summit, and returning dangerously late to find a sticker attached to your car telling you that Mountain Rescue has been called. But this year, Andy Owen was mature enough to enjoy a simple cable car to the summit, and prohibited once again from climbing closer to the peak, restricted his high-altitude training to the vicinity of the cable car station. The spectacular views from the summit out over the Canary Islands were enough for the rest of those who came.

Many thanks must go to Pat and Bob for giving up a week to coach all the early morning technical jumps and hurdles sessions, and to Rich Wheater who gave up two weeks to coach all track, circuits and weights sessions. Finally, to Mike ‘Collinator’ Collins, for coaching weights/ throws and whose supreme organizational and management skills ensured we all arrived, and left, in one piece.

With six weeks to go to Varsity and a busy competition schedule ahead, these two weeks provided invaluable training and advice for all those preparing to trounce Oxford.

For some photos click on the following links: