The National Centre for Altitude Training at Font Romeu (1,850 metres above sea level) was opened in 1967 to allow atheltes to hold their training camps in preparation for the Mexico Olympic Games.
Font-Romeu is set in the Pyrenees on the French side of the France/Spain border which is approximately 10 km away. Perpignan is approximately 75 kms. Font Romeu is one of the oldest and popular ski towns in the Pyrenees.
The training centre has hosted world class athletes including Mo Farah, Galen Rupp, Dathan Ritzenhein along with teams from other sporting International Federations who are looking to add altitude cross-training into their program.
30 athletes, 26 nations used Font-Romeu is their preparation form London 2012 Olympic Games. Of these 30 athletes, 20 made Olympic finals and 11 won medals.
By Air: Perpignan airport (PGF) 73km; Girona airport (GRO) 177km Barcelona airport (BCN) 179km.
Transfers: Team transfers can be arranged by the centre. The travelling time from Perpignan is just over 1hr 30minutes whilst the drive from the Spanish airports is about 1hr more. There is a tunnel through the Pyrenees which has meant an quicker drive, more comfortable from Spain
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Accommodation is available at the complex, based in a 7 storey building with more than 140 beds. Each floor has 12 x 1 bed and 6 x double bed (either Queen size or twin). All rooms have a shower and WC.
Food is served in the buffet style canteen and the menus are designed by the centre's team of nutritionists and dietitians.
If you've driven to Font Romeu then you will have access to Carcassonne which is approximately 85 km away. In the same area is the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, a vast Romanesque and Gothic church from the 11th and 14th century.
Perpignan and the Mediterranean is 75 km away. A little further is the fantastic but not so well know Collioure, also on the coast.
If you don't have a vehicle, enjoy the scenery.
400 metres, 6 lanes synthetic track
2 long/triple jumps areas
1 high jump area
1 pole vault area
1 throwing area
1 water steeplechase jump
Pool 1; 50 metre, 6 lane pool, Uniform 2metre depth, Wall chronometre, Recovery Unit & Jacuzzi. The pool is suitable for Swimming & Water Polo
Pool 2; 25 metre, 4 lane pool, Depth 1.4 - 3.2 metres
Modern Pentathlon; 200 m² area consisting of 5 Fencing tracks and 6 x 10m shooting ranges. There are also outdoor shooting ranges.
44 metre x 24 metre, Height from 9 metres to 11 metres, Lighting to 15000 lux
1 Handball court, 3 Volleyball courts, 1 Basketball court, 7 Badminton courts
100 metre x 50 metre
Luminous room of 230m ²
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
There are two Weight Training areas, 150 m² and 160 m²
These areas consist of 35 machines, over 20 Olympic Bars, 7 weightlifting platforms and assorted dumbbells, Discs and Kettlebells.
CARDIO
80 m2
3 concept II rowing machine
1 treadmill, speed max 32 km/hr
8 bikes with console
What an outstanding performance by Yohann Diniz at the European Championships August 2014. Not only did he break the 50km walk world record, he took off almost two minutes even though he stopped to negotiate with spectators for their flags.
Martin Fourcade is a French biathlete and non-commissioned officer. Martin is a ten-time World Champion, twice an Olympic champion and five-time winner of the Overall World Cup. He is the only male biathlete to have won the Overall World Cup five times in a row
What do you find are the benefits of training on the trails here in Font Romeu?
I train a lot on the softer ground just to be a bit easier on my body and give less impact on the joints so that you can keep running for longer. But also I think it is good for the little muscles; every step isn’t the same. On the road it can be repetitive every time so the same ligaments and tendons are working all the time whereas on the trails different ligaments and different tendons work, so it’s a general all round strengthening.
Do you prefer training on the road or trails?
The trail. I prefer trail running, I think it’s more fun, more interesting. Yeah, on the road, if you’re in abig road race and you’ve got the whole atmosphere of that. But if it’s just for training runs, yeah, trails every time!
extract from her interview with run247, July 2011
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Week 2; Lactate Threshold Training. The better your lactate threshold, the better you will compete. Your lactate threshold is the highest intensity you can ride for 1 hour before lactate builds up in your blood. |
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Week 2 of your Basic Training Program for winter cycling looks at ways to build strength and develop your core. |
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An intense 5-week indoor training program designed to improve strength and endurance. The program is geared towards the competition level cyclist. |
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To get the most from cycling you have to be able to train during the winter months & using a turbo trainer, you can maintain fitness, feel good and fit your cycling into your schedule. |