On camp with Connacht endurance squad

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Connacht Endurance Performance Squad

The first weekend camp of the Connacht Endurance Performance Squad took place in Ballina, Co. Mayo from Friday September 18th to Sunday September 20th.  Camp HQ was at Belleek Caravan & Camping and it proved to be an inspired choice of venue, just 700m from extensive forest trails at Belleek Castle, which in turn extends onto adjoining grass parkland regularly used to host Cross Country events. Accommodation in apartments and luxury camper vans was top notch.

After check-in on Friday evening the group of more than thirty young endurance runners went for a relaxed easy run on the forest trails before an introductory meeting with fellow athletes and squad coaches lead by camp leader Paul McNamara to outline plans for the weekend and for the season ahead.

Saturday was an action packed day with an early breakfast to allow for a 10am get-together for a quality workout.  Athletes broke into 4 groups, each working with 1-2 coaches, and undertook a thorough warm-up, followed by a session on grass which incorporated a variety of training intensities including controlled tempo efforts, some classical interval work, and some short sharp hills for developing power.

In the afternoon Athletics Ireland nutritionist Orla Walsh delivered two excellent workshops on nutrition for the young athlete while later in the evening squad coach Emmett Dunleavy (Sligo AC) lead a well-received workshop on running mechanics & drills.  Afterwards the athletes and coaching staff enjoyed a tasty and nutritious barbeque masterfully prepared by squad coaches Edel McAllister (Westport AC) and Deirdre Gallagher (Ballina AC), ably assisted by Peter Hynes (Swinford AC). 

Sunday was another early start with the entire group returning to the woodland trails and grass parkland for a group ‘Long Run’ at a relaxed conversational pace. After lunch squad coach Matt Lockett (GCH) lead a workshop on training intensity and variety.

Feedback from the camp was immensely positive from parents, athletes and coaches and it proved to be a hugely positive and rewarding experience for all involved.  Huge thanks to squad coaches Paul McNamara, Peter Hynes, Emmett Dunleavy, Edel McAllister, Deirdre Gallagher and Matt Lockett who worked tirelessly all weekend, to club coaches Karl Boyce (Sligo AC), Alan Bracken (Swinford AC) and Philip Finnerty (Ballina AC) who all made valuable contributions, and to nutritionist Orla Walsh for her outstanding contribution. 

*This is the first of a series of reports from the Regional Endurance Camps that took place last weekend.  

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