Lanzarote Testimonial - Chris Wright
What are your sporting interests?
I follow many sports but my love for running has left me without the necessary level of hand-eye coordination to participate in any of them.
What made you decide to go on the Serpentine Lanzarote trip?
I joined Serpentine in the second half of 2017 and heard chatter amongst some of the Serpies about the trip to Lanzarote. I thought it would be a great opportunity to get to know more of the team and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
What were your aims before the trip?
Other than getting to know some new faces, I wanted to build on the fitness I had gained from the winter cross country fixtures and make use of a week’s warm weather training to refresh the mind and body ahead of some road races planned for the spring.
Did you fulfil your aims?
I can’t emphasise enough about how reinvigorating running in the warm weather was for my training, particularly after what felt like an endless British winter. It really enabled me to reconnect with my love of running. The stunning coastal routes and ample time to recover meant I left feeling fresher than when I arrived and with a rediscovered excitement for training.
Were you able to train with other Serpies of similar standard?
All of the runs and sessions were well attended and structured in a way that meant there was a big group to run with and a very supportive team atmosphere, as is so often the case when training alongside fellow Serpies.
Were there a sufficient variety of sessions available to take part in?
Throughout the week there were a number of track and road running interval sessions planned that when supplemented with additional runs and competitions, organised around Club La Santa and further afield, provided for a varied and exciting training program.
There was also plenty of time to combine the runs with stretching, running technique and strength & conditioning classes that provide some useful insights to apply to your own training back home.
What were the facilities like at Club La Santa?
The accommodation and training facilities at Club La Santa are a very good standard, as are the numerous classes programmed throughout the week. What really impressed me was the quality of the training experience of running in and around Club La Santa. There are some amazing and varied running routes close to the resort.
Would you have any tips for anyone going on the trip for the first time?
My main piece of advice for any first timers would be to forget any worries you may have about whether you’re good enough, experienced enough or whether you know anyone else going or not. Everyone is welcomed and everyone benefits from the experience in their own way.
Can you sum up your Club La Santa experience in one sentence?
I arrived in Lanzarote with pasty skin, a musty running vest and an unopened bottle of sun cream and left Lanzarote with a hangover, raging sunburn, and an unopened bottle of sun cream... but with a whole lot of good memories!