Les-Stables welcomes athletes of all abilities and experience, from novice to elite, sprinter to ironman.
Provision is made for both individual and group bookings, and we cater for up to 20 people at any one time. From clubs, group of friends, families or individuals we offer fully coached weeks designed to assist each athlete achieve their specific goals, for this reason there is a heavy focus on technique in all three disciplines.
Our approach is very flexible, allowing guests to participate in as many of the programmed sessions as they choose, no sessions are mandatory and all sessions cater for different levels of fitness/ability. Alternatively, non-participating partners/friends/family members are also welcome to come and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere at Les-Stables.
Coaching includes:
- Video swim analysis
- Small group swim technique sessions
- Open water swimming
- Guided and coached bike rides
- Run technique session
A Typical Week’s Training
On the evening of your arrival there is a short steady orientation run to stretch those travel weary legs, and to give our guests an understanding of the local geography, in particular with respect to the location of local restaurants/bars, shops and boulangerie.
Typically each day starts with a morning bike ride or run.
Swim
There is a technique based swim session most evenings, commencing with a filmed session followed by video feedback lecture to identify any technique issues and explain how to rectify these. Following this initial assessment the swim sessions are broken down into small groups depending on what area of technique is to be worked on, and may change throughout the week as you progress through the various stages of swim technique.
We believe a week of continued application to your swim technique can yield immediate and significant returns, normally far greater than a week spent purely on swim fitness. However the on-site pool is available exclusively for the use of our guests should you wish to partake of additional “fitness” sessions.
In addition there is an open water technique session, and a 1500m open water swim (accompanied by safety canoe) to the village of Bourdeilles for breakfast in a local café. All open water sessions are on site in the River Dronne which borders Les-Stables property, indeed access to the river is available throughout the week for additional swimming, leisure or leg recovery simply by strolling the 500m downhill from your apartment.
Bike
Bike rides are split into 2 or 3 different ability groups prior to the first ride based on the information you give us, however this may change during the course of the week if required. Our aim is to give every guest the workout they require be it coaching on bike handling to improving bike endurance or pure bike speed. There is also a specific speed or hill session each week designed to improve ability and/or confidence in these areas.
Run
Run sessions are all undertaken at your own speed and are supported by our crew and directional arrows. There is a weekly road run to a local market with transport for return, and a longer undulating off-road run for endurance. A run technique session on the cinder track and/or hill session completes the running schedule, but guests are welcome to undertake additional sessions around the Les-Stables trails or on any of the varied bridleways in the surrounding countryside.
Brick & Transitions
To complete the week there is a transitions technique and swim/bike/run brick session to add the final polish to your racing.
For a brief outline of what a provisional weekly program may consist of please download the PDF document below.
