SITREP: We’re Locking in Recovery Week

Melbourne delivered something unusual this past weekend: winter warmed up! While July typically averages maximums of 13 °C to 14 °C, a couple of days now nudged into the high-teens, giving us a taste of sunshine. We hope you seized the rare warmth on your rides and runs.  Nothing like a surprise break in winter clouds to make training a bit more inviting.

🌴 Thailand Camp Wrap: Training in Paradise

Coach Ollie and a crew of TA athletes have just completed a phenomenal 10-day training camp in Laguna Phuket.  And to put it simply, it delivered on every front. This wasn’t just a change of scenery; it was a complete reset.  Set right on a sandy surf beach, the location offered the ideal environment for open-water swimming sessions (saltwater sunsets and all). The brand-new 50m pool was a standout feature, bringing back memories of old-school training days, complete with a quick spin down the road to get there. The athletes certainly earned their breakfasts.  And what a spread that was!  Incredible food and exceptional staff took care of every detail, keeping the crew fuelled and feeling like pros. Between sessions, there were daily recovery massages, tropical surrounds and just enough downtime to recharge for what came next.

Speaking of sessions, this was no holiday. The new, longer and more challenging bike courses tested everyone’s limits, with many athletes pushing through new PBs and riding further or stronger than ever before. The run loops were brutally beautiful, with elevation that rivalled some of our biggest Melbourne climbs, pushing heart rates and legs into that true training zone.  What made this camp so special was that it catered to all levels, but still challenged every single athlete.   Most of the crew are still soaking up a little well-earned sunshine before heading back to Melbourne soon.  So when you see them, be sure to ask about the hills, the food, the pool, or the spicy salads. Just don’t be surprised if they’re already counting down to next year.

🔁 It’s Recovery Week

We’ve wrapped two strong build weeks, and now we enter the prized recovery week. This phase is a golden opportunity.  Not a relaxation week, but a performance-preserving pause. Lower load, yes, but structured still, with plenty of recovery and consistency woven in. Skipping or improvising now can derail the progress you’ve earned.  Trust your program designed by our very experienced coaching team. If it feels too easy, you're probably doing it right. If tempted to skip, remember why we plan training phases this way: sustainable progress.

👩‍🏫 Coaching Schedule This Week

While Ollie’s away, here’s who’s taking the reins:

• Tuesday PM (FT Trainer) – Coach Gaz will lead the FTP test (this critical data determines your power zones and tracks improvement over time)

• Thursday evening – Coach Les leads an urban recovery run from The Tan

• Saturday ride – A touch less intensity, but still strength-focused: route from Elwood to Frankston, with rolling efforts through Black Rock/Beaumaris and a bonus climb up Oliver’s Hill. Keep building that aerobic strength even on slower kms.

• Sunday morning – Coach Greg is on deck with tempo and technique at Fairfield
  

🚴 2XU Tri Series – Entry Choices to Consider

The 2025/26 2XU Triathlon Series entry window is open with an attractive special:

• Early price $508 includes 6 races + Series Tee

• But Tri‑Alliance club discounts only kick in after late August, so waiting means $570 minus 20% = $456

If you're into getting organised early and all-in for all six races - enter now. Prefer to save and/or likely to do fewer races? Hold out a bit. Email michelle@tri‑alliance.com.au for the password to enter under our TA.

Thank you for bearing with us through recent glitches. Now the site is solid, the programs are live, and you’re set for a crucial week of calculated training.  Let’s continue building momentum...summer is coming, and so is race season.

💛 Team TA