Today, the priority is to take a step back and find meaning in our daily lives in order to slow down the epidemic and stay at home. There will be a second phase when the situation becomes simpler, during which we can work specifically towards our future goals.
How are you coping with this situation?
At the same time, the situation is extraordinary from a logistical point of view. We have never encountered anything like this before. And at the same time, we coaches are used to working remotely, teleworking, never having daily contact with the athletes. So this remote relationship is not new to us in implementing programmes for runners. It is not much different from winter training.
What measures did the team take?
The priority is simply to ensure the health of our riders and the team. It's really about physical and athletic maintenance. It's more of a transitional situation than a phase of development or optimal preparation.
The team decided to give the riders time to prepare for lockdown with their families from a logistical point of view and so that they could take time to look after their families for a fortnight.
How did you adapt the training programmes?
Each coach is responsible for 7-8 runners, whom they monitor individually. They are in daily contact. Through our coach and physical trainer Stephen Barrett, we have set up a daily or almost daily weight training programme for the athletes.
We have also set up home trainer sessions, and today's technology is a great help with guided and even controlled sessions.
All our training data is synchronised on our training platform, which allows us to accurately monitor the progress of our runners' fitness levels.
We have set up two group training sessions on a virtual platform, on Thursdays and Saturdays, closed to the team, so that we can cycle together and maintain social ties with everyone.
How do you manage to motivate the runners?
That's the coach's job. To break up the monotony of training as much as possible. That means varying the exercises, always providing a common thread, and setting specific goals for the day.
It is important to maintain close contact with them so that they do not feel isolated. The organisation had already established regular contact with a coach or sports director.
