Imagine running from London’s Marble Arch to Dover, swimming the English Channel, and then cycling to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. That’s the Arch2Arc (A2A), one of the world’s toughest multi-sport endurance challenges! For those of us crazy enough to attempt it, preparation is key. At the end of January 2025, I, representing Team MAD (since poor Mum was under the weather!), travelled to Lanzarote for an A2A swim training camp.

The format of the camp was relatively simple: warm water swimming and the chance to connect with other A2A athletes, both veterans and those preparing for an attempt this year. Since A2A is a niche undertaking, it was incredibly valuable to ask questions and learn from experienced athletes, including Edgar Ette, the founder of Arch2Arc.

The Lanzarote Training Camp Schedule:

• Friday: 1-hour swim
• Saturday: 2-hour swim
• Sunday: 1-hour swim
• Sunday Evening: A2A briefing at 10 pm with Edgar Ette
• Monday: Starting at 00:00, a 6-hour run/walk around a 6-mile circuit, followed by a 3-hour break and a 3-hour swim.
• Tuesday: Recovery swim

I have to say, after Monday, my 23kg suitcase felt like 46kg when I flew back! It was an exhausting but rewarding experience.

Key Lessons Learned from the Camp:

• Swimming in Paradise (Playa Blanca): Forget the swimming pool – Playa Blanca is like swimming in the Blue Planet! The vibrant and varied fish I spotted made swimming a joy. It really helped take my mind off the training and reminded me why I love open water swimming.
• Pacing is Key (The Run/Walk Lesson): The run/walk from Marble Arch to Dover is all about building endurance for the Channel swim. At the training camp, I got carried away on the run/walk, pushing too hard. As a result, my legs were completely shot for the swim, and I struggled to maintain my form. Lesson learned for next year: conserve energy!
• Keep It Simple (Don’t Overthink It): Edgar’s advice to “keep it simple and don’t overthink it” was invaluable. Given the scale of the challenge it is quite easy to over think it.Edgar’s reminder to focus on the fundamentals was a welcome perspective.

Thanks to the organizers for an incredibly informative camp. It was a great experience and I left feeling better prepared for the challenges ahead.