The second training of the 2014 French Team took place on March 5-9 in Bellenaves, France, not far from the location of the first training, lost in the middle of nowhere for a focused sports retreat. That March training was saved at the last moment by the local committee of the French Federation, Roller Auvergne, who most graciously offered us a training place, in taking charge of the renting fees of a brand-new gym for the whole 5 days. Such a gesture deserves to be highlighted.
ACCOMODATION
The whole event met some organizational problems due to the training place mishap but everything was solved for the best given the situation. We were hosted in two different places, which means the team was split into two groups, with the most convenient distribution according to car-sharing.
I was in the Bellenaves cottage with 14 other team mates, mainly Parisians and girls from Montpellier. We had the advantage of being close to the training hall contrary to the other (major) half who had to drive for 40 min twice a day. But they had a BBQ. And a football table game in their living room. So I guess we're even.
PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGE
That second training was psychologically more challenging than the first. After the discovery phase where you learn to know each other, both on the track and outside of it, in order to create a team spirit, things have gotten more competitive with the sword of Damocles starting to hang over our heads.