This weeks readers blog comes from the winner of one of our competitions – Sarah-Jayne Windridge-France was lucky enough to win a fabulous weekend for two at the Tekne Fitness retreat in Ibiza, here’s her story.
So, it would appear at 40’ish’ I’m not afraid to tell you I’ve become a raging opportunist! I think there’s always been an element of that in my soul, and I’m the first to recognise that I’ve been exceptionally lucky along the way, but there’s nothing like circumstance, times of crisis and re-evaluation, to make you realise just how tenuous life can be. Therefore, from now on in, – I’m grabbing opportunities as they arise and running with them… or at least so far as until they leave me breathless!
Just a few short weeks ago, I received an email from www.sportsister.com advising me that I was the lucky winner in their recent online competition, entitling me (and a friend) to a couple of days at Tekne Fitness Retreat in Ibiza. In the midst of the school summer holidays, with 3 bonkers kids and an old ailing dog, an absent husband and umpteen other things to contend with, I can’t put into words quite how THRILLED I was to read this. Drained of energy and devoid of ‘me-time,’ my heart was telling me just how much I needed this break, but my head reminded me of my commitments. Whilst I might not hold down a ‘full-time’ job per se, my day-to-day life isn’t one that I can easily put ‘on hold’ and run away from.
There are those that depend on me 24/7 and I was all too aware of the strings I would need to pull and the measures I would need to put into place to ensure that I could take this much needed ‘break!’ After much deliberation, it would have been really easy for me to bow out and graciously decline at that juncture … but a few seconds on the website www.teknefitness.com and my heart was beating just a fraction faster than my organisational headache was pounding. I knew that I just ‘had’ to be there! A phone call to Pete to allay my fears and confirm he would be able to take a couple of days out of his ridiculously busy schedule to take care of things at home and the first hurdle was well and truly overcome.
The decision of who to ask to accompany me wasn’t taken lightly. There were so many wonderful girlfriends that I’d have happily had along, but one kept coming back to mind again and again – Jules. Like myself, with more constraints than most, I’d seen a fair bit of Jules and her lovely family over the summer and, like our children, we’d quickly become firm friends; with a level of understanding and appreciation of each other’s situations. I knew that Jules would be glad of some ‘R&R’ and, finances permitting, would jump at the chance of a ‘detox’ break in the sun just as readily as I would. My only reservation being that Jules is considerably younger and fitter than me – I knew I was going to look a bugger besides her in a bikini! Thank goodness these days I’m less shallow and more real.
So, arrangements were made and checked in triplicate, cheap flights were booked, my passport renewed (JUST in the nick of time! Thanks, in the main, to the incredibly efficient and helpful staff at Yeadon Post Office), anxieties were allayed, in part, and cases expertly packed. It’s a long, long time since so many small pieces of tight fitting lycra have been aired in this house I can tell ya! Still, in the back of my mind I saw Jules and I luxuriating on sun loungers at the side of the beautifully appointed pool, baking in the Ibizan sun – cocktails in hand….
(OK, so … our weekend panned out a little differently than expected! Don’t get me wrong – Tekne was a little piece of heaven on earth, the Ibizan sun was hotter than hot and there was an element of lounging around the pool (generally in an exercise-induced coma) and more often than not we were in the pool rather than out of it … Oh and those cocktails never materialised – but there was a plentiful supply of water, ice cold mint tea and an alkalising/detoxing concoction that can only be described as ‘green gunk – a cocktail of sorts!)!’
Jules and I reached Ibiza in the early hours of Saturday morning on next to no-sleep. There were more rowdy revellers on the plane dancing down the aisle than respite-seeking mamas. The thought of a lie-in followed by a day of languishing by the pool was at the forefront of our minds and was the one thing that kept us going for the duration of our journey. I’m not sure whether we were half-asleep or affected by the Ibizan heat, that blanket of comforting fug that hit us when we stepped off the plane, but we nodded in agreement to the lovely Anna (Tekne’s House Manager and Videographer, as well as out-of-hours airport chauffeur) that of course we’d be up to meeting everyone at breakfast at 8am sharp … just shy of 4hrs away, in a strange bed whilst feeling marginally hyper!
Much to our joint surprise, we did just that, and after a shot of lemon juice (to alkalise the system), a bowl of specially prepared muesli (fruits, nuts and flakes aplenty) and a hasty change into more suitable trainers and workout gear, we found ourselves in the back of Des’ sand-beat Land Rover Discovery mustering up the courage and the energy for a beach workout. The anxious/despairing/dumbfounded looks that passed between Jules and I on the back seat, whilst listening to Jon, Miley and Des discussing the mornings challenging exercise plan was priceless.
On the short drive to the beach Des explained a little more about Tekne and what he sought to achieve. The name ‘Tekne’ means technology and dexterity. Tekne retreat being the place where through technology and communication a strength and dexterity of the body can be achieved. By teaching in a fun, friendly and encouraging way it is the Tekne aim to develop the body’s physical intelligence, thus helping people improve physically and giving them physical confidence in turn translates to general confidence and wellbeing. By the time I heard the words ‘confidence’ and ‘wellbeing’ my mentality changed and the competitive ‘never give up/never give in’ S-J kicked in. I knew what lay ahead would push me to my limits (particularly after recent medical challenges and the fact that I was far from my peak physical fitness) – but I wouldn’t give in easily.
A couple of hours later and we can safely say we were initiated into the Tekne way of life. We’d rather impressively completed circuits on the beach, interval training on the steep 1,300 steps (enough to put fear into the most hardened of fitness athletes) and a little open water swimming to cool down. A brief ‘recoup’ on a beanbag with a healthy juice from the beach side bar and we were pretty much ready for anything. Jules and I were buzzing with adrenalin and the thoughts of club nights and hard core tans were paling into insignificance.
After a siesta by the pool and a cooling swim we were called to lunch. Jose De Sousa (adorable French resident Chef and food technician extraordinaire) had been busy at work behind the scenes rustling up a healthy, organic culinary delight. All dietary requirements are catered for at Tekne, with all meals being predominantly organic, sugar and gluten-free. There’s a plethora of fruit and vegetables on offer all lovingly cultivated by Jose on the impressive allotment within the grounds. Other than a couple of allergies, I actually follow a relatively healthy nutritional plan, in the main, and the fabulous helpings that Jose dished up were both mouth-wateringly appetising and ample. I think I ate more at meal times at Tekne than I have ever done – but far more of the right foods. Less snacking other than the odd apple and handful of nuts, and there was a distinct lack of alcohol. I know I can live life without it, and I drink considerably less than in my wayward youth … however, let’s just ignore the fact that there’s a glass of bubbles at the side of me as I type this! A little of what you fancy and all that …
There are a whole host of activities on offer at Tekne and, in just 2 days, we merely scratched the surface, choosing perhaps the more gentle aspects of the itinerary … Not that I’d particularly call a 7 am run around the estate gentle! Each day is carefully planned to accommodate the individual residents – but open to change, flexing to weather conditions, timings and most importantly fitting to the clientele. Whilst personal training plans are regimented in intensity and dedication, it is a truly fun and friendly environment, with a great deal of laughter to buffer the groans of exertion.
I’m so proud that both Jules and I rose unreservedly to the challenge and by the time the weekend was out we’d metaphysically and purposefully climbed a mountain and could confidently say we’d ‘done Ibiza.’ We were incredibly pleased that we’d thrown ourselves into all things Tekne and achieved so very much in such a short space of time.
So there we were soaking up the solar power, in the middle of the Ibizan mountains (in close proximity to San Miguel – albeit not the mainland Spain one from whence the beer takes its name), and I discover that we’re neighbours with none other than Ben de Lisi (renowned fashion designer). Des and Jose were masters of dinner table conversation, as was Jon our fellow resident and workout buddy! Anyone who knows me and my fashion background will appreciate that the urge to nip next door for a cup of sugar since the mere mention of such an esteemed fashion guru, was almost overpowering … I say ‘almost’ in the knowledge that sugar was indeed forbidden and had next door not been more than a palm trees breadth away. (Did I mention that we’d done ‘the steps’ on the beach that morning!)! On a power walk into San Miguel after lunch, however, we almost made Mr de Lisi’s acquaintance – Des pointing out his friend’s car by the roadside. Alas it wasn’t to be. I suspect he was on a veranda somewhere with a glass of Cristal overlooking this magical place, unlike us fitness bunnies who were circumnavigating it – on foot!
Jules and I were more than happy to make do with the friends we made; Des (Proprietor/professional gymnast/personal trainer), Jose (proprietor/amazing chef), Anna (mentioned previously), Miley (vegan chef/yoga instructor), Jon (a Media mogul from Kensington, London, who had taken a break from his business and deluxe London lifestyle to recover from injury and was working on returning to peak physical fitness). Last, but by no means least, we made a new canine pal too in the form of Teddy, Des and Jose’s adorable pup, whose energy was abundant despite the heat. He was adorable and the guys were only too happy to show us his party trick! He made the perfect ‘fruit’ bat!
In between training, and in the wake of contentment and exercise induced inertia on the second day … I was lured from the pool by Anna to take part in the filming of a pop video for a Mali music hero. I kid you not!! As my life hurtles headlong towards ‘Insania’ the events there-in continue to get more and more random. I guess no one could ever accuse me of being boring!
After dinner, on our final night at the retreat, we joined the team in a short walk to a neighbouring field where a special tree festival was taking place. Apparently, the biggest pine tree on the island, contributor of all the local pine nuts and produce and a sight to behold, was in situ on the adjacent land to the Tekne retreat. All the locals had congregated to sing and dance around the tree – there was a much revered local ‘yodelling’ competition, traditional dress and Jose even encouraged us to try some of the local delicacies! (Jose’s sweet tooth hadn’t escaped us unnoticed). Such a great way to end our visit. I can truly say that Jules and I did not want to leave the Tekne sanctuary, save for the lure of our families back in Yorkshire we could have gladly taken up permanent residence.
Life regularly throws me a curve ball and Tekne was one of those ‘experiences’ that I honestly cannot wait to repeat. I’m already working out how soon I can afford to return, possibly with Pete and my two youngest in tow. Watch this space.
A massive, huge, THANK YOU to Sportsister for such an AMAZING prize and perhaps more importantly to our new found friends Des, Jose, Anna and the Tekne team for extending such wonderful hospitality, introducing us to their health and fitness regime and helping Jules and I re-evaluate life. As we are quickly beginning to discover that opportunities are there for the taking and you really do reap the rewards and benefit greatly from the efforts you invest. It might not have been the ‘zoning out’ holiday we were dreaming of – but what we experienced was a million times better and one that I’m eager to repeat.
Sarah-Jayne Windridge-France, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
www.teknefitness.com