A full week in Spain. New environment, more focus and more time together as a team. A chance to build something that would carry all the way to Riga. And it delivered.
For many of the HapoRunners, this wasn’t just another training block, it was their first-ever training camp. A full week of training, recovery, and repeat.
From the moment the team landed in Torrevieja, the shift was clear. Sunshine replaced grey skies, and the days quickly found their rhythm. Morning runs along the coast, workouts under the sun, easy runs that didn’t always feel so easy anymore. As the week went on, the legs got heavier but at the same time, the group got stronger.
That’s the thing about a training camp. It’s not just about individual sessions. It’s about stacking days, learning how your body reacts, and finding a new level when you’re a bit outside your comfort zone.
The plan was to line up for a 10km race as a proper benchmark after months of consistent work. But just before race day, the race was cancelled by the organizers due to flooding.
Not ideal, but also not something that changed the direction. The team adapted quickly, and a 5km test race in Santa Pola replaced the original plan. Shorter, sharper, and maybe even more honest after days in the sun, slightly tired legs, and a chance to see what’s there.
And that’s exactly what this week was about. Building fitness, testing it and taking it forward.
Below, the runners Diana, Inka and Luukas share their experiences from Torrevieja and the 5km test in Santa Pola.
First impression when you landed?
Diana: “It wasn’t that warm here after all”
Inka: AMAZING to be at a training camp and spend time with the HapoRunners crew.
Luukas: Happy to see AJ come pick us up in a family van. Sunny sky, lots of flamingos and salt dunes
Best session of the week?
Diana: Sunday tempo run (replacing race day for me) and cooldown on the beach
Inka: Tempo run or the 5km test race
Luukas: Barefoot shakeout run on the beach + swim in the ocean after the run
5 km test race: time and feeling?
Diana: I did 6 km tempo run instead and felt so good to run faster again! This was basically my first slightly longer continuous tempo run since late November (after injury)
Inka: 21:06. The last kilometers were uphill and brutal, but we pushed through, and afterwards it felt amazing. Coach-Jemina leading the way made a huge difference
Luukas: 18:05, happy to get a big improvement to PB after a tough season with plenty of injuries. But who put 3 hills back-to-back?
What happened on the camp stays on the camp?
Diana: Vacation-Julie
Inka: Well… a lot happened, but especially AJ’s morning routines stand out.
Luukas: I am not allowed to tell, but lots of unpublishable material
Most memorable moment off the track?
Diana: Number games, carpool karaoke, and evening therapy sessions
Inka: Morning swims, flowers for Women’s Day, and Luukas’ and Juho’s pre-birthday celebrations
Luukas: Carpool karaoke and AJ treating me like a princess with a 7-course meal
Riga mindset after this week?
Diana: ”Nobody can stopstopstop us”
Inka: Feeling excited, but there’s still hard work ahead to reach the goal
Luukas: It's going to be a trip of a lifetime
Would you do it again?
Diana: Anytime!!
Inka: Absolutely! And next time, I’d happily do a longer trip
Luukas: Like after a marathon, you think you wouldn't put yourself through it again, but 100% will
Pasta or paella, what fuelled the camp?
Diana: Pizza
Inka: Tortellini, all day every day
Luukas: We ate tortellini and pesto every day
