TestimonialsEpisode 8 – How do high performance athletes experience their deconfinement? Judokate Madeleine Malonga, cyclist Romain Bardet and rugby player Antoine Dupont tell the world.
Their sports and goals differ, but not their concerns, with a lifestyle based on physical activity and a calendar scheduled for months. Three high-level French sportsmen told each week World their confinement: the judokate Madeleine Malonga, the cyclist Romain Bardet and the rugby player Antoine Dupont. Eighth and last episode of their notebooks, in which the champions tell their first 24 hours unconfined.
Romain Bardet: "Marveling at the smallest nothing"
ROMAIN BARDET, 29 YEARS OLD, RIDER OF THE AG2R-LA MONDIALE TEAM, FINISHED TWICE ON THE PODIUM OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE.
Time flies very quickly on a bike! This Monday morning, I left early, on very small country roads that I did not know, without other cyclist. We were told: "Be careful, you will no longer have reflexes", but this is literature! Biking is something to remember, especially not in two months after 20 years of practice. On the contrary: it had been so long since I was in a static position on the trainer that I was really one with the machine. At the first turn, I turned as usual.
Sign of fate, it did not rain. I was able to redo what I am intended for. If I like this sport, it is to train in beautiful places, to be on quiet roads and to make uneven. I felt much more sensitive, attentive to the surrounding nature. I could feel the humidity in the forest, the smell of fir trees, usual sensations that I no longer paid attention to. I was amazed at the smallest nothing.
I did four hours and enjoyed every second of it. The goal was not to binge, especially not to compensate for this period without going out on the road. Until early June, the program will remain fairly basic. I did 2,300 meters of elevation gain, 29 km / h on average, the ordinary of my endurance outings.
Of course, I'm a bit on the street in the bumps: the home trainer does not really imitate the percentages. However, I have a very round pedal stroke and I was surprised. I was afraid of being in trouble on the endurance but I could have continued an hour and a half without problem. I’m a little used to being a dancer, the position is less natural, but I feel well sheathed on the bike and I found a certain fluidity in the pedal stroke.
I have accumulated the advantages of the psychological freshness that one can accumulate in the winter period with the benefits of not leaving again completely de-trained. To my surprise, I did not gain weight during confinement, one kilogram at most. Like what, the body adapts … But the goals are so far that it's going to be a slow increase in pressure. I give myself until mid-July to be competitive.
It’s crazy: it’s the first time I’ve felt like I’ve been able to really take a break from the start of my career. This restriction of movement thwarted my nature which is to always want to be on the move, to see people. I took advantage of my loved ones, saw my son grow up, learned to ask me too. Obviously, there was no question of rejoicing in the situation. On a strictly personal level, this is an experience that will have made me feel good.
Madeleine Malonga: "I chose to resume with my club"
MADELEINE MALONGA, 26 YEARS OLD, IS A WORLD JUDO CHAMPION IN THE 78 KG CATEGORY.
I was apprehensive, like when you end your vacation. We tell ourselves that it will be hard to resume and finally, everything is going well. It was the same for me on Monday May 11 and I didn’t feel any backlash. Just seeing people outside, it was like life was starting again.
I first went to the hairdresser. Then I went outside to do my session for the first time in a very long time. I ran around the lake in the Bois de Vincennes, not far from the Insep [National Institute for Sport, Expertise and Performance] where I train in normal times.
It was a nice feeling. There were a few people but on the whole people were not crowded. It felt like that freedom had been lacking.
Tomorrow morning, I have an appointment for a medical check-up at the Insep. These are the medical tests before resuming physical training next week. This is not a coronavirus test, but we are going to have an EKG to detect possible heart damage related to the coronavirus.
During a second meeting with our coaches last week, the conditions for progressive recovery were clarified. The Insep reopens, but it is on a voluntary basis. We have the choice to resume with our respective clubs. This is what I chose.
In my Blanc-Mesnil club, we will be less numerous, I feel more peaceful vis-à-vis the fears of contamination. We will be a small group of five and it is easier to manage for the physical preparation and for the equipment.
I’ll see to go back to Insep in June when we can do judo again.
"Antoine Dupont's testimony will be added later.
Previous episodes
