This summer our family had the chance to combine sport, travel, and a little bit of history with a trip to Vichy, France, where Lauren competed in the Half Ironman 70.3.
Lauren’s Ironman Success
After a year of injuries and setbacks, Lauren did incredibly well and we are so proud that she still managed a very respectable 5th in her age group category, with a super fast swim and decent run despite the hot temperatures. With a smoother build-up, she could easily have been on the podium.
Watching her push through, set such a strong example for our boys, and finish with such determination was inspiring. It was a reminder that resilience in the face of challenges is just as important as raw talent.
Sport and Family Time
Outside of the Ironman, we made the most of what Vichy had to offer, staying just a short walk from Sporting Vichy Club Golf, which was both beautiful and great fun with the boys.
We also tried out pádel at the brand-new National Pádel Centre. It’s a fast-growing sport in Europe that’s a cross between tennis and squash. It was the perfect way to balance spectating with playing.
Learning About Vichy
We took time to learn more about Vichy’s unique history. The town is well known for its role in the Second World War, but also for its spring waters and the famous Vichy mints. These digestive sweets, flavoured with menthol and mineral salts, are part of the town’s heritage – another link between health and daily life.
A Whirlwind Stop in Paris
On the way home we had 24 hours in Paris. We managed to squeeze in a trip up the Eiffel Tower, which never fails to impress. Travel wasn’t without its hiccups though thanks to a mix-up between German and French train fuses, our Eurostar was delayed, rerouted, and eventually ended with us sitting on the floor of the luggage carriage! Not the most comfortable journey, but it made for a story we won’t forget and at least we got home in one piece.
Reflections
Looking back, the trip was a brilliant blend of elite sport, family fun, cultural discovery, and a touch of travel chaos. Lauren’s performance showed the boys what dedication and perseverance look like, and we all came back with new experiences – from golf and pádel to Parisian sightseeing and even learning about digestion-friendly French mints.
Related reading
You may also enjoy: Paris, the marathon and a calf that had other ideas (part one), Skiing smart: a family ski trip and stronger knees, Dogs, families and the things that matter and Returning to cricket after 30 years. You can find all of Nev’s articles on the blog.
