The holiday resort of Lanzarote provided a tough training ground for a newspaper reporter bidding for triathlon glory.

Emma-Kate Lidbury, from the Oxford Mail, spent ten days at the popular tourist spot where she put herself through a punishing training schedule.

Emma-Kate did her first triathlon in 2005 for an Oxford Mail feature but has become so successful at the sport she’s decided to go part-time at the Newsquest daily.

Like many other athletes, the 28-year-old was drawn to the warm March temperatures of the Atlantic which provided another break from the UK winter after a pre-Christmas training trip to Australia.

She told holdthefrontpage: “I’ve had ten days of really focused, consistent training.

“Although home to many a boozy package holiday, Lanzarote is also renowned among cyclists and triathletes for its testing riding conditions.

“The wind and the hills are challenging to say the least so you’ll often find scores of athletes out there, especially at this time of year, putting in the miles ready for the season ahead.

“I went out there about this time last year and got a lot from it so thought a return visit would be welcome, especially after spending January and February yearning for the Australian sunshine again.”

Just prior to the trip she dislocated her right shoulder during a weights session meaning that swimming was out of the question.

Instead, she managed to clock-up around 600km on the bike which included her first-ever 100-mile ride.

She added: “I think I’m now in the best shape I’ve ever been.

“Although I dislocated my right shoulder, I have now recovered a lot of strength in it and hopefully won’t have lost too much fitness in the water.

“The triathlon season is now just around the corner. My first race is four weeks away at the Swindon Duathlon (bike and run only).

“I’m genuinely excited about racing. It’s not all fun and games though. I do have a weekend shift in the newsroom this weekend.”