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Share  Tweet Wednesday 16th November 2016

Being brilliant at the basics: Blencathra training camp

Athletes from the British performance and development squads headed to Keswick for our latest training camp. This weekend focused on getting the team to be ‘brilliant at the basics’ and included training sessions, workshops, and discussions on how to prepare for a successful 2017 season.

Based at the Blencathra field centre which provided stunning views of the surrounding area, Saturday morning began with a team discussion on 2016 and the year ahead. This offered a good opportunity for individuals to voice opinions on current squad dynamics and any changes that might benefit the team moving forward. The athletes then headed out to Lodore Forest for a technical training session with the location offering fantastic scenery along with some challenging running for the team across tricky terrain. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this session which involved plenty of head to head racing along with an element of surprise and unpredictability!

After a well-earned lunch, the team re-grouped for a talk on nutrition given by sports nutritionist Jasmine Campbell. Jasmine stressed the importance of the ‘four R’s’ of refuelling, rehydrating, rebuilding and resting after exercise. The athletes were shown ways to optimise their diets through eating smarter in order to recover quicker from tough sessions. Team performance was the final session of day one which, facilitated by Jim Evans, saw the athletes discuss their thoughts about how the group was progressing and any changes they might like to see. Team Manager Dave Rollins then provided everyone with a highly entertaining quiz to round off the first day, with cracker eating, face pegging and ‘creative’ firework designs separating intense rounds that proved a serious test of the athletes’ general and sporting knowledge.

Quite contrastingly to the previous day, Sunday brought snow, wind and rain. The first topic of the day was training and most importantly how to train specifically for certain events. Led by Alister Russell, the athletes were asked think about what training they do and why they do certain sessions. They then designed their own key session to fit into a normal training week, demonstrating how they would progress the session over the year and offer justification for doing it. Afterwards, discussions continued from the previous day’s conversation and everyone gathered to discuss the topics that had arisen. This proved to be a productive session in which everyone could voice opinions on a range of areas such as analysis of training and races, staying in touch between camps and the group plan for the following months.

      

With key issues covered, the team planned a few routes and set out in different groups for an afternoon run, with some heading up into the mountains to make the most of our location. The rain eventually subsided but strong winds and cold temperatures made for some tough conditions along the hill tops of Skiddaw. With everyone returned safely, there was time for a final feast before the first groups had to depart to meet train and flight deadlines.

It was another busy weekend with a lot to pack into just two days.  However, Blencathra set the scene for a very enjoyable weekend.

We look forward to the next one!

We would like to thank:  West Cumbria Orienteering Club and the National trust for the permission to use Lodore Woods for Training; Blencathra Field Studies Centre for their warm welcome and excellent accommodation; Jim Evans for his professional approach and work on teambuilding and communication and Jasmine Campbell for her interesting and informative workshop on Performance Nutrition.

Finally, a huge congratulations goes to Kris Jones on an outstanding 10K PB of 29.32 at the Leeds Abbey Dash race on Sunday.

 

 

 

 

Item posted by Jennie Taylor, Marketing Manager on behalf of Performance and Talent.

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