Stu's Blog
17 Apr 08 - Overseas Visit
The second week of the tour went very well indeed, for me that is. Unfortunately my fellow sprinters both picked up little injuries and were unable to do much running. The bench press however was not left out of the equation! Zico and Jimmy showed determination that their hamstrings wouldn't get in the way of some serious chest work and benched the world for the last few days. We had a mini competition on the last day but despite some amazing plans for a medly relay style multi-event mega race, injury to the majority of the team left overhead med-ball throwing and bench press as the only safe options. My team won, everything! And we even had Chris in our med-ball throwing squad!
I am thankful for my coaches conditioning program over the winter for my new found physical robustness. Ruddy has had me in the gym doing all sorts of eastern european sounding excersises, bulgarian squat and romanian deadlift to name a couple. While Flt Sgt Owen has had me running pyramids upon pyramids and hills upon hills throughout the winter. Now I start to understand the value of conditioning.
Now I am left on my own for a few days until the Scottish Squad come out and I will start the whole thing again, only this time with much less cavorting around the pool, Scottish Athletics have booked us a hotel with a sub-standard diving pool.
Also many thanks to our torturer Dave Lemon who sorted out a few of my early niggles and left me with some nice bruise patterns on my calves.
Until next time.....
7 Apr 08 - Overseas Visit
So after our hardcore friday session, the ents team organised a fancy dress party in their room. Everyone had to bring their own drink and the team spirit definitely shone through with the party moving on into the local area during the evening.
Saturday we rested as everyone's legs were really tired by this point, and by rest I mean play by the pool all day! We also got to sample some of the local culture and facilities.
Sunday was a bit cold (22 degrees C) so we did some block work in the morning. Andy tried to put me off by messing about with my blocks enabling Zico to win most of the runs, i would have to wait until the following day to get my own back over the further distance.
Its Monday and we have just finished our session, consisting of 3 sets of build up 150's on the bend, 2 mins recovery then fast 100m, 10 mins between sets. We flew round the track both into and with the wind while the distance boys looked on in awe. Bar 42, our favourite haunt, is quiet today, but it gives us a chance to write the blog. Off to the gym in a while to do our heavy lifting session, bring on the pain!
6 Apr 08 - Overseas Visit
The sprint squads hardcore morning session was 3 x 200m, all to be run in in under 23s with 15 mins recovery between sets. Sounds like a lot of recovery but since the sprinters actually have muscles on their legs, a longer recovery is required to help refuel them! The sun was beating down by 1030 and we set about trying to warm up our many, many, stiff muscles. the efforts went well and everybody ran them at a decent pace, and Zico performed his favourite trick of turning 15 mins recovery into half an hour right on cue!
Whilst the rest of the guys were resting up, I spent time working on my diving technique in the pool. My James Bond dive is looking good but the "Penguin" is where it's at from now on! Dive perfected we headed back to the gym for a "back" session. Much pulling was accomplished though unfortunately the Kallur twins were having none of it! Andy Hughes was building up the courage to ask them to pose in a photo with him but his guns never felt pumped enough and he was having a major bad hair day!
Now I have read Chris's blog I feel like I have let down my readers, but I must stress that being a sprinter we train hard and play even harder, leaving no time for blog writing. I'm doing this now between my 3rd protein shake and my dive practice. Oh and we have learned all the Portuguese we will ever need: "ola bunito!"
3 Apr 08 - Overseas Visit
Training so far has gone very well for everyone. It took a while to get used to riding a bike a mile and a half to the track twice everyday but the pain in my bottom has subsided somewhat over the last day or two. The weather in Monte Gordo has been out of this country, with not a cloud to be seen in the sky, but many a red back to be seen by the pool! We are also integrating well with the locals and fellow athletes alike, enjoying the various different cultural experiences afforded to us.
The sprinting group in particular, eased themselves into training on Monday with a 6 x 150 session at the track. followed by a gentle gym session in the afternoon to work the guns! To speed things up a bit, Tuesdays session consisted of 8 x 60m drives followed by a push (e.g. bench etc) session in the gym. A Tough Plyometric session on Wednesday separated the men from the boys (sprinters from joggers) down at the beach. The massive difference in power was apparrent straight away, when the bunny hops on the sand were met with whimpers and tears from the pencil necks amongst us. A friendly game of football followed where we managed to recruit some oxfordian females to even the teams out. Contacts were made and rendezvous location affirmed, phase one of training complete!
29 Mar 08 - Overseas Visit
The Overseas Visit is an excellent thing!
Every year, the majority of the squad jets off to warmer climes to take in some sun, sea, socialising and of course hardcore training! This is also an excellent opportunity for newcomers to develop their skills in high quality purpose built facilities and excellent weather. There is always a remedial masseur on hand to help with tired muscles, and they are always utilised to the max.
13 Mar 08 - Normal training
My training plan involves 6 sessions a week, most of that outside works time. I do try and squeeze in the odd gym session during the day but I find that by the time I have warmed up properly, trained, stretched and showered I end up rushing which is not ideal. Most weeks I have 4 track sessions and 2 gym sessions, varying depending on competitions and time of season. Every position I have held since being in the RAF has been very good when it comes to getting time off for sports. I have never missed a competition due to work constraints and I have made it to 3 Overseas Visits.
14 Feb 08 - Indoor Match
The Indoor Invitation match is a really good match. Held at Sheffield for the last couple of years it gives the chance for the three services to showcase their athletic talent (and the universities to show theirs!) This mach is used by many to shake off the cobwebs and set some benchmarks for the upcoming season. The standard of competition was very good this year as many of the students were using it as a warm up for the university championships and the Army really wanted to win! Have a look at some of the pictures from the event.
5 Nov 07 - Winter Training
Throughout this winter the RAFAA held a number of training and standards weekends at both DCAE Cosford and Brunel University. The weekends proved an excellent way for the team to get together to train and socialise and have encouraged many newcomers to the sport, many of whom are looking forward to competing for the RAF in the summer. Looking after the coaching side of things were FS Mark Owen and Ruddy Farquharson, both giving up weekends to impart some of their knowledge and experience.