ALL HAIL
ADAM SCOTT
EDITOR’S LETTER
THE AUSTRALIAN SURF LIFE SAVING TITLES HAVE BEEN RUN AND WON AND AGAIN IT WAS A SPECTACULAR EVENT. OF ALL THE EVENTS ON OFFER AND AMONGST ALL THE COMPETITORS, THIS YEAR ONE CAUGHT MY EYE - 61 YEAR OLD JOSE DESFOSSES WHO COMPETES IN THE MASTERS 1KM AND STILL COMPETES IN THE OPEN NATIONAL 2KM SOFT SAND FINAL AND DOES HIMSELF PROUD. HE’S TURNED HIMSELF FROM A SCHOOL KID WHO CAME LAST IN EVERYTHING WITH LOW SELF ESTEEM, TO A CHAMPION RUNNER WITH THE HELP OF HIS SURF CLUB SCARBOROUGH. READ HIS INSPIRATIONAL STORY. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR ATHLETES WHO DID WELL AT THE NATIONALS. TO THOSE THAT DIDN’T REACH THEIR GOALS, THINK ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL WHEN YOU DIDN’T GET THE RESULTS YOU WANTED AT AUSSIES AND USE THAT AS MOTIVATION FOR NEXT YEAR. DON’T JUST TALK ABOUT WANTING TO DO BETTER, START PREPARING NOW AND MAKE SURE YOU DO THE WORK TO ENSURE BETTER RESULTS. THE PROFESSIONAL QUEENSLANDERS CAN BE BEATEN. REMEMBER PROFESSIONALISM ISN’T GETTING PAID TO PLAY SPORT - IT’S A STATE OF MIND AND COMMITMENT TO PREPARATION, RACING AND TRAINING AND LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED IN THE QUEST FOR REACHING YOUR ABSOLUTE POTENTIAL. MAKE SURE YOU DESERVE SUCCESS AT NEXT YEAR’S AUSSIES BY PUTTING IN THE WORK ALL YEAR. INSIDE OLYMPIC RUNNER ELOISE WELLINGS IS ABOUT TO “POP” WITH A BRAND NEW, SHINY BABY AND WE WELCOME TO OUR WRITING RANKS PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST WITH THE WIGGLE HONDA PRO CYCLING TEAM LAUREN KITCHEN. IT IS SO GREAT TO HAVE ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE WITH A BIG FUTURE WRITING FOR US AND GIVING GREAT INSIGHTS INTO WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF SPORT RIGHT NOW. OH YES AND THIS MONTH WE’RE OFF TO HAMILTON ISLAND FOR A TRAINING CAMP AND A COUPLE OF RACES - YOU BEAUTY!
8 LAUREN KITCHEN
Professional Athlete Profile
16 AUSSIES 2013 Jock Campbell
24 SUPERFOODS FOR ATHLETES Rebecca Gawthorne
30 WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS: TRAINING IN THE WINTER Dan Atkins
36 FROM THE PLAYGROUND TO PRO ATHLETE Empirica Research
40 ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPS:
AUSSIE TEAM TAKING SHAPE Peter Hadfield
46 EAT, PRAY, BURP Rebecca Gawthorne
52 ATHLETE NEWS Jock Athletic
EZINE BRAINS TRUST PUBLISHER Jock Athletic EDITORS Jock Campbell / Melissa Campbell ART DIRECTOR/DESIGN Kiss the Sky ADVERTISING/PRODUCTION Melissa Campbell 6
CONTRIBUTORS Dan Atkins, Jock Campbell, Peter Colagiuri, Rebecca Gawthorne, Peter Hadfield, Daniel Lane, Michael Martin, Siobhan McCarthy, Craig Stevens, Paul Watson, Eloise Wellings
IMAGE: Eloise Wellings, at 35 weeks pregnant, enjoying Sydney’s warm autumn weather in all it’s glory. jockathletic.com Image courtesy of Jonathon Wellings, www.birdandbee.com.au
EDITORIAL OFFICE Jock Athletic | PO Box 1186 Cronulla 2230 0415 998 636 | EMAIL ezine@jockathletic.com www.jockathletic.com
SUBSCRIBE NOW »
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LAUREN KITCHEN
PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE PROFILE
All images courtesy of Bart Hazen, official photographer of the Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling team (barthazen@gmail.com) 8
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A DETERMINED YOUNG WOMAN FROM THE NSW MID NORTH COAST,
LAUREN
KITCHEN IS CARVING A NAME FOR HERSELF AS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH ON THE PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CYCLING TOUR. WITH AMBITIONS TO ONE DAY RIDE FOR AUSTRALIA AT THE OLYMPICS, WE ARE HONOURED TO HAVE LAUREN JOIN THE JOCK ATHLETIC TEAM AS A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR ON ALL-THINGS CYCLING.
JA: WHO IS LAUREN KITCHEN? I am a 22yo professional cyclist from Port Macquarie, Australia. For the majority of the year I am based in Breda, The Netherlands, where I live with my cousin and her partner so that I am close to the team for the races across Europe. I am also studying a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning through the University of New England, via distance education.
JA: WHAT IS YOUR SPORT OF CHOICE? Road Cycling.
JA: WHAT’S YOUR SPECIALIST DISCIPLINE: SPRINTER, CLIMBER? I like to think of myself as a bit of an allrounder, which helps me with my reputation as a strong domestique. I think that in women’s cycling you need to be able to be flexible to courses and different conditions so I like to work on all areas to become better as an all-round cyclist.
JA: YOU RECENTLY JOINED THE WIGGLE HONDA PRO CYCLING TEAM. WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE INVOLVED WITH SUCH A NEW OUTFIT? Wiggle Honda is a very exciting project that I am lucky to be a part of. I joined Wiggle Honda from Rabobank where I was racing with World number one, Marianne Vos. Being with Rabobank was my first ‘big team’ experience and a team where I learnt a lot about bike racing and about myself. I am very excited to have come to Wiggle Honda as it has given me a great balance of support and flexibility. It is exciting to be growing as part of this new team with a great bunch of girls! 10
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JA: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAINING SESSION AND WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?
JA: WHAT’S THE TOUGHEST EVENT OR SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT YOU’VE EVER DONE?
DEFIANTLY THE GIRO D’ITALIA, A TEN DAY STAGE RACE THROUGH ITALY. I HAVE COMPLETED IT THREE For me I love a training ride that TIMES. LAST YEAR I RODE WITH I do when I’m back in Australia, in RABOBANK AND DEFENDED Port Macquarie. It is a ride to a place THE PINK JERSEY OF called Comboyne, which is 56km west of MARIANNE VOS AND Port Macquarie. The ride is very up and down BECAME PART OF THE the whole way and involves a 7km climb up to WINNING TEAM! A Comboyne. I usually stop for a coffee before REALLY GREAT, BUT heading back down to Port Mac. I love this CHALLENGING ride as it is very quiet and remote and is a TEN DAYS OF challenging course with the climbs and very SUFFERING. ‘dead’ roads. JA: HOW MANY TRAINING SESSIONS DO YOU DO PER WEEK & THE BREAKDOWN? My training varies depending on my race schedule but during a training phase, such as a buildup period I would be on the bike 6-7 times a week over six days and would spend up to 5 hours in the saddle, mostly solo. In the buildup periods I usually have three gym sessions a week with a personal trainer and also like to get in some quality stretching and massage sessions during the week to aid my recovery.
JA: HOW DO YOU FIT ALL THAT IN- DO YOU WORK AS WELL ? My passion of cycling has now also become my job! I do study and most of the time this is a balancing act that works for me but it can be stressful when there is a lot due at once!
JA: WHAT ARE YOUR SECRETS TO STICKING TO A TRAINING PROGRAM? For me, I follow a program that is quite flexible. I know what sort of training I have to do but if I wake up and feel terrible I know I’m not going to gain much from forcing a session that isn’t going to improve my performance. The most important thing is to be having fun. If I’m not enjoying it, it is hard to be motivated. So I work on making sure it is fun and some times that means exploring new training roads, riding with a new group or simply trying a new ideas.
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LAUREN KITCHEN
JA: WHAT’S YOUR BEST EXCUSE FOR NOT STICKING TO A TRAINING PROGRAM? I write my own program with the advice from my coach so I know what I have to do but sometimes it is a lot easier to change it when you write it yourself. But my best excuse is probably that the weather is terrible and the last few weeks it has been snowing and below 2 degrees here, so I don’t think it is too bad!
JA: WHAT’S YOUR MOST DREADED TRAINING SESSION? In the last few weeks the hardest sessions have been the 3-4hrs solo in the freezing European weather. Mostly I do my own program so I make sure I enjoy every time I get out on the bike.
JA: WHAT’S CHALLENGE?
YOUR
NEXT
BIG
This weekend I have the Ronde van Vlaanderen, or the Tour of Flanders. This is one of the biggest one-day races on the calendar and defiantly the most enjoyable. It has everything - climbs, cobbles, 200 starters and big crowds. A very cool bike race.
JA: WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION IN THE SPORTING WORLD? Marianne Vos. She is the best bike rider of the generation and possibly ever. She has won nearly every race there is but still has such a down to earth personality and is really one of the nicest people. She is quite shy but makes you want to perform for her, a great leader and someone I will continue to look up to.
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“IN WOMEN’S CYCLING YOU FLEXIBLE TO COURSES AND D I LIKE TO WORK ON ALL ARE BETTER AS AN ALL-ROUND C
U NEED TO BE ABLE TO BE DIFFERENT CONDITIONS SO EAS OF RACING TO BECOME CYCLIST.”
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Lauren, far right, here with her Wiggle Honda teammates, during a recent training camp through Northern Italy., including fellow Australian and team owner Rochelle Gilmore (holding the bike).
JA: YOUR FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL SAYING?
pressure makes diamonds 14
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TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH LAUREN’S RACE RESULTS & PROGRESS THROUGH WWW.WIGGLEHONDA.COM
OR CHECK OUT HER BLOG AT WWW.LAURENKITCHEN.COM
Picture courtesy of Neil Walker
see better. ride faster.
Proud partners of Genesys Pro Cycling Team evil eye halfrim PRO
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AUSSIES 2013
SURF LIFE SAVING TITLES 16
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MY FAVORITE ANNUAL EVENT, THE AUSTRALIAN SURF LIFESAVING TITLES, WAS RUN AND WON AT NORTH KIRRA BEACH ON QUEENSLAND’S GOLD COAST LAST MONTH. AUSTRALIAN AND WORLD CHAMPION COMPETITORS NATHAN AND SIMONE COTTER FIRST INTRODUCED THIS EVENT TO ME IN THE EARLY 90’S WHEN, AT THE TIME, I WAS THEIR RUNNING AND GYM COACH. I QUICKLY GAINED INTEREST AND THROUGH BOTH THEIR SUCCESSES, I WAS HOOKED.
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THERE IS AN EVENT FOR EVERYONE IN SURF LIFESAVING FROM SURF SWIM, TO BOAT ROWING, IRONMAN, BEACH SPRINTS, BOARD & SKI PADDLING AND MY FAVORITE EVENT, THE LUNGBUSTING 2KM SOFT SAND BEACH RUN. EVERY YEAR PROVIDES GREAT THEATRE AND SOME EXTRAORDINARY STORIES. A runner to catch my eye over the past couple of years in the 2km event is Mauritian-born Jose Desfosses, who competed in the over 60’s category in the masters 1km beach run. He wins each year by a long, long way, has a beautiful technique, clearly has mastered the art of running on sand and then back’s
MASTER’S COMPETITOR, JOSÉ ‘JOE’ DESFOSSES, IS IN A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN IN THE 2KM BEACH RUN. BUT THIS WASN’T ALWAYS THE CASE.
up to compete in the opens, where last year he finished a very respectable 16th, flashing past me with 400m to go. But for ‘Joe’, this was not always the case. Joe had a terrible childhood at school, always coming last in runs at school and his dream
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at that stage was to place second last so he didn’t have to suffer the embarrassment, teasing and self-esteem damaging torment from placing last. Well, this story has a great ending as Joe joined the surf club at Scarborough in Perth and met a champion runner at the club who took him under his wing, training him to achieve his goal of not coming last. So grateful was Joe to his mate that even though he felt he could beat him in races and training, he never did out of respect, until one day, feeling very guilty, he overtook his mate. He never looked back, becoming a champion runner. This sums up the story of Surf Life Saving – it’s all-inclusive, it’s about helping your mate, respect and celebrating our great outdoors.
JOE TOLD ME A STORY OF A YOUNG BLOKE, WHO DURING A TELEVISED RACE IN PERTH, CAME UP TO HIM BEFORE THE RACE AND SAID “HEY GRANDPA, WHY DON’T YOU GO SIT DOWN AND WATCH THIS RACE AT HOME IN YOUR DRESSING GOWN? THIS IS FOR PROPER RUNNERS”. WELL, JOE TOOK GREAT PLEASURE IN FLYING PAST THIS YOUNG FELLA TO WIN THE RACE. NOW JOE HELPS RUNNERS OF ALL AGES, FROM ALL CLUBS AND STANDARDS.
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His story reminds me of our young runner, the highly energetic Ali Najem, who only started in Surf Life Saving last winter after he started cross country training with me. It is great to see how well all at Wanda Surf Club have accepted and embraced Ali. This kid, who many of his teachers at school said would do no good, is now 3 times state champion and has two silver medals from the Australian Titles to match in his first year of Surf Life Saving competition. Another great Surf Titles, and more great Surf Lifesaving stories from another great summer! This year was no different.
JOCK CAMPBELL IS THE HIGH PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR OF JOCK ATHLETIC AND THE FORMER PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE MANAGER FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKET TEAM FROM 2000-2005. JOCK HAS BEEN TRAINING & COACHING SURF LIFE SAVING ATHLETES FOR OVER 25 YEARS. FOR MORE ON JOCK & SPORTS HIGH PERFORMANCE, CHECK OUT HIS WEBSITE JOCKATHLETIC.COM OR EMAIL
EZINE@JOCKATHLETIC.COM
SUPERFO
FOR ATHLETES “SUPERFOODS” - A TERM THAT EMERGED IN THE 1990S - ARE TYPES OF FOODS THAT HAVE VERY HIGH AMOUNTS OF ANTIOXIDANTS AND ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS, WITH MINIMAL NEGATIVE COMPOUNDS LIKE ARTIFICIAL ADDITIVES. BUT IT’S THEIR HIGH ANTIOXIDANT CONTENT THAT MAKES SUPERFOODS CRUCIAL FOR ATHLETES AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE.
REBECCA GAWTHORNE
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OODS
ACCORDING TO THE OXFORD DICTIONARY, A SUPERFOOD IS “A FOOD CONSIDERED ESPECIALLY NUTRITIOUS OR OTHERWISE BENEFICIAL TO HEALTH AND WELL-BEING”. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY ARE NUTRIENT-DENSE, SUPER TREMENDOUSLY HEALTHY FOODS THAT GIVE YOU THE BIGGEST NUTRITIONAL BANG FOR EACH BITE!
ANTIOXIDANTS, WHICH ARE FOUND IN HIGH AMOUNTS IN SUPERFOODS,
WORK TO NEUTRALISE
FREE RADICALS. SO INSTEAD OF THE FREE RADICALS DAMAGING THE CELLS IN YOUR BODY,
THE SCIENCE: SUPERFOODS, ANTIOXIDANTS & EXERCISE One of the most important properties of Superfoods is their high antioxidant content, which is crucial for athletes. When you exercise, your body undergoes increased oxidative stress (about 100x more in working vs. non-working muscles!) This produces free radicals.
Free radicals are nasty little species that travel around your body killing cells and damaging your DNA, which leads to ageing and disease. Free radicals also adversely affect your exercise performance by increasing fatigue, damaging your muscle cells and reducing your immune function. Antioxidants from foods that prevent free radical damage during exercise include vitamin E, vitamin C, carotenoids and flavonoids. 26
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THEY REACT WITH THE ANTIOXIDANTS,
KEEPING YOU HEALTHY AND PREVENTING CELLULAR AND DNA DAMAGE!
SUPERFOODS
THEREFORE PLAY
A
CRUCIAL ROLE IN REDUCING THE OXIDATIVE STRESSES THAT RESULT FROM UNDERTAKING
STRENUOUS EXERCISE.
Findings from recent studies suggest that a diet rich antioxidant-containing Superfoods is capable of protecting against oxidative stress during exercise. Therefore, the more exercise you do, the more dietary antioxidants you need. Interestingly though, antioxidant supplements have not been shown to improve the body’s response to an increase in exercise. Supplementation can even increase markers of oxidative stress during exercise, so eating the antioxidant Superfood is a win!
MY TOP 15 Additional Benefits of Superfoods for Athletes In addition to reducing oxidative stress with exercise, Superfoods will also benefit athletes by: • Metabolising energy for exercise • Burning body fat • Reducing & preventing inflammation in the body • Promoting digestive health • Keeping your immune system strong • Healthy weight maintenance (as Superfoods are less processed and contain minimal refined sugars and saturated fats).
THE BEST SUPERFOODS FOR ATHLETES There is no definitive list of Superfoods for athletes. However, I have complied a list of the top 15 Superfoods I consider to be the most beneficial for athletes based on the current research around Superfoods, antioxidants, energy and exercise.
SUPERFOODS FOR ATHLETES:
01. SALMON 02. BLUEBERRIES 03. NATURAL YOGHURT (WITH PROBIOTICS LACTOBACILLUS OR ACIDOPHILUS)
04. OATMEAL & WHEAT GERM 05. SWEET POTATO 06. EGGS 07. WALNUTS 08. BROCCOLI & SPINACH 09. CHIA & FLAX SEEDS 10. AVOCADO 11. BANANAS 12. QUINOA 13. SOY 14. CITRUS FRUITS 15. GARLIC
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
TAKE THE SUPERFOOD CHALLENGE
A well-chosen diet, rich in Superfoods with high antioxidant levels, is your best defence against the increased oxidative stress associated with strenuous exercise as an athlete. In essence, you should increase your intake of antioxidant-rich Superfoods to reflect your total energy intake. So increase your intake of Superfoods and include them in as many meals and snacks as possible!
Challenge yourself to eat 10 or more of my top 15 Superfoods every day for one week!
REBECCA GAWTHORNE IS AN ACCREDITED PRACTISING DIETICIAN AND NUTRITIONIST. FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN CONTACT REBECCA BY PHONE OR EMAIL: REBECCA.GAWTHORNE@GMAIL.COM M: 0425 240 350
Rebecca Gawthorne - Dietitian & Nutritionist
BN utrDiet (Hons I), APD, AN
“Feel, Look & Live Healthier” As an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Rebecca uses the latest scientific evidence to develop personalised dietary plans to help you reach your goals. Plans are tailored specifically to you, the individual, whatever your lifestyle. Rebecca will provide you with expert nutrition and dietary advice on easy ways to eat healthier and achieve your health goals faster. Should I see a Dietitian? If you need help with, or experience any of the following, you will benefit from seeing a Dietitian: ·
Slow or plateaued results from your exercise
Clinical conditions including:
·
Lethargy, tiredness, weak immune system
·
Sport nutrition training and competition diet
·
Diabetes
·
Help with weight loss
·
High blood pressure
· ·
Mood swings, food or sugar cravings Safe muscle building
·
High cholesterol
·
Heart conditions
·
Digestion & gut problems
·
Food allergies & intolerances
Health Fund & Medicare Rebates available.
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WHERE THE
Magic
HAPPENS Training through Winter
DAN ATKINS
CRAIG ALEXANDER SAID IT BEST: “THERE IS NEVER BAD WEATHER TO TRAIN IN, JUST BAD CLOTHING CHOICES”. Crowie is 100% right!!! If you have all the right gear then there is no excuse for you no to get out there and get tough through the cooler months. Training through winter is where athletes turn into warriors OR they hide under the bed doona and make excuses for why it’s better to stay in bed than to battle the elements. I had to scrounge through my cycling gear recently to find my arm warmers as it was the coldest morning since October. It is crucial to make sure you have everything in check before you hit the roads. Arm warmers, knee warmers, wind vests, ear warmers toe warmers and of course at least one pair of gloves. All this is needed to get you on the bike in the cooler months to come. Trust me - if you’re warm the winter months you’ll experience the best months to ride. Start early and get to see gorgeous sunrises with still, crisp clear skies. With a little less focus on races so you can just concentrate on getting the job done! Winter on the bike is the hardest to comprehend. That first breath of sub 5-degree mornings can give you an instant headache. You forget to drink on the bike so
you dehydrate more so than summer. But make these months the building block for your summer race onslaught. Here are some tips to getting through winter on the bike:
Get the clothing right: OK, cycling gear can be expensive, but for the better part, once you have all the gear you won’t need to buy it again for a long time. I have had the same toe warmers for 3 seasons, 4 rides a week for 5 months. A lot of bike shops will give you good deals if you get it all at once. But as I explained earlier here is what you need:
1. Cycling wind vest $75-100 keeps your chest and neck warm at all times!!! The wind is what makes it so hard on the bike and when its 5 degrees Celsius you need your chest warm.
2. Toe warmers Approx $30-40 the very best you can make for your feet. Your head, toes and finger tips are receptors for your body that pick up cooler conditions straight away. Put them on your feet you’ll thank me big time.
3. Arm/ knee/ leg warmers: From $30-70 for each- cover up and leave no gaps of skin!!! Wearing these doesn’t restrict your movement on the bike and are also very good to run in as well!
4. Ear Warmers $30-50. The 2nd best thing to buy this winter, you may not hear quite as well but again keep the ears warm and life will be a little easier. Just be aware you’ll have to readjust your helmet so make sure it is still safe on your head.
5. Gloves Depends on where you live but even in Brisbane we have sub 5-degree mornings where you need to wear two pairs if possible. Get a thin pair then make sure you own a wind proof pair. It makes it almost unbearable if your fingers are cold!! From $40-Anything! Key point though - make sure you can feel your brakes and gears for better reactions when it is needed.
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Training: Even though the cooler months make it a lot harder to get out of bed, for me there is something about the cool air hitting your face at 5am in the morning with your lights a blazing - it just seems more enjoyable. There is less pressure on you to focus on racing so do the hard yards, hit the hills and make every session count. Here are a few ideas for sessions over the next few months:
1. Hill work I love the 6-10km climbs just tapping the pedals, seeing the beautiful clear skies ahead then once you’re at the top, spend the time to take in the moment. If the gradient and your fitness are working well together stay seated for the better part and attack the corners out of the saddle. The hamstrings need to be stretched and worked as well. Learn to descend the right way. Follow someone that has the skills to show you how.
2. Learn to time trial hard! In your weekly long ride add in a 30-45min time trial effort along a long stretch of road; make it undulating to give it that strength & endurance effect!!! The more you learn what your body is capable of the easier it is to push through come race day.
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3. Do a road race or crit. RACE THE CYCLISTS AND FOLLOW THEIR LEAD. GO AND FIND YOUR LOCAL BIKE CLUB AND ASK THEM WHETHER THEY DO ANY SKILLS SESSIONS OR EVEN BETTER ASK ABOUT RACING. GET A 4 DAY LICENCE WHICH IS ABOUT $50 AND THEN TO GET YOUR SKILLS UP AS WELL AS HAVING A CRACKING SESSION. I like my guys to run off the bike post race (it gets the cyclists back up a bit so be mindful you don’t show off in front of them - they might remember this next time you race). Something like 20min best avg. off the bike is great after a real fatigue-driven event. This sort of session can build your base and lift the level that your conditioning was at the end of last season. You can add in of course a windtrainer session as well which helps when it just gets unbearable outside!!! Winter is where the magic is made for your upcoming season, so keep yourself motivated by doing different sessions. The colder days do make it harder but get in a group and work together.
If you’re not in a triathlon club or with a coach ask at the local bike shop if they have any rides on. Be pro-active because riding solo through winter is harder again.
Get the gear, be seen and enjoy the ride! Stay safe.
DAN ATKINS IS THE DIRECTOR OF D.A.T. RACING IN BRISBANE AND HAS SOME 23 YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A TRIATHLON COACH AND ATHLETE. CONTACT DAN DIRECTLY: DANATKINS08@GMAIL.COM
OR CHECK OUT HIS WEBSITE DANATKINSTRAINING.COM.AU
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From the
Playground to
Pro Athlete EMPIRICA RESEARCH RESEARCH INTO THE CAREER TRAJECTORY OF ELITE ATHLETES INDICATES THAT SECONDARY SCHOOL IS A VITAL TIME IN AN ASPIRING PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE’S CAREER, WITH MANY SCHOOLS CAPITALISING ON THEIR STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES AND COACHES TO ATTRACT THE CREAM OF THE NEXT CROP.
PLAYING SPORT IN SECONDARY SCHOOL HAS NUMEROUS BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS – THEY NOT ONLY LEARN VITAL SKILLS SUCH AS TEAMWORK, COORDINATION AND FAIRNESS, BUT RESEARCH ALSO INDICATES THAT SCHOOL SPORT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION CAN IMPROVE CONCENTRATION, MEMORY, BEHAVIOUR AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. Currently, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development recommends that for secondary schools, students should be offered a minimum of 100 minutes per week for physical education and 100 minutes per week for sport. Some schools, however, are going above and beyond this recommendation – making sport a central focus of their curriculum. These schools aim to deliver elite athletic programs and provide start-of-the-art facilities in order to foster future sporting heroes, and are attracting many talented young students because of this. Research looking into the career trajectory of elite athletes indicates that secondary school is a vital time in an aspiring processional athlete’s career. In early high school, students are in the ‘initiation stage’ of athletic development – where they are introduced to a sport that appeals to them enough to inspire them to pursue it at a professional level. After the initiation stage, they enter the development stage (which generally
occurs from mid-high school up until age 20), where they transition from junior level into senior or (semi) professional sports and ultimately into more high-level (national or international) competitions. Fundamental to this development stage are the coaches, facilities and training programs that the school can provide. A research article from Bond University in QLD suggests that proper training facilities not only enable elite athletes to perform successfully, but they also can encourage others to take an interest and participate. Many schools use their facilities or coaching programs as a marketing tool in order to attract new students. In Victoria, Maribyrnong College (Victoria’s only state-funded Sports Specialism school) attracts many young athletes with the facilities of its Sporting Academy, which includes, for example, an elite training centre, 6 international standard tennis courts, a national standard artificial hockey pitch, and a FIFA rated soccer field. Just down the road from Maribyrnong, Essendon Keilor College asserts that its training program and partnership with the Melbourne International Tennis School prepares students for the international tennis circuit.
IT SEEMS THAT PARENTS OF YOUNG SPORTING STARS ARE WILLING TO ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN IN THESE SPECIALIST SPORT SCHOOLS, REGARDLESS OF THE COST.
The Westfields Sports High School in NSW attracts students from all over the state, with some students travelling over 65km to and from school everyday, with others going as far as to re-locate in order to attend. The school has an impressive track record for producing champions – with some alumni including: Harry Kewell (former Socceroo), Michael Clarke (Captain of the Australian Cricket Team), Dani Samuels (2009 World Champion in the discus throw) just to name a few. Even if schools do not match the state-ofthe-art facilities and training agendas of these specialist schools, there are numerous reasons for schools to invest in the sporting facilities and programs for the children of
Australia. Not only does it provide students with the opportunity to experience different sports, modern facilities and knowledgeable coaches but it will also facilitate participation and highlight the importance of including exercise and sport into their lives – which is more important than ever given the rising obesity rates amongst Aussie kids.
EMPIRICA RESEARCH IS A SOCIAL AND CONSUMER RESEARCH FIRM BASED IN MELBOURNE AND MIAMI. FOR MORE INFO CHECK OUT EMPIRICARESEARCH.COM.AU
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AUSS PETER HADFIELD OAM 40
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ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPS:
SIE TEAM TAKING SHAPE WITH THE WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS AWAY, THE SELECTION TRIALS CONDUCTED IN SYDNEY IN APRIL MUST HAVE GIVEN SELECTORS AND SOME ATHLETES REASON FOR CONCERN. SYDNEY TURNED ON FOUR PICTURE PERFECT DAYS FOR THE TRIALS, WHICH ALSO DOUBLED AS THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUT THERE WERE ONLY A HANDFUL OF ATHLETES ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS.
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WORLD AND OLYMPIC 100M HURDLES CHAMPION, SALLY PEARSON IS STILL RECOVERING FROM THE HAMSTRING TEAR WHICH HAS KEPT HER OUT OF ALL AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION THIS SEASON. ALTHOUGH SHE IS MAKING PROGRESS, VALUABLE TRAINING TIME, ESPECIALLY TRAINING WORKING ON HER FLAT SPEED, IS BEING LOST AND SHE WILL NEED TO MODIFY SIGNIFICANTLY HER USUAL BUILD UP TO A MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR. Mitchell Watt, our World Championship and Olympic Games silver medalist is also having a disrupted domestic season and he too has been unable to have a major hit-out in competition on home soil. Two other athletes who have achieved the A Qualifying standard this season this year, young ACT sprinter and former World Discus Champion , had a medical exemption to not compete at the trials. The fact that they have achieved the A Standard means that they simply need to prove their fitness to book a spot to Moscow for the World Champs. who returned at the last moment from his training camp in Los Angeles to compete in the Men’s Discus had a wonderful series of six throws, bettering the A Standard on a number of occasions to win with a best throw of 66.32 metres. A throw of that magnitude in Moscow could put him on the podium.
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Wruck immediately headed back to LA to compete in the National Collegiate Championships and then continue his build up to Moscow. Western Australian Javelin thrower confirmed her excellent form with victory and an A Qualification standard of over 62 metres. Wruck and Mickle were the only athletes to better the A Standard over the selection trials. The selection criteria outlined that victory at the Selection Trials with a B Standard qualifying performance would confirm a spot to the World Championships and a number of athletes qualified on this basis. , the 400m hurdler from the ACT finished strongly to take victory in 49.68, just slower than his season best of 49.60 run in Melbourne.
THE MOST EXCITING COMPETITION OVER THE SELECTION TRIALS WAS THE MEN’S HIGH JUMP. Favourite was out-jumped by , younger brother of Australian cricketing fast-bowler Mitchell Starc. Starc finished 6th at the World Junior Championships last year and he jumped a 5cm PB to win his first senior national championship and book a spot in the World Champs team.
Image: www.theglobalmail.org
FORMER DUAL STALWELL GIFT WINNER JOSH ROSS, WON HIS 7TH NATIONAL 100M TITLE, BUT IT WAS HIS RUN IN THE 200M WHICH GAINED HIS INDIVIDUAL SELECTION. WITH A 1.5 METRE/ SECOND TAIL WIND, ROSS STORMED HOME TO WIN IN 20:57 TO SNEAK UNDER THE TIME REQUIRED OF 20:60.
The selectors continue their push for relay teams. The Men have qualified an Australian team at the World Champs for both the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m and the policy was that the first three place getters at the trials would automatically go through. The first three place getters in the Women’s 100m and 400m trials have been provisionally selected for relay teams but an Australian team is yet to qualify. 4 x 100m
Ashleigh Whittaker Vic Margaret Gayen SA Angela Byrt Vic
4 x 400m
Caitlin Sargent Qld Anneliese Rubie NSW Jacinta Doyle NSW
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Spots are still open until the end of July so there is still an opportunity for athletes to qualify for the team.
ATHLETES WHO WON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND ARE CURRENTLY NOT SELECTED WILL NEED TO ACHIEVE THE B-STANDARD OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO SNARE A SPOT IN THE TEAM. FOR THE REST, THEIR TASK IS A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT AS THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE THE MORE DIFFICULT A-STANDARD.
PETER HADFIELD OAM IS AN OLYMPIC DECATHLETE WHO REPRESENTED AUSTRALIA IN TWO OLYMPIC GAMES AND TWO COMMONWEALTH GAMES, WINNING A COMMONWEALTH GAMES SILVER MEDAL BEHIND OLYMPIC CHAMPION AND WORLD RECORD HOLDER DALEY THOMPSON. AS WELL AS WORKING AS A TV AND RADIO COMMENTATOR AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, PETER PROVIDES TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR SPORTING TEAMS AND INDIVIDUALS.
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So to be selected Steve Hooker will need to jump 5.70m in the Pole Vault, promising 1500m runner Ryan Gregson, who could only manage 6th at the selection trials, will need to better 3 minutes 35 seconds and Fabrice Lapierre, who won the National title with a jump of 8 metres, will still need to jump the A Standard of 8.25m to be selected as Mitchell Watt has already been pre-selected in the Long Jump. It all might sound a bit confusing to the uninitiated, but basically those athletes who are still keen to be selected to compete in Moscow are going to need to do something very special over the next few months to be at the start line.
2013 WORLD CHAMPS: AUSTRALIAN TEAM TO DATE EVENT
MEN
100m
WOMEN
Melissa Breen (ACT)^
200m
Josh Ross (VIC)
400m
Steven Solomon (NSW)*
800m
Kelly Hetherington (VIC)
1500m
Zoe Buckman (ACT)
10,000m
Lara Tamsett (NSW)
Marathon
Michael Shelley (QLD)*
Jane Fardell (NSW) Lauren Shelley (WA)
100m Hurdles
Sally Pearson (QLD)*
400m Hurdles
Tristan Thomas (TAS)
50km Race Walk
Jared Tallent (VIC)*
Lauren Boden (ACT)
Luke Adams (NSW)
High Jump
Brandon Starc (QLD)
Javelin
Kim Mickle (WA)
Pole Vault
Alana Boyd (QLD)
Long Jump
Mitchell Watt (QLD)*
Discus Throw
Julian Wruck (QLD)
4x100m Relay
Josh Ross (VIC) Tim Leathart (NSW) Jarrod Geddes (NSW)
4x400m Relay
Alex Beck (QLD) Ben Offereins (WA) Joshua Ralph (NSW)
* (Automatically qualified from the London Olympic Games) ^Subject to fitness
Dani Samuels (NSW)^
EAT, PRAY,
BURP
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN. AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS, I’M EXACTLY A MONTH AWAY FROM THIS BABY’S DUE DATE! I’M CONSIDERING AN ADVENT CALENDAR TO GET ME THROUGH THIS LAST MONTH OF WADDLING AROUND WITH A LESS THAN COOPERATIVE BLADDER, HEART BURN SO INTENSE THAT I FEEL LIKE A FIRE-BREATHING DRAGON AND VIVID NIGHTMARES OF GIVING BIRTH TO AN ADULT SIZED BABY. YES, A MAN BABY.
ELOISE WELLINGS
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WOMEN IN SPORT & EXERCISE
At 36 Weeks, Eloise takes to the elliptical trainer over running. How good does she look?! Images courtesy of Jonathon Wellings www.birdandbee.com.au
LAST WEEKEND WE ATTENDED CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR AND “ALL THINGS BABY” GURU JULIE CLARKE’S TRANSITION TO PARENTHOOD COURSE. JULIE TAUGHT US EVERYTHING FROM REALIZING WHEN YOU’RE ACTUALLY IN LABOUR (JONY IS STILL ADJUSTING TO THE TERM MUCOUS PLUG) TO PRACTICING LABORING AND BIRTHING POSITIONS. We were amongst the immature ones, giggling through brow-raising positions that were reminiscent of how a baby is made in the first place, to what the heck to do with the baby once you bring it home. Feeling very learned, we treated ourselves to Mexican and came up with a birth plan whilst smashing burritos.
THE BIGGEST QUESTION THAT I LEFT WITH ON MY HEART WAS MORE OF A SELFISH NATURE: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE, POST PREGNANCY, TO LOSE THE SUPERPOWERED NOSE AND IT’S ASTOUNDING SENSE OF SMELL? At first I enjoyed looking down on the nonexpectant of those who couldn’t smell an unscented candle but now I’d like to start 48
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enjoying conversation when talking with friends rather than wondering what died in their mouth. It’s just too much. A close up conversation all of a sudden becomes a CSI episode for me - I’m special agent Willows, picking apart the facts to determine cause and time of death . A close friend recently shared that the only time she threw up in her first pregnancy was when her husband deliberately breathed on her after eating a garlic naan. Insert primal groan here. It had to be super-powered nose? It couldn’t have been super-powered hearing or superman like eyesight where you can see through walls and watch something of substance like Gossip Girl on the neighbors Foxtel instead of being forced to watch the Footy Show on free to air?
TRAINING @ WEEK 36 At 36 weeks, running has been dramatically reduced this past week as my baby’s head has begun to descend in readiness to see the first light of day. To continue running in this state, with so much pressure on the pelvis, would be unpleasant in the extreme (and not in the birth plan to have baby with running shoes on). So I’ve converted to more less-impact exercise on the elliptical trainer and swimming. It’s a nice change and good timing because I figure by the time I’m physically ready to
WOMEN IN SPORT & EXERCISE
A game of “Spit the Dummy” at El’s baby shower. Good form, El!
start running and serious training again post pregnancy, I’ll be more refreshed and ready for the challenges of elite running than ever.
I’ll get on the elliptical for about 30-40 minutes and just go at one pace on a high resistance. When I get bored of this and if I feel good I’ll throw in some 1 minute intervals to mix things up a bit. This last month is really just about exercising to stay sane and having enough energy to labor when it’s “go time”.
Speaking of which, is it possible to go into labor from laughing too much? I enjoyed high pitched giggling the day away with my best gal pals at my baby shower last Saturday, ate sugary foods until I realized it was affecting my eyesight and speech, played Olympicthemed games like balloon (between the legs) relays and got totally showered and blessed with adorable smalls for our baby. You know how the saying goes... Have cute smalls, will nest. Not really, I just made that up. C’mooooon mucous plug!
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ELOISE WELLINGS IS AN OLYMPIC 10,000M AND 5,000M TRACK THE FROM
ATHLETE LOVE A
AND
MERCY
PREGNANCY
FOUNDER
OF
FOUNDATION. AND
EXERCISE
PERSPECTIVE, ELOISE’S EXPERIENCES WILL BE INDIVIDUAL TO HER, SO WHETHER YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT HAVING A BABY, ARE ALREADY EXPECTING A BABY, OR WANT TO GO AGAIN FOR THE 4TH TIME, ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR GP OR SPECIALIST FOR THE RIGHT PLAN AND ADVICE TO SUIT YOU!
Life is local Proudly supporting and informing the local community since 1960
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WOMEN IN SPORT & EXERCISE
A Word from the “Good Doctor” AT 36 WEEKS, ON AVERAGE ELOISE’S BABY NOW WEIGHS 2.5KG AND WILL BE 46CM LONG. IT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AT 200GMS PER WEEK AND 1.5CM PER WEEK. The good news is that the baby is reaching the end of its maximum growth phase, so the intense physical symptoms should not become too much worse. The babies skin is covered by the greasy vernix, which facilitates both the birth process and helps keep the baby warm after delivery. With the reduced tolerance for exercise and increased difficulty sleeping at night an afternoon nap is becoming essential. Getting out to dinner, going to the movies - all a good idea - to be fitted in before feeding during the night, in the near future, leads to inevitable sleep deprivation. Again there are no exact guidelines to recommended exercise at this time in the pregnancy. Clearly physical limitations are set by the size of the abdomen and position of the baby’s head. Swimming is a great exercise at this point as it provides essentially a weightless environment to exercise in. Walking is fine using common sense to slow
down or stop at a distance if it becomes uncomfortable. As for Eloise returning to Olympic condition post delivery - well that is a varying time. Physically it has taken 9 months for the body to change and on average it takes about 6 weeks for the pregnancy hormones to retreat and the body to return to normal. Being in good physical condition during the pregnancy will certainly assist in the recovery process. Eloise should be running again in 4 to 6 weeks if she wishes. The main determining factor will be the baby!! Let’s hope and wish you have a good sleeper, that lets Eloise return to normal life sooner rather than later! Best wishes for a safe delivery and speedy recovery!
DR. JAMES OPPERMAN IS ONE OF SYDNEY’S LEADING OBSTETRICIANS AS WELL AS A MAD-KEEN ULTRA RUNNER. IN JUNE, JAMES WILL TACKLE THE WESTERN STATES 100MILE RACE ACROSS CALIFORNIA, THE OLDEST & MOST PRESTIGIOUS TRAIL RACE IN THE WORLD. BEST OF LUCK JAMES!! WWW.DROPPERMAN.COM.AU
OR CONTACT HIS ROOMS AT HURSTVILLE PRIVATE HOSPITAL: 02 9570 5599.
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