GWS GIANTS GAME ON

BEN ROSSBACK WHERE HE BELONGS

RYAN HARRISTHE RISE OF “RHINO”

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What a month it has been! We’ve had the Swimming National Championships, which saw comebacks galore! Some successful like Libby Trickett and Eamon Sullivan, some not so like Thorpie, Heugal and Klim, but they were all inspirational. The athletics trials came and went and it was great to see Craig Mottram back running so well. Our very own Athletics expert Peter Hadfield explains who has qualified for London and our first Australian Olympic qualifier, Eloise Wellings, explains what athletes have to do to make the qualifying times, what a pacemaker in a race does and why when racing in Japan or Europe you are more likely to make the A-qualifying times. Dr. Mike talks on what the great Ian Thorpe would be going through mentally right now; Tim Brennan explains the return of one of my cricket favourites, Ryan Harris, a must-read: Rugby League star Ben Ross overcomes a broken neck to return home to the Sharks and here come the Aussie Surf Life Saving Titles 2012.

Enjoy!

EDITORS LETTER

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Paul Watson, pictured shirt off in the middle of winter, running through the practical aspects of the Level 3 Strength & Conditioning course at Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast, circa 2006.

4 jockathletic.comThorpe, Second from left, pictured here with teammates in Athens, Alice Mills, Giaan Rooney, Jodie Henry and Craig Stevens.

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JOCK ATHLETIC PAYS TRIBUTE TO IAN THORPE, AN AUSTRALIAN SPORTING LEGENDThe Jock Athletic Tribute is awarded for many reasons, but it is usually for a great performance, courage under pressure, a great effort or an inspirational act. This month an all-time great of his sport made a comeback in an unforgiving sport where success is measured at every point by a clock and it takes years of training to knock off fractions of seconds. He has achieved everything in his sport and catapulted the sport of swimming in Australia to new heights, both in popularity and commercially. He has nothing left to prove, except to himself. After 4 years in retirement, Ian Thorpe put his reputation and legend on the line to have another go at Olympic glory.

Sadly, Ian missed out on qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games. But the way he handled himself upon failing was refreshing. Thorpe, at possibly the worst moment in his swimming career, thanked his fans for the great support and was disappointed he couldn’t have given them more. What I like even more is that he will continue swimming because he has unfinished business and I wont be backing against him.

So to you Mr Thorpe, in showing great courage and dignity in defeat and having the guts to risk it all and have another go, you win the Jock Athletic athlete tribute of the month! You are a credit to your sport and country. Stick with it, we know you’ll be back to your best soon!

EZINE BRAINS TRUSTPUBLISHER Jock AthleticEDITORS Jock Campbell / Melissa CampbellART DIRECTOR/DESIGN Kiss the SkyADVERTISING/PRODUCTION Melissa Campbell / Dee McCarthy

CONTRIBUTORS Dan Atkins, Corey Bocking, Tim Brennan, Jock Campbell, Rebecca Gawthorne, Peter Hadfield, Michael Martin, Siobhan McCarthy, Craig

Paul Watson (right) joined by Cronulla local Kenny, on their regular jog out to Boat Harbour, Kurnell with the “crew”.Cover: Israel Folau training up a storm with the GWS Giants.

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THIS MONTH »

SUBSCRIBE NOW »Stevens, Paul Watson, Eloise WellingsEDITORIAL OFFICEJock Athletic | PO Box 1186 Cronulla 2230W 0435 728 200 | EMAIL ezine@jockathletic.com

Paul Watson (right) joined by Cronulla local Kenny, on their regular jog out to Boat Harbour, Kurnell with the “crew”.Cover: Israel Folau training up a storm with the GWS Giants.

THE ENGLISH CHANNEL - OCEAN SWIMMING’S HOLY GRAIL Siobhan McCarthy

THE PRESSURE ZONEDan Atkins

TRACK & FIELD: OLYMPIC UPDATEPeter Hadfield OAM

FATIGUE FIGHTING FOODSRebecca Gawthorne

THORPIE’s COMEBACK..ALMOSTDr. Michael Martin

ATHLETE NEWSJock Athletic

GWS GIANTS: GAME ON

BEN ROSSProfessional Athlete Profile

THE SOCIAL LADDER OF SPORTEmpirica Research

THE RISE (AND FALL) AND RISE OF RYAN HARRISTim Brennan

MICHAEL PRINCEAmateur Athlete Profile

GREAT EVENT OF THE MONTH

CHASING THE OLYMPIC DREAM... LITERALLYEloise Wellings

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GWS Giants: Game On

THE GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY GIANTS BEGAN THEIR JOURNEY IN THE AFL ON MARCH 24, PUTTING UP A GOOD FIGHT AGAINST THE SYDNEY SWANS AT A PACKED ANZ STADIUM IN SYDNEY. THE GIANTS HAVE LEFT NO STONE UNTURNED IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR INAGURAL SEASON, UNDERGOING A GRUELLING PRE-SEASON UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF THE CLUB’S HEAD OF SPORTS SCIENCE, JOHN QUINN.

All images courtesy of the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

APRIL 2012 9

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Quinn was thrilled with the condition of the predominantly young playing group when they returned after an eight-week break. “The players came back in great condition so then we could focus on their fitness for footy.” “Rather than spending time between the Christmas break getting them fit to train, we could begin getting them fit to play and I think that’s a big difference, said Quinn. By using individual GPS units, the GIANTS Sports Science staff were able to track the training and development of each player over the off-season. Quinn said that this monitoring has helped

UNIQUE PRE- SEASON TRAINING TECHNIQUES FROM THE GIANTS SPORTS SCIENCE DEPARTMENT ALLOWED THE CLUB TO MONITOR PLAYERS CLOSELY DURING THE OFF SEASON AND ENSURE THAT THEY RETURNED IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION AND WERE READY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING IN 2012.

AN EXPERT IN HIS FIELD, WITH OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN HIGH PERFORMANCE, JOHN QUINN IMPLEMENTED AN INNOVATIVE PRE-SEASON PROGRAM THAT TESTED THE PLAYERS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

staff to keep a close eye on players and ensure that they returned in good shape.

“They did really well over the break. They all had a gun and heart rate monitor that also works as a GPS unit so we’ve been able to monitor them. I could type in to the computer a name and have a look at the session that they did, how far they went, how fast and even have a look at a Google map and see the route that they took.”

Quinn set the GIANTS a variety of different pre-season activities from visits to the Wanda Sand Dunes, to team building activities, arduous time trials and individual performance testing. The aim of these sessions was not only to help build up the camaraderie between the playing group but also testing the physical strength of his players outside of the gym.

“It’s all well and good getting players to do squats in the gym but we want them to be able to coordinate their upper body strength with their lower body strength and running sandhills is a great way of doing it ” said Quinn.

AFL

“WE’RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS OF GETTING STRENGTH INTO THE PLAYERS. WE HAVE FANTASTIC EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES AT OUR DISPOSAL BUT WE ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT WAYS FOR OUR PLAYERS TO APPLY THAT STRENGTH IN A REAL SETTING.”

APRIL 2012 11

Power Cleans (top), a great exercise in any footballers power program, notice the matching singlet and weights plates, very professional! Below, John uses timing gates to keep tracking player progress.

“WE’RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS OF GETTING STRENGTH INTO THE PLAYERS. WE HAVE FANTASTIC EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES AT OUR DISPOSAL BUT WE ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT WAYS FOR OUR PLAYERS TO APPLY THAT STRENGTH IN A REAL SETTING.”

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“IT’S ALL WELL AND GOOD GETTING PLAYERS TO DO SQUATS IN THE GYM BUT WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO CO-ORDINATE THEIR UPPER BODY STRENGTH WITH THEIR LOWER BODY STRENGTH AND RUNNING SANDHILLS IS A GREAT WAY OF DOING IT. ”

APRIL 2012 13

“THESE DIFFERENT SESSIONS ARE A GOOD FUN WAY AND IT’S A PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING WAY TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THEM. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT’S STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING’S JOB.”

Quinn said sessions like those at the Wanda Sand Dunes develop more than just the players physical abilities.

“I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED WITH OUR YOUNG PLAYERS WHO HAVEN’T DONE THIS SORT OF TRAINING BEFORE. THEY SHOWED TERRIFIC HEART AND TERRIFIC EFFORT.

IT’S LOW IMPACT TRAINING, SO WE CAN GET A BIT OF WORK IN TO THE GUYS THAT DOESN’T HAVE TOO MUCH IMPACT ON THEIR LEGS AT THE MOMENT.

“IT’S ALSO A HIGH AEROBIC SESSION BUT THEY’RE GETTING A LOT OF LACTIC SO THEY NEED TO WORK THROUGH THAT.”

“THIS YEAR THERE WILL BE MASSIVE CHALLENGES FOR THE GIANTS. THESE SORT OF SESSIONS ALLOW US TO KEEP REINFORCING SOME OF OUR KEY MESSAGES TO THE PLAYING GROUP LIKE ‘THERE IS NO FINISH LINE’ AND ‘JUST GIVE EVERYTHING THAT YOU’VE GOT TO IT’. IF THEY DO THAT YOU CAN’T ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE” said Quinn.

Our favourite training ground: The GIANTS tear up the Wanda Sand hills in Cronulla as part of their pre-season program. This has become a pre-season ritual for most teams in the football codes. Pictured here at the top of the famous “Mexican Wave”

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The pre-season training showed impressive results with the GIANTS players beating their personal best times by an average of fifteen seconds during their 3km time trial at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre, which left Quinn ecstatic. “I was tremendously pleased with the results. We set the players a pretty arduous program over the holidays and the time trial was a test for not just whether they have done the program, but did the program work.

WE ARE NOT JUST PREPARING THESE PLAYERS TO PLAY FOOTBALL IN 2012. WE ARE GETTING THEM READY TO BE SUPERSTARS IN THE GAME IN THREE TO FOUR YEARS TIME.

The Time Trial - an effective tool to assess player progress through the pre-season training phase.

AFL

THE GWS GIANTS HAVE A VARIETY OF MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE TO SUIT ALL FANS AND BUDGETS. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THEIR WEBSITE GWSGIANTS.COM.AU OR PHONE 1300 GIANTS

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Ben RossPROFESSIONAL ATHLETE PROFILE

APRIL 2012 17 All images courtesy of John Veage, Fairfax Media

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE PROFILE

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HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE BACK TO WHERE IT ALL STARTED, THE CRONULLA SHARKS?It’s a great feeling to be back at the Sharks. I came to the club having already achieved Premiership Success with Penrith. I fell the club has a good blend of players and will do very well in the year ahead.

MOST IN NRL CIRCLES WOULD KNOW THAT YOU SUSTAINED A LIFE-THREATENING INJURY WHEN YOU WERE LAST AT THE CLUB. WHAT DID YOU DO AND HOW SERIOUS WAS IT? I actually fractured my C6 & C7 vertebra and the disc between them exploded into my spinal cord causing hematomas and compression to within 1mm of severing on the spinal cord itself. The normal outcome from this would be Quadriplegia. So I like to think it was pretty serious.

HOW DO YOU COME BACK FROM AN INJURY LIKE THAT - MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY? Persistence and a NEVER GIVE UP attitude. I ended up having 3 operations and over 10 refusals to play football again. It was 2 years of total rehab before I even looked like playing again. I have a supportive wife and family and found God in my time of need.

Physically the major thing that has helped me through is BSc (Body Science). Their supplements and compression have allowed me to train harder which has made me stronger and fitter than I have ever been. I recommend it to anyone willing and wanting to achieve great training results!

FOREWORD BYJASON STEVENS. I FIRST SAW BEN ROSS WEARING THE RED AND WHITE. ONE WORD CAME TO MIND. POWERFUL. WITHIN A FEW YEARS HE HAD REPRESENTED QUEENSLAND AND TAKEN THE PANTHERS TO A PREMIERSHIP. THEN A CAREER THREATENING NECK INJURY CUT SHORT THAT WHICH WAS DESTINED TO BE A LONG AND PROSPEROUS CAREER, OR SO WE THOUGHT. WHAT HAPPENED, HOWEVER, CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE BRAVEST OF COMEBACKS, NOT JUST FOR RUGBY LEAGUE, BUT FOR ANY SPORT.

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Ross takes a hit up during the first pre-season clash of 2012 against the Manly Sea Eagles, a great fitness test to see how his neck is fairing.

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AS A RUGBY LEAGUE ATHLETE, WHAT SUPPORT STRUCTURE WAS IN PLACE TO HELP YOU RECOVER FROM THIS TYPE OF INJURY?We do have medical professionals in our game but it took Russell Crowe and his money to pay for my medical needs. Insurance from club would not cover it. As for football supporting me mentally, there was no support and this is what I was disappointed about.

WHO HAVE BEEN YOUR MENTORS THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THEIR SUPPORT THAT PULLED YOU THROUGH? 5 people have helped me along my recover process: my wife Renai, my parents (Jenny & David), Dr. Richard Parkinson (surgeon) & Errol Alcott (South Sydney Physio). I think it was just their positive nature and the belief they gave me when I was at my most deepest and darkest times of my life.

IF THERE WAS ONE THING YOU’VE LEARNT FROM YOUR INJURY, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Never to take things for granted. That means jobs, friends, media and work ethic. You realise how hard life actually can be and who really are true and honest people.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO BE TO YOUNG ATHLETES WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME INJURY WOES? I live by the rule ‘NEVER GIVE UP’. With everything in life I never want to die wondering. Just go do it or work harder to achieve it. When

“I LIVE BY THE RULE ‘NEVER GIVE UP’. WITH EVERYTHING IN LIFE I NEVER WANT TO DIE WONDERING. JUST GO DO IT OR WORK HARDER TO ACHIEVE IT. WHEN PEOPLE SAY YOU CAN’T DO IT, IT SHOULD GIVE YOU MORE MOTIVATION TO ACHIEVE!”

BEN ROSS

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“I LIVE BY THE RULE ‘NEVER GIVE UP’. WITH EVERYTHING IN LIFE I NEVER WANT TO DIE WONDERING. JUST GO DO IT OR WORK HARDER TO ACHIEVE IT. WHEN PEOPLE SAY YOU CAN’T DO IT, IT SHOULD GIVE YOU MORE MOTIVATION TO ACHIEVE!”

people say you can’t do it, it should give you more motivation to achieve!

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE 2012 SEASON? First, make Sharks run on team (tick ) and play good football.

HAVE YOU RULED OUT STATE OR ORIGIN, OR ARE YOU KEEN TO PULL ON THE MAROON JUMPER ONCE MORE?

HOW MANY TRAINING SESSIONS DO YOU DO PER WEEK PRE-SEASON AND WHAT WOULD THEY ENTAIL? Everyday is different, from weights, cardio, team skills, individual skills, rehab, stretching, recovery, fitness. In the off season we do anywhere up to 3 sessions a day, 6 days a week.

WE HEAR YOU’VE BEEN DOING SOME PT ON THE SIDE? I love training and get satisfaction out of other people achieving their goals. So if I can help I will. I mainly help my friends out because I am so busy and don’t want to let clients down.

IF I WASN’T PLAYING FOOTBALL I’D BE... A vet! My passion is animals. I Would love to be a vet!

YOUR FAVOURITE MOTIVATIONAL SAYING?

I PROMISED MY SISTER THAT I WILL MAKE ORIGIN AGAIN SO SHE CAN WATCH ME PLAY. SHE NEVER GOT TO SEE ME PLAY LAST TIME SO I WANT TO MAKE IT AGAIN FOR HER.

NEVERGIVE UP

BEN ROSS

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IN A RUNNING RACE, WHO WOULD WIN, YOU OR YOUR WIFE RENAI? WE HEAR SHE’S A PRETTY GOOD RUNNER!

WE’VE HAD 3 RACES AND I’VE WON THEM ALL. THE THING IS I HATE TO LOSE. SO I CHEATED EVERYTIME!!! SHE DOESN’T KNOW THAT BUT I’VE EVEN HAD MATES PICK ME UP IN CARS SO I CAN REST, THEN DO THE FINAL 1KM SPRINT.... HA HA HA

UP

Life is local

Proudly supporting and informing

the local community since 1960

www.theleader.com.au

Image: Brett Costello

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Team sports are particularly important in the formation of valuable life skills, like managing highs and lows that will help children develop into healthy adults. All of these benefits have been documented by Dr. Jordan Metzl and Dr. Carol Shookhoff in their book “The Young Athlete: A Sports Doctor’s Complete Guide for Parents”.

While the skills and benefits sport provides are important for the healthy development of all children, they are particularly important for those living below the poverty line. Many children in third-world countries are experiencing catastrophic stressors including hunger, disease, and high mortality rates. In an effort to provide these children with temporary relief through sport, charities like Sport Relief and Right to Play are raising money and sending volunteers to poverty stricken areas in India and Africa. By providing local children with an enjoyable outlet they aim to build and repair important relationships.

SPORTINVOLVEMENT IN SPORT PLAYS A POWERFUL ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN.

IN ADDITION TO THE OBVIOUS PHYSICAL AND HEALTH BENEFITS, SPORT PROVIDES KIDS WITH SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS. KIDS LEARN IMPORTANT LESSONS ABOUT ATTENTION AND RESPECT, WHICH THEN HELPS WITH THEIR EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS THEY GROW UP. PARTICIPATION LEADS TO OPPORTUNITIES TO SOCIALISE AND EXPOSES THEM TO DIVERSITY. IT CAN ALSO ACT AS STRESS RELIEF, ALLOWING KIDS TO TAKE THEIR MIND OFF UNWANTED STRESSORS AND EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF THE MOMENT.

EMPIRICA RESEARCHCASSIE GOVAN, PH.D. / DAVID NEAL, PH.D. / ANNA COSTER, M.A.

THE SOCIAL LADDER OF

APRIL 2012 25

More locally, Red Dust Role Models is an Australian charity that sends role models including sporting super-stars to meet with disadvantaged youths in remote areas. By using the inspirational appeal of the role models the charity is able to spread vital information about health and life skills to children living in poverty in our own backyard.

For the most gifted few athletic hopefuls, their natural ability provides them with rare opportunities to escape their circumstances by obtaining elite status or athletic scholarships. Dr. Yannis Pitsiladis from the University of Glasgow is currently investigating the genetic and environmental catalysts that drive individuals to become elite athletes.

WHERE SOCIAL MEDIA PLAYS A ROLEFor many of us, the third world can seem very far away, both literally and figuratively. However, with Social Media sites like Facebook and YouTube having such high penetration rates, the world seems to be getting smaller every day.

With the recent viral explosion of the Kony 2012 clip, the powerful impact and wide-reaching influence of social media is clear. While Kony2012 is a somewhat extreme example, the potential of Social Media is obvious and applicable for other charities struggling to get

DR. YANNIS PITSILADIS EXPLAINS THAT BEYOND GENES THERE MAY BE A CERTAIN “HUNGER” TO SUCCEED THAT COMPETITORS FROM IMPOVERISHED BACKGROUNDS MAY POSSESS. FOR SOME, SPORT IS THE ONLY WAY OUT AND THAT HOPE DRIVES AN INCREDIBLE DRIVE TO SUCCEED.

people to engage with their mission. Charities such as Sport Relief, Right to Play, and Red Dust can use this to their advantage when trying to establish support and an emotional connection with children experiencing poverty in remote communities.

EMPIRICA RESEARCHIS A SOCIAL AND CONSUMER RESEARCH FIRM BASED IN MELBOURNE AND LOS ANGELES.

FOR MORE ABOUT EMPIRICA RESEARCH EMAIL CASSIE GOVAN CASSIE@EMPIRICARESEARCH.COM.AU OR FIND THEM ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER(@EMPIRICA_UPDATE) OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITEWWW.EMPIRICARESEARCH.COM.AU

SOCIAL MEDIA IS NO LONGER JUST A PLACE TO SHARE YOUR HOLIDAY SNAPS, IT HAS THE ABILITY TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND EMPATHY FOR PEOPLE IN SITUATIONS THAT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE FELT DISTANT AND SEPARATE FROM OUR DAILY LIVES.

SOCIAL RESEARCH

FOR A COPY OF OUR MEDIA KIT, CONTACT US ATEZINE@JOCKATHLETIC.COMOR 0435 728 200

Interested inADVERTISING IN THE

JOCK ATHLETIC EZINE?

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Ryan Harris of Australia celebrates with team mates after taking the wicket of The Great Sachin Tendulkar (front) of India during day one of the third Test match between Australia and India at WACA on January 13, 2012 in Perth, Australia. Photo: Hamish Blair/Getty Images

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THE RISEAND RISE OF

TIM BRENNAN

(ANDFALL)

RYAN HARRIS

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THE DEBUTANTHarris made his ODI debut for Australia at the age of 29 and Test debut at 31. Whilst he may have been a late comer, he broke through for a number of reasons: “Rhino has always had a lot of talent” says former Australian Fast Bowler Jason “Dizzy” Gillespie. “The move to Queensland, a more positive cricket environment and a consistent approach to his cricket preparation, recovery and lifestyle were key. Basically he matured as a person and went from strength to strength”. Harris agrees, “I was growing and maturing as an individual, but also believing in my ability and believing I could play at State level”

THE INJURIESIt may seem strange to some that Harris has played only 10 Test matches for Australia. It would seem he is the veteran in the team, the go-to man.

Michael Clarke has stated that Ryan is"AS GOOD A FAST BOWLER AS I HAVE PLAYED WITH IN MY CAREER".

High praise from someone who has seen McGrath and Gillespie go before.

But Harris has been prone to injury and just as his Test career gets going it seems that injury forces him out again. “Injury and frustration go together in one breath” says Harris. “Broken

AS I BEGAN TO WRITE THIS STORY, RYAN HARRIS HAD JUST TAKEN THE PRIZED WICKET OF SACHIN TENDULKAR IN THE PERTH TEST MATCH BACK IN JANUARY THIS YEAR. IT WAS HARRIS’ RETURN TO TEST CRICKET AFTER A FRUSTRATING 2010/2011 SEASON.

A STRESS FRACTURE OF THE ANKLE IN THE ASHES SERIES AGAINST ENGLAND IN AUSTRALIA IN 2010 WAS A METAPHOR FOR THE STATE OF AUSTRALIAN CRICKET. ADD TO THAT A RECURRENT KNEE INJURY AND A HIP INJURY ON THE TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA IN NOVEMBER 2011, HARRIS’S TEST CAREER HAD ONCE AGAIN STALLED.

QUESTIONS WERE BEING ASKED ABOUT WHETHER HIS BODY COULD SUSTAIN THE RIGOURS OF 5-DAY CRICKET OR IF IT WAS TIME TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION. IT IS TESTAMENT TO HIS CHARACTER AND DETERMINATION THAT HARRIS HAS BEATEN ALL THE ODDS (AND THE CRITICS) AND IS ONCE AGAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF AUSTRALIAN CRICKET.

CRICKET FITNESS

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bones, strains, and a degenerative knee are all managed day to day with anti-inflammatories and a lot of ice.”

THE TREATMENT PLANI was working in the IPL when Harris began his comeback from ankle surgery with the Kings XI Punjab. For me it was a nervous time. He was a player known to carry some injuries and required specific management. We’d spoken on the phone a few times but only met in India. As someone who has had numerous opinions from medical personnel for most of his career, I knew it was important to get to know Ryan and build a rapport with him before I could give an opinion on his recovery and provide some assistance in his return to international cricket. To be honest, his commitment to the process made it much easier, as did his knowledge and awareness of his body and his limitations. Basically he knew what he had to do to return to the top and he set about achieving that.

He is desperate to make the most of the opportunity that has come from cricket, and has absolute respect for the privilege of playing for Australia. “Test cricket will always be the pinnacle in cricket”, Harris says “but it has only been enhanced by the rise of T20, with faster run rates and also more people interested and coming to the game”.

THE COMEBACKHarris’ comeback from injury involved an offload from bowling and 4 weeks of cross training on the exercise bike. Not being one for the weights he prefers boxing and exercise

that reduces stress on the joints. After the offload period, Harris slowly began running and building up to simulating overs. “To begin with, I would simulate 4 overs and build up to 8 overs of running before progressing to actual bowling”. The majority of his running is short distances - 50 metre sprints or the length of his run up.

HARRIS REMINDS ME OF ONE OF THOSE HARD-HEADED FAST BOWLERS GOING AROUND IN SYDNEY GRADE CRICKET - HE IS BIG, BURLY, AGGRESSIVE, PASSIONATE, DRIVEN AND A FIERCE CRITIC OF HIS OWN GAME. THE DIFFERENCE IS HE BOWLS UPWARDS OF 145KM/HR AND WITH A LINE AND LENGTH THAT INDIA SHOWED WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PLAY.

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Above: Harris with two of the Kings XI Punjab “young guns”, Bhargav Bhatt (middle) and Mandeep Singh at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Below, playing for the Kings at their home ground of HPCA Stadium in the majestic Himalaya region of Dharamsala, India.

CRICKET FITNESS

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Harris believes the volume of cricket is the most likely cause of the current spate of injuries in the Australian national squad.

Harris is “not a massive fan” of the rotation policy because you give someone else an opportunity. But he admits that after being rested for the first round of one-day internationals he was feeling fresh and the week off had done him good.

Harris acknowledges the effect that Craig McDermott has had on Australia’s bowling group. “Craig’s philosophy is straight forward - keep it simple! He prepares us to keep a clear head, to consistently bowl a fuller length and a tight line”.

AND AS FOR THAT WICKET OF TENDULKAR?“It is always great to get the best out. It is a great feeling, a great challenge and gives you an indication of where your own game is at”. I’d say it’s going pretty well.

TIM BRENNANTIM BRENNAN IS A PERTH-BASED PHYSIOTHERAPIST WHO HAS WORKED EXTENSIVELY WITH ATHLETES FROM MANY SPORTS INCLUDING TRIATHLON, RUGBY UNION AND CRICKET.

HE WAS RECENTLY THE PHYSIO FOR THE KINGS XI PUNJAB IN THE INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE.” YOU CAN CONTACT TIM BY EMAIL, TIMBRENNAN73@GMAIL.COM

“ALTHOUGH THE INTENSITY OF STATE CRICKET IS STILL GOOD, THE JUMP TO TEST CRICKET IS MUCH HIGHER AND IF [BOWLERS] INTENSITIES AND WORKLOADS ARE NOT UP TO SCRATCH IT WILL DAMAGE BODIES, ESPECIALLY YOUNG BODIES!”

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MEET MICHAEL PRINCE. QUIET, POLITE, A REGULAR “AVERAGE JOE”. TO BRAND PRINCE AS AN “AMATEUR” IS A GROSS UNDERSTATEMENT. HE IS AN EXTREMELY GIFTED ATHLETE, HAVING WON A TRUCKLOAD OF RACES AROUND THE PLACE, INCLUDING BEING CROWNED ITU OLYMPIC DISTANCE WORLD CHAMP IN 2010 AND MORE RECENTLY WINING THE 2012 HUSKISSON SPRINT TITLE IN FEBRUARY (OH AND HE WON THE JOCK ATHLETIC WANDA X-TREME 6). ADD TO THAT HIS INVOLVEMENT IN HELPING TO BREAK THE WORLD RECORD FOR THE FASTEST 100KM ON A TREADMILL (ALL FOR CHARITY) WITH THE LIKES OF WORLD IRONMAN CHAMPION CRAIG ALEXANDER AND STEVE MONEGHETTI, THIS LIL’ “AMATEUR” CAN HOLD HIS OWN WITH THE BEST OF THEM.

JA: WHO IS MICHAEL PRINCE?I am a family man (as of 4 months ago) and my wife would probably call me obsessive compulsive at whatever sport I am pursuing.

JA: WHAT IS YOUR SPORT OF CHOICE?Triathlon, although I also like to run cross country and have just started bike racing again.

JA: WHAT’S YOUR SPECIALIST DISTANCE: SPRINT, OLYMPIC, HALF, IRONMAN? IS THERE A BIG DIFFERENCE, TRAINING WISE, BETWEEN SPRINT AND OLYMPIC DISTANCE?I have mainly been concentrating on Sprint and Olympic Distance racing this season although I will be stepping up to the Half Ironman Distance when I race in Cairns in June.

Honestly there is not a big difference in the training I do from Sprint to Half Ironman (full Ironman may be a different story). When training for the longer races I will normally drop one of my swim sessions, bike about 100kms more a week and increase my long run from 20km to 27km.

JA: FAVORITE TRAINING SESSION AND

Michael PrinceAMATEUR ATHLETE / AMATEUR ATHLETE / AMATEUR ATHLETEAMATEUR ATHLETE / AMATEUR ATHLETE / AMATEUR ATHLETE

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WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? My favourite leg of the three is definitely running, so I love any hard running sessions whether it be sandhills, track or fartlek.

JA: IS LONDON 2012 ON YOUR RADAR? IF YES, WHAT WILL YOU NEED TO DO (RACES) TO QUALIFY?No chance!! My days of having a crack at the shorter professional format is over, although I do have a craving now to gain my pro license again and race the Half and Ironman Races (this is currently in negotiations with my wife!)

JA: TRIATHLON IN AUSTRALIA SEEMS TO HAVE EXPLODED IN THE LAST DECADE. DO YOU THINK THIS IS DUE TO AUSSIES DOING WELL ABROAD OR THAT THERE IS MORE TRIATHLON “INFRASTRUCTURE” AND CLUBS IN PLACE TO LURE YOUNG ATHLETES FROM OTHER SPORTS ACROSS TO THE 3-SPORT DISCIPLINE? It’s actually exploded in the older age groups. Most races you will find the biggest fields are in the age category from 30 to 50 years of age. I think this is mainly due to the fact that exercise is really pushed these days and triathlon is a great sport as training for the three sports really limits overuse injuries.

Michael PrinceAMATEUR ATHLETE / AMATEUR ATHLETE / AMATEUR ATHLETEAMATEUR ATHLETE / AMATEUR ATHLETE / AMATEUR ATHLETE

Ironman Champion. ASCEND Believer.

Joe Gambles continues to make his mark as both a Triathlon and Ironman champion, with recent highlights including a silver medal at the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships in Nevada and a top 20 finish in his debut Hawaiian Ironman.

ASCEND congratulates Joe and believes in his ability to remain at the top, which is why we’re proud to be his official sports protein partner.

So, like Joe, become an ASCEND Believer. To learn more about this great Australian product or to find your nearest ASCEND Preferred Stockist, visit ascendsport.com.au.

ASCEND. Train harder. More often.

ASCEND Believer, Joe Gambles Ironman 70.3 Champion

Pio

neer

10/

ASC

0158

Believe.

Major Sponsor of the 2012 2XU

Falls Creek Triathlon

APRIL 2012 37

JA: HOW MANY TRAINING SESSIONS DO YOU DO PER WEEK & THE BREAKDOWN?Swim: 3-4 squad sessions of 4.5-5.5kmRun: 50- 70km, about 5 sessionsBike: about 200-300km, 3-4 sessions

JA: HOW DO YOU FIT ALL THAT IN WITH YOUR WORK?Time management!! I map out my week with my coach Tim Ahern every week to determine what is going to fit in with my work commitments as a firefighter. Also with the new addition, my son Jordan it adds another element.

JA: WHAT ARE YOUR SECRETS TO STICKING TO A TRAINING PROGRAM?

Prince doing his bit for the Guinness World Record attempt on the Fastest Treadmill 100km. The group of 12 runners smashed the world record time of 5hrs and 42 minutes by 18 minutes!

I never ever hit snooze!!That button is the work of the devil.JA: WHAT’S YOUR BEST EXCUSE FOR NOT STICKING TO A TRAINING PROGRAM?Having a newborn around definitely has thrown a curve ball into my regimented training schedule. JA: WHAT’S YOUR MOST DREADED TRAINING SESSION (DETAILS) AND WHY?Honestly I don’t really dread anything, I do the sport because I love it and if I ever stop enjoying it then it’s maybe time to find another sport.

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Above: Prince, flanked by Jeremy Horne (left) and fellow triathlete Michael Fox (right), won this year’s Wanda X-Treme 6 race through the Wanda Sand Hills.Below: Proud parents show off their newborn son Jordan.

APRIL 2012 39

JA: WHAT’S THE TOUGHEST EVENT OR SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT YOU’VE EVER DONE?

JA: WHAT’S YOUR NEXT BIG CHALLENGE?Stepping up to the Half Ironman Distance in Cairns, it’s been a few years since I have raced the longer distance. Although the older I get the more this distance should suit me.

JA: WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION IN THE SPORTING WORLD?

I would have to say I have always admired Haile Gebrslassie. I have always loved the way he raced and he always did it with a big smile on his face.

JA: NOW THE BIG ONE, YOUR FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL SAYING?I am known for almost always being on time, so my favourite saying is

“TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN”

Hit the long-distance running trail and be cheered on by the crowds at the annual Hilly Half Marathon. Held each May on Hamilton Island in the beautiful Whitsundays, this challenging marathon follows road, fire trails and walking tracks through Hamilton Island’s undulating interior. Following a rugged 21-kilometre route uphill and down dale, the marathon puts individual and team relay competitors (3x7km) to the test. Registrations are now open. Visit www.hamiltonisland.com.au/events for further information.

Hilly Half Marathon, Sunday 6 May 2012

I RACED THE HAWAIIAN IRONMAN IN 2000. I WAS 21 YEARS OLD AND HAD ONLY BEEN IN THE SPORT FOR A YEAR AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS DOING. I TOOK ONE BANANA AND ONE DRINK BOTTLE OF WATER ON THE 180KM BIKE LEG AND WELL LET’S JUST SAY IT GOT VERY UGLY FROM THERE!

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APRIL 2012 41

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About 25 of us ended up doing the race. Unfortunately mum finally lost her 15-year epic battle with breast cancer the week of the race, with me by her side. Five days after her death the race took on even more significance.

The Mother’s Day Classic is great therapy for me. It reminds me of my beautiful mother and my great friend Jane and I run my heart out for them every year. Although this race is in May, it’s our “Great event for this month” and will be every year.

My Average Joe’s running buddies will be there in force again this year in Sydney’s Domain, running for this great cause of raising money to fight breast cancer. So if you want to go for a walk, jog, run or race over 4km or 8km to show your support for anyone you know with breast cancer or to remember a “fallen angel” come and join me. I’ll be the one running with dark glasses on so you can’t see my tears!

MANY YEARS AGO MY MOTHER HELEN, THEN CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY OUR GREAT FRIEND JANE MCGRATH, WERE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER.

Being a male I didn’t really know how to tell them how I felt about them and that they had my support, so I started entering the Mother’s Day Classic in the domain as a way of showing both of them I was thinking of them. I started this in the year 2000, and I wear a placard saying I am running for them.

Every year I ran the event, unless I was away for work. One year I missed the event due to illness and that same year Jane passed away and I thought that was because I missed the race. From then on, no matter what, I haven’t missed the race because I thought it would mean my mother might suffer the same fate. A silly superstition, but it works for me!

Last year, with my mother’s health deteriorating fast, as the breast cancer consumed her body, I organised the Jock Athletic Average Joe’s runners club to do an 8-week program with the final event being the Mothers Day Classic.

MUST DO EVENT

APRIL 2012 43

Top: Mel & Jock Campbell celebrate finishing the 2003 Mother’s Day Classic.Inset: Mel run’s for Jane McGrath, “mum” Helen Campbell and Darren “Boofa” Lehmann’s mum.Below: Rajamani Prahbu, fitness trainer and great mate from India, joins in the run in support of his mate Jock.

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APRIL 2012 45

THE JOCK ATHLETIC AVERAGE JOE’S RUN THE MOTHER’S DAY CLASSIC IN THE DOMAIN, TAKING IN THE BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF SYDNEY HARBOUR AND THE BOTANIC GARDENS. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO JOIN IN ON - CHECK THEIR WEBSITE FOR ALL THE DETAILS!

MOTHERSDAYCLASSIC.COM.AU

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Eloise (#276) made the 10,000m qualifying time for the London Olympics during this race in San Francisco in May 2011.All images courtesy of Jonathan Wellings, www.birdandbee.com.au

APRIL 2012 47

ELOISE WELLINGS

I’M EXCITED! I’VE JUST ARRIVED IN THE US FOR 5 WEEKS OF TRAINING AND RACING. THE TWO TRACK RACES ARE AN IMPORTANT STEP IN SECURING MY SPOT ON THE OLYMPIC TEAM. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE RUN THE 10,000M A-STANDARD, I HAD TO MISS THE SELECTION TRIALS DUE TO INJURY SO NOW THE SELECTORS REQUIRE ME TO RUN A COUPLE OF FAST 5,000M RACES ON THE TRACK IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GET THEIR PERMANENT MARKER OUT.

chasingTHE OLYMPIC DREAM

- LITERALLY

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So far, there has been just 17 athletes selected in the Australian track and field team for the London Olympics. The hope is that this number will increase significantly by the cut off date of June 11th when final selections are made. Almost everyday for the past week I’ve seen facebook status updates from my fellow athletes reading that they’re heading to foreign lands to chase their A standard and realize their Olympic dream. In the lonely sport of distance running, reading these updates makes me remember that we’re all in the same boat.

On a few occasions I’ve been too fixated on the lap times and split times that if I get behind the time in the race then I tighten up completely and almost always fall apart, where as if I can just get in the race with a goal to enjoy it and a desire to win and chase down anyone that gets in front or stay with anyone that tries to make a break then I’m more likely to get the result I’m after. The time comes with focusing on winning and the process of executing that.

RACING OVERSEAS, ESPECIALLY IN EUROPE AND THE USA IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT TO RACING IN AUSTRALIA. IT’S GENERALLY EASIER TO RUN FAST OVER THERE FOR JUST A COUPLE OF KEY REASONS WHICH CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE:

ONE.THERE ARE PACE MAKERS FOR THE RACES, THE SPORT IS A LOT BIGGER AND THEREFORE THERE ARE MORE RESOURCES TO PAY ATHLETES TO PACE-MAKE THE RACES.

TWO.THERE IS MORE OF A RESPECT FOR DISTANCE ATHLETES. FOR EXAMPLE THE ORGANIZERS PUT THE DISTANCE RACES ON AT A TIME OF THE EVENING WHEN CONDITIONS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE PERFECT - COOLER TEMPERATURES AND LESS WIND AND MORE CONDUCIVE TO RUNNING OLYMPIC STANDARD TIMES.

ATHLETICS

THERE’S A MENTAL GAME TO CHASING QUALIFYING TIMES. YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO PHYSICALLY PREPARED BUT THE MENTAL SIDE IS CRUCIAL TO HOW YOU’LL PERFORM AND EXECUTE. FOR ME, I’VE FOUND THE BEST WAY TO RUN A RACE WHERE I’M CHASING A QUALIFYING TIME IS TO FORGET ABOUT THE TIME!

APRIL 2012 49

Exhausted, but elated, Eloise officially qualifies for the London Olympics. But 12 months on, she still has to prove to Australian selectors that she has what it takes to secure her spot.

THERE’S A MENTAL GAME TO CHASING QUALIFYING TIMES. YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO PHYSICALLY PREPARED BUT THE MENTAL SIDE IS CRUCIAL TO HOW YOU’LL PERFORM AND EXECUTE. FOR ME, I’VE FOUND THE BEST WAY TO RUN A RACE WHERE I’M CHASING A QUALIFYING TIME IS TO FORGET ABOUT THE TIME!

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ELOISE WELLINGSIS AN AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION DISTANCE RUNNER AND FOUNDER OF LOVE MERCY FOUNDATION. SHE HOPES TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA AT THE LONDON OLYMPICS IN 2012 IN THE 10,000M & 5,000M EVENTS. TO KEEP UP TO DATE ON HER ROAD TO LONDON 2012 FOLLOW HER BLOG, AND TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ELOISE’S FOUNDATION, VISIT

WWW.LOVEMERCYFOUNDATION.ORG

Now, forgetting about the pressure of hitting the A standard and focusing on the race all sounds sensible in theory and I know I can do it for the most part, but in one months time when I line up for a chance at this I know that as I come around the final bend with 100m to go I will be squinting my eyes to try and catch a glimpse of the clock at the finish line… it’s got to be somewhere between 15.00 and 15.10… the beauty of this is that the faster I run towards the clock the bigger the number gets and the sooner I’ll know if I’m in!

Here we go!

ATHLETICS

Name of originating unit Created on 24/03/2012 11:32:00 am Version: insert number

Landscape TAFE logo.docx Modified: insert date or NA

Page 1 of 1

Certificate IV in Fitness Flexible Delivery

The Certificate IV in Fitness – Exercise Trainer course involves a combination of on-line learning and on-site assessment to suit your individual requirements.

On commencement of the course you will be asked to choose one of the following areas of specialisation:

Exercise Trainer – Personal Training Exercise Trainer – Older clients Trainer Exercise Trainer – Children’s Trainer

On successful completion of the course you will have achieved Accreditation as a CIV in Fitness – Exercise Trainer (SIS40210) as set out by the Sport & Recreation – Fitness Training Package SIS10

Course Fee – Flexible Delivery

$2,075 (including GST)

For more information please contact:

Ranell Hobson Head Teacher Department of Sport & Fitness TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute

Phone: (02) 9208 9335 Fax: (02) 9208 9293 Email: ranell.hobson2@tafensw.edu.au

course incudes:

and

ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION YOU WILL ACHIEVE A TAFE NSW ACCREDITATION

AS A CIV IN FITNESS – EXERCISE TRAINER (SIS40210) AS SET OUT BY THE SPORT & RECREATION

– FITNESS TRAINING PACKAGE SIS10.

Certificate III & IV in FitnessFlexible Delivery

In conjunction with

COURSE FEE: $2,075 (INCLUDING GST)

NEXT 12-WEEK COURSE STARTS: 16 APRIL 2012 (LIMITED NUMBERS)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: JOCK ATHLETIC P: 0435 728 200 E: INFO@JOCKATHLETIC.COM

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SIOBHAN MCCARTHY

OCEAN SWIMMING’S HOLY GRAILENGLISH CHANNELTHE

APRIL 2012 53

CHANNEL

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“I first crossed the English Channel on a boat in 2004 whilst I was working for a tour company in Europe. Over the years on the tours through Europe, I crossed the Channel on the ship a further 9 times. Not once during that time did it ever cross my mind that it would be something I would do!

“I went to London for work in 2010 and I headed down to Dover one weekend and swam with a group of people in Dover Harbour who were training for the Channel. It was 14.8 degrees in the water. I assumed I would swim for a couple of hours to get a sense of what swimming in cold water was like, however when I arrived, the coach looked at me and said “5 hours or 7?” 5 hours later, I emerged, pretty cold, but pretty happy with having made the distance and the time.

Being inspired by her fellow swimmers, 30 year old Gorman booked her boat and pilot (requisites for any English Channel crossing) for 2012 that same week.

Preparing for such a venture is a huge task, and Gorman’s commitment to training is nothing short of inspiring. Monday to Friday Gorman swims at Andrew Boy Charlton pool in Sydney’s CBD and weekends in the ocean, swimming between 40 -50km, as well as gym three times a week.

“I vary my weekend routines to keep it interesting - some Saturdays we do a 4 or 6 hour long swim at various different beach locations, other weekends I’ll do a pool set followed by a surf swimming session, and Sundays are usually dominated by racing in the Ocean swim series along the Sydney beaches.”

VICTORIA GORMAN OF SYDNEY IS GEARING UP TO SWIM THE 35KM FROM ENGLAND TO FRANCE IN JULY THIS YEAR, BUT IT HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN SOMETHING SHE HAS WANTED TO DO.

THE PREPARATION

APRIL 2012 55

Gorman out for a training run off Sydney’s South Head.

“THE PREPARATION I DID IN 2011 WINTER WILL BE INVALUABLE, AS MY BODY ‘REMEMBERS’ AND ADJUSTS TO BEING BACK IN THE COLD WATER. MENTALLY I KNOW I HAVE ALREADY TOUGHED IT OUT OVER A WHOLE WINTER - SO I CAN DEFINITELY MAKE ONE MORE SWIM!”

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Whilst most of us will spend the winter huddled in the warmth, Gorman and her training partners will use the winter months to prepare for swimming in the cooler waters as well as getting used to swimming in the dark.

“I’ll be adding night swimming as it quite important as there will probably be a period during the Channel swim where I am swimming in the dark. I will also be doing a lot of cold water training for long periods of time (6 hours +) as soon as the water temperatures start to drop in Sydney Harbour. In the meantime, ice baths are one way to keep my body adjusted to dealing with the cold!”

Not only is the distance a challenge, but so too are the elements that can make or break a channel crossing.

“The preparation I did in 2011 winter will be invaluable, as my body ‘remembers’ and adjusts to being back in the cold water, and mentally I know I have already toughed it out over a whole winter - so I can definitely make one more swim!”

BRAVING THE NIGHT

THE SINGLE BIGGEST REASONTHE MAJORITY OF SOLO

HYPOTHERMIA.

SWIMMERS DON’T MAKE IT ACROSS THE CHANNEL IS DUE TO

http://www.swimman.com.au

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Tori has surrounded herself with a wonderful team of people to help her in her Channel crossing. “A 2 year goal has come around very quickly and these last 6 months are crucial to my success. Keeping focused on the end game is key. Juggling a career and family and friends are also important as I find the support everyone offers me is invaluable.”

TO SPONSOR TORI FOR HER ENGLISH CHANNEL SWIM VISIT:

WWW.GOFUNDRAISE.COM.AU

OR

WWW.JUSTGIVING.COM/TORIGORMAN (UK)

FOLLOW HER JOURNEY AT

WWW.TORIGORMAN.COM.AU

TEAM TORI

APRIL 2012 59

SIOBHAN MCCARTHY

IS A COUNTRY KID TURNED TRI GEEK AND IS CURRENTLY TRAINING WITH A TRIATHLON SQUAD AND LIVING THE GOOD LIFE ON THE GOLD COAST. TO PASS THE TIME, SHE IS COMPLETING A MASTERS OF JOURNALISM AND WRITES A BLOG ABOUT HER EXPERIENCES. YOU CAN FOLLOW SIOBHAN ON TWITTER

(@SIOBHANANN).

IN ADDITION TO FOCUSING ON HER OWN GOALS, GORMAN IS USING HER SWIMMING EFFORTS TO RAISE MONEY FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, A DISEASE THAT AFFECTS THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND CAN, TO VARYING DEGREES, INTERFERE WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF NERVE IMPULSES THROUGHOUT THE BRAIN, SPINAL CORD AND OPTIC NERVES.

OVER 21,000 AUSTRALIANS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH MS, INCLUDING SOME FAMILY FRIENDS OF GORMAN THAT HAVE HAD TWO CHILDREN BOTH AFFECTED BY MS.

WWW.MSAUSTRALIA.ORG.AU

THE CAUSE

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DAN ATKINS

TRIATHLON

ZONE

THE

AT THIS TIME OF THE TRIATHLON SEASON MOST ATHLETES ARE STARTING TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF A LONG SEASON AND PERHAPS JUST BACKING OF A LITTLE PRESSURE THAT IS NEEDED TO TRY AND ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS. AS A COACH YOU SEE IT IN YOUR ATHLETES WHEN THEY “JUST” TURN UP TO TRAINING AND DON’T ACTUALLY SWITCH ON!

SO IT’S NOT REALLY THE BEST TIME TO LOSE FOCUS WHEN WE ARE ALL SO CLOSE TO THE PEAK RACE BUT THIS ALSO LEADS ME TO THINK THAT I HAVE TO LOOK AT WAYS TO TRY AND GET THE ATHLETES TO RE-FOCUS AND COMMIT AT A HIGHER LEVEL TOWARDS THEIR PEAK RACE.

APRIL 2012 61

If your goal is a race you have done before go back to your diary and compare some crucial key points you should be putting in the diary:

KEY TRAINING SESSIONS:include some time trials in your training. You’re fit enough but maybe put some pressure on yourself in a no-pressure situation (i.e., not a race) and see how fast your going. Shorten the distance compared to your race ( e.g. 5km run time trial for Olympic distance), to try and lift your confidence.

TAKE TIME OFF:Take a day or 2 off, talk to your coach and have a mini break. Two days off can get the fire back in your belly and you won’t lose any training fitness you have built up over the last 6 months. Hopefully you’ll find that desire for success in the days away from training.

I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT WAYS TO COMBAT THIS, SO I ALWAYS LOOK FOR WAYS TO CHALLENGE THE ATHLETES MENTALLY A BIT MORE RATHER THAN PHYSICALLY AS I BELIEVE ALL THE HARD WORK ON THE TRACK AND IN THE POOL SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THIS PHASE OF THE TRAINING CYCLE.

SO I WANT TO FOCUS ON WAYS TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELLING THROUGH THAT PERIOD OF YOUR TRAINING PHASE WHEN YOU START TO QUESTION YOUR PROGRAM, YOUR FITNESS LEVELS AND YOUR OVERALL COMMITMENT TO YOUR LONG TERM GOAL.

ASSESS YOUROVERALL PERFORMANCE LEVEL:

It’s important to always keep the lines of communication open with your coach.

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As the days get shorter and daylight saving comes to a close, it starts to become much more of a challenge to get out of bed, especially if you have a few niggles and also the constant reminder of the challenge you have set yourself.

Don’t fear the event you’re primed for, fear the consequences of a bad result so hopefully the above points will help you get your “MoJo” back and get you to push through the final crucial period of your training in the lead up to your peak event.

Your attitude to training and your positive response on the start line will only occur if you back yourself and the work you have done in the lead up!

Everyone makes excuses as to why they are not performing at certain times; make sure you think about the reasons for your lack of performance. Remember excuses don’t get you through bad times, good choices do!

CHOICES:Training for and racing triathlons isn’t a sacrifice, it’s a choice you have made to become an athlete and to make some real life changes. Don’t waste this time to come up with excuses as to why you’re feeling down.

EVERY ATHLETE CHALLENGES THE REASONS WHY THEY TRAIN AND RACE THE WAY THEY DO. BUT THE SAME REASONS YOU STARTED THE SPORT SHOULD BE THE SAME REASONS YOU PUSH THROUGH THESE HARD TIMES, BECAUSE WE LOVE THIS SPORT AND WE HAVE SO MUCH FUN WITH THE PEOPLE AROUND US DAY IN DAY OUT.

INDULGE IN SOMETHING NEW:Go shopping and take one of those days off to indulge in other things besides triathlon but then finish the day off reading the latest triathlon magazine or watching old triathlon races on YouTube! Get that spark back!!!

PUSHTHROUGH

STOP.MAKING.EXCUSES.

WEIGHT:are you within 2% of your goal weight? If not make sure you focus some attention to the food for fuel you are eating. This can be crucial in the back end of the run leg when your fatigue levels are plummeting.

I BELIEVE LOSING

IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS OF

TRAINING CAN BE WORTH ABOUT

30-45 SECS OVER 10KM RUNNING OR ON THE

BIKE. AS LONG YOU ARE DOING THIS SAFELY. NUMBERSDON’T LIE!

A refreshingapproachto property southernstarproperty.com.au

BACK YOUR PROGRAM:If you have been in a coached program don’t start to question this a month out from your peak race. Stick to the plan you initially bought into and make sure you communicate to your coach/ other athletes all the time. As I said earlier, everyone has had some sort of self doubt in their time so it’s best to talk things through.

MY FINAL POINT:I don’t believe in luck. I believe in hard work pays off in the end! It goes hand in hand with the saying-

THE HARDER I

TRAIN, THELUCKIER I GET!”

The DAT support crew

DAN ATKINS IS THE DIRECTOR OF D.A.T RACING ON THE GOLD COAST AND HAS SOME 22 YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A COACH AND ATHLETE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR DAN, PLEASE CONTACT HIM VIA EMAIL: DANATKINS08@GMAIL.COM

OR CHECK OUT HIS WEBSITE WWW.DANATKINSTRAINING.COM.AU

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OLYMPIC UPDATEPETER HADFIELD (OAM)

Pearson’s time of 7.73 over the 60m indoor distance is the equal 4th fastest all-time and places her just 5/100ths behind the World Indoor Record held by Susanna Kallur. Her winning margin of more than 2/10ths of a second over silver medalist Tiffany Ofili-Porter confirms her dominance.

Pearson’s quest to hold a complete set of Championship gold medals for the sprint hurdles is almost complete as she is now

World Indoor and Commonwealth Champion and looks certain to go one better than the silver medal she won at the Beijing Olympics in London.

Sally prefaced her World Indoor win with a world class performance at the Australian Selection trials over 100m hurdles where she blitzed the field to run her fastest time ever in Australia of 12.49 (w: +0.8) and her 4th best all-time.Pearson continued to confirm her flat running speed at the trials by taking out the 100m and 200m to complete a winning treble.

The rising star of Australian athletics is 21 year old Queenslander Henry Frayne who leapt to prominence with a silver medal performance at the World Indoor Championships in the Long Jump, losing on a count back when he and Brazilian Mauro Vinicius Da Silva both jumped 8.23m.

Frayne is better known as a Triple Jumper and now has some serious decisions to make after

IS SALLY PEARSON THE BLACK CAVIAR OF WORLD HURDLING? THE INTERNATIONAL FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR CONTINUES TO CONFIRM HER FAVOURITISM FOR LONDON GOLD WITH A BLISTERING PERFORMANCE AT THE WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP IN ISTANBUL THIS MONTH.

TRACK & FIELDATHLETICS

APRIL 2012 65

OLYMPIC UPDATE

being selected in both the Long Jump and Triple Jump for London as to which will take his training focus.

Frayne dominated the trials with two victories, taking out the Long Jump on Day 1 and then producing a 17.23m on his final jump on Day 2 to sneak over the qualifying mark in the Triple Jump by 3cm. Frayne will be the first Australian since Ian Tomlinson in 1964 to compete in both horizontal jumps at the Olympic Games.

The epitome of elite sporting performances is being able to do it when it counts and 30 year old Brendan Cole, certainly did this at the selection trials.

Cole hadn’t broken 50 seconds in the 400m Hurdles all summer, but in difficult conditions ran a big season’s best of 49.39 in winning the trial which was under the selection mark of 49.50 to book a spot to London for his first Olympics.

Alana Boyd wins the “Most Improved Award”

over the Aussie summer. The Commonwealth Games Gold medallist in the Women’s Pole Vault created four PB performances - 4.61m in Adelaide, 4.66m in Perth and then in a Perth interclub meet lifted that twice to 4.71 & 4.76 which eclipsed Kim Howe’s Australian Record of 4.72m from 5 years ago. Boyd’s leap is better than the Bronze medal winning performance of Brazilian Fabiana Murer at the 2011 World Championships. Qualified athletes Youcef Abdi (NSW) 3000m Steeplechase, Jeff Riseley (Vic) 800m, Lauren Boden (ACT) 400m Hurdles and Craig Mottram (Vic) 5,000m all put in tradesmen-like performances to win their respective events in the trials to ensure a berth to London. Mottram’s winning time of 13:18.58 again bettered the qualifying standard.

A week later Mottram competed at the World Indoor Championships over 3000 metres

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and despite qualifying 2nd in his heat the tall Australian couldn’t maintain contact and finished in 11th position in the final behind winner Bernard Lagat (USA). Those athletes who have made the qualifying standard but are yet to be selected include our Marathon runners Michael Shelley (Qld) in the Men and in the women Benita Willis (Vic), Lisa Weightman (Vic) and Jessica Trengrove (SA) who has just run a 2:31.02 at the Nagoya Women’s Marathon in Japan. The selectors

MEN• JEFF RISELEY (VIC, 800M)

• CRAIG MOTTRAM (VIC, 5000M)

• COLLIS BIRMINGHAM (VIC, 5000M)

• BEN ST. LAWRENCE (NSW, 10,000M)

• BRENDAN COLE (ACT, 400M HURDLES)

• YOUCEF ABDI (NSW, 3000M STEEPLECHASE)

• MITCHELL WATT (QLD, LONG JUMP)

• HENRY FRAYNE (QLD, LONG JUMP & TRIPLE JUMP)

• BENN HARRADINE (VIC, DISCUS)

• JULIAN WRUCK (VIC, DISCUS)

• JARROD BANNISTER (VIC, JAVELIN)

• LUKE ADAMS (NSW, 20KM & 50KM WALK)

• NATHAN DEAKES (ACT, 50KM WALK)

• JARED TALLENT (VIC, 50KM WALK)

WOMEN• ZOE BUCKMAN (VIC, 1500M)

• KAILA MCKNIGHT (VIC, 1500M)

• SALLY PEARSON (QLD, 100M HURDLES)

• LAUREN BODEN (ACT, 400M HURDLES)

• ALANA BOYD (WA, POLE VAULT)

• LIZ PARNOV (WA, POLE VAULT)

• DANI SAMUELS (NSW, DISCUS)

• KIM MICKLE (WA, JAVELIN)

• CLAIRE TALLENT (ACT, 20KM WALK)

• REGAN LAMBLE (ACT, 20KM WALK)

• BEKI LEE (NSW, 20KM WALK)

have left spots open in the Marathon until the last minute to see if anyone comes to the fore over the next few monthsOur own Eloise Wellings has bettered the qualifying time in the Women’s 10,000m and will need to prove her fitness to the selectors. As Eloise explains in her article this month, she’s headed overseas to race the qualifying time she needs and she explains why so many athletes are doing the same.

CURRENTLYTHERE ARE 25 NOMINATIONSFOR THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM

FOR LONDON:

APRIL 2012 67

The selectors will also slot in two extra positions for the Men’s 20km walk.The glaring omission from selections to date is the absence of anyone in the Men’s and Women’s shorter track events and of course the absence of Olympic Pole Vault Champion Steve Hooker from the list.

Hooker is still to clear a bar in competition since winning the Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010. He elected not to compete in the selection trial and now has the difficult task of overcoming the ‘yips’ to post a qualifying height of 5.72m over the coming months.

Sally Pearson is our only qualifier from 100-400m in both the Men’s & Women’s competition and she is unlikely to run the flat events in London, unless she decides to run

a heat of the 100m to get a feel for the track prior to her hurdles campaign. The “Mouth from the West”, John Steffenson continues to beat his fellow 400m team mates but he is still yet to record a qualifying performance and with the exception of young Steven Solomons, who recently won the Australian Junior Championship in a credible 45.99, the remaining 400m runners are distant performers.

Photo: Daniel Sommer / periscope-creative.com www.stevehooker.com.au

Steve Hooker

DESPITE THE SHINING LIGHTOF SALLY PEARSON, THEREMAINING FEMALE ATHLETES IN THE 100M ARE QUITE FRANKLY “PEDESTRIAN” & THE 400M RUNNERS EVEN MORE SO.

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The women sprinters are worse.

Do we want to persist with the relays selection policy when it continues to not produce athletes who are able to qualify in their own right for an individual event?

If selectors pick six athletes, as has been their template for relay selection, it would mean based on the performances at the selection trials that Joshua Ross who finished 6th in the 100m with 10.56 would become an Olympian, Kevin Moore who finished 6th in the 400m in 47.31 would become an Olympian, Christine Wearne who finished 5th in the women’s 100m in 12.78 would become an Olympian and Sheena Steinert who finished 6th in the Women’s 400m in 54.39 would become an Olympian.

The argument of fairness of selection of relay teams whose athletes don’t qualify individually must also be considered, particularly when a young thrower of the talent of Dale Stevenson, who is just marginally behind the qualifying distance required in the Shot Putt, and who threw a PB to win the selection trial will never be considered?

WHICH ATHLETES WILL TAKE THEIR PLACE AT THE LONDON OLYMPIC VILLAGE?All will be revealed in mid June when Athletics Australia nominates the final team for AOC approval.

PETER HADFIELD OAM

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.

AT THIS STAGE THE SELECTION OF ANY MEN’S OR WOMEN’S RELAY TEAMS FOR LONDON WOULD BE A TRAVESTY AND AN INSULT TO THOSE OTHER INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES WHO HAVE ACHIEVE THE QUALIFYING STANDARDS REQUIRED.

APRIL 2012 69

70 jockathletic.com

APRIL 2012 71

REBECCA GAWTHORNE

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?DO YOU JUMP OUT OF BED FEELING ENERGIZED, READY TO FLY THROUGH THE DAY AHEAD?

OR

DO YOU FIND YOURSELF HITTING THE SNOOZE BUTTON REPEATEDLY, TRYING TO SQUEEZE IN A FEW EXTRA MINUTES OF SLEEP?

FATIGUE FIGHTING

FOODS

72 jockathletic.com

Fatigue experienced by athletes can be related to sleep, stress or underlying medical reasons. However, more commonly than not, athletic fatigue is associated with dietary and nutritional factors including:

• Fuel & energy depletion• Low blood sugar levels• Dehydration

NUTRITION IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED AS A

CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO FATIGUE. IN MANY

CASES, A SIMPLE CHANGE IN EATING HABITS CAN

INCREASE ENERGY LEVELS AND IMPROVE TRAINING

SESSIONS.

Here are five ways to fight athletic fatigue and prevent drops in energy levels throughout the day, ensuring optimal athletic performance:

A nutritious, energy boosting diet is key to fighting fatigue. It should provide the right balance of low GI carbohydrate, protein, fat and sufficient vitamins and minerals to maximise exercise performance at training and competition.

One of the biggest problems that physically active athletes experience on a daily basis is maintaining high enough energy levels to be

Many people often wake up feeling more tired than when they went to bed. This tiredness can continue throughout the day. For athletes with intense training workloads, this tiredness can turn into fatigue.

FATIGUE IS DEFINED AS A LACK OF ENERGY AND MOTIVATION. IT IS MORE THAN TIREDNESS OR DROWSINESS. IT IS EXHAUSTION RESULTING FROM MENTAL OR PHYSICAL EXERTION OR ILLNESS; A TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER.

DO YOU EXPERIENCE THESE SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH ATHLETIC FATIGUE?

• ELEVATEDRESTINGHEARTRATE

• MUSCLESORENESSANDPAIN

• INCREASEDEFFORTDURING TRAINING LOSS OF APPETITE

• DROPINPERFORMANCE

• LOSSOFAPPETITE

• COLDS&FLUES

• LOSSOFENJOYMENTIN TRAINING

1.EAT FOR ENERGY & HEALTH

NUTRITION

APRIL 2012 73

able to excel at work, exercise and socialising. If you find that, after work, your thoughts tend to run more towards passing out on the couch for the night rather than hitting the gym for a high-intensity workout, you may not be eating enough through the day.

ENSURE YOU CONSUME ADEQUATE WHOLEGRAINS, LEAN MEATS AND DAIRY, FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. HAVING ENERGY RICH FOODS AND DRINKS AVAILABLE DURING AND AFTER EXERCISE IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOU ENERGIZED THROUGH THE DAY. TRY FRUIT SMOOTHIES, FRUIT AND YOGHURT AND CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES.

Far too often, caffeine is used to suppress fatigue and supplement proper energy intake from food. However this can cause a cycle of chronic tiredness, interfering with sleep patterns and causing a dependence on caffeine for daily training sessions.

Are you stuck in a caffeine rut? Try going caffeine free for a week. Or at least reduce your caffeine intake and ensure you have a proper meal with your morning cup of coffee. Plan your breakfast and always start with a healthy option such as fresh fruit and low-fat yoghurt, rolled oats and home-made muesli.

2.PREVENT THE CAFFEINE RUT

74 jockathletic.com

Carbohydrates are an important energy source for all athletes. Carbs are stored as energy in muscles known as glycogen, and must be constantly replaced. Many athletes think that they eat a lot of carbs, but in reality consume well below their needs. A low carb intake will result in a gradual depletion of glycogen stores and cause prolonged muscle fatigue.

Crank up your carb intake to help prevent fatigue and allow your muscles to fully recover from training sessions. Include carbs with your main meals.

Fruit, muesli bars and sandwiches are great carbohydrate sources through the day and around training sessions. Add brown rice or sweet potato to your dinner meals to ensure you refuel you muscles and wake up energized the next morning.

Fatigue can be a symptom of chronic dehydration. Athletes often drink enough during training, but forget about consuming fluid throughout the rest of the day.

Stay hydrated by drinking a cup or two of water before and after every main meal. This will assist with daily fluid needs and keep you hydrated throughout the day.

Iron is an essential mineral vital for energy release. Iron-deficiency will leave you feeling fatigued, so boost your iron levels by eating lean red meat, chicken or fish daily.

Have red meat 3 to 4 times per week. Add chicken breast to your sandwiches or a tin of tuna to your salad.

And don’t forget to include plant sources of iron including beans, lentils and green-leafy vegetables. You may also find iron-fortified foods such as Milo and Sports Sustagen an easy option.

REBECCA GAWTHORNE

IS AN ACCREDITED PRACTISING DIETICIAN AND NUTRITIONIST.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

REBECCA.GAWTHORNE@GMAIL.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/REBECCAGAWTHORNE

M: 0425 240 350

3.CRANK UP THE CARBS 5.

PUMP UPTHE IRON

4.STAYHYDRATED

NUTRITION

APRIL 2012 75

--------------------------------------------------------------MORNING You Want: A caffeine hit You Need: A low-GI protein rich breakfast.Choose: • Fresh fruit and low-fat yoghurt • Rolled oats • Home-made muesli • Vegetable omelet & sourdough toast -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MORNING TEAYou Want: A Sweet Biscuit You Need: A high fibre, low GI biscuit (with optional healthy spread)

Choose: • Multigrain biscuit with hummus or peanut butter • Soy & linseed biscuit with tzatziki and salad vegetables • Oatmeal or fruit-filled biscuit-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------AFTERNOON TEA You Want: Chocolate You Need: Healthy snack to replenish sugar levelsChoose: • Fruit salad • Small yoghurt tub / • Handful of dried fruit and nuts-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

· Slow or plateaued results from your exercise· Lethargy, tiredness, weak immune system· Sport nutrition training and competition diet· Help with weight loss· Mood swings, food or sugar cravings· Safe muscle building

Rebecca Gawthorne - Dietit ian & Nutrit ionistBNutrDiet (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.

Clinical conditions including:· Diabetes· High blood pressure· High cholesterol· Heart conditions· Digestion & gut problems· Food allergies & intolerances

Health Fund & Medicare Rebates available.

Should I see a Dietitian?

If you need help with, or experience any of the following, you will benefit from seeing a Dietitian:

Fatigue Fighting Foods Around the Clock

76 jockathletic.com

IN HIS PRIME, IAN THORPE WAS THE POSTER BOY FOR SPORT PSYCHOLOGISTS EVERYWHERE.

HE WAS THE EMBODIMENT OF A VALUES-DRIVEN PERFORMER. A GUY WHO RACED, AND NO DOUBT TRAINED, DRIVEN BY A VERY EFFECTIVE PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY - “BEAT MYSELF”.

THORPIE’S COMEBACK... (ALMOST)“THE FAIRY TALE HAS TURNEDINTO A NIGHTMARE”

DR. MICHAEL MARTIN

SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY

Here’s a quote from Ian in his “golden” era…

“When I go out and race, I’m not trying to beat opponents, I’mtrying to beat what I have done... to beat myself, basically. People find that hard to believe because we’ve had such a bias to always strive to win things. If you win something and you haven’t put everything into it, you haven’t actually achieved anything at all. When you’ve had to work hard for something and you’ve got the best you can out of yourself on that given day, that’s where you get satisfaction from.”

It was a personal performance value that worked, earning him five Olympic gold medals, 11 world titles and 13 world records.

APRIL 2012 77

A 180 DEGREE CHANGE OF FOCUS

However, that seemed to change during his comeback. It seemed that Ian had a different, and ultimately less effective philosophy on his return swimming. He wanted to win.

After failing to qualify for the semi final in the 100m at the Olympic trials. Thorpe said…

“When I started this I wanted to get back in the pool, I wanted to start racing again, I wanted to be competitive again and I wanted to go to the Olympics,”

For someone who had never cared too much about anything other than going fast, Thorpe had made a 180 turn in his thinking. The premise had changed from “be as good as you can be and see what happens” to “win a spot on the Olympic team.”

SO WHAT’S WRONG WITH WANTING TO WIN?

Well, there’s nothing wrong with the concept – but the goal of getting to the Olympics must not overshadow the commitment to personal best. It’s the value that drives performance.

Think about Thorpe’s swimming career, version 1.0.

He understood that winning races, making teams, setting world record times were fundamentally different from his day-to-day performance journey. That was about being as

good as he could be. Undoubtedly his training sessions and athleticism were anchored in his personal best philosophy. No cut corners – no need to – the only person he was cheating was himself.

He understood that if his training was in line with his personal best performance values then he would increase the likelihood that his racing goals would be met.

VALUES-DRIVEN VS.

EMOTIONALLY-DRIVEN PERFORMANCE

Consider the alternative concept to a values-driven performance; an emotionally-driven performance. This is where Ian’s daily training actions were not in line with his “personal best” values, but rather in line with how he felt at any given moment.

Performance values are particularly relevant when we are confronted, daily, by a variety of negative thoughts. Typically we respond to life’s difficulties in an emotional way. Our emotions drive our moment-to-moment performance choices. Recognizing and confronting the nasty thoughts and feeling, before acting on them, allows you to make appropriate performance-based decisions that are not based on your feeling in that moment. The result is that you act in a consistent values directed manner.

I’m sure that Ian Thorpe v1.0 would never have

“THE FAIRY TALE HAS TURNEDINTO A NIGHTMARE”

78 jockathletic.com

got to where he did if his emotions were in control. Did Ian Thorpe v2.0 make inappropriate emotional-based decisions about his training? Only Ian Thorpe knows the answer to that. But I can definitely say that preparing for elite performance with a goal outcome in mind, rather than value-based mindset, is far more difficult and psychologically draining.

VALUES-DRIVEN PERFORMANCE AND TOUR SENSE OF CONTROL

So if you had asked Ian Thorpe v1.0 at the Sydney 2000 Olympic trials, how concerned was he about making the team or swimming fast? I guess he would have said something like 30% making the team and 70% about

A VALUES-DRIVEN APPROACH TO RACING THAT IS ABOUT PERSONAL BEST. IT LET’S YOU THINK “I DON’T KNOW WHETHER I’M GOING TO KICK A GOAL OR NOT, BUT LET’S GET OUT THERE AND SEE WHAT I CAN DO.”

A GOALS-DRIVEN APPROACH TO RACING THAT IS ABOUT WINNING IS DISEMPOWERING. THE MINDSET IS “GEE I REALLY HOPE I CAN DO IT, I DON’T KNOW IF I CAN, BUT I REALLY HOPE I’M GOOD ENOUGH.”

swimming fast. I suggest Ian Thorpe v2.0 answer, at the 2012 trials, would probably have been reversed – 70% about the team; 30% about swimming fast.Two different performance mindsets, two different outcomes.

I’M NOT SUGGESTING YOUR GOALS SHOULD TAKE A BACK SEAT TO YOUR PERFORMANCE VALUES. IT IS MY EXPERIENCE, AND RESEARCH SUPPORTS THE THEORY, THAT PERFORMERS WHO BECOME FOCUSED ON THE VALUE, THAT UNDERLIES THEIR PURSUIT, WORK CONSISTENTLY HARDER AND MAKE BETTER CHOICES. ESPECIALLY WHEN FACED WITH HARDSHIP, NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS. THEY PERSEVERE IN THE DIFFICULT DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES. HENCE THERE IS A GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF THEM ACHIEVING THEIR GOAL.

For Thorpe to swim nearly three-quarters of a second slower in his semi, than in his morning heat, suggests that Thorpe’s focus was on winning not his personal best philosophy. The resultant pressure of his goal-driven results focus undoubtedly had a physical impact in his semi. Thorpe tightened, became distracted and tried, unsuccessfully, to force his usually graceful stroke.

SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY

APRIL 2012 79

It is consistent values-directed choices and behaviours, not emotionally-directed behaviours that are the essence of mental toughness that elite performers require.

Mental toughness is your ability to act in a purposeful manner, systematically and consistently, in the pursuit of the values that underlie daily performance activities. Especially when faced with strong negative emotions that we naturally want to control, eliminate or reduce.

Ian is, and will always be an absolute luminary. For him to have the courage to lay it all on the line just reinforces his iconic status. I would have loved to see what could have happened with the v1.0 mind in the v2.0 body.

DR. MICHAEL MARTINIS THE FORMER HEAD OF PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY AT THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE NEW FREE REPORT, “HOW TO COMPETE AT YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL, WHEN IT REALLY MATTERS!” IT’S AVAILABLE NOW AT NO COST OR OBLIGATION. CALL 1800-300-796, 24HRS, FOR A FREE RECORDED MESSAGE, TO GET YOUR COPY OF THIS EYE-OPENING REPORT. CALL NOW! DISCOVER WHAT YOUR COMPETITORS ARE HOPING YOU NEVER FIND OUT ABOUT!

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Discover what your competitors are hoping you never find out about!

80 jockathletic.com

MARK MILLIGAN (Football)

Made his comeback with the Socceroos

in over a year in the World Cup Quali-

fier against Saudi Arabia last month. Mark

played a full game and a big part in the 4-2

win. Well done mate.

SHANE CAMPBELL (Surfing)

Was named to be ‘a young surfer to watch

for the future’. Shane surfed in his maiden state title at

Cronulla early in the month, making it

through against the state’s best male surfers

in the early heats of the NSW Open at North

Cronulla and on to finals day.

SARAH JONES (Softball)

Is off to compete at the World Champion-

ships in Canada (also known as the new ‘

Softball Olympics’) – Good luck Sarah!

CONNOR O’LEARY (Surfing)

Connor used his local knowledge and re-

leased his own progressive brand of surfing

to take his heat in the stormy 3-4ft conditions

down at Cronulla earlier this month at the

NSW State Open Titles.

MARK SIMPSON (Swimming)

Came home to a close finish at the Shark Is-

land Swim, finishing 3rd with a time of 28.29.

LUKE NOBLETT (Hockey)

Has made the 2012 NSW U21 Men’s team,

which has been selected to complete at 2012

Australian U21 Championships in Hobart, SA in

July.

JAIMIE STACK (Swimming)

Blitzed the Australian Championships in Ad-

elaide last month with 2 person bests, 100m

free – 50.91 and 100 fly 54.54!! Awesome stuff

Jaimie!

CALLUM STEWART (Cricket)

One of our “satellite’ athletes, Callum has had a

great season with his team winning the 20/20,

One Day and Two Day comps – with Callum

himself taking 39 wickets throughout the season!

BLAKE FOWLER (Football)

Has been training the house down with NSWIS

and Jock Athletic to ensure he is fit and ready

for his return to Bolton Wanderers FC (EPL) in a

month’s time. Good Luck Blake!

NSW CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 - SURF LIFE

SAVING

Jock Athletic had some awesome results from

the Surf Life Saving Titles at Kingscliffe in

March. We’re so proud of you all - bring on

Aussies 2012!

EACH MONTH WE BRING YOU NEWS AND RESULTS FROM

JOCK ATHLETIC ATHLETES, HERE AND ABROAD.

NSW SLS 2012 MEDAL WINNERS

AUDREY AMIYA-HALL: 1st U/19 2km run

BRIGITTE SALIB: 1st U/9 beach relay and finals individual sprint

JIMMY SOUTHWELL : 1st Cameron Relay, 3rd Surf Team (U15)

ABBEY PUGH : 1st surf teams, 3rd board relay, 3rd board rescue

AARON MARKEY: 2nd board relay

AMIE O’DONOGHUE: 3rd U/17 beach relay and 4th U/19 beach relay

CIARAN WILLIAMS: 3rd Open 2km run and finalist Open flags

DEAN SIMPSON: 3rd Open 2km run

RYAN MARKEY: 3rd ski relay

BEN PUGH: 2nd ski relay, 3rd board relay

HANNAH GORMAN: 5th U/17 2km run

APRIL 2012 81

LUKE NOBLETT (Hockey)

Has made the 2012 NSW U21 Men’s team,

which has been selected to complete at 2012

Australian U21 Championships in Hobart, SA in

July.

JAIMIE STACK (Swimming)

Blitzed the Australian Championships in Ad-

elaide last month with 2 person bests, 100m

free – 50.91 and 100 fly 54.54!! Awesome stuff

Jaimie!

CALLUM STEWART (Cricket)

One of our “satellite’ athletes, Callum has had a

great season with his team winning the 20/20,

One Day and Two Day comps – with Callum

himself taking 39 wickets throughout the season!

BLAKE FOWLER (Football)

Has been training the house down with NSWIS

and Jock Athletic to ensure he is fit and ready

for his return to Bolton Wanderers FC (EPL) in a

month’s time. Good Luck Blake!

NSW CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 - SURF LIFE

SAVING

Jock Athletic had some awesome results from

the Surf Life Saving Titles at Kingscliffe in

March. We’re so proud of you all - bring on

Aussies 2012!

EACH MONTH WE BRING YOU NEWS AND RESULTS FROM

JOCK ATHLETIC ATHLETES, HERE AND ABROAD.

NSW SLS 2012 MEDAL WINNERS

AUDREY AMIYA-HALL: 1st U/19 2km run

BRIGITTE SALIB: 1st U/9 beach relay and finals individual sprint

JIMMY SOUTHWELL : 1st Cameron Relay, 3rd Surf Team (U15)

ABBEY PUGH : 1st surf teams, 3rd board relay, 3rd board rescue

AARON MARKEY: 2nd board relay

AMIE O’DONOGHUE: 3rd U/17 beach relay and 4th U/19 beach relay

CIARAN WILLIAMS: 3rd Open 2km run and finalist Open flags

DEAN SIMPSON: 3rd Open 2km run

RYAN MARKEY: 3rd ski relay

BEN PUGH: 2nd ski relay, 3rd board relay

HANNAH GORMAN: 5th U/17 2km run

Youngster, MIA ROSS

(pictured with brother

Fynn and coaches Mark

Simpson (left) and Jock

Campbell) had a great

carnival, taking out 1st

surf teams, 1st board

relay, 1st surf race and

6th board (U/10)

http://www.stevewaughfoundation.com.au