The right way to train for spring athletes: Part 2 of 5... "first games of the season"

Congratulations spring athletes, you made it through tryouts. You may be focused on proving yourself as a contender on the field but it's a whole-season approach that we are striving for.

Continuing to give 100% effort during these essential preseason practices, scrimmages, and first games is essential. Not just in skill but effort in the physical--make it a point to jog to the water cooler, aim to be the first girl done with each sprint, and yes--continue to put in a few more at-home hours.

Especially during preseason coach may be making lots of changes in the lineup, and game-days may produce less on-field playing time than normal so coach can give everyone a chance to show their stuff. Because we are taking a whole-season approach to your training, we want to make sure YOU reach peak performance this season.

At home/after practice workouts are ESSENTIAL to reaching peak performance later this season. You should aim to peak early- to mid-season, and that means putting extra efforts in now.

It is important to continue to utilize a healthy energy fuel to help you perform at max intensity. I am a huge fan of healthy energy and I really see a difference in my mental and physical performance when I fuel with FRS energy drinks.

The most important part of this early season is to continue at-home training. I suggest an early morning regimine of 1 mile of cardio, 2 minutes of pushups, and 5 minutes of core. Overall this shouldn't take you more than a half-hour and it will really jump start your day.

Remember - we are ultimately trying to prevent mid- to late-season fatigue, so if you want to perform your best all season, maximize your efforts now... I promise, you will be offered relief from this intensity in a few weeks.

Make the most of your recovery with sleep and replacement fuels such as Hammer Nutrition's Recoverite. I learned as an athlete that I was over-training... Building muscle doesn't happen in the gym or on the field - that's the time you are actually tearing apart your muscles... (yes, you read correctly!). Your muscles aren't fusing back together until your sleep & recovery hours. These new bonds are now stronger, and are what give you strength. Like sodering metal - the new bond is stronger than the original metal piece. To make time for this new bond, it is essential to get enough sleep to build your body the way you are training it to. Recovery fuels like Hammer Nutrition's Recoverite help maximize this rest-time.


***This is the second post in a 5-part series: "The right way to train for spring athletes."