Top tips for your challenge event
Published on: 25 January 2018Ex-pro footballer and Lymphoma Action supporter Tony Lormor shares his top tips for preparing for a challenge event.
In 2015, Tony Lormor took part in an Arctic Dog Sled challenge raising £6,480 to help us support people affected by lymphoma.
Below the ex-professional footballer, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust mentor and Lymphoma Action Ambassador offers his top tips for preparing for a challenge event.
He said: ‘For any challenge that I take, I always plan my training so that I build up gradually, you need to plan and stick to a routine that’s right for you. Overdoing it from the start could lead to injury. Here are my top 10 tips on how make sure you get your training off to the best start:
Make sure you rest
This tip is probably a bit of a surprise to you, but you must start your training strategy by thinking about rest. A top tip to improve your success is to give your body the time it needs to recover properly. Of course, you don’t want the whole of your programme to be about rest, but it is important to listen to your body and take time off at regular intervals.
Don’t train when you are feeling unwell or overtired
If you’re not feeling too great then just give your training a miss. Training when you’re unwell or overly stressed can be counterproductive.
Find a decent training plan
Another top tip to improve your success is that training without a plan can be demoralising. If you have a target in mind, then a plan will give you week-by-week targets that you tick off as you progress. It is great to tick off each target, and makes something that seems so impossible at the beginning of your training seem ever more achievable.
Stick to your training plan
Once you have a plan, do your best to stick to it. Don’t be tempted to do more than the plan suggests just because you are feeling good. The plan will have been put together to ensure you improve slowly but steadily in a safe manner.
Build up slowly from the start
Don’t be tempted to do too much initially. While your early enthusiasm might make you feel like you want to get into your training in a big way from day one, make sure that you go with what your plan tells you. Doing too much too soon is likely to lead to injury or overstretching yourself and you then run the risk of not being able to reach your end target.
Get into a regular routine
Build your training into a regular routine. Keep a set time for your training to ensure you do it and stick to your plan.
Exercise with a suitable partner or not at all
Training with a partner has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the problems of training with others is that you get demotivated if you can’t keep up or don’t make as much progress as they do. If that is the case, you may well find it better to go alone, especially in the early days.
Keep sight of your goal
Believe in yourself and don’t give up. There will be plenty of times when you doubt your ability to follow your plan and achieve your goals - don’t lose sight of your goal and keep at it. We all have bad days but don’t let them affect your overall programme.
Fuel well for training
Training regularly stresses the body, and the extra demands require the correct fuel. The food you eat is important. Fuelling your body with the right, nutritious and balanced diet gives it all the essential nutrients to perform at your best.
Work on any weaknesses
A great tip to improve your success is that if you’re aware of any weakness which is affecting your performance, then work on it. Don’t let a known weakness adversely impact on your training. Deal with the issue as soon as you identify it.’