McCain UKA Mountain running camp concludes at Borrowdale in Cumbria – Athletics News
Around 18 athletes have participated in the McCain UKA Mountain running camp, from May 6 to 8, held at Borrowdale, Cumbria. The camp was accompanied by the three former world champions. Their expert opinion helped athletes in attaining the knowledge and
tips, to improve their performance in the near future.
The training camp session was inaugurated by experts, with the general training session having questions and answers. The speakers were Martin Jones, Angela Mudge and Jonathan Wyatt.
The short and snappy profile of the presenters:
Martin Jones has won the World Mountain Running Trophy twice. He has contested in ten World Championships across road and cross country championships. Jonathan Wyatt is a six-time World Mountain Trophy Champion, who represented New Zealand twice in Olympic
and Commonwealth games marathons. World Trophy champion in 2000, Mudge, also took part in the camp.
The training session:
The main discussion was about focusing on the way of thinking or the mindset. Experts said that it is a key factor in mountain running. Wyatt agreed with Jones and took the discussion ahead with Mudge. He elaborated on the techniques of mind preparation
and optimistic visualisation. The experts believed that victory travels from the mind, if the target is clear.
Emphasis was made on regular appearances against competitors. Great Britain and Northern Ireland were cited as examples, as they participated in the World Cross Country Championships on two occasions. Experts added that with regular meetings, it becomes
easy to be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of opponents. They also stressed on the advantages of speed work.
The next day of the camp included a session regarding hills. Mountain running in all seasons and specific conditions, a brief on anti-doping in athletics and a presentation on 2011 European and World Mountain running championships’ courses were given in
the sitting. Travel preparation and arrangement were also discussed in the meeting.
Comments by the athletes:
Sarah Tunstall, who was the runner-up in the up and downhill event of Commonwealth Mountain running championship in 2009, shared her experience of training and said, “I found it really helpful. It was a great opportunity to get together and focus on the
season ahead. The Lake District provides the perfect environment and surroundings and it’s always beneficial to see everyone and get in some running outside of competition.”
She also won the silver medal in the 2008 European Cross Country Championships.
Mike Kallenberg, the 20-year-old athlete who appeared for first time in the World Mountain Running Championships last year in 2010, said, “It was just brilliant to have a Q&A with three World Champions! It was great to hear their thoughts and various training
methods etc. Just being at a camp like this in such an ideal setting will really help my transition from the junior to senior ranks. It was a great group in a really relaxed environment.”
The camp ended successfully on Sunday, May 8. It has been observed that from this kind of training, athletes can get more knowledge and techniques to flourish in their career. Mountain running needs skill and physical fitness, which can be provided by training
sessions of these kinds.
World Mountain Running Championship is set to kick-off at Blackburn on August 13, this year.
Tags: