136 days until World Ultimate Club Championships in Lecco, Italy!
I’m officially 136 days away from playing ultimate in Italy for the World Ultimate Club Championships (WUCC) 2014! This international tournament will be held in Lecco, Italy (which is somewhat close to Milan). The weeks and days are winding down now, and I’ll soon be back in Singapore to train with my team (Shiok! ultimate).
Gearing up for Worlds!
Over the last few weeks, I’ve really started to think seriously about how I can be at my best in August for this tournament. Some very basic healthy things I’ve been doing are:
- getting enough sleep (about 8 to 9 hours a night)
- drinking more water
- limiting caffeine (sometimes none, but max ~8 oz of strongish coffee a day, or 3 cups of caffeinated tea)
- drinking less alcohol (max 2 beers or drinks in one outing, 1 to 2 times a week)
- working out 3 to 5 times a week
The devil is in the details…food
This is in addition to the food related changes I’ve been making. I am still trying to get enough protein each day, but at the same time I want to eat a diverse range of greens and beans. Eating right won’t help me if I only start a few weeks before the tournament, so I’ve made it a priority starting the beginning of 2014. This also goes hand in hand with my training goals, because I can’t be healthy and improving if I’m not eating well.
…alcohol
Drinking-wise, I’ve been drinking a lot less (at least by volume) the past several months to a year than in years before, and I don’t really miss it. I definitely don’t like having hangovers, and often feel a bit moody the next day after a night of heavy drinking. I hate feeling down the next day because it prevents me from doing things, and overall that isn’t good for my mental health. I’m also debating going completely dry for 1 or 2 months before the tournament.
…fitness
New York is tricky in the winter, with all that cold and snow, it kinda makes you want to not be outside at all. Lately I’ve been mostly focused on strength training and fitness (indoors!). I will stay mainly focused on this for the next month, but while ramping up the sprinting and outdoor workouts as it gets warmer. I have, however, played ultimate outside a few times since I’ve been here, and it has been brutally cold except for once (on one of those teaser spring-like days).
Warming up to play ultimate at Riverside Park! (Not all of the snow has melted though!)
I’ve been working out at a place close to the office I’m based at on 34th Street and 10th Avenue in Manhattan. I’ve been doing some semi-private training, and this week I’ve been lifting 20kg for kettle bell swings and squats. I’m hoping to push it up to 24kg in the next week or so! Other than the weights, I’ve been doing other things like burpees, push-ups, lunges. Having trainers to talk to me has been really great also for improving form and being more aware of my body.
Goals!
My current goal is to be in the best shape of my life by August. I want every part of my body to be functioning at its best if I can help it. I also want to increase my focus when I’m playing ultimate so that I’m more effective on the field. This means being mindful of what I’m doing, where I need to go, and how my body is moving. For ultimate specifically, I’m on the defensive line, so I want to amp up my intensity on defense and partly that will be through focus.
I’m on the road to Italy now, and I can’t wait!
