The badge of the local club where we are training, Unio Esportiva Cantonigros
LET THE TRAINING BEGIN
Wednesday, 2 August 2006
CANTONIGROS, Spain _ Following a night's rest, it's time to begin in earnest. All showed up on schedule for breakfast, except Paul, who had to be rousted out of bed. So much for leading by example. A breakfast of pastries -- including ensaimadas, cereal, fruit and juice (and the local cafe con leche for those senior citizens who need it, like Paul) was followed by the starting of training at 9 a.m.
(Breakfast at Cabreres)
Jorge's first priority was to guage the fitness level of the 16 campers, using the shuttle or "beep" test in which the players run continual 20-meter sprints, needing to complete each sprint within a certain time that gradually is shortened. The test requires players to run 20-meter sprints, the first series of eight each within nine seconds, the next eight within eight seconds, the following eight within 7 1/2 seconds, etc.
The test has 24 levels. By Level Four, a lot of heavy breathing could be heard; by Level Six a lot of wheezing.
(The "beep" test)
All made it to at least Level Seven, most to Level Eight, and even one, Seumas Trull, to Level 12. Of course that was on the first try. When the test was repeated, following a short break, the highest level achieved was Level 11 by Matt Macey. Chalk it up to jet lag.
"Els Americans" are becoming quite the topic of conversation in town (hey, when there's only 300 people in the place, word gets around fast.) Already, the NJ lads are drawing attention of the locals, who stop to check out the training (even Paul's aunts.)
(A local observes "Els Americans")
(A visit to training by Aunt Montserrat and Aunt Lores)
The morning wasn't complete without timed situps, one-touch drills and some 1-v-1 training. Jack Willoughby, who brought up the rear on the "beep" test compensated by beating everybody else with 50 situps in 60 seconds. Aunt Lores, don't snicker -- EVERYBODY here is an expert on futbol, was impressed with the discipline of the New Jersey kids, especially the only girl on the trip, Laura Greb.
(One-touch drills, a little sloppy on the first day out)
The weather is cooperating, alternating between overcast and bright sunshine, with temperatures in the 70s. That should be appreciated when the kids go through some 3-v-3 stuff this afternoon.
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