Days 14/15 - The final frontier
G’day Magpie fans, the time has come to bid you farewell from Flagstaff, Arizona.
What a journey it’s been. Apologies for not updating you yesterday, as I was sleeping on a centimetre-thick rollout mat on a wooden floor in an old cabin halfway up Mt Humphrey, and fair to say WiFi wasn’t an option, so I’ll give you two days’ worth for my final diary entry.
On the second last day we had a moderate training session at the university basketball courts, followed by some weights at the Rec Centre, but that’s where the moderate activity ended.
In the afternoon we caught a bus to a random spot near Mt Humphrey, whacked on some huge, silly snow shoes, and hiked through foot-deep snow for four hours. That was fun.
After playing cards with the boys to kill time at the cabin after the hike, with Seeda leading the way on the makeshift indoor cricket pitch and Toovs taking control on the poker table, we were up for a big night’s sleep before the final frontier of this training camp.
I thought the Canyon was hard, but Humphrey, covered in about two feet of soft snow all over, took things to a new level. The locals were telling us we were crazy, but as if that was going to phase Butters. So to the summit we went after a slightly off-track journey that saw us scaling epic gradients on all fours through thick snow in freezing temperatures. It really tested my mental strength. Words cannot explain the pain we endured, but if there was a positive it was really good to finish, and well done to the execs for all making it to the top. A super effort.
We finished off our final day in Flagstaff with a team dinner at a local teppinyaki restaurant. It was good for all the boys to get together for a feed, but I think everyone was pretty exhausted after the camp we’ve had.
Tomorrow morning we are heading to Phoenix, then LA, and then Melbourne, and I can’t wait to get home.
My first Flagstaff training camp was a terrific experience, and I feel like I have a solid base which I can use for the remainder of the pre-season.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it.
Fas
Day 13 - Training, hoops, rest
Lighter day at the Rec Centre which was needed. One of the toughest parts of the day was walking to the Rec Centre as it had to have been -40, or at least felt like it. Wind chill factor extreme.
Delayed the walk home by shooting some hoops after training with big Dawesy showing the way and looking like an NBA power forward. Bally very technically sound with a bit of Steve Nash about his stroke, but I think coach Bucks chose the right career path as he couldn’t drain a shot to save his life.
Afternoon off with a massage and some sleep.
Humphrey hike tomorrow. I’m scared.
Day 12 - Pool and pain
Today was a bit unusual in that we started with a swim at the NAU pool which was mentally and physically refreshing. Swimming is in my comfort zone so I was kind of looking forward to it, and it was good.
But the comfort didn’t last long, because from there things went down hill as we headed to the Skydome of doom for our final session there, and Butters (director of sports science David Buttifant) had a ripper lined up for us.
A two-hour football session was followed by what Butters calls ‘conditioning’, and what a joy that was. As hard as it’s been and as tired as everyone is, the camp is really setting us up to have a big crack in 2012. The spirit among the group has been huge as the boys push each other through.
Tonight I watched some TV with Witta, Seedo and Youngy, and I don’t reckon we said anything to each other for about two hours, which was a sign of our energy levels.
Day 11 - Let it snow
Today was a much needed day off. It’s been a long camp but I’m really feeling like I’ve gotten plenty out of it fitness wise. Flagstaff is now completely covered in snow which has been a new experience as I’ve never seen snow before.
To keep ourselves warm in the freezing conditions a few of the boys including Pendles, Dawesy, Witta, Sharrod, Bally, Johnno and the Irishman Marty went to the Rec Centre to shoot a few hoops which was a good little workout.
For dinner the young boys went to Olive Garden which is the classic American dining experience. No such thing as portion control here in the US, and you’ve got to get used to the fact entrees are actually main courses. When you order bread sticks you don’t expect a loaf of bread, but everything’s bigger over here. Fair to say my pasta dish could’ve fed half the team.
Day 10 - Canyon recovery
I woke up feeling a bit sore after the Canyon experience which was a real mental and physical challenge. Butters was good enough to give those of us who did the hike a bit of a lighter session in the Rec Centre.
After so much sunny weather the temperature has dropped and the snow has started belting down here in Flagstaff.
I had lunch in the dining hall with a few of the young boys and then I had a quiet afternoon as I continued my Canyon recovery.
Day 9 - Grand Canyon video
I swapped the keyboard for the video camera to give fans an insight into the Grand Canyon hike, which is one of the most brutal things I've done. CLICK HERE to watch.
Day 8 - God Bless America
Another day in Flagstaff, and another intense session. The sight of the Skydome is making me feel ill because every time we step in there we get smashed. Thanks Butters.
It was good to see the execs get out there and have a crack during training, although poor old Russ is nursing his second injury in two days. Chin up Russ.
On a brighter note, tomorrow we get to wake up at 5:15 and then hike/run through the Grand Canyon at record pace in freezing temperatures.
God bless America.
There's me, Wittsy and Seedy at the world-famous NAU dining hall.
Day 7 - Day off
Apologies to all those Pies fans who have been reading my diary and wondered what happened on day six. I was so spent after the later training session and weights that I ended up having a really early night and forgot to write anything.
On day seven we were given a much-needed day off. After a sleep in I walked with a few of the boys into town to grab lunch. The great weather continues although we’re expecting freezing temperatures to hit in a few days so had to make the most of getting out and about.
This evening we were introduced to the four execs who have paid to be part of the training camp. They each gave a short speech on their background and the boys really got around them, which was good. Then we had a team meeting with Toovs presenting on the defenders’ review of 2011 and preview for 2012. Daisy did the same for the mids, and Trav and Dawesy presented for the forwards. The determination in the group to be the best next season is obvious.
Day 5 - Wake up call
Fair to say today was the wake up call. Welcome to Flagstaff.
It's been solid so far but today things stepped up a notch. We had a long skills session at the Skydome followed by a running session with Butters (director of Sports Science David Buttifant) that can only be described as torturous.
The weather has been surprisingly nice, and a few of the boys were even able to lay out in the sun this afternoon to get some bronze whole recovering from the energy sapping morning. Your Daisys, Luke Balls and Ben Reids of the world set the tone by getting their rigs out.
Dining Hall for dinner followed by a stopover at Starbucks to mix it up with the locals. I'm not going to lie, the Aussie charm has its benefits.
Day 4: Carbing up
The day started with a much needed sleep in, then we were off to the Rec Centre which is brand new and very impressive.
After a bit of lunch with Paul Seedsman and Jarrod Witts we went and watched some high school football at the Skydome after some locals gave us the heads up. There was definitely some talent on show.
Then I had a go at my new iPad and I’m very happy with my purchase. For dinner tonight Seedsy, Tommy Young, Wittsy, Benny Sinclair and myself carbed up at a local Italian place for what’s supposed to be a reasonably big session tomorrow.
Day 3: Black Friday
G’day Pies fans, we were back at the Skydome today and fair to say we were flogged. Toovs made me look ordinary in the accountability running where you have to keep up with your opponent and stop him receiving the ball all over the field. I didn’t choose my opponent wisely as Toovs is in good nick.
After a comprehensive weights session we were given the afternoon off, then big Wittsy, Sharrod and I went to the mall after dinner to check out the Black Friday sales, similar to Boxing Day at home, and we certainly snared a few bargains. I bought myself a pair of shoes and Sharrod talked me into buying an iPad, so I’m looking forward to playing with my new toy.
It will be good going to bed tonight knowing we get a sleep in tomorrow before a session at the Rec Centre. Hopefully Daisy doesn’t sleep talk tonight like he did last night. Uges and I were freaking out.
Day 2: Happy Thanksgiving
It is Thanksgiving over here, and to Americans that means three things: food, family and football!
The NAU campus here in Flagstaff is like a ghost town as all the kids have gone home for the holiday, and everything is closed, but the hotel was good enough to put on a turkey feast for us tonight.
Just before dinner, the only Yank in the team, Shae McNamara, got up in front of the group and gave an emotional insight into what Thanksgiving means to him and other Americans.
Earlier today the team had a light training session on the outdoor field. Thankfully the freezing weather I was told about has stayed away so far, hopefully that continues.
I’ve just been watching a bit of college football with Trav, and I just saw Taz, Swanny, Caff and Simon Bucks playing cards out in the foyer, so it’s a pretty relaxing night all round.
Big session tomorrow so I better get some rest.
Day 1 - We've arrived
Hey Magpie fans, after an arduous flight, we’ve finally settled in Flagstaff. Due to the reputation the boys around the club have given this camp, I knew it was going to be challenging, but it’s good that I get to experience it for myself.
I’m rooming with Daisy Thomas and Kirk Ugle and so far we’re like peas in a pod, however it’s a long trip so I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.
We hit the Skydome today for our first session and I found it interesting that the Sherrin seemed to travel faster through the thinner air and hit your hands harder. Bucks pointed out the way Pendles, Harry and the old boy Benny Johnson led the way on the track and set the example for the rest of us. After some solid ball work Butters had his way with us by putting us through a tough running session, then we hit the weights room where Sharrod and a few of the boys took control of the stereo and the tunes were pumping. One session down… fourteen to go.
We've split into teams and had our first off-field team bonding gathering tonight run by Craig McRae. It was good to see our team mascot, big Jarrod Witts, entertain the boys with some humour.
I’m looking forward to giving you regular updates from Arizona. Time to get some sleep. Stay tuned.
