Cillian Buckley Kilkenny Hurler
I've been a student in UCD the past 4 years, travelling from Dublin to Kilkenny for training. This made it all the more important for me to include regular flexibility and stretching sessions after sitting in a car for a few hours before and after trainings. Recovery has become as important as the training sessions themselves and it's the attention you give to the small gym sessions between trainings that will make the difference. My training routine looks something like this:
Monday: Gym Weights Session - usually a heavy intense session to maintain muscle mass throughout the season. Tuesday: Team Training.
Wednesday: Gym Recovery Session - some stretching, foam rolling or pool work working on any small knocks or injuries.
Thursday: Gym Weights Session - another heavy session including some basic core work/rehab.
Friday: Team Training
Saturday: Rest day maybe getting to a wall ball or out for a few pucks
Sunday: Match Day/Team Training.
Wednesday: Gym Recovery Session - some stretching, foam rolling or pool work working on any small knocks or injuries.
Thursday: Gym Weights Session - another heavy session including some basic core work/rehab.
Friday: Team Training
Saturday: Rest day maybe getting to a wall ball or out for a few pucks
Sunday: Match Day/Team Training.
I vary meals each day depending on what kind of session will be done that evening. The food you eat is what fuels your body during these intense sessions so I always make sure to try and eat the as healthy as I can. If I know I will be out and about on a certain day or busy in college I will always try and prepare food the night before. I ensure my carbohydrate intake is high before trainings to give me a supply of energy and also might try and increase my protein intake after training to aid in the recovery process. Staying constantly hydrated throughout the day is also fierce important and I'd always have bottles of water or milk on the go. Hurling is becoming more of a professional lifestyle but it is something I enjoy and always wanted growing up. It's a busy schedule where you have to give it your full commitment but always worth it when you come by some success!