Page 29 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 143

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #143 December 2024 29

Diary of a Weightlifter - Training During the Holidays

By Thorin Gault on consistent training. I have equipment they do and don’t advantage of the holiday season.
admittedly had years where have. I know what I am working Most of us have some extra
training has gone off the rails with ahead of time so that I time away from work. That can
and I have found myself playing can adapt. It just takes a little be used to add something we
catch up in the new year. Learning foresight. don’t usually do. I spend extra
from mistakes is important, so I time on recovery during the
My second key is to make
created a way to finish the year sure I have certain ‘minimum holidays. I use my sauna more
strong so that I am able to hit practices,’ that I commit to frequently. I meditate more. I am
the ground running (or lifting) in regardless of what chaos going to swim in the ocean in
January. Mexico, which I find restorative.
surrounds me. Eating a high
I personally use the same protein breakfast means I am I will also take advantage of the
method I teach my patients in assured good nutrition even IF different style of gym to work on
my chiropractic office to help I eat ten Christmas cookies later some weaknesses.
them navigate the holiday season that day. A minimum of three This is going to be a big year for
when it comes to their health and training sessions and 10 minutes me as I plan to compete at both
stress levels. of daily mobility is easy to the Pan Am championship in
commit to and ensures that I am Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in May,
The first thing is to recognize
that things will get chaotic and moving forward. and the World’s in Las Vegas in
PLAN for it. That means taking The last key is taking September. 2025 preparation
out a calendar, plotting out starts now.
e all know that things can what is going on and planning
Wget a little hectic at this around holiday events. I have
time of year. Shopping, parties, a lifting platform at home, so it
visitors, decorating, cooking, is easy for me to deal with the
and cleaning – there are lots of gym being closed. I will be in
distractions. Mexico over the new year, and I

This can be a challenge in have already reached out to the
a sport that very much relies resort to determine exactly what

Continued from page 17 game.”
as communication, leadership, and Now, Fitzgerald serves as a full-
patience, which I have been learning
time English teacher and associate
much about!” coach with the U17 prep team at
The move wasn’t without its CHC Hockey Academy in Rockland.
challenges. His approach to coaching focuses
on developing his players as both
“The transition has been quite
athletes and people.
difficult, as I miss the same feeling
of competing as when I was playing, “My coaching philosophy is
but it has been a lot easier on my simple,” said Fitzgerald. “I want to
body for sure,” he said. “As a help student-athletes become better
goalie, part of being successful was all-around people rather than just a
understanding each person’s job on better student or athlete. Life is more
the ice. Understanding each position than our careers and learning about
has allowed me to coach various that can help these types of student-
types of players and work with them athletes learn more about themselves
to make positive changes to their and life after hockey.”