2011 was nearing to a close and I could see the finish line and the holiday period ahead. We were still in the middle of our pre-season though and I had to get my head around all the big running sessions. The only way to deal with them is to focus on your fitness and try and get your body used to all the work. That’s something I am trying to achieve and still have a long way to go.
I’d been looking forward to the Christmas holidays as it was quite a long year. We had ten days off from training and those ten days were quite enjoyable.
On Christmas day we had our cousin’s son’s baptism and I was lucky enough to be his godfather. It’s quite a commitment for someone my age but I have to start taking some more responsibility. My little brothers and sisters were really spoilt and received a Wii from Santa.
After all the busy days of the festive season I managed to go away for a couple of days to Sandy Point with a family friend. It was a pretty quiet time and I went out on the boat. It was very exciting catching fish as it was the first time I have ever caught one. I caught a couple of good size whiting, they were delicious to eat.
I have been in rehabilitation for about five weeks now with my knee injury and become used to doing weights, bike riding and running on the Alter G treadmill. There’s also the boring and painstaking knee exercise I have to complete. Being in rehab has enabled me to fine tune my fitness and weights program so I’m starting to notice improvements in my strength in the gym.
Being in rehab has its ups and downs but mostly downs. You spend time in the gym from morning till noon and it’s very repetitive. I wish I could be out on the oval with the boys training.
I have become close with some of the other guys in rehab which is a bonus. In particular, Malcolm Lynch who was selected in this year’s Rookie Draft. He has been my partner in all the exercises and weights sessions we have been doing as well as Tom Curran who is punching away with his own rehab program.
There’s not long to go before I can start training with the main group. With NAB Cup around the corner, I need to be out on the track if I am to get a game. The thought of playing in the pre-season competition again is exciting and I really hope my knee is strong.
Coming into my third year at the club, there’s a certain expectation to start performing. Even I’m feeling the pressure with some of the new rookies fighting for elevation. But I think that’s how it should be, sometimes a bit of pressure and competition can make you improve and want to get better.
