Game day preparation

On the day of my match, I don't do a lot different to be honest. It will involve having a light hit/jog in the morning, hydrating myself, chilling out, and maybe watching some of the other matches. Obviously I don't want to be exerting a lot of energy shopping or walking around the city, that can wait for a rest day or after the tournament.

From about 3 days out from the tournament, I try to get a lot of carbs in my meals. Usually brown rice and pasta, brown bread, foods with slower releasing energy. The morning of my match I'll eat what I always eat. When I first started playing tournaments and going to these big hotels with massive buffet breakfasts, I would eat till I burst! I've learned my lesson of the years and now eat as I normaly would. Cereal, toast and juice. Pretty simple. Lunch - maybe a sandwhich or pasta or something. In between I'll snack on fruit, nuts, protein bars...

Then if all goes to plan - win the match!

2009

With 2009 off and running, I'm sure a lot of people have made new year's resolutions for themselves. I can't really say I have made any, though squash wise there are a few things I'm trying to improve on. Number 1 would be to get more consistent. Although I had some nice wins in 2008, I also lost to some lower ranked players which I really shouldn't of. I'm really going to work on that this year and try and find some solid consistency.

I'm not a huge goal setter myself. Obviously I have things I want to achieve in the game but I tend to keep them to myself. I have experimented with writing them down, looking over them, and trying to reach them, but I find it didn't work for me. Everyone is different. Some athletes may find they have to write their goals and aims down, otherwise they don't push themselves to reach the top. I feel if I train properly, prepare well and focus on the task at hand, then things should fall into place. I can say that my biggest aim of 2009, is to play better than 2008!

Cam Pilley