It's week two at Kidderminster Harriers in the grueling world of pre-season and after a week in the pool, running and playing football, the real action commences as a couple of games are thrown into the itinerary. However, the hottest summer since 1976 is proving to be a real battle as Craig Hinton revealed when he spoke exclusively to Ian Clarkson for givemefootball in our pre-season diary.
Wednesday started with our customary hour at Bromsgrove Baths, which I can assure you is not getting any easier! A bite to eat back at the ground followed before embarking on a running session that went something along the lines of; a six minute run - one minute rest, four minute run - one minute rest, two minute run - one minute rest.
Then there were 50-yard sprints, eight times - a rest - and then again five times. More sprints were undertaken for 30 seconds followed by a minute and a half rest and then to complete the session it was a case of 30-yard sprints with a variety of starts.
Although it has been noted that a few of the younger lads seem to sit in the pack until the very last session before flying off!
Thursday was similar with the third session of football too, but Friday saw us just in the pool and running as we were rewarded with the afternoon off before our weekend double header.
We had two teams playing 45 minutes each against Evesham on Saturday and lucky Jim here was on second half duties, which meant three quarters of an hour basking in unbelievable temperatures dehydrating on the side!
We were 1-0 up at half time, but ended up winning 3-1 thanks to goals from Matt Lewis and two of our trialists, John Williams and Elliot Paschalis. However, I spent the whole second half trying to avoid a stray elbow from Evesham's centre forward, which made it an interesting afternoon.
Saturday night was nothing more exciting than a visit to the flicks to watch Hulk - very average indeed - before turning up at Masons Road, home of Stratford Town on Sunday.
If possible, it was even hotter on Sunday and I had the dubious pleasure of baking in the first half again before appearing for the second period.
I can't take all the credit, but it was 0-0 at half time and we ended up winning 1-0! Another trialist, Graham Ward, scored the goal, which was just as well as he needs something to redeem his swimming performances. He has developed a hybrid stroke that consists of swimming on his back, without using his arms and splashing a lot - he has been christened 'The Backstroke King!'
We were back into hard labour on Monday with a triple session again and on Tuesday we made our debut on the 400-metre track at Stourport.
This was the hardest session we have had to date, but thankfully the mood was lightened on the way back when the police stopped Shaun Parrish in his Ford Fiesta. We all thought he was going to be arrested for his first touch, which is criminal, but he did have to confess to owning the car, even though he tried to palm it off as being his wife's first of all.
He was let off for whatever misdemeanour he may have done, but the sight of Parrish in his training kit, sweating under interrogation was nice to see!
Ever since we have come back training he has been 'regaling' us all with his tales of his UEFA 'Fast Track' course because Tony Adams, Roy Keane and Graham Rix were all attending too. It has been 'Me and Keano' this and 'Rixy and me' that so hopefully this might shut him up a bit!
We had our first day off yesterday, but it was put your feet up time and I have to say that I am feeling not too bad at all fitness wise even though it is ridiculously hot. This is the warmest I have ever known and the problem is accentuated running around in black kit!
No doubt it will be hard graft again before our next couple of games, which is a trip to Boldmere St Michael's of the Midland Alliance on Saturday and then Premiership new boys, Leicester City come to Aggborough on Monday. More next week.
Craig Hinton
