(photo courtesy of Box Rox)

Recently we caught up with ICON Nutrition athletes and Team England captains for the Inov-8 Four Nations Beth Hoggarth and Pete Howe to discuss the upcoming competition at the Sports City Arena in Manchester.

FIRSTLY FOR ANYONE WHO DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT THE FOUR NATIONS, CAN YOU GIVE US A QUICK INSIGHT INTO WHAT MAKES THIS EVENT DIFFERENT TO OTHERS YOU COMPETE IN?

BETH: The event is a fantastic team event. You have to work to each of your team members’ strengths. However, because there are so many workouts everybody's performance really does count.

PETE: This event is held once a year and has grown in popularity, what makes this different to other CrossFit competitions is that it brings athletes from all over the UK together and offers them a chance to represent their country in the sport we love. Having the chance to work with athletes from all over the UK is an exciting and challenging experience.



HAS BEEN MADE TEAM CAPTAIN FOR ENGLAND CHANGED YOUR PREPARATION IN ANY WAY? 

BETH: I actually feel more nervous this year! Because we’re in charge of organising the team and choosing who does what.

PETE: I haven't changed my preparation in any way as with CrossFit we train for the unknown and unexpected so with our style of GPP programming we are ready for what ever comes our way. When the WODS are released I will have a go at a few of them on top of my programming just so i have good mental prep and know how hard to push on the day.



HAVE YOU COMPETED AT THE FOUR NATIONS BEFORE AND IF SO HOW DID YOU GET ON? 



BETH: Yes. I competed last year. England won. We had Sam Briggs as Team Capitan. That itself was special. I just did exactly what I was told!

PETE: I haven't this is my first year back from injury so I am very much looking forward to getting back to competing.

AS THIS IS A TEAM EVENT DOES THIS EFFECT THE TYPE OF TRAINING YOU DO PRIOR TO THE COMPETITION?

AND HAVE YOU HAD CHANCE TO MEET UP WITH ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF TEAM ENGLAND? 

BETH: Not really. Whilst we haven't been able to get everybody together to test any of the workouts, we have been able to have a go at a few of them as individuals at our own boxes. I am still training as normal and trying to work as hard as I can. Competing is the really fun part.

PETE: I tend to maintain what I am doing but I also do try to get a couple of my buddies in to train with and have a go at the different Team WODS. Unfortunately we have tried to get together to meet up but with different work commitments and us all living at different ends of the country it has been difficult. We have been chatting away with each other regularly to see how the prep is coming on.

FROM THE OTHER TEAMS COMPETING, WHO DO YOU SEE AS YOUR STRONGEST COMPETITION?

BETH: I think this year will be really close! Any team has a shot at grabbing the title. However if i had too, Wales or the Masters I would say.

PETE: It’s a difficult one to answer I have seen the names in the other teams and to be honest their are some great athletes competing it is going to be a close competition.

WHAT DOES YOUR NUTRITION INTAKE LOOK LIKE OVER SUCH A LONG DAY OF TOUGH WODS? 

BETH: I make sure I have breakfast. It may sound very weird, but scrambled eggs and banana with a spoon of almond butter! I then take the ICON Nutrition’s glutamine and BCAA powder Amino Performance throughout the day, and keep sipping that. Then I might have a whey protein shake after every couple of workouts. I really struggle to eat on competition days, so the Amino Performance and 100% whey protein drinks keep me going.



PETE: It all depends on how log you have off between WODS. I ensure I am taking BCAAs in drink form throughout the day and plenty of fluids. If I have 40mins - hour between workouts I will get a snack in and try to fuel myself evenly throughout the day. Supplements are very good for ensuring you are getting some form of Cals in your system as you don’t want to burn out before the last WOD.

KEEPING ON THE SUBJECT OF NUTRITION, WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ICON NUTRITION PRODUCT AND WHY? 

BETH: Has to be the Amino Performance. It mixes well, easy to drink and leaves no after taste.

PETE: For me anything that aids in recovery is a must, so Amino Performance is my favorite product I take it before during and after WODS, I also like to have the Battle Oats protein bars as a good option for a snack they provide a good amount of complex calories to release energy at a slower rate and help you maintain performance throughout a long hard day.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS OR ENCOURAGEMENT FOR NEW CROSSFITTERS THINKING ABOUT COMPETING?

BETH: Get stuck in! I guarantee once you have got over that first WOD, those initial nerves will have gone you will be buzzing! You will achieve things in competition that you wouldn't have thought possible when training.

PETE: Yeah get involved no matter what level you are at. CrossFit is growing in popularity all the time and it’s great to see new people getting involved. There are a number of events that cater for everyone's needs I feel that everyone should get involved with competing either to push yourself to see how good you can be, or whether it is just to do it for the love of the sport, you will always get something positive from competing pushing that extra rep or achieving a PB lift is common when you are training in this environment, and the chance to be on the podium with your team mates is a fantastic feeling.

AND FINALLY IF PEOPLE WANT TO CHECK YOU OUT, WHERE CAN THEY FIND YOU?

BETH:
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/beth.hoggarth
Instagram @hog_beth
Twitter @beth_hoggarth

PETE:
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CrossfitTaunton

We will be at SportCity in Manchester on Saturday 26th July 2014 Doors will be open and registration commence at 8am. Come down and support us guys.

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