FAQs - Dwain Chambers Official Website

How do I control my nerves when at training or competitions?

One option would be, to book a series of sessions with a sports Psychologist OR Train your self! Self training starts at home. There is one method I stumbled upon and currently use till this day. In the past I would find myself watching a sporting event and I would tend to get nervous, as i am overwhelmed and anxious.

This is when your self training starts! As you heart rate begins to increase your Adrenalin will start to flow at an increased rate. This is where you train your self stay calm. Once you are able to control this internal area from an arm chair, you can then move onto your training environment, then competitions. The key to all of this is learning how to switch your mental tv channels.

How do I train so as to prevent any injuries?

When you and your coach plan a training programme, make sure that your coach understands and can identify your strength and weaknesses (you as an athlete should know your strengths and weaknesses). Your training programme should be tailor made to your specific needs as an athlete. It is crucial that your coach understands energy systems and how they apply to athletes and their training programmes.

Train smart or smarter (Specific, Measurable, Agreed, Realistic, Time phased, Exciting, Recorded). Once you can put these key elements in place your training will become more enjoyable and less painful.

If I am tired, should i continue training?

In my opinion it would be advisable to take a day off from training. Taking a days rest is not only good for your body, it is great for your mind (rest is just as good as training, both elements must go hand in hand). The following day should be used as active recovery. For example, off load your running session by working out on a stationary bike for 10-15 minutes, or performing some light drills in a swimming pool. Complete your active recovery day with some light dynamic or static stretching. Rehydrate your body and eat well, so as to help restore your energy levels. The next few days should be used as a slow reintroduction back into your training programme.

How do I bounce back from a bad race?

From past experience i have taught my self to have a short memory. If things go bad for you during a race, the best thing to do is forget about it and move onto the next event (dwelling on the past will not allow you to move into the future!). Poor performance are often a result of inadequate preparation and lack of discipline, However there is hope!! Providing you and your coach have a good relationships, you should be able to identify what went wrong and why. The next step will be to course correct and improve for the next series of events. Remaining confident in your self is key! ( your season is not dictated by the result of one bad race)

Should I still train if I am injured?

This is a very tricky question. The ability to continue training whilst managing an injury will depend on the athletes strength of character. Injuries are normally a results of over training or the continual repetition of an activity or movement that doesn't respond well with your bodies natural mechanics.

Before any decisions are made, I would recommend you obtain advice from your physio and support team. Training whilst injured will require a different approach. The first step will require you to obtain and sustain a good healthy attitude towards your current situation, This will then result in a more productive and speedier recovery. Never feel the need to rush back into training as this may cause your current injury to worsen (the brain has the ability to do many things, but yet it can only hold one thought at a time, make sure that your thoughts are positive and not negative).

How do I put together a training programme?

Coach and athlete(s) must both agree on their goals. The next step will be to construct a Macrocycle. A Macrocycle is an extended period of time defining the available preparation time up to a major competition, e.g. schools, club, district ,regional or national championships, Olympic games and World championships. This is divided into several developmental periods called Mesocycles.

What do I eat leading up to a major competition?

Every athlete is different, and with this the issue of individual needs and requirements of food intake becomes a very important matter. I would suggest you obtain some professional advice from a repeatable Nutritionist. There is always the issue of finance, as eating healthy can be rather expensive. It is always a good idea to seek advice from some of our leading British athletes who have access to a healthy nutritional programme. This will allow you to obtain a rough idea on how we structure our diets so as to help get the best out of selves.

On days when you know that you will be travelling for a long period of time whether to or from a competition, it would be wise to carry a packed lunch with you. You may laugh, as the word 'packed lunch' brings back memories of when you were a child, but this will make a significant difference in your performance both on and off the track. Your body is like a car, a car requires fuel in order to work, food is your fuel , so keep it by your side!

What makes an athlete fast; hard work or talent?

Being able to run fast is a gift. Gifts are delivered in many forms, whether it be mentally gifted of physically gifted.
How ever, being able to use your gift requires both smart work, focus and determination. In the past i have come across a number of athletes who have been gifted with speed; knowing that they have this natural ability led them to believe that they never had to work hard for their results. I too fell into this trap of believing that my results would come easily. This is a typical case of complacency! Remember, there are other talented athletes who not only realise that they have a gift but also train in accordance with their natural ability, this acknowledgement will further improve their chances of running at their full potential.

The point that i am trying to make is, in order to be at your best you need to understand what you have and use it wisely!!