53 weeks on, if I needed any reminder of how hard the players work in Obertraun today was the day!
Just over one year ago, I remember having an eye-opening experience, with the players worked hard for around 12 hours per day over four sessions every day for a week. I remember how hard the players worked to ready themselves for the 2016-17 season and the benefits that work hard going into the new campaign.
Sunday saw the players hit the ground running during their first 24 hours in Obertraun with four sessions seeing their active day last over 12 hours with more to come during the week.
The start…
After a delayed journey to the area, the United players were sent out almost immediately on the bike. That was merely a scratch on the surface of what was to come with a 6.30am (5.30am UK time wake-up call) looming on Sunday morning.
The majority of the players and staff headed out on a two-lap run around the lakes of Obertraun, on a journey that lasted around 45 minutes in the early hours. The remainder took a longer circuit on the bikes before retreating for breakfast at 8.30am (7.30am UK time).
Session #1
The first of many training sessions commenced and there was no let up in the intensity as the preparations for the 2017-18 season heated up.
With running, shooting, defending, passing and much more included in the opening session, it was clear to see the determination among the staff and players to make a telling impact on the league and to put themselves in the best possible position going into the campaign.
The gym session...
With just less than two hours to recover post lunchtime (and after around 3 hours of work thus far), the players were back out in their training kit once more, first heading to the gym for a three-stage routine ahead of the second session out on the grass.
All of the players exited the accommodation to the gym, merely 100 yards away, but it was somewhat just a warm-up of the second session which was to follow at 4.30pm (3.30pm UK time).
Out on pitch two…
The morning had seen the Iron train on pitch one, the closest to the accommodation, but the afternoon required the team to take a short bike ride to the second pitch a matter of 500 yards away.
Pitch two is most notable as the only one of the four having an athletics track around it and, despite not using it last year, there becomes a noticeable recognition that it just might be used during this trip. The session commenced with the obligatory warm-up before a number of drills which saw passing and movement, along with shooting, take prominence.
Match day #1 is looming…
United take on SK Strobl in the first of two pre-season friendlies while on tour on Tuesday. The Iron are building up to the third of their six friendlies of pre-season and we’ll hear from a couple of players, along with Graham Alexander ahead of the encounter.
You can continue to follow the full coverage of the tour on all of our social media channels, with Monday’s coverage commencing at 6.30am (5.30am UK time). Don’t miss any of the #IroninAustria.