What it takes to be a Wasp

We sent our Export Manager, Dan Dear for a day's training with London Wasps to see if he could survive.

Are you the kind of person who watches the TV and thinks that given the opportunity, you'd be able to pull on a shirt and run out with one of the top rugby teams in the country, and show them a thing or two? I may have mentioned this bravado once too many times around the office, as my colleagues at Maximuscle very kindly arranged a day's training for me with Wasps. Great I thought, after all - how difficult could it be?

Growing up in New Zealand, I was raised on rugby. When you can walk you're given a rugby ball. If you're not playing it on a Friday or Saturday, you're watching it! Rugby is a national pastime, so when I was challenged to train with London Wasps for the day I jumped at the opportunity!

We started bright and early: 8am sharp at the training ground in West London. First stop was the gym. There were no fancy bells, whistles or frilly bits - just functional equipment, there to do the job. By the end of the first session, I was exhausted. It was one of those workouts where I knew that the pain was going to creep up slowly throughout the day. I was beginning to get the feeling that this was not the cushy type of day I thought I'd signed up for. Anyway, I had some Recovermax, and then followed the guys outside to the training ground. After warm-ups and stretches, it was straight into sprint work for the backs and line-out work for the forwards.

This looked like some serious training, so I dipped out so as not to muck up their 'rhythm'. This gave me time to chat with the coaches (and a bit of time to recover).

Between the sprint track and the rugby field were two 20-litre coolers, one filled with water and ice and the other filled with Viper and ice. Every 10- 15 minutes the players would grab a cup of Viper. The coach explained how critical it was for the players to stay well hydrated, and that staying hydrated isn't just about drinking water, it's also about replacing the nutrients that are lost during exercise, such as electrolytes and carbohydrates. "That's why we like Viper," he told me. "It's got everything the players need in the right amounts."

"Then after each training period we use Recovermax, which contains whey protein along with carbohydrate and other support nutrients like glutamine, carnitine and ribose," the coach continued. "This helps to repair and rebuild damaged muscle tissue, and the players have noticed a massive difference in terms of recovery since they started using it."

After an hour of so of watching the coaches thrash their respective squads it was time to head inside. After lunch, the schedule said 'rugby' and then 'conditioning'. I thought rugby would be a chance to have a bit of fun with the boys and then conditioning would be a little warm down to finish the day off. Little did I know the worst was yet to come...

"after each training period we use Recovermax, which contains whey protein along with carbohydrate and other support nutrients like glutamine, carnitine and ribose"

Firstly, the entire squad was split in two. Half of us lined up to form back lines while the other group suited up with tackle pads. We started with some passing and sidestepping, which would have been okay except the guys I was trying to dodge were about twice my size... and quicker and fitter too!

Then we switched and the fear set in. If you can imagine all 5'10" and 12 stone 7 pounds of me holding a tackle pad against Lawrence Dallagio - 6'3" and 17 stone 8 pounds! My knees were shaking!

We then split off into full teams and had about 40 minutes of play. I quickly realised that not only are these guys physically fit but they're mentally sharp as well. They're like finely tuned machines! I had to pull out for five minutes and catch my breath otherwise I wasn't going to last.

Next up was the conditioning. I figured conditioning (being at the end of the day) was a bit of a warm-down after a day on the field. IT ISN'T! Turns out "conditioning" involved tractor tyres, tackle bags, and a lot of down + ups and sprints.

At first, I felt like I was keeping up, but that burning sensation in my lungs didn't take long to return. As the session continued, my thighs felt like jelly. I thought someone had swapped my rugby boots for lead weights... it was like trying to run with overcooked spaghetti for legs!

The day couldn't end soon enough and when it did, a kindly soul dragged my body off the field into the changing rooms... finally it was all over! I sat there trying to get the boots off my rubbery legs, thinking to myself I would be knocking back a few Ache Free when the day was over, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get up the stairs at work the next day. I followed one of the conditioning coaches to their "recovery" room only to find a row of baths full of ice. "Right, in you go," he sniggered. I realised he wasn't kidding as the other guys started to queue up for their turn. The photographer said it would add to the authenticity of the experience and I begrudgingly took the plunge. Unfortunately, my reactions aren't suitable for print, but suffice to say it was a shocking end to a long day.

When I look back on the experience, the thing that stands out is the fitness, energy and skill that is required of top-level rugby players. I barely managed to get through a day. But these guys do this every day of the week and then chase the ball around for another 80 minutes at the weekend. It gave me a newfound respect for rugby players and elite athletes in general, and the experience has inspired me to lift my training regime to the next level!

Our thanks go to all the trainers, players and staff at Wasps for making this day possible - it is an experience that our Export Manager will not forget in a hurry.