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CWG: 5 tips that helped me travel to Delhi
October 05 2010
Travelling to tournaments is part and parcel when you are an umpire. If you travel abroad the trip can have adverse affects on your performance. Here are just a few tips to help you be ready for your matches that have been useful to me here in Delhi.
Drink Lots of Water
If you have long distances to travel you probably have to fly. Airplanes should be thought of as giant tubular dehydrators, and the consequences of not drinking plenty of fluids can be poor results on the hockey pitch. Not only do your muscles and organs need large amounts of water to function optimally, your brain requires plenty of fluids in order for it to process information. Your brain is electrical and those charges move more efficiently when there is plenty of fluid. As umpires we need to be fresh mentally as well as physically. When you are unsure of the tap water make sure to get the bottled kind and don’t let them open it until it’s at your table or in your hands.
Get Plenty of Rest
Going to Delhi put an enormous strain on my body, the most arduous being the 11.5 hour time difference. I also find it almost impossible to sleep on planes; the seats are not very comfortable and the environment lends itself to cat-naps at best. The best suggestion I was given was to change my watch to the time of my destination and try to act as if I was already there instead of being in transit. I would at least try to quiet myself during the late hours if not get some real rest. Be wary of watching TV or movies at a time when you would normally be sleeping. Also, when you arrive at your destination try not to go to bed if it is a time when you would normally be awake. For example, when I finally arrived at my hotel it was 5 in the morning. I went straight to bed and then awoke a few hours later and tried to carry on the day as if nothing was out of the ordinary. You may need to have a nap later, but it will go a long way to getting over the jet lag.
Take Care of Yourself
There are many things you can do to make yourself feel better when you arrive at an event. There are also many things that could get in the way of you maintaining your serenity. With a large event like the Commonwealth games there are logistical problems that will be out of your control. The stress of this combined with almost 30 hours in transit can take its toll on your body and your mind. As soon as it is possible try to do some light physical exercise, such as a walk or a run (most hotels have gyms that can provide you a safe alternative to the unknowns of tourism). If there is a spa nearby try to take advantage of a massage or wellness treatment. Avoid doing things there that you have not done before as this can add stress rather than remove it. Also be wary of how such treatments can make you too relaxed and impede your performance. If this is all accounted for take advantage of the amenities and recharge your batteries.
Fuel Your Body
Travelling to a foreign country can present interesting dilemmas when it comes to food. As an umpire you must think of yourself as an athlete and how you are going to fuel your well-tuned machine. It is not a bad idea to bring items that can (in a pinch) meet some basic nutritional needs as well as be a source of food should the local cuisine not meet your expectations. I received a lot of advice on what to watch out for and came prepared with protein bars (the fruit kind don’t melt in hotter climates), as well as my own electrolyte sports drink powder.
Get to Know Your Colleagues
In hockey we umpire in pairs. Teamwork is essential to doing our jobs well and that requires a certain level of trust. There are going to be more times than others where you will umpire with a colleague for the first time (and sometimes the last) and still be expected to carry out your duties like you’ve known them for years. It is much easier to trust someone you know than a total stranger. When you spend as much time as you do with the umpiring team it’s only natural to want to know more about them, even if it is the slightest things. You don’t need to become drinking buddies and long lost soul mates, but you might develop friendships that span the globe, and your umpiring will only be better for it.
