Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine 2014 | Page 11

(reportedly) more than 300 horsepower and Subaru
symmetrical full-time AWD generating prodigious
amounts of traction.
“We had Petter do boxing work for about 45
minutes, getting him to expend as much energy
as possible,” Mills explained. “Then, we would call
out pace notes [instructions] when he’s fatiguing
mentally and physically. We called out ‘Crest!’
and he jumped. We called out ‘Caution!’ and he
ducked. We trained him to still be thinking, to keep
his instincts sharp and reactions quick.”
The Subaru team also held training camps to
work on physical and mental toughness. The
trainers took their charges on a fast-paced 45-km
bike ride, then gave them a challenge such as a
puzzle to build. To make things even more taxing,
they would leave a piece out and study how long
the drivers tried to complete the puzzle before
figuring out something was missing.
“You’re a sportsman, you have to be in
shape to fight,” said Solberg, a driver noted
for his never-say-die approach to rally driving
during his heady days with the Subaru World
Rally Team. “If you don’t do things properly
when training, you might as well not show
up to drive.”

QUICK FITNESS TIPS
Exercise stresses the body, so you can’t include it in an already hectic
and unhealthy routine. Slim down that day planner, then work the body.
•  et the nutrition right first. “If you don’t eat right,” says Mills,
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“you’re training on empty with no fuel to handle the additional
demands of training.”
•  hen preparing for rigorous exercise, take in electrolytes,
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carbohydrates, some salt products and, for higher altitudes, iron.
•  our body loves a good routine: Try to go to sleep, wake up, eat
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and exercise at the same times every day.
•  tart with exercise you enjoy because being motivated will help.
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If you’re doing the exercise and hate it, it won’t help at all. “Do a
program for its feel-good factor,” says Mills, “and your body will
automatically adapt.”
•  hen, mix it up in order to take your body to the next level. If you’re
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cycling every day, try rollerblading, running or rowing for a change.
•  solid fitness program includes 60% cardiovascular training and
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40% weight-bearing exercises with an emphasis on core stability
and flexibility.
•  hen you get in better shape, include base training that keeps the
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heart rate at 65-75% of maximum, along with intervals that send the
heart rate up to 85-95% of maximum. According to Mills, this gives
drivers: “The will to win.”
*  onsult your physician before beginning an exercise routine
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designed to help you become a world champion driver.

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