Demanding head conditioner Greg Brown knows the Giants will be grateful to avoid the hills of Huddersfield over the Christmas period.
Over the past seven weeks, Huddersfield’s Super League squad have spent hours attempting to conquer the area’s toughest peaks.
Such work is crucial in helping to improve the players’ aerobic fitness, which holds the key to recovery.
But even though they know how important the sessions are, Brown admits the squad will be relieved to be taking a well-earned breather and spend next week on flatter terrain.
“I bet they’re sick and tired of running up the hills of Huddersfield,” said Brown.
“So I’m sure they’ll enjoy their Christmas break even more knowing they won’t be encountering them for a week.
“Over the past six or seven weeks, I don’t there’s a hill in this area they haven’t seen. I know the days we held at Armitage Bridge and Dalton have probably put them off visiting there again for life!
“As a Huddersfield boy, I’m sure my local knowledge helped in finding some of the routes that would test them to the limit. I know the likes of Leeds Rhinos have been having to travel to Shibden Hall and Wakefield to do their hillwork.
“By keeping things local, it’s meant we’ve been able to spend more time doing this aerobic-type work – not that the boys appear to appreciate that fact, though!”
Yet even though the hills have been punishing, Brown thinks not having to check in for work next Tuesday will have pleased the Giants even more.
“This pre-season, Tuesday has been the day they’ve been fearing the most,” added Brown.
“That’s when we’ve been doing our most intense conditioning work. The pain etched on the players’ faces at varying times says it all.
“It’s been all about changing-speed exercises and covering big distances. It might not sound too bad, but I can assure you it is.
“I think the added benefit of holding the toughest conditioning session on the Tuesday is that the boys feel a lot better when it’s out of the way and can enjoy the other parts of the training for the rest of the week even more.
“And for that, the boys should be grateful to me!”
Several Fartown legends will be in action in a festive Masters RL clash at Huddersfield YMCA’s Laund Hill ground tomorrow (2.15).
Huddersfield RL Players Association will take on the Baht’ats (a side of former Great Britain stars), with the likes of Paul Reilly and Marcus St Hilaire ready to line up for the hosts.
