Hannah Alderson receives tips from former Olympic gold medalist Kelly Holmes

Holmes’ education initiative is for young middle distance athletes who have won medals at Aviva National Schools Championships and for the first time she linked up some of the older ‘Future Stars’ athletes with some of her Aviva-sponsored ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes for a mentoring and education day.

Alderson, who won the 3000m bronze medal at last year’s Aviva English Schools Championships, enjoyed an action packed day of training and workshops designed to prepare her for the arduous season ahead.

Following an aqua-jogging session and season preparation workshop where she outlined her goals for the summer and received advice and tips from Holmes, the 19-year-old University of the West of England student then learned self-massage techniques in an injury prevention session.

Later in the day, she gained nutritional advice and tested her core strength and flexibility in a Pilates session.

Alderson said: “I learnt about aqua jogging which is a really good way to train when you’re injured.

“Also helpful were the workshops – nutrition was good to get to know what we should eat.

“I have really enjoyed the whole experience. It’s a really good environment as you get to talk to other athletes about their opinions and it’s been really nice and fun.”

Holmes, the 2004 800m and 1500m Olympic champion, said: “I think Hannah applied herself well and worked very hard.

“The get-together went very well - it is the first time I’ve joined up my ‘On Camp with Kelly’ and ‘Future Stars’ athletes like this and I think they all excelled and learned a lot.

The workshops were appropriate for this time of year. Season preparation to help get them ready for the season ahead and having the opportunity to all train together was something they all really thrived on and a different environment helped bring the best out of them.”