I was out this morning doing some interval training at the local park. Various people were also out walking their dogs and the like. And why not? It's a beautiful day here.

I was taking a short break when a kind faced old chap carrying a tiny dog under his arm wandered up to me. The dog was in a tartan coat.

He proceeded to introduce himself and explain that he often used to train in this park as a young man. He was coached by a local professional football player who had them running up and down the parks hills both forwards and backwards.

He was kind. I was interested in what he had to say: a generation passing on to the next if you like.

I also started to realise he was describing a well established training method: Hill training.

Hill training is great for cricket because it develops the types of fitness you need as a player:

• Power
• Speed
• Stride Frequency and Length
• Coordination

It's not a technique that is right for everyone. You need to be conditioned as it is very hard work. But if you have built a base of strength and running fitness then consider forgetting about the flat and head for the hills to vary your interval training.

Thanks old guy. I hope I'm as full of life and enthusiastic as you at your age.