The road to the Olympic Games is long, hard and mostly uphill. Training is critical, but what you fuel yourself with counts just as much. We chatted with five Canadian athletes about what it takes to make it to the ultimate competition.

OLYMPIC WRESTLING
David Tremblay, Men's Freestyle Wrestling

Fresh Juice: How many hours are you training per day right now? 

David Tremblay: Right now, I train more or less 25 hours a week. The training sessions can vary from 45 minutes of cardio to a three-hour wrestling practice.

FJ: What's involved in your training?
DT: Cardio, technique and wrestling practice. My favourite cardio would have to be our morning games. We've adapted a type of rugby/basketball game that allows us to be a little more physical, but ultimately we're running 45 minutes nonstop up and down the court. I also enjoy late-night runs. I'm lucky that Montreal has beautiful parks with hills, which make it both challenging and enjoyable.

My least favourite cardio and training would be the stationary bike. I find that time goes slowly on the bike, and you're stuck in one place the entire time. I don't like how the clock is always staring at you and you check it every 30 seconds! I don't have a strength-training regimen, because it would be more negative than positive for my performance. I do a lot of stretching to improve on my much-needed flexibility.

FJ: What's the most important food or drink in your diet and why is it crucial?
DT: I would have to say one of the most important elements of my diet is water. When I drink fluids, I try to make sure it's always water, knowing I will get most nutrients from the food I eat.

FJ: What's your diet regimen?
DT: I've become very in tune with my body and what it needs. I don't have a specific regimen, but I've learned to give it what it needs. When I have competitions, my diet changes so I'm eating smaller portions at each meal, with more snacks in between.

FJ: Do you get a food treat once in a while, and what is it?
DT: My food treat would have to be Doritos. I enjoy eating them when I'm watching TV at night. The new Sweet Chili Heat is by far my favourite.

FJ: What's your fiercest craving while training?
DT: A cold Coke! I enjoy carbonated drinks, and Coke is my favourite. I've been known to try different soft drinks when traveling around the world, simply to try the new flavours. I've adapted to drinking Diet Coke when I'm losing weight but still want a carbonated drink; it has fewer calories but still tastes good.

FJ: When you go to the London 2012 Games, will you be bringing food?
DT: I'm not sure what I'll bring to London. Past Olympic athletes have told me that most foods are provided for you. Because it's in England, they have similar foods to us, so I should be able to find the right foods in order to compete at my best.

Illustration, iStockphoto.com.