Possible Clues:

• With a season unfinished, announced physical test
• Military training area
• Set about studies as part of military training
• A sailor, common, reported for combat training
• Training exercise (mil.)
• Severely criticise starter perhaps - it's tough to get through
• A mineral unrefined reportedly way used to increase fitness
• That'll show you how to attack a bit of the meal that's pickled, by the sound of it