And the results proved that the squad are as determined as ever to put the disappointment of last season behind them as they passed with flying colours.
"All the lads are flying,” skipper Wes Morgan told after coming off the training pitch.
“It’s all about preparing for the season ahead and all the work is to get us in match fitness mode. It’s a long season with plenty of games so you’ve got to make sure your body is right to be able to cope with the long season ahead.”
Last term’s top scorer David Nugent echoed his captain’s comments, adding: “It’s been an eventful day, it was a nice little test run and everyone was enthusiastic.
“All the lads have been keeping fit over the summer as it showed as we’ve all come in and passed the test so hopefully this time next week we can get the balls out and start earlier than usual.”
City’s 2013/14 Championship campaign kicks off on August 3 away to Middlesbrough, but before then an extensive programme of pre-season fixtures and training sessions will have to be negotiated to ensure the players have the right base fitness levels to take them through to next May.
With the growing list of sports science equipment that is being used to monitor fitness, there is no hiding place for players in pre-season, but City’s hard-working Welsh international midfielder Andy King is enjoying being back.
“It was nice, the running was tough but it was good to see everyone again, get started and get back into the routine,” he said.
“Everyone did well. There were a lot of people who had been doing stuff over the summer which is good to see.
“Hopefully all the hard work which has started now, will get us that reward of promotion by the end of the season.”