ONE YEAR AGO

 

One year ago - On August 26th, 2010 I arrived in Victoria, BC. A few days prior, I had packed up my life, at least what gear I thought would be important for the next stage of my life, and headed west. I literally drove to the end of the road, Mile 0 of the Trans-Canada highway. And beyond that, I drove all the way to wild west coast of Vancouver Island. My car, loaded down, is seen here at the Sooke Spit, looking out towards Japan/Russia.
This momentus day, also marks my first time in a single sculling boat. I joined in to the Victoria City Rowing Club (VCRC) group row 5:30-7:30am Monday through Saturday, for the next year.

I think back on the things I learned. First, staying upright in the boat (I flipped three times that first month) then on to getting my technique decent enought that I could keep up with the training group. I also thought of the hilarious mistakes I made thinking that I was doing the right thing, such as putting my seat on the slides with the indent forward...learning 10 minutes later that the indent is supposed to be backwards and I had just sustained a new blister in a location previously thought impossible. Or, when I grabbed two port sided blades and tried to row with one on port and one on starboard (incorrectly).

One last thing. I'm more excited now about the future possibilities than I even thought obtainable a year ago. I can't believe I put this plan together one day in Oregon while at Univeristy, a short-term/long-term goal setting session, and it is all coming true. I just needed to break down the goals into tiny obtainable steps.

August 2011 Radar finished

And it is official. The Aug. 2011 RADAR is finished and submitted to Rowing Canada Aviron. I'm happy with with results, but I already know that I can improve on a few key tests. Have a look:
Peak Power (190 Drag Factor) 861 watts 01:14.1 [25]
Peak Power (Testing Drag Factor) 816 watts 01:15.4 [72]
1 Minute 364 metres 625 01:22.4 [47]
2000 Meter 06:22:4 time 401 01:35.6 [74]
6000 Meter 20:31:4 time 324 01:42.6 [74]
60 Minute 16529 metres 271 01:48.9 [25]
Time Trial 2000 Meter (1x) 07:20:6 time 01:50.1 [98]

The [brackets] mean points. And the totaled up score is 415.... That is 75 points more than last time. It is greater than the 350 that I was trying to hit, but the next level for me to hit is 600. A total points >600 would hypothetically mean I should be a regular at the National Training center (In theory).

My personal thoughts on this round, now my fourth, is that I dread these six tests for weeksmonths in advance unknown of my ability and motivation. At the same time, I really enjoy the feedback of systematic testing and being able to compare to others. A few distractions this round; I was able to directly "compete" against my rivals, sitting right beside them on the erg or in the water, these same guys are also now my team-mates*. They brought the best power out of me, and I hope I helped them push harder too. This is where the team dynamic comes together and makes everyone work harder.

This RADAR score gets applied to my future funding for travel to the National Rowing Championships in Welland, Ontario November 11-13, 2011. I hope it was enough.

* - Selections and confirmations for teams are not completed until early September.

Full Time

Hey, I have taken time away from the posting here, directly due to the fact that I didn't want to hype/psych my testing that occurred this week. I just wanted a regular no-pressure routine for the past 10days to get through the psychological battle that is RADAR testing.

So, as I mentioned before, the tests are as follows:
Erg
Peak Power (10 stroke max watts)
1minute (distance in metres)
2000m (time or split/500m)
6000m (time or split/500m)
60min (distance)

Also, an on-water time-trial is happening on Aug. 27th. (2000m)

Everything, so far, has worked out as planned, except for the 6000m test. There is a chance I may redo the test next Monday, which is the last possible day before the scores are submitted.

Aug. 22nd, Monday, was my first day joining "The Team" - the PanAm group training full time till the Games start in Guadalajara, Mexico on Oct. 15th. So far, I have had so much fun. It feels like summer camp, except for very hard working grown-ups. We joke a bit and tell stories, then go through a few "activites" then stop and joke a bit more and tell crazy stories... I'm having just a blast. I know that there is real physical exertion to be done for me down the road, and I need to work extra hard to catch up to the other guys, but I'm very excited for the possibilities.

The photo below is what Erg tests are like, in the Spracklin Room at the Elk Lake boat house, except all the Ergs are filled with sweaty beasts and a couple lightweights sprinkled here and there. (more on that later)

Taper Week - Pre-RADAR

This week (well, five days actually) Aug. 8-12th, is a lower-volume workout for conserving energy for the very important RADAR testing week. Starting this Sunday. The RADAR has been put together by Rowing Canada to measure overall performance on a variety of tests; Aerobic capacity w/ 60min and 6km Erg tests, Anaerobic Max power 10 stroke test, Anaerobic threshold with a 1 minute test, and the very important race distance 2000m erg test. Included in this will be an on-water time trial. The results from these six tests are compared to a "gold standard" and with a complex equation converted into points. The points are added up and need to reach a 350 cut-off. This, among other things, will determine if an athlete becomes "carded" and obtains funding.

I'm very excited to get the testing started... I feel very good going into this round of testing, as compared to last time. This is the most important RADAR testing for me so-far. To supplement income (and pay student loans) it is very important to qualify for some funding.

Sunday, Aug. 14th: 60min test (Erg)
Tuesday, Aug. 16th: 6km Test (Erg)
Thursday, Aug. 18th: Peak-Power & 1min test (erg)
Aug. 22 - 2km Erg Test: with other National Team athletes
Aug. 27 - 2km on-water Time Trial (Burnaby or Elk Lake TBA)

The 60 minute test, also called the "Hour of Power" is the least important (worth the least amount of points) but for me, is the most grueling. Who wants to sit on an indoor-rowing machine for 60minutes? Sweating profusely, no breaks for water or food. This will be my kryptonite and biggest chanllenge yet.

Ride the Hurricane

A road bike ride from Port Angeles Ferry Terminal to the top of Hurricane Ridge, Washington. Today, Aug. 7th, the 17mile road will be closed to cars! Only cyclists can head up between 7am-12pm in an annual fundraiser to keep the road open for the entire year. The money raised goes towards the snowplowing needed in the high alpine.

This is a community "fun ride" not a race. From the Port Angeles Community

A rower, Josh Morris, whom I have met a few times in the past year was interested in heading up with me. We caught the early ferry (Blackball) to Port Angeles from Victoria, departing at 6:10am. We arrived into America and proceeded through US customs with no problems, and continued about 2miles up the road to the Ranger station at the base of the hill. I dropped my pack and extra layers at the bottom and just went race-light, one poly-pro longsleeve and bike shirt, shorts. I was plenty cool on on the ascend and warm enough on the descent. We started easy and after 10min started pushing the pace. All said, 1:42 to the lodge (5200ft) from the Ranger station, or 1:11 from the toll both to the lodge. Josh and I continued on a goat path past the lodge up to Hurricane Hill view point. The top elevation was 5757 ft. I really enjoyed this ride. A good challenge with a steady climb all the way up, actually not one flat spot the entire 17miles. New and clean pavement made for easy rolling and comfort on the screaming descent. I will do it again.

Canadian Royal Henley

Champions are not formed overnight. While the world sleeps, champions are forging their dreams into reality; straining every muscle, expending every ounce of energy, investing weeks upon months upon years for the sake of bettering their time by fractions of a second. When we see them rise to the podium, medal in hand, sweat clinging to their brows, know that this moment has been years in the making. Join in the pride and fulfillment of accomplishment and witness the spirit and courage of capturing a dream

Above is the opening quote to the Royal Henley in St. Catherines, ON. Possibly the biggest regatta in the racing calendar in Canada. It is a week long race with most of the top teams, crews, and individuals attending. I did not. Alas, the working world blending with my athlete world do not always intertwine perfectly. Some day I will be there. Next year?

Top results:

Rosie DeBoef 1st Open women! Sensational