Black & White Recap

Terry and Rares with Kenny Wu in Welland for NRC's (2011)

Warm-up @ 2011 NRC's 

Recovery in the Erg Centre @ PISE - Travis, Eric, John, Kenny, Cam, Rares, Merlynn

Erg Test Mike & Kenny 

Long hours of grinding it out in the PISE Erg Centre

The joys of winter training

Rares and Mike heading out for a morning workout

Shawnigan Lake Boathouse set-up

Spracklen's armada heading out 

Most recent shot of the lake

I have answers

Mt. Wells Regional Park - A hike (to freedom)

The decision is official; not possible. There will be no Quad (4x) or even a singe (1x) going to the 2012 World Rowing Championships for Canada.  Those were both the boats I was hoping for. It has come of a bit of a surprize after all the positive comments over the past 3-4 month from my coach(es). Deep down I had some anxiety over this for the past few  days weeks months, and now it came down to the worst case scenerio.  But, after all this, I come away with still a positive outlook on things into the future. 

I had a great run this morning around the lake.  I spent the time thinking back of all the lucky things that I got to experience this year. In addition to all the great friends, connections, and top of the line free coaching, I received some support from RCA with using their boats and occasionally getting some breakfast.  I got to go through some physiological lactate testing to moniter how "fit" I was and also get a report describing what I should focus on to get better.  And the list goes on and on. 

For now I'm excited to use this fitness I have "gained" over the past while and get outside.  I'm going to keep hitting the gym and put in some solid cardio in for the great summer months ahead.   I'm excited for the Canadian National Rowing Championships (NRC's) this November at Elk Lake.

I hope to see you around!  I will be at LifeMark Monday through Friday, either at Victoria West or at the Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence location.  Stop in and say hi!

The results of the lwt men's double (2x) at U23 Worlds this weekend in Lithuania will influence the decision if RCA is going to send a  lwt 4x to the Sr. World Championships.  It is a bit of a relief, to tell you the truth, that we have done what we needed to here to be nominated for the boat.  We just require the other two dudes to pull through for us.

We will find out the results by this Sunday, July 15th and I'm sure a few days later the official decision by RCA.  I think the natural process to go through is a "out of my hands" feeling, but at the same time I feel like there is something more I can do or at least have a contingency plan if all else fails.  There still is the lwt single at Worlds this year...

More to follow soon. As soon as I know.

And now there are two

By two I mean four. And by four I mean a pair and a double. Which is two and also four.  

2012 BC Champs preparation at 5am

It has come down to this; A pair (2-) of Eric Woelfl and John Sasi and a double (2x) with Taylor Pluzak and myself. After all the athletes that have been dropped with injuries or have quit we are finally into some selections for something. It was supposed to be at lwt 8+ but now we are only half that many, and need to recruit two young guns to compete!  It has been a long winter, spring and now summer without many exciting racing moments. Don't get me wrong, we have worked our asses off this past few months. But,  it is time to put our training to the test and finally see what is to become of us. 

The time trial this past Tuesday was a one-off 2km on Elk Lake. It was important to have a fast time overall but also in relation to both boats. RCA has suggested that both boats would need to go fast to be sent to worlds. I have felt it has now come together well in my double with Taylor.  In my mind we performed to the best of the ability at this time.

The results have been tabulated and we have been selected to go to Worlds! Now, for Taylor and I in the 2x, this is contingent on the results of the U23 Lwt 2x at their competition in Europe this week.  We will know by early next week hopefully.  It is out of our hands and I have to say I'm couldn't be more ready for some good news!