Cyclical Adventures

 Originally, I assumed, it was going to be for the month of August. Then,  August turned into September. Now, it's already half way through October and it looks like it is going to continue long into the future.    The next adventure is about to begin.
I have been enjoying the break from serious training and getting to spend quality time with my wife Amber.  Since we got married on Sept. 1st of this year we have been able to go on some great outdoor adventures together. This would not have been possible trying to maintain a 2-3x/day six days a week training schedule I had with rowing. In my mind, it is has been the healthiest thing I have done for myself in along time... and it involves NOT heavy training.  I feel really good and actually have been feeling more motivated  and confident for racing/training in the future. But, in what sport(s)?  

I have decided to make the commitment to not commit to one sport.  I know I said that "I'm Back" recently, but I will only be rowing recreationally for cross-training in the next few months. I love the other things in life too much to focus only on one activity.  Turns out, I live for those days that multiple activities can be enjoyed while not worrying if I'm going to break an arm or injury myself.  I have a feeling that I will still push myself at something in the future (cycling, running, triathlon, or rowing...) But, it will involve a creative (read exciting & non-traditional) training program.   As of recently I have been racing bikes in a local circuit of Cyclocross.  I would like to (running) race in the Island running series: Frontrunners Island Race Series.

It may be time to change this blog to Outdoor Pursuits. Lets see how soon that happens. 

Hill repeats on our local Mt. Tolmie in Victoria. 

I was able to catch the play-by-play from the Non-Olympic world championships this past week. It was, however, a bitter sweet moment watching the results stream in. I felt and still feel that I should have been at this event, but that is how life goes.   Eric Woelfl, my previous pairs partner for the NRC's (2011) had joined forces with a long standing member of National team, John Sasi. They raced in the lwt pairs event, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and made it through with decent results.

It seemed like some great competition, and they ended up in 2nd in the B final, or 8th overall. I would like to think that I would be in that same position, but I'm not sure, because those guys are great rowers and in excellent shape. I feel that if they had some competition at home to train with it could have pushed them to the next level, but there is no way to know.

The next step in Rowing Canada's calendar is the August RADAR testing sessions. It will be a challenge, as it always is, but there are some easier targets to hit this time around.  Prior to this session, it was 480points that were needed to reach Development carding "D-card" but they have dropped it to 450points!  This is very exciting for a large number of athletes that were right on the cusp of getting some support.

I'm excited to see the results. Good Luck!

I have some important prior engagements to take care of this upcoming week.