| 5km test and Seville |
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This month kicked off with the feared 5000m test on the rowing machine. It is a formidable challenge that we have been building up to for a few weeks.  It is the only time in the year that we get the opportunity to test our maximum endurance on the ergo over this distance.The test lasts 15-16 minutes for the majority of the team, which is a very long time to be racing flat out. We were all exhausted from the January training camp before we had even started the test, but through sheer determination most of us recorded a PB including all of us in the coxless four. We were really pleased with these results as beating your previous best is always a huge benchmark and it gives you a lot of confidence in your body and those of your team-mates. With a solid test result behind me, I packed my bags for the first rowing training camp of the Olympic year – Seville, Spain. This is a beautiful city and fantastic venue for rowing. There is an international regatta course on part of a long river that runs for 8 miles through the city so we can row for a long time before turning and can record our boat speed in more intense sessions. Both the coach and athletes always enjoy those 3 weeks away because we can focus on the sport with little interference. The aim was to start transferring all of the fitness that we developed through the winter into boat speed. Apart from the beautiful sunshine and masses of mileage, the camp was uneventful. We used our time to improve our skill as a team and got very tired in the process and that is all the camp was all about. Eat, sleep, row – everyday, 3 times a day for 3 weeks. Returning to the UK, it is wonderful to see that the days are getting longer again. Summer is coming. Racing is on our doorstep. But before we can do that, we need to race each other in the final senior pairs trial. The results of this race are crucial for Olympic selection and it all happens on 10th March. For the next 2 weeks I will be rowing with Andy Hodge in our undefeated trials combination trying everything to hold off the pushes from the rest of the team. This is the tensest time of the season for everyone. By this time next month we will all have a much better idea about who will be selected for the Olympic crews . March: 4th Training in Belgium 9th Time trial and semi-final in pairs 10th Men’s Pairs Final 16th Seat Racing in coxless fours Then: Selection. |
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