| Wind and rain in Portugal |
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We came out to Portugal for the first time exactly one year ago. I was a long way from being race fit after a short post Olympic break and it was the national team’s first big-boat rowing camp of the season. The weather was perfect, with glass flat water and a cool, bright sunshine.
The hotel and rowing facilities are designed, built and managed by retired rowers ,which means that the beds are long enough, the showers tall enough and there is always enough food to feed our endless hunger. It was perfect – so this year we were expecting more of the same.
To a large extent it is the same. Good food, great rooms and nice staff to look after us. However we have had endless rain and a strong cold wind to keep us company on the water and it really changes the dynamic of the camp. The strong wind means that flat water from last year has turned into dangerously high rolling waves that crash over the side (and into) the eights that we’ve been rowing in.
Rather than brave the conditions for every long row, Jürgen has made the decision to make up the mileage on the indoor rowing machines. This is definitely not an easy option as the distances that we have to row each day mean looking at that static screen for a very long time. If you throw in a few weight sessions, tests on the ergo machines, core stability and stretching sessions and the occasional timed piece on the water then it adds up to be a very tough work camp.
Despite all this, I’m really enjoying the technical and physical challenge of the camp. The team is in good spirits and sticking together very well and we’ll be back next week to see the wives and girlfriends at home. |
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