Category Archives: training updates

It’s been a rough few week and it felt like forever. There’s just been too many thoughts going through my mind. Lot of concerns and what ifs. It’s hard not having much training support. It’s even harder not having the psychological and emotional support to help deal with the pressures of elite sport. I’m probably one of the fortunate few who have to live with both situations. I suppose all this will make me come out stronger. It’s really a booster to know that there are people out there who actually cares about what athletes actually have to go through. It’s this sense of mutual respect and understand that draws us together.

I’m now alive and kicking, back in action. I’ve done it on my own before, and if I have to, I’m going to go at it on my own again. No amount of nonsense or negative energy from old and deluded individuals is going to mess with my head any more. It’s time I put everything I’ve learn to good use and prove those pundits wrong

What gets me going at 5:30 in the morning and to do what I do every single day. It must be something really special. People have asked if I enjoy what I do. I absolutely love what I do, but just not here. There are more skeptical, materialistic, insincere, bull-shating, can’t-be-bothered, back-stabbing, empty-shelled individuals here that can really kill a dream. It’s unfortunate that they are just everywhere in the fraternity. But I’m blessed to have met people outside, who truly have a place in my heart and have made a difference in my so far not-so-successful life, that’s keeping me going, by the thread.

I’m fighting this battle alone and no one here has the faintest idea what sort of political crap I have had to endure from all angles. There’s really no emotional support or understanding what so ever. Absolutely zip, zero. There’s no one else that’s going through alongside me. Just a bunch of deluded individuals whose past-time is paying lip service. Just what I need. It’s disappointing and demoralizing that there isn’t anyone who is like-minded and genuine in the community.

So unfortunately, no, I don’t enjoy what I am doing, here. I might just have to cross-over.

I was featured in a segment on PrimeTime Morning. Titled Sports Clinic, it introduces the work  that goes on in the Singapore Sports Institute.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/ptm/interviews/index.htm

Look for the clip named Sport Clinic

Or just click here! Make sure your web browser has a flash player installed.

Ms. Lee Fei Chen contacted me through the website, and offered a donation to assist me in my sporting pursuit. It is an extremely wondering gesture. I am truly and sincerely thankful for her support and having faith in me. As an athlete, I have never hoped for the riches. Everything that comes along, goes back into an investment for performance excellence. Some compete for the experience. I am training and competing for the win at the Asian Games. There’s a lot more training to be done, and this donation will go towards training expenditure, hopefully in the form of an overseas training camp.

I am touched by the generosity of such a sincere and kind hearted individual. It’s really great to know that there are people out there who believe in the spirit of determination and perseverance. Once again, I am truly grateful to Ms. Lee for the kind donation. Thank you.

Huge thanks to the people from PaddlezUp for the SpeedCoach Gold!

The software will allow me to track my boat speed on a long term basis. If you’re wondering where the impeller is, I fixed it on this morning. For more accurate measuring, use a GPS to help calibrate the unit, and it’s good to go.

For more information on PaddlezUp, visit their website, as well as check out their full range of products available!

Hatch day was spent in typical fashion. A ride down to the shed before daylight. The weather hasn’t been too kind, resulting in 2 x 6000m on the erg, at decreasing splits at 3000m/2000m/1000m. The usual 50min bike ride to the sports institute for some recovery. Replied to my emails and a quick lunch at 1pm before weights training, endurance style. Always hurts. Then it’s a massive dinner at Brazil Churrasco, down at sixth avenue, with the missus. Impressive salad bar and a meat buffet certainly took care of my recovery snack. Certainly well-taken care of by the missus.

Thanks to all for the well wishes, ol’ skool style text messages as well as the new generation fb messages.

It’s been a while since the Asia Cup in June. Training continues to be very solid. The boat is moving a lot faster than it was prior to the regatta. There’s still a lot more to come, I’m sure of it.

There’s never really enough aerobic work one can do. Running has now been added to the training regime. Not exactly jumping for joy, or neither is it a hot favorite. But if it’s going to contribute to performance, I’m gonna do it. Invested in a proper pair of shoes over the weekend, to make sure those knees and ankles are kept in tip top form for rowing.

Will be getting my speedcoach pretty soon. Really wonder how i survived without one for so long.

Still have couple of other matters to settle: Meet up with sponsors, collect SiS nutrition supplies from 2xsfbsports.com. They’ve all been really great and supportive. Glad that I have them on board. I’ll have a little more time for all these next week, when I take extended leave from work, to prepare for AG. It’s full steam ahead

Did a short interview recently with Edwin, a strength and conditiong coach, on rowing. Check it out!

http://www.edwinchew.com/readmore.php?id=46

Like last year, it would be carried out at 2 venues, 1000m at the spanking new Marina Reservoir and 2000m up at same ol’ same ol’. The 1000m races were also meant to be the test event for the Youth Olympics Games. With that note, it would be run as close as the YOG as possible. Computer and timing systems in place, near perfect race course. Wasn’t a big fan of the cool down zone. My favorite dining tents, finish tower, start pontoon, aligner hut. For temporary structures, it was all quite impressive actually. But there wasn’t any arrangement for spectators. The spectator stands might not be ready, but if promoting of such an important even was on the agenda, i’m sure something could have been worked out. Spectator wannabes have to camp out at the F1 pit across the venue. I didn’t see any purpose and was just too embarrassed to rally supporters, except my numero ono supporter!
The only thing i like about 1000m courses, going to the start line is quick. Short warm-up line means having to constantly turn.
Nice sunny weather across all 5 days at Marina. Put me about 4 shades darker. My preliminary race was on Saturday. Lanes weren’t much of an issue, so our plan was to test out the field. A 250m starts and race rate of 26-28 gave me a 1:49.52 first 500m to put me just a bow ball in second place. Stilling rating 26 and in second coming into the last 250m, Sasa shouted out from the bank to make a finish. Took it to rate 34 to see what the others have left in the tank. Huge surge but was still pipped to the line.
Sunday’s final proved to be much more exciting. Not as explosive as the starts in the PR, but was already in the lead. Was still rating 38 prolly around halfway between 250 and 500m. About a boat length’s lead and holding at 31. Down the last stretch, the hongkong boat made a sprint for it. I responded rating 35 but his attack didn’t last very long. clear water across the line, 3 seconds ahead. I was certainly very pleased with the performance.

Mid-way through the year and the end of a 5-day long regatta. things are definitely looking up. It’s a well-deserved 3-day break from everything, and i’ll be taking my mind of rowing. Race report and pictures will be coming up soon. For now, here’s media coverage from Redsports.sg

http://redsports.sg/2010/06/14/asian-cup-rowing/

Time to let the hair down.