Category Archives: training updates

Rowing World Cup 1 at Lake Bled, Slovenia just ended last week. Here’s how it all went down, direct from worldrowing.com

http://www.worldrowing.com/display/modules/news/dspNews.php?newid=324848

http://www.worldrowing.com/display/modules/news/dspNews.php?newid=324850

http://www.worldrowing.com/display/modules/news/dspNews.php?newid=324851

Just finished with my arvo coffee. Today was the last session of comp phase. going into the taper next week to prepare for the Asia Cup. Still going through the tapering and peaking book. I’ll certainly be able to apply it more if I do get to the games. A few timed pieces throughout the week, which I thought might have too much rest time between them. 3 – 6 min rests are like having clean fresh clothes and water while on Survivor. Luxury i tell you. Don’t think it was very appreciated, let alone understood. But what can I expect from handholders

Let’s see, what else has gone on…. Finished with all the polar data files for D.Plews. We’ll see how that turns out. Placed my speedcoach order with Mike. Huge thanks to him. Looking forward to up the game with some onboard boat speed. Another flat couple of days ago on the way to the shed. Wonder how much do I actually save on the bike. Time is a no-brainer: plenty. Got to stock up on tubes next week and work on that tyre change skill. Not exactly Tour worthy. Very fortunate to visit the yog rowing venue yesterday as well. Still quite some work to be done, but it’s looking pretty awesome.

Hoping for some good news next week

An article from The Daily Telegraph i’m sure many will find very interesting.

Jarryd Hayne leads NRL brat pack – Rebecca Wilson, The Daily Telegraph May 08, 2010

I suppose those who have been or are on the receiving end of either side will truly understand what it feels like. What do you think?

Crash course on what has happened this week. Satisfied with the training. Making progress either in technique and/or just simply gearing myself up to work like an endurance machine. The massage on my rest day definitely needs some working on. Always having trouble getting them to understand and relate to the areas which i need worked on. I’ll get that sorted next week.

Starting on the new peaking and tapering book I just bought. Excellent detail and explanations. There’s nothing better than empowering myself with knowledge. One thing I’ve learn is that it’s always better to know that I can rely on myself when the time comes that I have to.

Will be linking up with Edwin as he’s keen to promote rowing on his website. www.edwinchew.com I couldn’t agree more with him on making sports part of your lifestyle. Something most have yet to achieve. It all starts from a motivation: clear that dreaded IPPT, lose weight, fit into that perfect dress, impress your partner… whatever it could be. The next step is to realize the other benefits that comes along with it: Healthier body, more energy throughout the day, a more alert mind and we all know the endorphins produced during exercise makes one happier. There are millions of ways to do it. And the ‘not enough time’ excuse is no longer valid. If you know of anyone who has not gained anything positive at all  from the lifestyle change, feel free to contact me. I’ll be very glad to help in any way I can.

My deferment is more or less approved. So that’s good news as well. Thanks Abel for the support. Really appreciate your understanding.

It’s always good to have some time for yourself, to sit down and rethink your goals, priorities or pretty much just evaluate everything that’s been going on around you. The hustle and bustle of day-to-day life have probably prevented most from doing so: shuffling to and fro the rowing center from home and from work, preparing dinner, updating training logs. The books that I have planned to read seem to have gone into storage. Today’s the day I put a stop to all the mad rush.

I’m quite a sucker for routines. In my opinion, it makes for better time management, good for the training and at the end of the day, leaves room for contingencies or emergencies. I think it’s when we take our routines for granted, do we then start to forget the meaning of life. That’s why it’s important to be constantly reminded of why we are doing the things we are doing. Be it work, grinding it out on the bike, cutting through the water, punching out numbers, whatever. Sometimes, even the most stressful of times can overcome the most powerful minds. What’s important is that we don’t lose sight of what’s at the end of the tunnel.

There’s been quite a lot on my mind the past few weeks. Everything seem to have decided to fall upon me at exactly the same moment. It has never been a smooth ride for me, and I don’t expect it get any better, in the near or far future. Live with it, adapt, learn to play your cards right. And I still believe that hard work pays off.

There are ‘good’ days. And then there are the ‘bad’ days. Waking up to ‘bad’ days are never pleasant: Tired, fatigue, severe soreness. The normal thing to do is just to go back to bed.  We’ve all had the good fortune of experiencing such a situation. I have to admit, I have made the decision to sleep in before.

I suppose we all have different thresholds. For me, feeling some form of tiredness has become part of life.  I made a choice, and I will accept everything that comes with it. Just take 2 tablespoons of cement. Everyone feels tired after training. It’s always much easier to say to myself that I have over-trained. But the more important question that I live by is whether I have under-recovered: Did I make the effort to have 8-9 hours of sleep? Have I eaten enough of the right foods to ensure I have replenished my energy levels? Have I taken my multivits? Am I fully hydrated? Have I done my ice or contrast baths? Have I done enough stretching, trigger ball releases and rehab exercises? Seems a lot more effort than just saying that I have trained too much eh?

It’s been a quite a huge week. Getting in much bigger rowing sessions in the morning now, which means going into work slightly later than usual. With our new coach, Sacha Mimic, it’s certainly looking quite positive, at least for the next few months. Nothing is certain for now.

Huge efforts to change my focus when rowing: Boat glide, blade work, feeling the blade move through the water, boat feel. All these are key. It’s all about moving the boat through the water. There’s a huge jump up in mileage, which thankfully, I’m already starting to get used to. Did suffer quite a bit mid-week.

Thanks to Passi:one Bicycles, Daniel and Alan for fixing up a sweet ride. Much better fit and smoother than my previous ride.

With all the additional training, I’m paying extra attention to get more food and sleep in. Definitely no problem falling asleep. Signs of being sleep deprived maybe.

It’s been a good week. Definitely put in some quality mileage during the coaching clinic. It makes so much of a difference having someone to help correct your form and posture. Last thing I want is to slip into inefficient habits. Managed to do some videoing as well, which for me is long overdue. Taking some time now to compare it with my past video recordings and see if there has been any positive changes. Thanks Andreas, FISA development consultant for all the advice.

I’m certainly getting better at managing more activities outside of training and work. I’m helping to coordinate with Pontoon Sports to make new rowing suits for the team. It’s also nice to support the numerous sporting events happening almost every weekend, as well as lend Science In Sports (SiS) a hand. Proper nutrition certainly plays a huge role in performance. So do not neglect it. SiS has the highest quality and widest range of products to suit your every need. Check them out! If you need any help with understanding your needs and what will suit you best, feel free to contact me.

There’s a 5 and 1/2 day coaching clinic, conducted by a devel0pment consultant at FISA, happening at the rowing center.  Started last Friday afternoon, and runs till Wednesday.

From the athlete’s perspective, it’s more like a week long of rowing sessions with proper coaching. it’ been a while since I’ve had that, which gave a chance for those ol’ habits to slip back in. And so they did. We had our 4th session this morning, and I’m back on track. Wonder how long I have been mucking around.  Anyway, that’s not important. Focus on doing the right thing from now on, and working out a system to make sure that I can check myself more regularly. Lookiig forward to seeing the video they took this morning. It’ll be interesting to do a comparison.

So far, It’s been stinking hot today , after 2 long days of rain. I’m looking forward to the next few sessions in the water, so I’m hoping for some nice weather. Taking time out from work to make the most out of the coaching clinic. Depending on the time, I might ride down to the sports institute to do some ice baths. We’ll see

I like reading these stories:  late starters, fast tracking themselves to top level competition. With commitment, dedication, and the right support structure in place,  it is certainly possible.

Read more about it at World Rowing – Official Website – News.