Category Archives: training updates

It’s been a long 2009. Hit a few milestones along the way, extremely eventful, friendships were strengthen and new ones were forged. I really wouldn’t have made it through successfully, without the help and support of these amazing people and they certainly deserve to be mentioned.

The man who is single handedly responsible for the jump in my physiological capability, the man himself, Daniel Plews.  High intensity intervals at a fasting state, LT work,  simulated high altitude training, respiratory muscle training, ice vest cooling, blood lactate monitoring. We did great together, and I’m definitely looking forward for more. Not to forget his teachings of work-life balance. In this case, work here refers to training of course. I would not have met An, if he had not given me that advise. Thanks mate!

The dedicated rowing coach who sees the potential in me, and has always been in the boat with me, Gay Horan. We really only met up at one regatta throughout the entire year. But this is a bond that has transcended all boundaries. We talked through emails and phone calls and all she could see was videos of me. She certainly knew what I had to do, and I would always know what she wanted of me. People have always asked questions, wondered how could it actually work out or isn’t there anyone here. Convenience just leads to mediocrity. If there is someone halfway aross the globe who is more committed, more dedicated, more passionate, more capable, than someone who is in the same place as I am, isn’t it quite an obvious choice. Gay and I have proven that it takes more than just physical presence to nuture a successful partnership. My only regret is that she and Dan couldn’t be there to see me row my heart out to 6th at the Asian Championships. Both would certainly have been proud.

An has always been there by my side, through my worst days and celebrated with me on my best. She’s been through 6am alarm clocks on weekends, sat through many hot mid-day suns, stood long hours at promotional events, tolerated my crankiness from mid-week fatigue and understood  my early weekday nights. I am very fortunate to have met and very blessed to be with such an amazing woman.

Huge thanks to Rudy Project and Science in Sport, for their wonderful and outstanding support the past year. Rudy Project offers the best sunglasses and cycling accessories for any athlete. Superior optical quality together with amazing style. Nutrition from SiS has certainly made a huge impact in the way I train. Able to recover faster, train longer and harder. The widest selection to cover all your needs and concern. Feel free to contact me if you wish to find out more.

2010 is going to be awesome and I’m going to make it happen.

Took it easy on the ride to the rowing center this morning. I wanted to  keep the legs fresh for the long session. Couldn’t ask for better conditions during this monsoon period. Nice breeze to only ripple the waters. Got to work the head wind in one direction, and I could work the quick catches in the tail. 20km in total. Treated myself to a well deserved slurpee on the ride back home.

My posture is getting much better. Maybe it was the massage yesterday that helped loosen me up. But it certainly felt like I was sitted upright at the catch, without compromising on the slide throughout the session. So I’m pleased with that. Going to start work on getting the strong finish position.

Merry Christmas to all!

I’m properly back in trainnig. Past 5 weeks has just been about staying fit and getting some social and leisure time. Starting with base work, I’m definitely aiming to up the volume compared to last year. That means 90 – 100km on the water each week. At the mid-week mark, I’ve already covered 40km, and 103km commuting on the bike. Not too bad for a first week. The legs definitely needs some getting used to, judging from slow tired ride home from work. Looking forward to the massgae tomorrow morning.

After some discussion with D Plews and Frankie, we’ll start off the year with a series of test. 6km, 2km and some sprints. From there, we’ll know what to focus on. It’s going to be an exciting year!

It’s been quite an eventful week. Went for ZoukOut over the weekend, which was pretty awesome. Fell off the bike, riding to the rowing center. Bumped my knee and took some skin off  in the process. It’s been healing nicely, just some slight worry about how much load the knee can take. I suppose there’s only one way to find out.

Nice row with Leam again this morning. I was passing the 10km mark when he delightfully came down the course. There’s just so many benefits to having a training partner, which I have missed out on. I always tell myself that I have got to this stage pretty much training on my own, and I still have so much to learn. I’m trying to work out a realistic yet challenging training and race schedule for 2010 for the relevant people to consider.

In the mean time, I have set myself goals to correct my posture in the boat and improve on that rhythm and boat glide. There’s always something to improve upon while waiting for the coaching situation here to be solved

I somehow keep forgetting to allow for comments on my posts. Problem solved.

Started on the road bike last wednesday. Little shakey at the start. But I went straight on the road anyway. Best way to learn, is to experience the real thing. I suppose it was a good thing that I have used cleats on the Lode before. So it didn’t seem all that hard

I wonder why I didn’t decide to get one earlier. I’m not so knackered when I go rowing, and it saves me so much time.

Tell me if you think using tissue paper packets to reserve seats at foodcourts/hawker centers is allowed/appropriate or acceptable.

At lunch hour today, I sat down at an empty table at a foodcourt which had 2 packets of tissue paper left on the table. There was no one at the table, not even bags, just 2 packet of tissue paper. I also asked the couple beside if they had anyone occupying the seats.

While my friend went to get food, an auntie came up by the side and said “WE have reserved the seats with tissue paper.” When I replied saying that there wasn’t anyone seated, she said they ALL went to get food. I then said to her that she can’t exactly use tissue papers to reserve seats. She replied with something along the lines that this is how they do it in Singapore, or that it is allowed in Singapore.

So here’s the thing,  she wasn’t even alone. Must they all (her and 2 other partners in crime) get food at the same time? Would the char quay teow stall run out of oil??  Maybe they were in a hurry? I asked her if she thinks it’s a gracious thing to reserve seats with tissue. She didn’t answer, didn’t even look at me. She didn’t explain any possible circumstances, just looked away and started arranging the chairs, trying to force me out, awaiting the arrival of her badly needed reinforcements.

Mindfulness helped me to stand up and walk away. I have no control over how these “people” behave. We managed to find a nice couple to share the table with and still ended up leaving before them. They were busy doing their daily gossiping. Can I accurately say that rules out the possiblity of them being a hurry?

Yes, I am already aware of this “hidden code”, and I think a packet of tissue paper packet is just too generic to relate to someone being physically present first. Mind you, this isn’t about bags, books, files, folders. It’s just TISSUE PAPER for crying out loud. If anyone doesn’t know,  we sometimes use it to clear our noses.

If you disapprove, please do not condone such behaviour.

Definitely lacking some updates. My apologies

Taking a much deserved, long awaited break for the tear. Certainly enjoying the sleep-ins and occasional late nights. Still going about with some random erg workouts, lots of bike spinning, learning to do the snatch. Looking forward to getting more on the road and do some proper cycling.

The coming week will be fun. Catching up with hall mates on tuesday at dinner, taking my ippt on wednesday for that much needed incentive, cpr/aed course the whole of thursday, will be at the sport and fitness expo for SiS on Friday after work and Saturday. Took some pictures last weekend for them.

Drop by the SiS booth and say hi!

Here are responses from 2 Australian Olympic rowers, Kimberley Crow

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/contributors/sport-report-undervalues-a-proud-olympic-tradition-20091118-ildd.html

and Sarah Cook

http://www.rowingaustralia.com.au/news_latest-news.shtm

The Crawford Report – An Olympian’s Perspective

I’m on their side. What do you think?

The Crawford report has generated a huge debate and relatively mixed responses from the Australian sporting community.

More about the independent sports panel, responsible for the report, can be found here.

Here is one of the responses.

“John Coates labels Crawford report an insult” – The Australian, November 17, 2009

I just hope it turns out well

Would you like to leave your mark on the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games? The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is looking for you to design the Youth Olympic medal and it is as simple as going online.

Read more at World Rowing – Official Website – News.