Winter Training: Jan 4, 2010 - Mar 19, 2010.
Two and a half months apparently, in my case, equates to 3.5 seconds. Today marks my end to winter training. What better way to end it all than with a 2k test. THE 2K TEST in my mind.
Since the beginning of training, my mind was set on a 7:20.0 flat minimum. All the nights, weekends, the 150k+ erggings: for that 1:50.0 split.
I started strong, feeling perfectly comfortable: going at 1:48-1:51 for the first 1000. For the next 400m or so, I kept fairly steady my 1:50 pace. Then, my foolish "rest" came about for the next 10 strokes, 1:52-1:53. In the end, I finished at 7:20.5 (1:50.1, 30spm).
Uncontrollably, that was when absolute rage hit me. I was literally half a second from my goal. I knew that those 10 rest strokes cost me my race. I guess it's true, the game of inches (in this case, probably centimeters).
The night before, I was reading quotes from the Oxford-Cambridge crews of the 2009 boatrace. The one that really struck me was from an Oxford rower. Rowing to finish first, even if that means a trip to the ambulance afterward. I wanted that mindset. This morning, I lacked that. I was able to limp about, feel angry, throw things: that is how I know my mind has not fully matured.
I will not be visiting the erg room as frequently anymore. I came a hair-close to what I wanted but not close enough. I can not ignore the fact that I demolished my previous 2k PR of 7:24 but I don't fear making goals that are too high, I fear making goals that are too low. Now that rowing season is just around the corner and rowing camp at Camp Bob is coming up, I should have a bit of wiggle room left for possible self-redemption.
Two days left before the crew's annual make-shift triathlon. The regiment goes:
- 7500m erg
- ~4 miles running
- 10 sets of 15-floor stairs (called "towers")
This is one of the crew's traditions. The winner of each squad earns a hammer, spray-painted over with gold colored spray paint; the symbol of hard-work and pure power/skill. There's no way in hell I'm winning this year, but I'll still put my best effort. As I've made clear over and over, my ultimate goal by the end of this season is to maximize my rowing potential before I'm done. There will not be "I should've done this, I should've tried harder, etc." No bullshit.
One of the hardest things I've been training my mind to do is absolute self-discipline. I think my solo winter training regiment is working very well in that respect. My 2k time has been a consistent sub-7:30, exactly where I want to be. At the same time, I haven't gained an ounce of weight (that fight's getting pretty depressing). So I plan to stick to as much of the plan as I can until we hit Spring Training, then we'll see.
For now, the upcoming triathlon is just a contest: can I overcome myself.
- 7500m erg
- ~4 miles running
- 10 sets of 15-floor stairs (called "towers")
This is one of the crew's traditions. The winner of each squad earns a hammer, spray-painted over with gold colored spray paint; the symbol of hard-work and pure power/skill. There's no way in hell I'm winning this year, but I'll still put my best effort. As I've made clear over and over, my ultimate goal by the end of this season is to maximize my rowing potential before I'm done. There will not be "I should've done this, I should've tried harder, etc." No bullshit.
One of the hardest things I've been training my mind to do is absolute self-discipline. I think my solo winter training regiment is working very well in that respect. My 2k time has been a consistent sub-7:30, exactly where I want to be. At the same time, I haven't gained an ounce of weight (that fight's getting pretty depressing). So I plan to stick to as much of the plan as I can until we hit Spring Training, then we'll see.
For now, the upcoming triathlon is just a contest: can I overcome myself.
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