Finding final closure – The tale of two 2km TT attempts

25 February 2013

Round 1

Originally this wasn’t going to be blogged but then I decided that I want all my trials and tribulations blogged and remembered.

Kept quite until now, less than 72 hours after racing in Boston on Sunday, full of jetlag and a cold I rowed a 2km TT at home on the Wednesday morning. No one knew about this attempt but it had been planned by myself since landing on Monday morning.

-Q- was keen for me to wait until the weekend and stay sharp and then hit a TT if I wanted it. I had told him in Boston that I was done for the season and wasn’t interested in chasing it. I did however have other ideas and after spending the best part of 24 hours awake with plenty of thinking time on the way home I decided I was going to row on Wednesday.

The aim of the row wasn’t to PB or even PB attempt. Instead I wanted a strong row with the main objective being the recovery part. Shaken by Boston’s aftermath I wanted to row and then prove I can recover as per any other hard piece.

And that is what I did.

A normal full warm up and then set off on a 2k jolly finishing as strong a I could in the final 300m pulling a 6.13.3. No theatrics this time, a bit of flopping around and then a walk down the road to fully flush the lactic out and then a small paddle to finish it off.

The rest of the week and the weekend just gone I just hit a couple of liveners to stay sharp and keep blood volume levels high ready for this Wednesdays lab testing.

Round 2

Today I had made a date with a 2.5km Challenge Series TT. However on finishing the warm up I found myself typing 2000m into the PM3. It just happened.

Off I set but this time I wanted to be stricter about the pace and aimed to hold it together with a longer finish and a slightly lower rate at 31-32. I settled early after 100m too and looked to find a rhythm.

In the back of my mind I had said to get to 1km and see how things are fairing. I thought about a HD at this point but carried on. Then I took it on to 750m with no change in pace keeping it long, thought about a HD again but then decided to take it to 500m and assess.

I had begun to put a small squeeze on at 600m and began to search for the average split. It was looking ok and fancied it so began to drive it on.

At 400m I knew I didn’t have the legs for any sort of big finish and the split was only slightly negative but it was enough and at 250m the predicted finish was showing 6.09.

“It’s on – it’s f*****g on” I thought as I drove for home, but then whack! 170m to go last 20 strokes and the bloody wheels came off. Damn it! 1.32’s drifted stroke by stroke to 1.38’s through the line as I continued to bury it hard (you know me).

I finished locked up to the max and threw the handle down knowing there was no way the time had stayed on 6.09. I had a glance at the screen as I flopped around in pain but was feeling composed.

However, my nemesis then decided to make another appearance and popped up behind me, tapped me on the shoulder and said “Well done and all that but now I am taking you to hell again!”

It hit me hard again like a steam train. This time I was on my own so I had to move and I had to move quick.

I staggered up and stumbled across to the bike with my legs snapping shut all the time underneath me. I flopped onto the bike and forced my feet into the stirrups. I thought if I go down here I am in trouble so I have to keep moving – if not maybe the cleaner will find me.

I pedalled whilst lying on the upright bike screen for about 5 minutes. It was horrible – really horrible but I knew it would ease up.

I then traded between walking and sitting for half an hour or so before finally throwing up. I was ready to hand in my retirement chit at this point. A bit more walking and sitting before dragging myself back to the showers and to change. A good 60 minute recovery in total which is better than Boston so that’s a bonus right?

Oh the time. The time was 6.11.5 so equalling my 2nd fastest 2k which I have to be quite content about.

This is the final closure on the 2km for this season. I know I said that before but I do mean it this time.

I have told Q I will ‘paddle’ a 2.5km Challenge Series row on Friday just to get some points on the board and ensure the win but I will probably end up doing a TT attempt – I would be lying if I said otherwise, never say never and all that.

250m splits for reference:-

2k – 6.11.5

rate 31-32

1.32.4
1.33.0
1.33.0
1.33.4
1.33.4
1.32.6
1.32.0
1.33.2

Time to shut it all down and take a break as from Friday – might go fishing.

0a77ae5fc9d923eb6f407aef366c8a4c_1200_80 copy

Ollie Osborne

Paul FLEET

Having previously worked with Oli when we both served together, I knew he was the guy to get me back on track with my lifestyle and fitness goals which had taken a bit of a back seat since leaving the military. I made the right choice. The programme is exemplary and within a very short space of time the results came and have stayed. Thanks Oli and team 💪 Highly recommend.

Wayne Gordon

10/10 got me on the road to finding my fitness and general health back again, motivated and accountable!! Would recommend anyone to think about it Ollie is great and works hard with you to get where you need to be 👍👍👍👍

Craig Hoggett

A great holistic approach to improving well being, covering the psycho-somatic connection and nutrition that supports both. Genuinely thoughtful, practical programmatic approach to making progress against your health and well being aims and, opening your mind to new goals too! Hazel, Ollie and Will make a great team, working together to cover the different dimensions of wellbeing for each client and creating a community that supports and grows together. Strongly recommend!

Rich Bell

There comes a point in every high-achiever’s journey where professional success and personal wellness seem irreconcilable, where the cost of performance is paid in silence, self-neglect, and eventual burnout. I had reached that point. Outwardly, I was thriving: respected, accomplished, operating at the peak of my profession. But beneath the surface, I was physically depleted, mentally fractured, and overwhelmed by self-loathing. I asked myself the question so many executives silently carry: How did I let myself get to this point? The answer, as I would come to learn, was not failure , it was imbalance. The truth is, high performance in leadership should not come at the expense of health, clarity, or self-worth. And through the Warrior Wellness Movement, I discovered that it doesn’t have to. This programme is not simply a fitness plan or a motivational workshop. It is a total recalibration of mindset, physiology, and leadership presence. The coaches at Warrior Wellness understood the unique pressures of executive life, the long hours, the constant decision-making, the burden of responsibility, and built a wellness framework that works with those realities, not against them. It is tailored, evidence-based, and deeply human. Through their guidance, I learned how to reclaim my physical health, strengthen my mental resilience, and lead with energy and authenticity. Just as critically, I brought my executive team on the same journey. Together, we evolved not only as professionals, but as people. We now operate with sustainable intensity, strategic clarity, and a shared understanding that wellness is not a luxury, it’s a leadership imperative. The Warrior Wellness Movement has fundamentally changed how I approach success, not as something to chase at all costs, but as a state of balance where performance and wellbeing co-exist. I cannot recommend this programme highly enough to any high-performing individual or team who is ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Roxie Coleman

Ollie and the team at Warrior Wellness are simply brilliant. Proactive and reactive to your situation. Bespoke. Cover all bases and support you. They stretch and challenge rather than push to breaking point. Are responsive to your needs as well as your likes and dislikes. I’ve tried PTIs, diets, therapy and many other things but for me, this is working. Things make sense and are explained in a supportive way. No patronising, no making you feel crap about yourself but they do hold you to account in a way that feels positive. Highly recommend

Paula McRobie

Been coached by Ollie for over 9 months. I was looking for accountability and structure in the gym to fit around a new job where shift work has messed with consistency. Ollie gave me a program that was achievable and the necessary nudges to get me into the gym. My initial goals were specific and he has delivered 100%. He has understood exactly what is required to train when you are mid life. I am in my late 50s and his focus on mobility/warming up and conditioning and feedback on form has kept me injury free and loving my sessions. Totally recommend Ollie whether you are new to fitness or a seasoned gym goer.

Paul Dunn

Over the past 15 months with Warrior Wellness Movement, I’ve had an exceptional experience. Their personalised approach to strength training, nutrition, and overall well-being helped me achieve my goals faster than I ever imagined. The expertise and guidance I received not only significantly improved my strength but also led to the added benefit of noticeable weight loss. I highly recommend WWM to anyone seeking a dedicated and effective system for achieving their fitness goals.

Guy Jervis

Inspiring, thorough, tailored and effective S&C training, nutrition and wellbeing advice delivered with professionalism, empathy, sincerity and smiles (despite the logo 😁). Very highly recommended!

Paul Roberts

After spending a very long time (years) aimlessly going to the gym with no structure or focus I eventually met Ollie at Warrior Wellness - and I’m glad I did. From the word go Ollie was direct (which I absolutely needed) and very supportive. Ollie demonstrated during our first meeting that he has experience and understanding of how that happens - and more importantly how to make the changes I needed. For me that was a good omen. The structure of the programming during the initial phase was straight forward and really easy to follow. It was just about doing the basics really well with some added variety and functionality. With help and focus on getting my diet sorted from the outset it has helped me get some early victories which helped keep the motivation and enthusiasm. In 3 months I’ve lost 5kg, I’m lifting heavier and feeling better than I ever have. I’m also moving better and easier than I’ve done for years since leaving the army. If you need structure, direction, honesty, accountability and support with a holistic approach then Ollie and Warrior Wellness is what you need. I would Highly recommend working with Ollie - it was honestly a great result and well worth the investment.