Time to blog again.
It’s been a few weeks and I have intentionally not blogged as I wanted to settle down into training first.
After the Worlds and some testing at the Institute of Naval Medicine I took 2 weeks down time (actually 17 days).
-Q- was keen for me to continue with some free style training to keep blood volume up and to stay in shape. I had already said I wasn’t interested in erging but was happy to cycle, swim or do whatever just as a form of exercise. However as the days went on I became less and less bothered about doing anything. I did a couple of runs and a cycle but then came down with a vicious head cold that left me feeling ok but very snotty etc. Infact to be honest it has only just cleared up, although I do keep getting some yellow slime coming from deep out of my right nostril (sorry too much info for some).
So after the first few days I accepted I would be doing nothing CV wise and just enjoyed the time off. I was surprised not to get jittery, partly down to knowing training was just around the corner – plus I started my weight training programme which as been very enjoyable and a nice change to the daily erg slog.
Last week I put in my first few ergs. After day 3 I emailed Q and negotiated that the first 4 week cycle would be largely finding my feet, arranging my day to fit in the volumes and let my body and mind adjust to the hard graft.
I covered a mere 75km in around 5 sessions with 2 weight sessions. I had a play around with fuelling and found my calorie intake needed to be increased dramatically (mainly carbs) with a big focus on post training nutrition and fuelling whilst training.
Week 2 finished yesterday with a steady total of just under 120km rowed in 6 pieces (still some way short of what is required and the planned 10) plus the 2 mandatory weight training sessions. My body has adapted well in the last week and the splits have improved significantly well. DOMS is under control from the lifting with some strict recovery work and rituals with yesterdays 20km bringing the fastest split and the lowest EPOC of the week.
My hands took a hit this week due to lack of distance work in the build up to the Worlds. They are very soft and covered in cuts and blisters. My training T Shirts have been covered in blood on the past few ergs this week – the white shirts mixed with sweat are over exaggerated and look like something out of a horror movie after a 20km piece.
As for the second part of this first cycle it is about doing what I can and what I feel I am capable of as my body and mind adapt to off season training, then it is a case of getting on with it.
The volume will increase as the year goes on and it is no secret that at Q Power we will be putting in as much volume as possible as well as leading our family and work lives.
Trying to put on some lean weight whilst rowing large volumes is very difficult and requires some thought and organisation on my part. I have put on a few planned pounds and am sitting around the 99kg mark now (from 97.5kg) but if I don’t get it right I know it will drop in an instant. Ensuring each day is met with the best possible chance of achieving these goals is vital and I am finding that I always need to be one step ahead in preparation.
2014 World Championships – 46 weeks.
Train hard train smart ……
