Tomorrow I will wake up a happy man.
Phase 1 complete – 2 races 2 wins. Monday morning back to basics in preparation for the World Championships in February.
The build up
I travelled to Cardiff with no pressure to pull a specific time and honestly had no target in mind whatsoever. It was more about mixing it up in a race situation and getting some valuable experience – not just in the race but in the build up, the travel, the days before etc.
I travelled up to Newport Friday night and stayed with a mate who lashed me up with some steak and a pint whilst we caught up as we have not seen each other in a few years.
A luxury leisurely morning getting up around 9am and having some breakfast. Relaxed in front of the TV all morning before having a light lunch and heading off to Cardiff after midday to get to the race venue around 1pm.
On arrival I registered and had a quick look inside the arena – first impressions were hot, stuffy and close. Damn! Oh well everyone is in the same boat (pun intended). I headed off to get changed and hit the warm up room for the usual 20 minute with bursts – felt good, settled well although HR was up quite a bit.
Headed down to the race arena and got on my machine and set the DF. A long wait proceeded so got back of the erg and remained relaxed having a look around at the rest of the competition who were paddling and putting in bursts whilst we waited.
The command came from TMWTM commentator Nigel Mayglothling to get ready so hopped on and waited for the screen prompts.
The race
Off the start line with some adrenaline fuelled strokes and then settled onto race pace a little earlier than planned around 1800m. I spent much of the first 500m switching between 2nd and 3rd with team mate Eddie Ventress whilst one of the Cardiff local lads led us out.
Through the first 500m the front 3 I was in opened up from the rest of the field at which point I decided a medal position was probably on. The 2nd 500m saw much the same with big Eddie taking the lead and me tucked in behind.
Until today I have never ‘raced’ at an event, instead I normally Time Trial and aim for a time and a split and let the result dictate itself. Today was different and it was in this second 500m I attempted to control the race. I sat on my race pace which seemed to be the same as Eddie’s and didn’t try to attack but instead sat behind and ensured he never got more than 4m in front. Jon Goodall was sat on my shoulder commentating and Niglel Mayglothling seemed to be hovering around Eddie giving me vital feedback across the microphone.
The half way point came and went and again I thought about squeezing it on but was more than happy sitting at a very comfortable cruise pace. I will be interested to see the splits when they come out as I went as low as 1.36’s at one point but the rest of the field including the leader seemed to be doing the same – I was gagging to have a look at how the others were faring and what poker faces they were showing as this seemed to be turning into a big chess game with no one making the move.
I got to 600m and watched the monitor carefully, mainly the distance between Eddie in the lead and me – it remained at 3-4m’s. I considered a push but once again sat and sat. We went through 500m and the commentators seemed to be waiting in anticipation too.
At 450m ish I put 10 on the legs, just a little squeeze to see if it provoked a reaction – nothing, apart from me moving into the lead for the first time in the race. I focused my attention away from the race data on the screen and glanced at the distance part of the monitor – 340m remaining– “well I’m going, anyone coming?”
I started the sprint and upped the rate. At 220m I went balls out as Jon called out my splits. Eddie must be coming with me but I didn’t look at the screen. I looked up with 100m to go, I knew the win was mine as the lead had gone up to 12m’s or so and I was still accelerating. At 40m I eased off the gas and only then for the first time in the race looked at the average split. Up until now I honestly had no idea what sort of time we were looking at. I knew it wasn’t the quickest as the middle 1k had been so tame.
Missing the last stroke I crossed the line delighted to take the win and in good shape. Standing up and giving a fist punch I stood still and gave a one fingered victory salute and held it for a few cameras – I apologise to those who were still racing and to those who were suffering. Could I have gone faster? I don’t care – it wasn’t about the time, I controlled the race and I won in good shape.
Conclusion
I really enjoyable race for me today which allowed me to do everything I wanted which was not to be concerned about the time and more about the performance and experience.
Next week I am delighted to be heading into a new cycle that takes all the pressure of racing and back to some hard graft ready for the next peak to start mid January. I plan on hitting a 10km TT early next week and then the Challenge Series can be put to bed for a few months too. Exciting times as the past few weeks has been stressful with the illness of Carley’s mum and the pressures and emotional strain it has bought on the family. I had 12 days of really broken training and last week was not particularly enjoyable as I desperately tried to hold onto the end of the peak.
Thanks to all who helped make today a successful event especially friends and family who have put up with my bad temper and moods over the last 7 weeks – oh and thanks Q.
2012 Welsh Indoor Rowing Championships Open Champion – 6.14.9
