It has taken a while but I now feel I should get something down on paper and blog my report from the Worlds as closure if anything to what was a quite remarkable journey across the pond.
Before I start I should make it quite clear that the experience of racing at the World Championships for only the second time but with higher expectations than 2011 was nothing but a truly positive experience where we learnt more than we could have ever imagined. More so than most outfits as this was highlighted the morning after as Q, Carolyn and I huddled around 2 computer screens looking at the race video, the race replay and the hr data analysis available.
I should clear up the slightly negative aspect of the aftermath of the race which to put it bluntly ‘a brutal reality of putting your body on the line and damn right scary’.
As most of you may be aware back in November at the RN/RM Championships the same thing happened but to a slightly lesser extent – at the time it was a horrific ordeal – this time however, it was worse. It is something that is hard to explain, something that you need to experience to fully appreciate. It was like an out of body experience where I could hear everything that was going on and the questions being asked of me but simply couldn’t respond.
Those that have watched the video would have seen me slumped on the erg upon finishing and attempt to keep moving to flush the lactic out of the system. I have watched it back numerous times and believe I hid my discomfort quite well. The truth is that I was in a seriously bad way and it got worse and worse instead of easing up. When Shaun Gibbs and Stu Moss attended a few minutes after finishing I was going down hill rapidly. I have had pains in my neck and upper back which I now know to be whiplash type injuries from the ‘snapping’ of my head backwards and forwards as I lose control but attempt to gain composure. You can see the limp limbs where I have no control what so ever on them with the boys holding me up. Stu finally lifted me up – an absolute powerhouse of a man, an ex top rugby union player who I had to get to ease up on his grip as he was crushing my ribs in carrying my carcass across the arena floor. Although I am walking in the video he literally had my entire weight in his grip. I remember what was happening and knew I had to keep moving but as the camera stopped rolling I literally went into melt down as we arrived at the paramedics.
They were asking me questions as I slumped in a chair unable to hold my head up or function my core to sit up. The pain was unbearable and I was withering around lost on what to do. Max Ashby was my absolute guardian angle as she stopped filming and came to my aid. She knew I was in serious difficulty and knelt beside me as I softly muttered one word at a time – ‘keep – me – moving’. With that she ordered the paramedics to stand away whilst Stu and Shaun dragged me up and down the arena floor. I knew I was in the warm up area as I stumbled head down, arms across each shoulder in a right state, like a drunk leaving a pub at closing time.
We returned to the seat where the doctor had arrived and he placed an oxygen mask over me. I think at this time Q had been beckoned from the stands as they tried to lay me on the stretcher. I was trying in vain to tell them no and to keep me moving, but I couldn’t get the words out or fight back. I was place on my back on a stretcher which worsened the problem and I felt sick and disorientated. My heart at his stage was still pounding as I fought to get up with everyone shouting no and holding me down. I think I managed to wriggle free and demanded to be picked up and dragged around so I could attempt to move my legs. This went on for an eternity until finally the pressure valve was released and like that I lifted my head to see Q, Max and the medics stood around me.
It was an atrocious ordeal as I sat with Q and Max and became quite emotional. I think Max thought I was sobbing because of my time and comforted me. I couldn’t tell you what it was but it all came out and I am not ashamed to admit it. Q sat quietly watching in whilst I gained composure before leaving as I entered a cool down with Max.
Q went on to write his report on the Q Power team forum. He continues to believe in me and support me in ways I could have never thought when I joined the team 7 months ago. I am forever grateful in his trust and ambition as he seeks for perfection and supports my every move as I drive forwards for glory. I took this extract from his post which I found quite moving:-
Ollie arrived at the arena both nervous and relaxed – the apparent contradiction will be appreciated by those that have experienced it themselves. He attacked the race with relentless venom – it was always going to be that way. It is not in his nature to approach it otherwise. Doubtless it was the intensity of the attack that left him unable to walk, indeed barely able to move, some 12 minutes after his race – lying on a stretcher with a blood oxygen saturation of just 91%. Pure oxygen got that to 94% after a while against a backdrop of paramedics negotiating with me and each other about getting him to hospital. 20 minutes later he ended the debate and took a few steps. Competitors about to enter the arena eyed him uneasily, and the two of us supporting him with visible distain.
I cannot say I have ever seen anyone do to themselves what he does. He has already posted his HR data, but a 191 average for 5 minute 15 seconds off a 192 max is certainly nothing I have ever seen before. It makes it easier to understand why the stretcher became part of the race plan, although how the attack on 3rd placed Toby Ayer with 550m to go wrote itself into the script… well, you will have to ask him.
So onto the race – I did say this would be positive didn’t I?
I had the opportunity to change the race plan as Q kept an eye on proceedings all morning and sent me updates via text as I rested back at the hotel. We spoke briefly on entering the arena but I choose to go with plan A – an aggressive attack. When I entered the Manchester Veledrome at the English Championships a few weeks ago I instantly felt the conditions were to hot and dry so dropped the pace in the middle 1km. I lived to regret that with an over paced finish that left far too much in the bag. I said openly in my blog after that I would not make that mistake again and wanted to be aggressive in Boston. And aggressive is what I got.
The start had been well rehearsed and discussed in the days prior during the taper. I went out hard (although in comparison I think I found myself in 8th out of the blocks) and began to settle into race cruise pace around 200m in. From there it was simply a case of holding the rate up and letting the pace come naturally.
It was apparent at around 750m in that 1.33 was too much on this day in these conditions. I kept fighting back but eventually accepted 1.34 with the odd 1.35 was on the cards. It was a wise decision but even that was hard graft. At no time did I think it was too much – it is a 2km after all not a walk in the park. This was further confirmed as ok as I moved up through the field and by the half way marker I was chopping between 4th and 6th.
I made a decision to keep the pressure on as we went through the 750m to go marker. I had established that 4th place was mine as I now looked to wind it in like in Manchester. It was tough at this point, really tough so I made a decision to hold on for 10 more strokes on the legs as it started to feel heavier on the arms. I still didn’t panic and was confident of winding it in. I knew full well I was looking at something no more than 6.12 as I crossed through the 600m marker. Again I was hurting but hurting is what a 2km is so didn’t feel phased – I had done enough pain recently not to let this worry me.
At 550m a familiar voice sounded from behind. It was RN team manager Paul Winton who I had asked to come across at 500m to go. He had left Jim Thomson who was sitting around 7th or 8th and came to help me wind it in.
“Come on then Ollie Osborne, let’s see you finish this off” he said as I eyed up Former World Champion Toby Ayer who had been sat in the bronze medal position since I had established 4th place.
“He’s cracking he’s cracked” came the call as I edged a metre closer. That was it, I decided to give it a tweak and launched an early assault on Ayer. I stuck 5 on the legs that took me through the 500m marker. The call came again “how much do you want that medal” as I stuck another 10 strong ones through the legs and back. All the time Paul was shouting a live commentary about the American and where he was. “He’s breaking Ollie, take it to him, he’s cracked”. (Ayer hadn’t cracked and indeed had rowed a sensible, well pace, experienced race and held his split through the line).
I looked up horrified to find I was pulling just -1/500m faster if that, but the pain had gone through the roof. What’s more was I was around the 400m marker and the locking up syndrome was flooding in fast and I was running out of options. I decided one last attack thinking my aggression and determination might bring me something as I limped on 1.34’s feeling like 1.28’s.
It went on as the last 300m was the longest minute of my life, Paul all the time willing me on as the splits got slower and slower. The rate went up and the slide shortened in desperate attempt for something but it was just that – desperation as Ayer stayed on race pace (I know that from looking at the race replay) and finished in bronze as I got rowed through to finish 5th. Not surprisingly seeing as I was pulling 1.46’s through the line.
Then came the aftermath as I desperately tried to focus on recovery – I knew within 30 seconds I was going to have problems as I tried to keep moving. At that moment I couldn’t care a less about time or position as I tried to regain some composure but it didn’t happen and the rest is history.
We whipped the laptop out immediately on returning to the hotel to begin the analysis but stopped for the team GB evening meal and some drinks before resuming again in the morning.
No stone has been left unturned and there are a lot of factors involved in my performance. Factors that we will learn from and continue to discuss. The bottom line is that this race was a learning curve and we went in quest of experience for years to come.
As for now I am battling with a cold and have taken a few days off to recover although the aim is to keep blood volume up over the coming days ready for some labatory testing next week. Then, there after the is a few Challenge Series TT’s to take care off to ensure we take Gold in the Navy league and Mens Hwt 30-39 before rounding up the season.
I have negotiated 2 weeks off the erg to relax, refocus and will resume training there after ready to launch my assault on the 2013/2014.
The journey has just begun …..
Thanks for reading.
Ollie Osborne.
2013 World Championships Men’s 30-39 Hwt 5th placed.
