Northwich Part II

Spirits were high as we went into the afternoon. The lovely weather only seemed to amplify the sense of occasion as we got ourselves ready for the afternoon racing.

We were going to split the Novice 8 into two boats of coxed fours. The Stern 4 of Liam, Alex, John and myself were going to go in Juliet, the bow-loader and the Bow 4 were going to row in (pre-Iron Man Upgraded) Ted, the Stern-loaded 4. Gemma would once again be our cox in Juliet.

I have a love-hate relationship with bow-loaded boats. Of the two we were using, Juliet was certainly the better boat. But as a slightly-at-times nervy Stroke man I liked having the Cox in front of me. Gemma was great at focusing me on what needed to be done. For the Stroke, there is nothing but clear air in front of you, so I usually ended up focusing on the rudder.

We hadn’t really practiced in the 4s and were racing them to make up the day really. I can’t remember anything special happening on the way down to the start. Sight spack probably, as we got ourselves sorted, but nothing too major. The Coxed 4s were right at the back of the division so we were going to have a long wait at the start. Luckily, the weather was good. The first time I had raced at Northwich, the rain was lashing down and we were at the start for about 90 minutes. Very grim.

The order of racing was as follows:

John O’Gaunt School

Grosvenor I (Us)

Mersey

Grosvenor II (Ted)

University of Bradford

The fact that a University crew had turned up unsettled me. Our coach always warned us to be wary of crews that travel; they normally do it for a reason. Indeed at the Start they glided up to the holding area looking all cool and relaxed. Then they started practicing balancing exercises. “They’re trying to scare us” I thought to myself. Normally, it would have worked but that day, for some reason, I just thought “Wankers” and looked in the other direction. There was a bit of friendly banter between the two Grosvenor boats. Gemma is always great at the start line of a race, 10+ years of coxing has taught her that most of the lads are shitting themselves and so she gabbled away diffusing the tension.

Soon it was time to get going. The school boat was off first, Gemma had warned us not to panic as schoolboys tend to go off like rockets and knacker themselves out within 500m.

Our turn came “Grosvenor……..Go” and off we went.

We were obviously relaxed as the boat seemed to be running quite well. We all know the strokes we should be taking and the fact that there was a couple of “burly” (I mean athletic) blokes in the middle of the boat meant that you could feel the power behind you. A couple of hundred meters from the start Gemma called to us on the cox-box “Ignore what I’m about to say…”. I was slightly puzzled until I heard

“CREW MOVE OVER MOVE OVER”. I think we all sat up a little straighter at that and sure enough we inched past the John O’Gaunt Boat.

I remember thinking to myself “This is going quite well then” but there was no time to dwell on that as the work was really kicking in.

The rest of the race seems like a bit of a blur now, but the feeling of it has stayed with me like it was yesterday. The boat just kept picking up speed and we kept passing crews. I couldn’t quite believe it at the time but nothing else seemed to matter other an placing the blade in the water for the next stroke and giving it everything.

Normally, when fatigue hits you have to silence the little voice in your head that’s telling you to stop. This time, the voice was saying “You’re all working your hardest, you are NOT going to be the one to let the others down. Keep Going”. Actually, may have been Gemma who said that but anyways…

Stroke after stroke we sailed on, John was keeping my in check and making me focus of the rhythm and run. As a boat we felt invincible and soon we were within 500m of the finish. I think that is possibly why sport is so popular. When you are in winning position, you feel like no-one can touch you. All those hours/months/years of training are for those few seconds when no one in the world can even get close to you. The push of the line worked like a dream and the feeling of utter bliss as we crossed the finish….

In the book “The five people you meet in Heaven” the premise is that “Heaven” is the place where you were the happiest in your life and you get to live that for eternity. I think that moment, right there is definitely going to be on the short list.

Years of frustration and hurt melted away for a brief second (well, more accurately formed a rather loud swear word as I turned round and bellowed “Guys, you are FUCKING AWESOME” and got a stern telling off from a Marshall.

During the later stages of the race I had noticed that the Bradford Uni boat had been gaining position. They had passed the other Grosvenor boat and the Mersey boat. It still wasn’t clear who had one.

We got out and went off to de-rig the boat. I remember texting Steve saying that I think we may have done it, but no-one was sure.

The wait for results when you are in the last division of a head-race can seem like a life time. We where huddled by Northwich’s boathouse waiting for them to come up on the projector screen.

Without warning, all of a sudden there they were. My eyes couldn’t focus on the numbers and letters. There was one of the Bradford crew stood in front of me, I saw him turn round and shake his head at a crew mate stood behind me. Could we have done it?  I collected myself and looked at there screen again. There it was…

Nov.4+    Grosvenor RC GRO-Hawkins  09.19  **WINNER**

I yelped. John was by my side and gave me a hug. This couldn’t be happening. Two wins in a day. I ran outside the hut to where Liam was standing

“Liam, we did it!”

I don’t know how I didn’t burst into tears at that point, but I manned up and took the glory. The result of the next 15 mins is the photo you see below. If ever I’m feeling down, I only need to look at this photo and I’ll start smiling.

What happened during the rest of the summer doesn’t matter. For the brief seconds when that photo was taken, everything was perfect.

How did it happen? I continue to ask myself to this day. I think the answer is, we were having fun. Four lads and a cox doing what they loved best in the world.

Going It Alone

I’m now well into the fourth week of my training plan. A routine of sorts has been set up and I’m getting used to the rigours of training six days a week. Had a heady mix of intervals, hill work, tempo runs, core work, not to mention long and recovery runs.

I’ve never been happier!

In fact, I keep wondering if I’m doing this right, as I get to the end of every session feeling on top of the world - knackered, of course, but ecstatic. It’s been a quiet revolution over the last few weeks. A change in the way I train and a change in the way I think about running. Being very goal orientated, I’ve taken to Nick’s training plan like a duck (or rower?) to water. Every session has a specific aim and something technical to think about –there is no such thing as a wasted session. Even over this short period I’ve felt myself getting stronger and more confident. We are doing a lot of work to get used to running at higher intensities and feeling relaxed. I can feel it working.

Training solo is a double-edged sword. I have found it hard initially, and sometimes would kill for some company as I head off on my own on Club nights. However, one of the things I know I need to work on is gaining confidence in my own running. I need to accept that I CAN do this, I have the tools/skills and that I can’t rely on anyone else to get me across the finish line.

This is probably the antithesis to your average crew rower (Scullers will roll their eyes and tut…Alison…). But only I can get my ass across that finish line on race day. Of course, I’m not completely alone as the encouragement I’ve had from squad mates has been wonderful and when I run I know they are buy my side. But after getting used to squad running, it’s strange to suddenly having your own steps and the sound of my breath for company.

By training at specific paces, I’m learning what my body can do in different circumstances and situations. This has a great calming effect. My first test is next week, with a 5K Time Trial next Saturday. As we’re down South I’m planning to go to the fabled Bushey Parkrun – very excited. It will be my first time running with others in a race situation and with my new head on. I will have to remember that I’m there for me, not what I can do in relation to everyone else.

Watching the VLM on Sunday was so inspirational and slightly emotional. It brought back many happy (and painful) memories of when I did it in 2010. I think I’ll be taking a cheeky punt in the ballot next Monday.

Next session tomorrow is a new type of run for me – the progression run. 45mins with the pace increasing every 15mins – Recovery to Steady to Threshold. 15 minutes of Threshold running, dear God. Four weeks ago I would have told you to stop being ridiculous, but now, in honesty I can’t wait

Training Update

Right then guys, my first two weeks of training.

Many thanks for all the supportive comments I’ve had since going public last weekend. I’m really driven to achieve my gaols, but I couldn’t do any of it without my friends and family around me. I’ve had a fair amount of ribbing as well, but that’s to be expected. “So, your im-personal trainer…”

I’ve settled into the plan really well, it’s not being without hiccups but I slowly getting there. I must say the big revelation for me has been to ignore the beeps of the ‘wrist-based running police’. 

My runs have been completed based on feeling, not numbers. I’ve found that by going with the flow and not worrying about the pace, I’ve actually been running faster and better. The big example of that was the long run last Sunday. I concentrated on the feel of the run and had “6/10 effort” in my head. I glided (well glided in my world) around in 7:40-7:50 pace and didn’t panic that it was too fast. I’m a convert, no longer ruled by my Garmin.

I’ve really enjoyed the training. I love the fact that each session has a particular goal and each type of session is for a specific purpose. I can’t quite believe I’ve done two 40+ mile weeks and it feels like I’ve done about half that.

I’ve realised I’ve been doing recovery runs far too fast. Thinking about their purpose, I’ve slowed right down and found that I actually feel better at the end of the run than at the beginning.

A big change has been the number of Threshold session. Not comfortable, not pretty, but ultimately very rewarding.

So all is going well. I’m running 6 days a week, but feel better for it in all honesty. I've also noticed Im eating more, and feeling a lot more energised for hte workouts (with the added bonus I've lost a couple of lbs -hurrah!) 

I'm excited by the future and the goals we’ve set together. 

Bring it on.

A Confession

It’s time to come clean. I’ve been debating a lot about writing this post. Various people have either encouraged it or warned me against it, sometimes both. Those who follow such things may have noticed that my training has been somewhat extensive in the last couple of weeks. Is this a Spring Clean-style motivation boost I hear you ask? Well, kind of.

The truth is I’ve got myself a running coach. When I came back to running, it was because I felt I had unfinished business. My 3:59 marathon time isn’t as quick as I know I can do. A bit like the rowing fire that burns in the most obsessed oars-people, I had an unshaking feeling that I could be a bit faster with a lot of effort and patience. The set up at my running club is such that each squad has a number of people who are qualified to take a session. However, there isn’t the ‘guru’ coach figure, within easy reach, that we had at the boat club. It’s not fair to those who volunteer their time to have me whining on at them with every little question I have.

Those who know the Novice Men Coach at GRC will attest. If Colin said “Go and jump off a cliff” the only response from pretty much the whole squad would be “How would you like me to land, Col?” It’s a testament to the respect and trust he engendered from his crews. I miss that.

So I decided to do something about it. After reading amazing testimonials from the likes of Simon Freeman and Ben Moreau, and seeing his work as Coaching Editor of Men’s Running UK, I’ve started training with Nick Anderson, UKA Level 4 Endurance Coach and trainer of some pretty fast people, not to mention GB Internationals.

You may think this is all a bit la-de-da and overkill for a fair-to-middling club runner. My response to that is – Why not, I’m worth it! If I don’t give myself a chance at doing something like this, I’ll never now what I’m capable of. I’m not claiming that I’ll chance the world or suddenly becoming a Running Champion, but Nick will provide me with the tools to be the best runner I can be.

We’ve already set a number of goals for the coming year and to say I’m excited would be the understatement of the century. What those goals are shall be kept between me at the coach for the time being, but they are suitably challenging. The opportunity of guidance from someone with the experience and expertise of Nick is the most significant sporting event in my life since that BMF session I’ve already blogged about.

If I don't do a session with my squad at the club, its nothing personal and not intended to offend anyone.

The first week has been amazing, the training sessions have been challenging but also focused and precise in purpose, exactly what I’m after. I've finished the week feeling like king of the world. No doubt I’ll be blogging more about this over the coming months. It’s a journey I hope we’ll both enjoy.

Things have just got serious (Better get some more Gin in…)

Man Down

Saturday

We were sat in the pub, waiting for the Boat Race to start.

A fellow squad member from Striders came through the door, turns out he's the brother of someone I rowed with at Mersey RC.

"I didn't know you were into the rowing?" he said.

"You don't know the half of it." was all I managed to reply, as the 'Nam-style flashbacks shot through my brain at a blistering speed.