31/12 The Last Day

WOW! Today is the last day of 2011 and what an exciting year it has been. Before I start talking about this year, let's talk about the training for a second.

We are now entering the last week of break, meaning that we all have to try to catch up on some workouts we never did or just get in shape for some people. Yesterday was fun though because Brian COSMILLO came over and trained with me in my workout den/garage. We had Avicii pumping and he was working on the ergo while I was banging out a body circuit. It felt normal and at home. I feel confident in my endurance, not so much on my power, but I still am proud of the work I've dedicated on this break. We will see what comes out of it.

Back to this last year. Let's do a small recap:
-I accomplished my first year in college, not too shabby.
-Raced in the Varsity 8 every single race.

-Raced San Diego Crew Classic

-Travelled around the country with people I love  ^

-Beat Temple in the semi-final and made it to Grand Finals at Dad Vails.

-Got to go back to France and see my mother and friends.

-Rediscovered the single.

-Attempted to have chickens.

-Learned how to deal with rowing and school at a higher level.

-Learned how to lose, badly.

-Set goals that will probably be the death of me.

-And finally, made it through another year with my lady.

So that's what 2011 had to offer. I definitely had to give it all my might and that didn't seem enough. This year, I have to give a substantial amount of work on top of more school. Didn't I say it would be the "death of me"? 

No matter what happens, keep smiling and enjoy the people around you (friends, family, teammates...) because you are just starting a new year and it might not always go as planned. 

Cheers and Happy New Year 2012 to all! See you next year.

27/12

The garnish and stuffing is over but the festivities aren't. I fell like I'm in a bitter-sweet position at the moment for a few reasons. First, we are half way through the break, meaning that it's almost over; that's good and bad. Second, training still continues to increase in difficulty due to lack of motivation and a well known word in the rowing community: camaraderie. I do believe though, that during breaks like these, the best best strategy is to take it day by day so you can enjoy the people around you and the relaxed ambiance of your home.

Even though training on your own has its downs, it also has its ups. Today, which was a rainy day, made me want to stay home instead of hitting the gym and looking like I have no idea what I'm doing on the ergo. Side statement to this is, WE ARE THE 1%!....that know how to use one. Anyways, back to what I was saying. A few days ago, I stole an ergo from a friend and it has been sitting in the living room, so I brought it out to the open garage and set myself up for a little ergo movie sesh. But I didn't play just any movie, it was Salt. The reason is, I didn't feel like dragging my now-sore-ass around for 20k at a 2:05 average. I wanted some action, and I did for 1 hour and 18 minutes. I am pretty content with today's workout because I wanted to keep my heart rate up for a good amount of time so I shifted from the 145-150 area to the 160-170 area on the last 8 kilometers. Here is what my interior designing looks like:

And here is a little dedication for my favorite supporters and fans Jessica MELLINGER and Abby SE...ahh no one cares how it's spelled. I use these as pure motivation.

23/12

It is now about the half way point of this break. Training is going pretty well especially the last two days which included a solo 9 mile run and a few hours at the gym hitting the ergo and the weights. In the next few days I will be working less on weights and more on core and endurance. That is the secret to coming back for school training. Besides that, there are only 2 days left until Christmas so hopefully that will make us all more fruitful and the moustache is still growing but at a slower rate. I hope it won't be a disappointment!

Enjoy your family and friends when you can and keep smiling because you have it good.

Merry Christmas!!!

19/12

As the days until Christmas decrease in size, the laziness and moustache increase. Every year it's the same scenario, we all get excited to go on break so we can relax and work super duper hard because we want to come back better, but let's be real, does that ever happen? You start out great for the first few days and then you want to go out, eat a bunch of crap, or go on a random adventure that will most likely get in the way of your training. "Dude, you always have tomorrow to train. You're fine!" is the usual response from your friends when you tell them that you should get 1 hour of erging in. This has somewhat hit me since I've been home, but not too badly.

I was speaking with an old friend from the SA team earlier this morning just catching up, and he reminded me that an athlete with as much experience and intensive training should be logging 160km no matter what and that doing what was asked of me would put me in the right spot. I guess you always need certain reminders to keep you on track.

After figuring out and actually getting presents and cards for Christmas, I'll be mounting the bike at the gym for a 60min spin class to get the legs going after a lazy Sunday. To follow, a semi-long jog to get the endurance working a little harder.

This weekend wasn't as lazy as I mentioned it to be. We headed down to the Canal (C54, a small race course) for the 2nd Annual Christmas Regatta to spend the morning with the current members, rowers and parents, of the Melbourne High School Rowing Team. Every year, I recognize less faces, but see ones that I have forgotten. After a few hours or food and discussion, some boats went out and raced 500m. We finalized the event with an alumni race which included many different years of Mel-Hi's rowing history and kick their asses. It was a lot of fun and I'm hoping to see a lot more alumni next year.

To finish off, it has now been 1 week and 2 days of growing. The hair is looking pretty good and I'm hoping to watch it flourish even more.

15/12

Wow, I completely forgot how not being on a strict schedule is hard to do. Yes, I've planned what I need to do everyday but does that mean I will do it or find the right time during the day? And again, it has only been two days since I've been back and I'll find the groove. Plus seeing what my teammates do on a regular basis on our Facebook page keeps me somewhat motivated. I started the day with a 4 mile easy (8min/mile) run, then erging 2x30mins a little later today with a weight workout tonight.

To keep this post interesting here are my new blue lenses for my pink radar oakleys...enjoy!

Also if you are interested in a fun new rowing calendar, we've got a perfect one for Christmas. The name is The Men of the Saint John's, and you will be able to find it here:

http://www.lulu.com/product/calendar/men-of-the-saint-johns-2012/18743686

If you use COUNTDOWN you will receive 25% off! Get it now!!!

First Day Back

Some may have started early, others late, or not at all; I am starting today. Being a day late is not a big worry of mine. It was good to take a few days off to dwell on other things than rowing and of course working, which is why I stayed a few days extra in Jacksonville. I am now home in Melbourne and ready to get it on. I will be recording my pulses and times to see where I'm at in my training and seeing my progression throughout this whole month of vacation. Today's program is a little run, then weights, and then later on tonight will probably be a B1(low intensity erg workout).

On the side of this break, I am starting a new journey with my facial hair. I will not touch it one bit until I get back. Since I have to shave for work, this is the only time I am able to accomplish this. Hope it's majestic!  Here is 4 days in.

Winter Training Commences

It is December 3, it's cold, and winter training is here. Fall is behind us, and to me,my only direction is up. I have been feeling desperate lately which is not a bad thing because it keeps me pushing and on my toes. Never in my mind I would have thought that these last few months were not going to be very pleasant. Let me explain. I rowed all summer, competed and stayed above the base line of being "fit", but that still wasn't enough. Coming in to the first week of practice weighing 187 lbs (I don't think I've ever been that heavy) and pulling a 1:49.2 6k ergo test was definitely not going to cut it. The rowing itself on the team is a combined effort so that being said "I had to get my shit together". Now being in the first days of December, our last 6k ergo test was how we transitioned from fall to real winter training. 175 lbs and 1:48.0 were the results of it and there is a big difference. Yes, the erg score is only a second lower, but it was less of a struggle at this point. That piece didn't exactly go as well as I planned, but trust me, I'm coming back with a vengeance. (I'm talking to you Brian COSMILLO!!!)

After a few days of working in Jacksonville, I will be returning to Melbourne with one goal: destroying my PR (1:46.9). I have two different plans I can follow and I think this year I will keep experimenting with methods of training. This next month is definitely not going to be as exciting as it is talking about it. I wish I had the availability to row the single a lot more this fall and during this break but I think it would only be a waste of time since the HS team probably won't really share and the center will be closed.

This break is going to make us or break us, let's see the outcome.