Finally made it back. It has been a solid year since I haven't been back to Nogent and seen friends and family. I got here Wednesday morning, took a long nap since the long flight hours did not treat well, and got some training in. Whenever I fly back, there is a 6 hour difference and it takes a few days to get adjusted but if you train right away, you can get right into the actual schedule since you are tired. It just makes things easier and a more enjoyable trip.
Something I appreciate greatly when I get here is that my mom is right there for me for anything including rowing. She knows exactly what to work on and she doesn't let a stroke go by without notice. Reason is, I don't really have a coach in Melbourne following me and helping me work. My main problems that we have been working on are having a strong upper body to stay upwards from the finish to the catch, a fast hands-away motion, and good body set while keeping the legs flat, my left shoulder down (because I'm a port), lacking some spring-like motion from the legs at the catch, and pressing down enough at the release on the handles so that I can only keep going upwards towards the catch instead of my usual small dip. This seems like A LOT and it sort of is but a minuscule scale. I technically am not doing the whole movement wrong, but bits and pieces can be improved. And one huge thing to change, more of a mindset, is don't go HAM on every stroke. I have to muscles and the force so there is no need to try to top that, which I have been doing because of the eight. I'm sure that doesn't help me there either. So by relaxing and being more efficient with a more velocity concentrated stroke, I'll be able to go longer and faster while still being ok.
This trip has been great though, I've been able relax, eat and drink well, and not worry so much about the next day. I feel good and I'm not hurting like I would normally be if I was doing full on training. Another big thing I noticed is hydration. I don't have to drink much water and still be completely comfortable while I row or during the day, whereas in Florida, I drink water just to stay alive! So I kind of have to push myself to drink more. For the last few days, I've been able to row with a Australian guy who has been training out of the club for the last few weeks since him and his parents were here an vacation. He is rowing at the university level for a while since it is technically a club and it shows. We got in the double together and it worked right from the start. Obviously it's not perfect but it feels good and gives me the opportunity to work on some of my difficulties. I have a little bit of video from our second row.
Besides that, I got to go to Fontainbleau which is south of Paris where one of my mom's old coaches is based out of. I got to go out and get some good advice from him and really feel what is right and wrong, which I did. I already mentioned what I need to work on but I was able to change a few things, which won't stay unless I put many miles with it. I have some video of that too.
All in all, I'm having a great trip and I can't wait to head to Marseilles to go see my sister and hang by the sea. Should be an awesome trip! And I'm also super stoked for the Games, only 5 more days!!!
Something I appreciate greatly when I get here is that my mom is right there for me for anything including rowing. She knows exactly what to work on and she doesn't let a stroke go by without notice. Reason is, I don't really have a coach in Melbourne following me and helping me work. My main problems that we have been working on are having a strong upper body to stay upwards from the finish to the catch, a fast hands-away motion, and good body set while keeping the legs flat, my left shoulder down (because I'm a port), lacking some spring-like motion from the legs at the catch, and pressing down enough at the release on the handles so that I can only keep going upwards towards the catch instead of my usual small dip. This seems like A LOT and it sort of is but a minuscule scale. I technically am not doing the whole movement wrong, but bits and pieces can be improved. And one huge thing to change, more of a mindset, is don't go HAM on every stroke. I have to muscles and the force so there is no need to try to top that, which I have been doing because of the eight. I'm sure that doesn't help me there either. So by relaxing and being more efficient with a more velocity concentrated stroke, I'll be able to go longer and faster while still being ok.
This trip has been great though, I've been able relax, eat and drink well, and not worry so much about the next day. I feel good and I'm not hurting like I would normally be if I was doing full on training. Another big thing I noticed is hydration. I don't have to drink much water and still be completely comfortable while I row or during the day, whereas in Florida, I drink water just to stay alive! So I kind of have to push myself to drink more. For the last few days, I've been able to row with a Australian guy who has been training out of the club for the last few weeks since him and his parents were here an vacation. He is rowing at the university level for a while since it is technically a club and it shows. We got in the double together and it worked right from the start. Obviously it's not perfect but it feels good and gives me the opportunity to work on some of my difficulties. I have a little bit of video from our second row.
Besides that, I got to go to Fontainbleau which is south of Paris where one of my mom's old coaches is based out of. I got to go out and get some good advice from him and really feel what is right and wrong, which I did. I already mentioned what I need to work on but I was able to change a few things, which won't stay unless I put many miles with it. I have some video of that too.
All in all, I'm having a great trip and I can't wait to head to Marseilles to go see my sister and hang by the sea. Should be an awesome trip! And I'm also super stoked for the Games, only 5 more days!!!
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