Spring Break 2012 Training Camp

Let's just say I'm exhausted.

This week has probably been the most demanding training week I've ever experienced, not because it was especially hard but because of the amount of meters we laid down as a group to get faster and fix our problems. It started with a long row (40km approx. to Bolles) on a surprisingly flat St. Johns river that almost cost us lunch time. From then on, we worked everyday, long and short, to become faster than the previous weekends had shown. Even though some of us have lived in Florida for a while, the sun was brutal every day and there was no escaping the feeling of energy getting sucked out of you. But we made it.

This week was a lot harder than last year. All of our energy and focus was all poured into rowing and no other distractions, which showed when people were fighting for seats. I hate those stupid regatta shirts that say "Eat, Sleep, Row" but that's all I did with the occasional trip to Wally World. We still had fun though since we had the Pair Championship Race on Friday afternoon. The way we choose the pairs is by the last ergo times. The best pick first and so on. I picked Brian COSMILLO because we had rowed the boat earlier in the year. Our main goal was to beat Bernadas VINGILIS and we did it, then we only fell a length short in the semi final to not move on. The winners were The Sarasota Sissies - Chase ROWE and Jacob STRAUSS. Good job ladies.

And this morning, with the little bit of energy left in us, we raced 2x2k gold medal standard time trial with different conditions. They were good pieces and shows that work has been done. It was a good finish to the week and now we rest until Monday.

Total meters: 180,000

         Look at Bernard's tiny infant head ➘

Exciting

Things are getting exciting everywhere. First of all, spring racing has really starting all over the place, the XCHANGING Boat Race is only 3 weeks away, and the Olympic Games are close to the 100 days countdown.

For us, things have just started. Last weekend we faced Temple on Stetson University's lake with not-so-great conditions. Yes, we lost and not by a seat, but it was perfect timing for a wake-up call. I try not to let excuses succumb when I explain wins or loses and I won't here. Temple came off their spring break and we are still a week away. Any collegiate rower will tell you that there is A LOT of speed acquired of the 7 tough days of spring break training. So with a reminded loss, hard work is being put down from the entire team while preparing to face Columbia this upcoming weekend in Melbourne. Let's see if we can put down our real speed before entering Spring Break Training Camp 2012.

Keeping it in the university racing theme, the Boat Race is coming up with great speed. Having always been an Oxford dark blue fan, I cannot wait to see the speed coming out of each boat since this is also an Olympic year. Back at home, I would probably have some friends over and watch the almost 20 minute long row, but I don't believe it will possible this year. I'll try to find it somehow.

Speaking of an Olympic year, the London 2012 Games are only 135 days away from opening. It's probably the most exciting time for me because I get super stoked about all the different sports. The level of competition this year is unbelievably high with the GB team and the NZ team sending a huge fleet of podium worthy boats. It's now time to see if the U.S. men can get redemption in the next coming months for a chance at the medals.

No matter what, this year is going to be amazing. Underdog or not, we are coming strong!

It's about time!

Like I said in the last post, I would write again when a 2k, a good practice or race came up; well all three have.

 It has been a tough last month for me since winter training is over and spring is knocking on the door. Reason is, we have lots of potential but, me especially, have not lived up to our expectations. After failing at my first 2k on the ergo of the year, I was pissed needless to say, not because I was way off, but more in the way that I let my team down as a whole while they all advanced to the next level. With a few bumps in the road like getting sick, and my back hurting, I worked hard and got back on it. This led to a new PR of 6:35; better but I'm not settling for that this year.

On the water, it's been a different story. I feel like I have been progressing technically trying to be long for the giants in the back. Trying to change the way I row has been definitely a small struggle. but I am open to the idea because all I want to do is win really. The water hasn't been cooperating that much but when it is flat, every boat has taken advantage of it.

This weekend, in our first race of the year, we will be facing Temple in Deland, FL as they finish up their spring break training. Yes it is only a dual meet but there is way more to it. Lets time travel back to Dad Vails last year; we knocked them out of the Grand Final when it mattered the most, and like any excited person, I sort of screamed it at their faces and let me tell you, they were not happy... Now that it is a new year, they have set themselves up to be as badass as possible by performing very well over the their entire fall and announced that their pod of seniors will lead the entire team to some good performances. So to start things right, they want to race us. And the things is, everyone is waiting to see the results. Personally, I hate not having an underdog mindset, so for me it's like last year all over again: get ahead, stay ahead. The work has been persistent in the boat and I don't see why we can't work them harder.

In any case, spring is announcing itself to be VERY entertaining!

Can't wait!

Thirsty for Water

There is nothing worse than walking to the boathouse at 5:30 in the morning and looking at the port's glowing reflection on an perfect oil-like surface, then walking up the stairs and dropping yourself on an ergo. I am not a huge fan of the machine but it does have its advantages. The amount of work put in this last month, personally, has been thrilling and a sweet asset to my goals. After such a crappy fall season, I came back with a good amount of positive results on the machine, but of course there is that one day that doesn't match up; mine was last Wednesday. Even though I was somewhat disappointed, it reminded me that I wasn't safe and that more volume was needed. The reason coaches put so much emphasis on this volume, is that it will appear when a rower needs to dig deeper than ever so that they accomplish variable workouts. I don't believe I am putting enough of that volume into my training yet so after this week, I will adding some kilometers so that disappointment and I don't become best friends.

This sounds pretty negative but it is just constructive criticism. In other news, today was our first water workout as a team. I'm not joking when I say it felt like jumping in the single for the first time, but it was a sweet feeling to be able to connect with the others and the water. This year has been very good weather wise even though we haven't really used it so lets hope it stays that way! More water time is to come and my thirst is growing. We are just a little over a month away from our first race and shit is about to get real.

Keep an eye out for the next post, it might be a 2k, race, or just a really good practice!

Recognition

No matter how humble anyone might be, at some point we all enjoy a little spotlight action. In this case, it happens to be Bernadas VINGILIS and I's turn. Bernard has been the fastest on the ergo since we started in September. With a few ups and downs, he manages to stay ahead without too much competition. We were both mentioned today on the JU Athletics website in a JU Rowing article giving an update on the team's current status. Like the article says, we, as rowers, don't like to single people out so here are others that are right behind us: Jeremy SOBIECH, Chase ROWE, Shane KENNEDY, and Sean CARNEY.
And a special recognition for Andy DAVIS who has been working really hard to come back from a back injury.

Our First Week Back

People sometimes start a conversation with "I have good news and bad news"and this week I have the same thing to say, but in a different order. Unlike the rest of the schools around us, JU started back on Wednesday instead of Monday, which help all of us take our time to settle in and get ready for the new semester to start, and of course practice at the Neegard Rowing Center.

To begin the winter training at the boathouse, we started with a 30 min ergo test. We have done this a few time over the period of this year to see where each rower is in his fitness and power so that they know what to work on. It definitely works and doesn't hide who hasn't done the work over break. But nothing always goes as planned. I usually try not to use excuses because they are demeaning and worthless but this time I believe it is valid. My choice of playing ultimate the day before made my body the sorest it has ever felt, to the point where erging the next few days was torture. Yes, my result was extremely disappointing as I wanted to show how much time and effort I have included into my winter break. No one was happy, especially the coaches, but I had something to prove this week.

As the week went on, I tried my best to make every practice as good as possible as my redemption was soaring quickly towards us. Saturday finally came; it is funny because I never usually look forward to a test, but with nothing else to lose, I couldn't wait any longer. Knowing a few days before that a second 6k was added to the practice for volume did not bother me one bit because I think of one piece at a time, which was my plan for my 6k ergo test: 2k-2k-2k. With a plan engraved in mind and a race preview on my run to practice, I was totally ready. Starting with an easy 1:49 to see where I stood. Entering the middle 2k, I dropped to 1:48. Finishing the last 2k, I started with 1:47 but couldn't keep a steady hand on it. My sprint was so late that I almost wasn't able to beat my last time. With a 1:47.9, I PRed this season after a break. I am pretty content but now it's time to get into the hard hard work.

05/01 A New Year

This is the first post of this 2012 year so happy new year!

While training had been going on pretty well over the last  few weeks, I came upon a road block in my winter training path. While attending a party on new year's eve, a fight broke out and I was hit in the face for being there at the wrong place and at the wrong time, but no worries, besides a little soreness I am alright. Because of an investigation, I had to take a day off to speak with a detective and then my lady treated me a day at Islands of Adventure as my Christmas present. With a two day break from any type cardio, I felt worthless. In other words, not productive. Before this small break, I had been doing a lot of running and cycling, but also added swimming as I joined my lifeguard friends at the pool for some laps on a cold evening. With the time off, I got to thinking that I was doing enough cardio but that the power on the erg hadn't felt right, meaning I haven't been putting enough kilometers on it. So this morning I got up and went for an easy 20mins on the ergo to stretch out and get the muscles moving. Later on, I set myself up for 40mins and got some sweat out. Finally a good pain. Tomorrow should be even better as I will be able to get my body adjusted by a good chiropractor, he knows his shit.

In other news, I had stopped publicizing the growth of my moustache and its surrounding areas because it seemed to had just gone on strike, but now it's looking even better. Knowing that I have a little over a week left of having this magnificent beast on my face, it is nice but sad also since work will start right back up. Who knows I might give up the money...

In all reality, break is now coming to an end and school is commencing once again. With a loaded scholastic and rowing schedule, the blood will be pumping on and off the water this semester. I believe that this break has been a very productive and successful training wise (it could have been better) and will set me up right for what is about to come. Hopefully everyone did their homework too. 

Heading back to Jax on Sunday.

Cheers!