Sunday 25 March - the Day

 Went to bed early on Saturday night with a stomach full of butterflies. First hurdle and moment of indecision - do iPhone's update time automatically? The clocks went forward that night and we absolutely had to be in Solihull by 8:30 am to catch the minibus that would transport Ali's trainees from Seal Personal Training. So we set various alarms from about 5 am onwards....We did wake on time  (and yes iPhone's do update automatically) had porridge for breakfast ands set off. Arrived in Solihull and met the rest of the group, helped onto the minibus and set off to Nottingham. The event was held at Nottingham University's Sports Hall. So many people. I don't think I had realised how huge this event was. So many languages spoken; before we had gone through the open turnstiles we heard English, Polish, Italian and German. There were several very big people with very big muscles..eek! Michaela's race was just after 11:00. I was allowed to have a seat at the side to watch as I couldn't get up the steps to the spectator area. I hadn't seen Michaela in training for some time and as she sat on the rower I noticed that over the past few months of training, she had developed muscles. I was impressed and also deflated - I looked at my still very flabby arms  and was not impressed .

 The competitors were allowed a few moments to settle in and then they were off "Go Michaela" we yeled, oh how we shouted. The large screens above the competitors showed the progress of each competitor . Michaela was aiming for a Personal Best; we cheered so much as she reached the end of her 2000m and saw that she had achieved her goal. Hooray...:) Well done Michaela.It took me a while to find herbut she looked so full of energy and so happy. She also looked exhausted! What an achievement. Fantastic.

WELL DONE MICHAELA

My race started at 14:05 so second moment of indecision: what to have for lunch? I am still not sure that sitting on a concrete step in  the car park(as the few benches were full) eating a hot dog and chocolate bar was the best preparation for my race but.... the sun was shining and despite the uncomfortable seat, I felt quite relaxed and sleepy.... all too soon it was my race time so I headed towards the preparation area to meet Ali. Hehelped me to sit down and strapped me into the rower which took time and meant we only had two rows before we had to go to the main competition  arena.
Ali helped me onto the rower - I am getting better at sitting on the rowing seat, but it is still quite a scary experience as I am afraid of over balancing and falling over.

Ali strapped my left hand onto the rower, using the special glove donated by Active Hands  and strapped my left foot onto the foot rest. Now I haven't yet achieved the time or the distance without incidence but we were hopeful that the velcro strap around the back of my heel would hold my foot in place... The race started and the velcro strap did keep my trainer in place  but my left foot fell out of my trainer... Ali shoved it back in; It fell out again;after five times, Ali simply held my foot in place - we decided that superglue was the answer for future!

All I could see was the screen in front of me; the hall was noisy and the commentator was describing the different races. I was determined to finish, but I felt as if I had been rowing for a very long time.

 Michaela had had to row 2000m: I only had to row 1000m but it felt like a million metres.I was huffing, puffing and sweating I could hear Ali's words of encouragement but all I wanted to do was reach the end.

 I saw the last 100 m appear on the screen, and watched as it slowly reduced to 50 m, then 10m and finally 0. Phew! I had finished and despite my left foot I had stayed on the machine and hadn't fallen off. Ali held out his arm to help me off the rower, my left leg felt so heavy. Ali lifted me over and I started to walk. Myleft leg didn't seem to want to come with the rest of me. I was very tired.

Michaela and my daughter came to find me and we were all laughing and smiling as we had both done it and survived. Hooray.

 Ali disapeared; I thought he was going to met his next competitor but he returned with the news I had won a medal....

Apparently I won Gold am now the Women's LTA British and European Indoor Rowing Champion 2012!

Ali has already muttered that I will have to return next year to defend the title.

Wednesday 21 March - Just 4 days left

The week started fairly well as my local community gym referral finally came through. I arrived at my assessment full of excitement. The good news is that I could do the exercise programme recommended by my physiotherapists but the bad news is that my idea of going to the gym 3-4 mornings a week isn't going to happen as it soon became obvious that I need help getting on and off the equipment. This means I cannot go to the gym when I feel like and my local authority gym doesn't offer personal trainers :( The lovely manager has booked me in for two sessions next week when she is on duty but can't guarantee any future sessions. Hmmm.

Today Ali from Seal training offered me a final session on the rowing machiune before Sunday's event... The first 5 minutes were fine but then my left foot slipped out of my trainer again. I managed to keep going but my technique was definitely unorthodox!

So with just 4 days left to go and no more opportunities to use a rower, I haven't managed the distance or time without either my hand or my foot slipping off the machine.... Wish me luck as I am starting to feel quite apprehensive.

Well prepared?!

Since deciding to take on this rowing challenge I have followed Ali's advice. Ali is from Seal Personal Training http://www.sealpersonaltraining.com/ and puts me through my paces every week. Sometimes I end up terribly sore other times only a little but I always have fun training with him and feel that I am making good progress with my fitness in general and my rowing in particular. His predictions on what I can achieve have so far been pretty accurate and therefore I trust his guidance and even though I sometimes feel the need to challenge him I basically do as I am told. I'm happy with the results; I feel fitter and healthier. But am I ready for the British Indoor Rowing Championships in 9 days time?

Aside from enjoying the training and its results I am motivated by my desire to raise as much money as I can for Jan. If you would like to donate please follow the link   https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TTSDYLAW264E2


But another key driver that spurns me on (I'm just a little embarrassed to admit but we are among friends here aren't we?) is being terrified of coming last. The vision of long rows of concept 2 rowing machines all having fallen silent whilst I have still not made it to the finish line is currently my worst nightmare. So I tasked Ali to do whatever it takes to help me avoid coming last.


Yesterday was my last big training effort before the race. The task was to compete in a mini team race rowing 9k in 30 intervals of 300m together with a partner. My target was to row all of my 15 intervals below 2 minutes/500m. Your perhaps guess it already, I did not make it. In fact, I missed the target by a long way, a very long way. And yes, you guess that right also, I did come last. And yes, it did feel exactly how I thought it would only that it only lasted for about 15 seconds.

And guess what? I survived. In fact, my legs were and are so sore that I do not care about anything other than finding a comfortable seating position. So perhaps I am not well prepared to avoid coming last but with a few days rest my legs will have hopefully forgiven me for last night's maltreatment and I will be the best I can be for next Sunday. 


Now that I have proven that coming last is perfectly survivable, I am ready for anything.

Jan's update 6 March 2012

Direct cranial electrical stimulation

Oh dear, I am entering panic mode - I haven't been near a rowing machine in 3 weeks and there are only 3 weeks to go to the competition. Week 1 my physiotherapist was ill so my hospital session was cancelled. During the last 2 weeks, I have been a gunea pig for a research study conducted by Oxford University at the John Radcliffe Hospital which left me too exhausted and worn out to do anything else!
The good news is that my left arm can move a whole 1" more than it could at the start of the study.
My next rowing hospital physio session is scheduled for next Monday...
I am still waiting for my community gym referral to be approved as then I will be able to go to my local community gym 3-4 times a week to train as they have limited supervision.
Trying to keep up with some fitness I use a pedalsizer at home for my arms  and had intended to use my treadmill. My hoispital physios came for a home visit on 14 February and approved me to use the treadmill so long as I had someone (my daughter) hovering over the stop button. In hospital I had been acheiving 10 minutes on the treadmill (on the slowest speed setting) and had been looking forward to using the treadmill at home on a daily basis.
On my first attempt my brain forgot to tell my left leg to move and my ankle went over...as did I, smashing my head on the handles on the way down. My headache lasted all day.
My next attempt was better - I stayed upright - but could only manage 3 minutes at a very slow setting. Left a little demoralised, I decided to do 3 minutes each day and build up my time, but my brain doesnt seem to want to cooperate as since then I have only been able to take 2-3 steps before my left leg stiffens up - almost as if it has stage fright!. The stop button use is in overdrive. :(
I keep persevering as I am determined to be able to do 10 minutes daily before too long.

Jan

Michaela's update 6 March 2012

Looks are deceiving....or 'we don't see things as they are, we see them as we are' Anais Nin

I have finally left the long 10km plus rows behind me and have entered a new phase of training for speed. Short bursts of 500 or 300 meters at sub race pace interrupted by short breaks. This does not sound too bad, I thought, and the pace Ali, my trusted rowing coach from Seal Personal Training http://www.sealpersonaltraining.com, suggested seemed achievable. That the idea is to do 10 of these so called intervals my conscious mind had conveniently glossed over and by the time I realised the extend of the task I was already committed. 

The first 2 sprints were fine but then the clock during the break seemed to run faster and faster and I did not get enough rest to even catch my breath. By Interval 4 I had convinced myself that it was impossible to keep rowing at this speed and promptly missed the target by a smidgen. For interval 5 I had gathered myself again and steamed along annoyed at missing the target and furious at Ali for setting such an 'unrealistic' goal and in doing so rowed too fast leaving me even more exhausted. Interval 6 and 7 were a constant stream of negotiations with myself interspersed with Ali's alternating tone of encouragement and military commands. Interval 8 and 9 are just a distant memory of intense pain, internal arguments, bullying, urging, persuading, intense anger and self pity. How I got through the last one I cannot remember however Ali filmed my rowing effort so I could have a look and find out.

After I enjoyed a long stretch, a hot shower and a cup of tea I felt ready to watch the video of my row. I still find it hard to believe what I saw. 

There I was gliding along in rythmic strokes the sound of which makes me want to go to sleep as I watch. There is a face showing intense concentration, the occasional flicker in the eyes or the slight raising of an eyebrow indicating some happenings which are otherwise invisible. I think I can make out a little moan which is drowned out by the background music in the gym. I can see the shoulders tensing and then relaxing again in response to Ali's reminders. The sun is shining through the large windows, the sky is bright blue and the birds are enjoying themselves on the lake in the park outside. How could I have missed all this whilst I was rowing? The scene that unfolds on the screen is that of serene harmony and is in stark contrast to what I remember.

How can this be? None of the turmoil, the excruciating pain, the debating is visible. My internal experience does not seem to be reflected in what can be observed. So which picture is true?

You choose! You can see me struggle to earn your donation or you can sponsor me in admiration for making it look so easy. Either way, please support my effort to raise funds for Jan.

Thank you.