Commonwealth Rowing Championships 2014

After training for weeks for the biggest event to date, it was suddenly upon me and 7^th August saw me travelling to Glasgow. I caught a lift with the trailer so it was a long and steady journey up north to Scotland which took 6 hours! When we eventually arrived at Strathclyde Country Park we were met by the rest of the England team. The trailer was quickly unloaded and boats all rigged and before I knew it I was out for a paddle in the double getting used to the lake and surrounding areas.  Later that day we went to check in at our hotel: The Hilton, it was a pleasant hotel and a lovely room so I knew I wouldn’t mind resting and spending time in there…once I figured out the wifi code I was all set up watching episode after episode of Gossip Girl (my new found addiction)!

Friday morning we were all up and off for a day of light training at the lake…seeming as though we hadn’t yet gone out in the quad this was the time to set it all up and have a paddle together before the race on Saturday. The day went fairly quickly and before we knew it we had to attend the opening ceremony. One slight problem – the team England kit had yet to arrive…after numerous searches for it, we got provided with a basic tracksuit so we could at least look like a team. The ceremony was short and sweet with lots of bagpipes and kilts. In total there were 14 countries competing across 22 events.

 

 

 

Race day number one arrived. Everyone seemed to be in the zone and prepared to create England domination at the CRC this time. Last time England finished 4^th in the medals table so everyone wanted to improve on this. After an early start, we all headed down to the lake to pre-paddle in our race boat. We did a quick loop of the lake in the quad with a few bursts so that we felt ready to race. As the women’s quad event required two lightweights to be in the boat, me and my doubles partner, Nikki Spencer, went to weigh in two hours before the start of the race. Luckily for this race we didn’t need to have a crew weight average and it was the upper lightweight boundary of 59kg so we were safe! Race time was 11:50am and before I knew it I was on the start line waiting for the green light…we had a solid race down and were pushed by Wales the entire 1500m beating them through the finish line in 3^rd position. It was a close call though and as three of us hit a buoy and came out of sync, we did exceptionally well to keep Wales off! My first international medal had been achieved; I was beyond happy and standing on the podium with the England flag was on hell of an experience that I will never forget J  The first England medal had been won. The day saw a success with every boat, medalling in nearly every event…team England domination had begun!

 

Sunday saw the lightweight double event…the one I had been training in and the one that meant the most to me and my partner. We were desperate to medal and race well after all the hard work we had put into this boat, we wanted to see some recognition for getting up early for weeks and training on our own no matter what! Our race was at 10am so weigh in was at 8am and we wanted a pre-race paddle beforehand. The weather was wet but all wind was gone so good race conditions awaited. We had a very good pre paddle and this got us focused and ready for the toughest 1500m I was about to encounter. After drying off we went to weigh in and needed to average 57kg – we managed this safely so quickly disappeared and ate. The two hours before this race were one of the most nerve wracking I have ever experienced at a rowing event, even though there was a relaxed atmosphere I knew I was representing my country and wanted a positive result. After listening to music I was all fired up and just wanted to get out there and race. When we boated we had some very good starts and bursts so felt confident within ourselves that this was going to be a good race even though there was some tough competition. If we stuck to our plan we knew we would do well. So the race began and we stayed with everyone off the start, we powered through keeping in our rhythm and squeezed through everyone but Canada…as we got closer and closer to the finish line we were catching them but they just beat us to first place! I was over the moon with a silver medal and felt we had a fantastic race that went to plan. The hard work had paid off J If I thought Saturdays medal ceremony felt special this was something different. I felt so proud to be achieving my silver medal and with Nikki. She was a great partner to train and race with and I loved every minute of the double. My first international event was a success – bring on many more in the future!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team England had a great championships and finished 2^nd in the medals table…2 places higher than the previous time. We all went home with lots of medals hanging around our necks and big cheesy grins J

 

So after one hell of a year I finish it on one massive high. I am now having a few weeks rest of rowing, need it both physically and mentally, before I start training again for next season and who knows what that will bring…

Commonwealth Rowing Championships 2014

After what felt like a disastrous season this year I was over the moon when I received an email inviting me to the lightweight seat racing day for the commonwealth rowing championships and the opportunity to represent England.  

I had applied for consideration to represent the England team for the commonwealth rowing regatta, taking place on 9-10^th August at Strathclyde Park, so when I received this email all my attention was focused for potential selection. Due to my ranking within GB Rowing I did not have to race at the required regatta for selection and I got invited to the seat racing process. This was an afternoon full of racing in doubles to see who worked well together and who did not. They were looking for 3 lightweight athletes and I finished within the top 3 so I eagerly waited to hear if I had been selected. It wasn’t for many weeks until I heard that I was successful and will be representing Team England at the commonwealth rowing championships. I am so excited and happy that I have got this opportunity having missed out for the U23s and I am determined to get a medal around my neck!

I will be racing in the lightweight double scull along with my squad member Nikki Spencer. We will then be coming together with two other athletes to race in the Women’s quadruple scull. Training has been very focused and we are both striving to do the best we possibly can for our country. It will be my first international event and I am unbelievably excited but the nerves are starting to kick in…1 week to go, bring it on!

Here is the official website which should keep you all up to date and provide further information: http://www.crc2014.info/

Summer 2014 – Training, racing and camps

Right, I may have been a little absent from blogging this year but I am back and going to keep you up to date as best as possible from now on – I’ve got no more excuses! So let’s catch you up with the 2014 season…

From where I left off, the following 3 months were full of ergos, ut2 paddles and weight sessions. Training, training, training for the racing season. The monotonous training was eventually broken by a trip to France for a 10 day training camp with my fellow squad members at Lac D’Aiguebelette.  This was an absolutely beautiful place and I loved every single minute of camp! I wish I could permanently train there - perfect weather, flat calm water and the best food EVER…3 course dinners twice a day is heaven – unless you are a lightweight and need to weigh in L

 

 

 

When we got back it was time to focus and get my head in the game for the final trials which I had been invited to. Coming back from camp I was feeling prepared but extremely nervous about it all. Unfortunately due to weather conditions the usual 2 day trial got pushed into one day with racing starting very early to fit the entire process in on one day. The conditions were extremely strong winds with lots of gusts (my worst condition which I struggle in greatly!). I didn’t perform to what I know I can on the day and was very upset about how it went. Basically it was the WORST I had ever raced on probably the most important race to date. I finished 8^th overall within the U23 lightweight girls and missed out on a place for the U23 World Championships by 2 positions! This news upset me and it took a great deal for me to get my spirit back with rowing again. I was very down and not getting invited to the crew formation week knocked me back. Luckily for me I have a great support team from all my family and squad members and with their help I soon perked up.

Once I had regained a bit of focus I looked forward to racing at some regattas. I have raced at many regattas this season however I opted to enter into the highest level for lightweight women so I was regularly competing against current GB lightweight squad members so all racing has been very tough. I view it as the way to improve though as one day I need to be beating these girls so I can get selected instead of them.

Regattas: BUCS Regatta, Notts City Regatta, Met Regatta, Henley Women’s Regatta

 

In a nutshell, the 2014 season has been an emotional rollercoaster for me. I have had many ups and downs but back on track now and don’t have thoughts of quitting anymore…phew! This is one season I will reflect upon as I feel I have learnt a lot about myself and the rowing world, it’s been one huge learning journey. Let’s see what my first year as a senior lightweight rower will bring…