At the end of October I looked back at one month of the season. We are now just over two months in, 99 has become about 45. A few more have fallen..
There are numerous positives and numerous challenges still to be overcome. Amongst the seniors there is the beginnings of an understanding of just how much work there is to do- technically and physically, this could be seen as a very negative comment but remember that diagnosis is the first step to cure. In addition, there being so much work to do means there is so much opportunity to go so much faster. It is December, we need to go fast in July.
At the 9 week point in the season physical changes are only beginning to impact yet improvements are showing- the mindset must be, we are only just beginning, every session is another small step on a massive journey. Technically seniors are beginning to get their heads around what enables them to row long leg driven strokes. Too many have through no fault of their own been allowed to develop bad habits over many years. Changing this is awkward and can mean going slower before you go faster- it takes a boldness and a stubbornness as the body wants to do what it has done previously.
At the end of November the seniors were measured with a 5k test, in seven weeks time they will have another one, this comes just one week into the new year and two weeks after Christmas. The challenge is to be sat on that machine on that date knowing you are fitter and technically better than you were seven weeks previous. This challenge is multiplied by the end of one term, Christmas, New Year and the beginning of another year. These are all factors that the developing physiology cannot concern itself with. Hitting January with momentum and thus having a continued positive trajectory is the only way.
The novices continue their journey of discovery. This coming weekend sees them travelling to Dublin for their first race. Just seven full weekends in and they will be racing side-by-side with opposition that may well stick with them throughout their college rowing career. This weekend it is a 500m thrash in two years time it may well be a senior championship of Ireland at stake..
A big positive in the novice squad is the identification of three new coxes, all three have made a good start (nothing has been broken, yet.. but then there aren't any channel markers on the lake are there Grace..), and are showing signs of having the wits to make good coxes. Coxing is often neglected by the coach and always misunderstood by the onlooking punter as little people who shout yet they are essential, a good cox is an incredible asset to a crew. It is worth noting also that it is very hard to boat an VIII or IV+ without one!
Probably the biggest challenge to novice progress is the need to make decisions now that effect a future they know nothing about. Learning to manage your time so that you can attend training sessions is an essential skill of the successful oarsman or women and having the mindset to sort this now is a significant factor in sorting the successful from the fallen.
On and off the water those that turn up are learning a huge amount. A very noticeable attribute of the group this year is that most of them listen and the level of feedback given is demonstrating a sound understanding for the number of weeks in a boat. Further progress requires those that turn up to continue to have an open mindset, both to the programme itself and the challenges participation in the programme has on the rest (the majority) of their time in the week.
There are numerous positives and numerous challenges still to be overcome. Amongst the seniors there is the beginnings of an understanding of just how much work there is to do- technically and physically, this could be seen as a very negative comment but remember that diagnosis is the first step to cure. In addition, there being so much work to do means there is so much opportunity to go so much faster. It is December, we need to go fast in July.
At the 9 week point in the season physical changes are only beginning to impact yet improvements are showing- the mindset must be, we are only just beginning, every session is another small step on a massive journey. Technically seniors are beginning to get their heads around what enables them to row long leg driven strokes. Too many have through no fault of their own been allowed to develop bad habits over many years. Changing this is awkward and can mean going slower before you go faster- it takes a boldness and a stubbornness as the body wants to do what it has done previously.
At the end of November the seniors were measured with a 5k test, in seven weeks time they will have another one, this comes just one week into the new year and two weeks after Christmas. The challenge is to be sat on that machine on that date knowing you are fitter and technically better than you were seven weeks previous. This challenge is multiplied by the end of one term, Christmas, New Year and the beginning of another year. These are all factors that the developing physiology cannot concern itself with. Hitting January with momentum and thus having a continued positive trajectory is the only way.
The novices continue their journey of discovery. This coming weekend sees them travelling to Dublin for their first race. Just seven full weekends in and they will be racing side-by-side with opposition that may well stick with them throughout their college rowing career. This weekend it is a 500m thrash in two years time it may well be a senior championship of Ireland at stake..
A big positive in the novice squad is the identification of three new coxes, all three have made a good start (nothing has been broken, yet.. but then there aren't any channel markers on the lake are there Grace..), and are showing signs of having the wits to make good coxes. Coxing is often neglected by the coach and always misunderstood by the onlooking punter as little people who shout yet they are essential, a good cox is an incredible asset to a crew. It is worth noting also that it is very hard to boat an VIII or IV+ without one!
Probably the biggest challenge to novice progress is the need to make decisions now that effect a future they know nothing about. Learning to manage your time so that you can attend training sessions is an essential skill of the successful oarsman or women and having the mindset to sort this now is a significant factor in sorting the successful from the fallen.
On and off the water those that turn up are learning a huge amount. A very noticeable attribute of the group this year is that most of them listen and the level of feedback given is demonstrating a sound understanding for the number of weeks in a boat. Further progress requires those that turn up to continue to have an open mindset, both to the programme itself and the challenges participation in the programme has on the rest (the majority) of their time in the week.
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