November GB Trials

Well I think you're familiar with the weather we have been having recently? Very wet and windy! Henley should be renamed 'Henley in Thames'



A house near the river in Henley has gained a lake

Due to the adverse weather conditions the water aspect of GB's November trials was cancelled, but the ergo still went ahead. Details here

However, we still had to make the 7hr round trip from Henley to Boston, Lincs, to do the ergo as per normal.  I will try not to complain BUT...this is ridiculous! Sometimes we have 'assessed ergos' where the athletes/coaches have to submit the scores so it was not inconceivable for GB Rowing to suggest athletes do the ergo at their home clubs. A long drive is never good preparation for an ergo test but when we have to go up to Boston to do a water trial, it makes sense that we do them together. However, with no water trial and many perfectly good ergos at home, I rather resent the hour I spent in the car for each minute that I raced on the ergo! On top of that, the cost of driving, the hotel the night before, dinner out in Boston and the £10 trials fee...costs that many struggling athletes could do without.

Despite the rant, once you have been given some information like this there is nothing left but to get on with it.  I won't change the minds of the decision makers so there was nothing to do but try and relax, and enjoy as much of the experience as possible! I carpooled with friends so the journey was as good as can be, and we had dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant.  I had felt more prepared for the water trial than the ergo, but once I heard the news I had to switch into full ergo mode.  I wasn't feeling very confident after our ergo prep, but I put myself on the line and suprised myself, and my coaches I think(!) by just sneaking under the 7min mark.

I was really pleased with my result, and though I was 4 seconds away from my personal best, that is pretty normal for this time in the season.  I also beat a few of the GB squad girls, so it's a step in the right direction.  Now, back to some solid land training whilst we wait for the water to recede!

ALSO VOTE

KATHERINE GRAINGER FOR SPOTY

on Dec 16th we vote by phone

 

Ana Watkins has been heading up the #katherineforspoty campaign on twitter and some of her tweets have made me get emotional already...

 

Anna Watkins‏@watkinsteamgb

KG facts: The nicest thing she's ever done for me is promise she would wait for me to recover when I hurt my back #katherineforspoty

 

and in awe...

 

Anna Watkins‏@watkinsteamgb

KG has won a world championship medal in EVERY OLYMPIC BOAT CLASS that's 5 different events, scull and sweep #katherineforspoty