General Insanity
Long time no update...
So, anyway, for those who don't know, I'm back in Cambridge and doing the CSTIT MPhil.
I've also decided, against all good sense, to join the Clare Boat Club. Third outing was this morning - gotta love the earlies - and I've two more this weekend after which the crews will be assigned.
A funfun 0700 start at the boathouse. Got to the river in plenty of time, stood around some other novices looking nervous, then realised that in the dark I'd gone to the wrong boathouse! Luckily, Pembroke is right next to Clare, so that was easily solved when I realised. Warmed up on the ergs and then rowed in 2 to Jesus Lock and back, bow 4 and stern 4 alternating between rowing and sitting the boat. Had a lot of trouble with the blade - either not coming clear of the water when tapping down, or not being fully submerged on the drive.
Very similar outing - ergs, to Jesus Lock and back - but a nice sunny afternoon and rowing in 7. Doing better with the blade, and pulling my arms through higher following the coach's suggestion. Forcing the drive somewhat - lots of splashing and turbulence, not so much power - and had to spend a lot of time pushing off from the bank as we kept veering to bow side.
Another early. Warmed up by doing a run... or, more correctly, doing half a run and then walking the rest of the way wheezing. Rowed in 6, down river this time - a bit past the Pike and Eel (or whatever it's called now - apparently the Penny Ferry), spun, and spent ages in traffic heading back. Seemed to be improving - much smoother drive, managed to match stroke's timing fairly well (when he remembered he was part of the stern 4, this is). Possibly still rushing the recovery, trying (and still sometimes failing) to use the legs for power keeping the arms straight.
So, anyway, for those who don't know, I'm back in Cambridge and doing the CSTIT MPhil.
I've also decided, against all good sense, to join the Clare Boat Club. Third outing was this morning - gotta love the earlies - and I've two more this weekend after which the crews will be assigned.
A funfun 0700 start at the boathouse. Got to the river in plenty of time, stood around some other novices looking nervous, then realised that in the dark I'd gone to the wrong boathouse! Luckily, Pembroke is right next to Clare, so that was easily solved when I realised. Warmed up on the ergs and then rowed in 2 to Jesus Lock and back, bow 4 and stern 4 alternating between rowing and sitting the boat. Had a lot of trouble with the blade - either not coming clear of the water when tapping down, or not being fully submerged on the drive.
Very similar outing - ergs, to Jesus Lock and back - but a nice sunny afternoon and rowing in 7. Doing better with the blade, and pulling my arms through higher following the coach's suggestion. Forcing the drive somewhat - lots of splashing and turbulence, not so much power - and had to spend a lot of time pushing off from the bank as we kept veering to bow side.
Another early. Warmed up by doing a run... or, more correctly, doing half a run and then walking the rest of the way wheezing. Rowed in 6, down river this time - a bit past the Pike and Eel (or whatever it's called now - apparently the Penny Ferry), spun, and spent ages in traffic heading back. Seemed to be improving - much smoother drive, managed to match stroke's timing fairly well (when he remembered he was part of the stern 4, this is). Possibly still rushing the recovery, trying (and still sometimes failing) to use the legs for power keeping the arms straight.