6th Feb 2018 marked my last day in the British Army. I was 600 nautical miles off the coast of South America and reflecting on my time in the military and my medical discharge.
Train Smart and Hard!
Into Week 6 of my Ocean Ready Training Block in preparation for the Great Pacific Race 2021.
Since getting onboard with Gus’ programming, just over a year ago, I’ve learnt so much and I’ve never felt better. I feel good, I’m moving well, my imbalances have improved so much and I’ve learned to love the power of mobility and flexibility. So, it’s not surprising that I’m writing this post and singing Gus’ praises. I’m absolutely pumped and loving the progress I’m seeing and feeling.
La Gomera, Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2020
After a long and challenging road with many COVID-19 related obstacles, the fleet of 2020 successfully made it out to La Gomera for the start of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (TWAC).
I have nothing but pure admiration for anyone who successfully creates, builds and runs a successful ocean rowing campaign and gets to the start line of their respective ocean/route. The age-old saying springs to mind: “The hardest part of rowing an ocean is getting to start line” … while that isn’t always the case there has never been a year where it would be more appropriate with all of the extra Covid hurdles, brick walls, barbwire and booby traps. So, to see all 21 boats lined up in La Gomera ready for 2 weeks of careful preparation genuinely made me quite emotional. I am so pleased for every single rower and team who made it! There are many that didn’t … to those rowers you have my sincerest of condolences. I too have experienced my own Covid ocean row postponement with the Latitude35 team in the Great Pacific Race 2020 so I can relate and I empathise whole heartedly. Your patience and perseverance now will be rewarded, keep focussed and keep driving forward … you will be stronger, wiser and even more prepared to tackle your ocean when the time comes.
My Top Ten Tips for Rowing a Marathon
Int-row-duction
Let’s not beat around the bush - most people dislike indoor rowing ... mainly because its bloody hard work but also because it’s widely misunderstood and in turn underutilised. How many times have you seen a Concept2 used merely as a warm up tool, when in fact it is an incredible, objective, competitive and interactive piece of equipment.
When I was going through training in the British Army I wanted to improve my pull ups. I was terrible at them and desperately wanted to know the secret to being able to do lots of good quality reps. I remember it so clearly – I went up to the Physical Training Instructor and asked “How do you get good at pull ups?” (I’m hoping for the secret programme of lat pull downs, press ups and chin ups but his response was clear) – “If you want to get good at pull ups, you do pull ups.” It was a lightbulb moment for me, no bullshit - just straight up hard work will get you where you want to be and it’s the same for rowing. If you want to get good at rowing, you do rowing. Simple.
When I was going through training in the British Army I wanted to improve my pull ups. I was terrible at them and desperately wanted to know the secret to being able to do lots of good quality reps. I remember it so clearly – I went up to the Physical Training Instructor and asked “How do you get good at pull ups?” (I’m hoping for the secret programme of lat pull downs, press ups and chin ups but his response was clear) – “If you want to get good at pull ups, you do pull ups.” It was a lightbulb moment for me, no bullshit - just straight up hard work will get you where you want to be and it’s the same for rowing. If you want to get good at rowing, you do rowing. Simple.