South Coast Indoor Rowing Tournament

Well up early this morning to go to Clonakilty to race at the South Coast Indoor Rowing Tournament hosted by Ring Rowing Club - second year they have run it and my first year attending - just over an hour in the car so can't get much better than that. As an out of season (for me) race I hadn't had the full build up and taper - two speed sessions and a 1250 is all over the last few weeks - so it was going to be interesting.

Got to the venue and was a nice setup - 9 race machines and a similar number of warm up - which weren't in too bad a condition - I think one had a drag that would not change - but the first one I used prior to the 2k was good - model C with a wooden handle which did feel odd :lol: now a couple of niggles I've had of recent time reared there heads again - the clicking right knee - and a pinched nerve possibly - in my back - nothing serious - just annoying. Anyway the anti-inflam looked after the back but forget to take the glucosimine sulphate for the knee.

After the race warm up I had quite the sweat on - looking across I could see they had open one of the fire doors so there would be a breeze  :-D on to the race machine and if you imagine a square I was top left - but the "spectators" where only a couple of feet from me on the left hand side - bit too close but there you go. Race plan was to set off hard and settle to 1:31 then hold it and see what happens. It went well for the first 500m and then the legs had a little protest - but then the lungs protested more - I stuck as best as I could to the 1:31's but I had to fight off more HD demons than I care to mention. The panting was hard but I got to withing sight of the finish and held on - tough race - wasn't destroyed like at the English but definitely emptied.

Couple of hours break before the 500m so we (Mrs and baby) popped out for some sight seeing - gorgeous seaside scenery - then back for more. Quick warm up and onto the same machine. Planned to hold 1:20 and see what the others did - found myself sitting on 1:18's pretty comfortably (after hitting 1:14 at the start) but the legs tired and although the average was at 1:18.9 going into the last 10 strokes I wasn't able to hold it  :(

Finally was the relay - teamed up with Lucy O'Brien and Andy and Anita Pearce - originally we thought it was similar to the worlds where the ergs would be connected and no changeovers - then we found out it would be changeovers so we practiced - then it was discovered to be a 2k set piece with one rower doing 500m and then the change - so the plan was to send the ladies in first and the gents to follow. Unfortunately we missed the start but all the gang rowed hard - as I jumped on I found myself pulling 1:18's again and tried to hold on to this - in the end again I faded at the end - but apparently it was quite a race to watch as we came through from 6th to 2nd

Great day out and wonderful comp - looking forward to next years already

Race Area

Warm up Area

Viewing Area