Chasing the Olympic Dream

June 9th, 2004 | by aobaoill |

My sister Heather’s bid for Olympic qualification comes to a head this weekend when she attends the qualifying regatta in Lucerne. There are two spots left in the Lightweight Women’s Double, and results so far this season would give herself and Sinead at least a reasonable chance of succeeding.
I recently asked Heather some questions about rowing and training, and include some of the answers below (I’ll have more responses shortly)

  1. How much training do you do, and what does it involve?
    I train everyday… twice at least and three times most days. the training programme varies throughout the year, and now that the competitions have started, it is less intense, volume wise.
    Most mornings start with a 60 inute run as I have to control my weight (as a lightweight I must weigh and insanely light 57kg 2 hours before my race!!!)
    At about 10.30 am I row for 16-20 km, at varying paces, this is my main session of the day, so is the toughest. Man am I hungry and tired for my lunch and a little snooze after this.
    In the evening I paddle for 16km, focussing on technique.
    During the year I usually lift weights in the gym three times a week also, and do a lot of work on flexibility, and core strength.
    Not that hard really…….
  2. Your training has brought you to several countries – Scotland, Spain, etc. – but also means a constantly transient lifestyle. How do you deal with this, and what impact has it had on you?
    I have to accept that I live in a surreal and protected environment. It is easy to forget the privilege of being able to travel, and do what I enjoy doing, rowing. Living out of a suitcase is an unstable existence, but it is my choice. I moved to Scotland for 6 months at the beginning of my international career. In a way I had no other option, if I wanted to row in the Olympics, it was where the coach and crew would be based, so I had to make the decision, within a week at that! It was not a hard decision though… My Olympic Dream.
    As far as the erest of travel is concerned, I follow my coach around. My policy is if you are going to do something do it right. I have not yet qualified for the Olympics, but there is no way I will stand back in two weeks time, in two months or two years, and say “what if…” or “if only…” I have given myself every chance I could, now it is down to performance. No excuses from me…
    A transient life? The only life for me, right now. that is the only way I can afford to look at it.

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