2000mts on Belfast Dam
Good news from Belfast, South-Africa! The first training camp of this spring season is well pass the halfway point. I’ve been spinning around the Belfast Dam for the past two weeks, got the first couple of hundred kilometers (always the most challenging ones) in my boat done and so far I must say I’m very happy about the way things are going!
We’ve been coming to Belfast for training with our Finnish Team since 2006, sometimes accompanied by good friends from the Belgium team. This time I’m here with my new coaching help Béla Pavelka and the finnish national rowing team. Good friends of mine them as well!
Béla on his work
Béla is a hungarian guy living in Finland for many years already. He’s an ex marathon paddler who used to be our national team coach some years ago. Since November he’s been helping me with my technique and giving me new ideas&inspiration in my training on and off the water. I really enjoy this new influence , it’s so good to realize there’s still so much to learn from paddling for me and that there’s no escape but to try and learn. Last season I was basically my own coach, so these weeks when I now can have someone helping me "on the spot" really feel like a step into the right direction. Goodgood.
Other than giving me constant advice-correction!- about my technique here in Belfast, Béla’s been my training partner on most of the sessions. Lucky me, it's not too many years from his own career. - On the water I do think I’m stronger (Yees I am!) but running the intervals I’ve been chasing his heels…
Unfortunately Béla had to go back to Finland already yesterday, so for the last week of the camp I’m on my own on the water. The rowers will accompany me for gym and running sessions, company is very welcome!
Standing: Juho Karppinen, Ilona Hiltunen (coach), me, Béla.
On the grass: Minna Nieminen and Ulla Varvio.
So So… In Belfast we’re training at 2000mts altitude. Its something that I’ve felt that I benefit from. This is my eight time here, time after time the altitude acclimatisation gets easier if possible. The water here is familiar, so are the running tracks –it’s easy to compare progress between camps.
Training wise conditions are really good, the dam is approx.6,5km around, we have 1000mt test lanes/byous set up , I’ve got two K1’s here , thanks for Nelo for supplying an original!, there’s a gym in the village near by and also a small weightroom at the farm. For running you couldn’t ask for any better.
Other than training life here is – well, its life on a farm!! The lovely farm In Da Bundu (”in the bushes”) accomodates us and supplies us with full board meals according to our wishes. The family who owns and runs the Bundu has become good friends over the years. Coming here almost feels like visiting relatives. I feel at home, warm thanks to Wilna and her family once again!!!
Wash hanging the womens 2X grew
Training is a happening: This week I did my first 5*2000mt test of the season, one of many to follow. Not much to brag about, but that’s a start! Also took some feeling for the 500mts, not to forget what its all really about. Yep! but this camp is mostly about kilometers under and around threshold, Technique-technique-technique, touching the higher intensities and gym plus running. When there’s less oxygen available, everything feels a bit more complicated, but after a good training week and a well deserved sunday day off also a bit more rewarding.
- Loving my farm life in Africa!!
Greets,
Anne
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