Does everything that goes up have to come down?

It's been a little while since I've posted and a lot has happened in the past 10 days.  I'm currently in Sierra Nevada [Spain] on the first altitude camp of the season.  Before we flew out it was a busy final week at Caversham.

Last week saw the first batch of testing in the 2012 Olympic season.  These tests were more informal than some of the more serious ones still to come, but they are an initial marker on the board as we all look to secure our places as individuals on the team.  We were tested on the water and on the ergo.  The water performance went particularly well for me.  I was pairing with Alex Partridge and we showed that the good speed we had in training could be translated into the racing.  The second type of testing was on the ergo - 2km - this is normally more of a challenge for me.  Going into the test I knew I had made very good gains on the longer training ergos, but had not idea of my "race pace".  It meant it was more of a "jump on and see" exercise than knowing exactly what I wanted to do and how I was going to do it.  At the end I was 3 seconds away from my PB, which was ok but it was really a bare-minimum performance.  I knew midway through that I was struggling and looked to take it on from what turned out to be a bit too far out.  It meant I blew my doors off close to the finish, just a tad too early.

On Monday we flew very early from Gatwick to Malaga; it was then a 3-4 hour coach journey up into the mountains to reach the training centre at 2320m altitude.  Camp started hard, I reckon I was still feeling the effects of the testing at the end of the previous week and I particularly struggled Wednesday morning.  Thankfully I turned that round and moved my scores in the right direction, showing pace significantly stronger than I had been capable off when we were last here in January.  Then last night disaster struck.

As regular readers will know, rowers and their backs are like a naked flame and a polyester jumper.  Something that really don't mix too well.  My back has had its fair share of problems, but for the past year it has been getting stronger and more reliable as time passes.  Suddenly last night my back went, leading to a massive spasm and severe pain.  24 hours haven't even passed yet, and im still in a significant amount of discomfort, but I'm already showing signs of improvement - even if I can't sit down, walk naturally or even lie down without getting twinges.  It makes typing awkward and so I hope you will excuse me as I try to rest up.  It is now a waiting game, hopefully it will pass nearly as quickly as it came.

On a quick positive note, thank you to those that have donated to the Movember Campaign (thanks to Atos for chipping in too!).  If you've got a spare £1 to help raise awareness for men's health issues please visit - http://mobro.co/nrod/d.

Below is a picture Tony Fleat from O2 and his tashtastic growth.  There is also a Freddy Mercury-esque picture of me.