Thursday, 28 June 2012
Live feed
I will be hosting a "watch me eat dinner" live feed from altitude camp tomorrow evening. As before, I will be joined by Alex Gregory from the men's four and other guests. Hopefully the weather will be nice and you'll be able to see the view we have for every meal. Tune in from 6pm UK time tomorrow (Fri) for about 40mins. I will post the link to the feed here and on Twitter once we go live.
Friday, 22 June 2012
Altitude Camp - delayed
Today I was due to fly out on altitude camp with the rest of the team but this morning I woke up with a stomach bug. The decision was made for me to stay at home, that way I can recover and not spread my germs. The plan is to head up onto the mountain on Sunday. Once up at altitude I'm planning on hosting a couple of Twitcasts where you can tune in and watch us while we are having dinner. I'll post details on here and on Twitter so you know when to watch.
A couple of people have asked about selection etc. At the moment I am none the wiser. There are four guys for three seats - one place in the eight and two reserves. I expect to find out the final decision in the next 2-3 weeks.
To receive posts to your email inbox then sign up on the left. You can also follow me day to day on Twitter @nrod2012. Feel free to make comments and ask questions.
As always, a sincere thanks to everyone sending their best wishes. A special thanks the The National Lottery (UK Sport), Atos and BMW - without which I wouldn't be able to fulfil my ambitions full-time.
p.s. If you missed it on Twitter, here is a video of the crew room at our training centre at Caversham. The whole team was enjoying watch the Olympic sculler fall in on camera. :-)
A couple of people have asked about selection etc. At the moment I am none the wiser. There are four guys for three seats - one place in the eight and two reserves. I expect to find out the final decision in the next 2-3 weeks.
To receive posts to your email inbox then sign up on the left. You can also follow me day to day on Twitter @nrod2012. Feel free to make comments and ask questions.
As always, a sincere thanks to everyone sending their best wishes. A special thanks the The National Lottery (UK Sport), Atos and BMW - without which I wouldn't be able to fulfil my ambitions full-time.
p.s. If you missed it on Twitter, here is a video of the crew room at our training centre at Caversham. The whole team was enjoying watch the Olympic sculler fall in on camera. :-)
A day in the life...
Below is a photo stream of a typical day's training in the UK. I started at 7:30am in the EIS gym at Bisham. Followed by second breakfast and then a session on the water. Post water session I had lunch and then went on the ergo for the final session of the day. From the photo's I noticed there was quite a few car journeys - thanks to Berry Chiswick BMW for making this all the more comfortable!
Feel free to drop any questions!
Third World Cup - Munich
Last weekend saw the last World Cup race of the season. It ended with disappointment and opportunities lost. I raced the same pair (with Cam) that raced in Lucerne a few weeks earlier.
Post Lucerne we had a really positive week of training, I felt like we were building from a reasonable start. Then we had to split up to cover illness in other boats and came back together with just over a week to go. From that point onwards we seemed to struggle to find the cohesiveness we have had. Our work at higher rates seemed to be better than at paddling, so not all was lost. Going into the final World Cup there had been a few crews pull out who had ranked above us in Lucerne. This meant we should really move on up, without letting anyone behind passing us.
Racing started OK. We caught a buoy early in the heat, which meant we had to truck back through the middle of the race. The Frech dominated from stroke one and so the single qualifying spot was sewn up early doors. We tested a slightly different race strategy and it meant we came through 2nd overall, the French clear.
The repercharge was the next morning. I think we both had a clear idea of what we were looking for - a strong start (getting in the mix) and then turn the screw on the field through the third 500m. Our pace was a little slower than I would have normally expected and as we went through 600m to go the wheels came off and we crawled to the line, 3rd (top two into the final). I don't know what happened, but we finished with Cam exhausted while I felt well within myself. Normally we would both have emptied the tank equally, I was a bit concerned.
It meant we had the B-Final to race early Sunday morning. Our main opposition would be the German top pair (winners of the first World Cup) and the Australian 2nd pair (we had beaten earlier in the heat and in Lucerne). I was worried that we would have a major blow out (like the previous day) and so the first 1250m was all about setting up a consistent but "within ourselves" pattern. We were then able to step on and have a dog fight with the German pair. The Aussies found pace they hadn't previously shown and were ahead by a length. In the final stages of the race we were neck and neck with the Germans, sadly just losing out, but with a much stronger final 750m than the previous day.
Overall a disappointing regatta, I think it's best to just put it behind us and move on.
Post Lucerne we had a really positive week of training, I felt like we were building from a reasonable start. Then we had to split up to cover illness in other boats and came back together with just over a week to go. From that point onwards we seemed to struggle to find the cohesiveness we have had. Our work at higher rates seemed to be better than at paddling, so not all was lost. Going into the final World Cup there had been a few crews pull out who had ranked above us in Lucerne. This meant we should really move on up, without letting anyone behind passing us.
Racing started OK. We caught a buoy early in the heat, which meant we had to truck back through the middle of the race. The Frech dominated from stroke one and so the single qualifying spot was sewn up early doors. We tested a slightly different race strategy and it meant we came through 2nd overall, the French clear.
The repercharge was the next morning. I think we both had a clear idea of what we were looking for - a strong start (getting in the mix) and then turn the screw on the field through the third 500m. Our pace was a little slower than I would have normally expected and as we went through 600m to go the wheels came off and we crawled to the line, 3rd (top two into the final). I don't know what happened, but we finished with Cam exhausted while I felt well within myself. Normally we would both have emptied the tank equally, I was a bit concerned.
It meant we had the B-Final to race early Sunday morning. Our main opposition would be the German top pair (winners of the first World Cup) and the Australian 2nd pair (we had beaten earlier in the heat and in Lucerne). I was worried that we would have a major blow out (like the previous day) and so the first 1250m was all about setting up a consistent but "within ourselves" pattern. We were then able to step on and have a dog fight with the German pair. The Aussies found pace they hadn't previously shown and were ahead by a length. In the final stages of the race we were neck and neck with the Germans, sadly just losing out, but with a much stronger final 750m than the previous day.
Overall a disappointing regatta, I think it's best to just put it behind us and move on.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Problems Posting
I'm having problems posting on my Blogger account and so there will be a delay to my next update. Hopefully Blogger will sort soon.
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Junk mail
I received this email from Nicholas Story of the FBI. As a piece of creative writing I thought it was worth posting.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Counter-terrorism Division and Cyber Crime Division
J. Edgar. Hoover Building Washington DC
Dear Beneficiary,
Series of meetings have been held over the past 7 months with the secretary general of the United Nations Organization. This ended 3 days ago. It is obvious that you have not received your fund which is to the tune of $850,000.00 due to past corrupt Governmental Officials who almost held the fund to themselves for their selfish reason and some individuals who have taken advantage of your fund all in an attempt to swindle your fund which has led to so many losses from your end and unnecessary delay in the receipt of your fund.
The National Central Bureau of Interpol enhanced by the United Nations and Federal Bureau of Investigation have successfully passed a mandate to the current president of Nigeria his Excellency President Good luck Jonathan to boost the exercise of clearing all foreign debts owed to you and other individuals and organizations who have been found not to have receive their Contract Sum, Lottery/Gambling, Inheritance and the likes. Now how would you like to receive your payment? Because we have two method of payment which is by Check or by ATM card?
ATM Card: We will be issuing you a custom pin based ATM card which you will use to withdraw up to $3,000 per day from any ATM machine that has the Master Card Logo on it and the card have to be renewed in 4 years time which is 2015. Also with the ATM card you will be able to transfer your funds to your local bank account. The ATM card comes with a handbook or manual to enlighten you about how to use it. Even if you do not have a bank account.
Check: To be deposited in your bank for it to be cleared within three working days. Your payment would be sent to you via any of your preferred option and would be mailed to you via FedEx. Because we have signed a contract with FedEx Express which should expire by the end of this month, you will only need to pay $200 instead of $500 saving you $300 So if you pay before the end of this month you save $300 Take note that anyone asking you for some kind of money above the usual fee is definitely a fraudsters and you will have to stop communication with every other person if you have been in contact with any. Also remember that all you will ever have to spend is $200.00 nothing more! Nothing less! And we guarantee the receipt of your fund to be successfully delivered to you within the next 48hours after the receipt of payment has been confirmed.
Note: Everything has been taken care of by the Federal Government of Nigeria, The United Nation and also the FBI and including taxes, custom paper and clearance duty so all you will ever need to pay is $200.
DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS: The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is $500 but because FedEx have temporarily discontinued the C.O.D which gives you the chance to pay when package is delivered for international shipping We had to sign contract with them for bulk shipping which makes the fees reduce from the actual fee of $500 to $200 nothing more and no hidden fees of any sort!
To effect the release of your fund valued at $850,000.00 you are advised to contact our correspondent in Africa the delivery officer David Sunday with the information below,
Name: David Sunday
Email: davidsunday@yahoo.cn
You are advised to contact him with the information?'s as stated below:
Your full Name..
Your Address:..............
Home/Cell Phone:..............
Preferred Payment Method (ATM / Cashier Check)
Upon receipt of payment the delivery officer will ensure that your package is sent within 48 working hours. Because we are so sure of everything we are giving you a 100% money back guarantee if you do not receive payment/package within the next 48hours after you have made the payment for shipping we the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) will get your funds refund back to you with immediate effect
Yours sincerely,
NICHOLAS STORY
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535
TELEPHONE: (206) 414-1408
Note: Do disregard any email you get from any impostors or offices claiming to be in possession of your ATM CARD, you are hereby advice only to be in contact with David Sunday of the ATM CARD CENTRE who is the rightful person to deal with in regards to your ATM CARD PAYMENT and forward any emails you get from impostors to this office so we could act upon and commence investigation.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Counter-terrorism Division and Cyber Crime Division
J. Edgar. Hoover Building Washington DC
Dear Beneficiary,
Series of meetings have been held over the past 7 months with the secretary general of the United Nations Organization. This ended 3 days ago. It is obvious that you have not received your fund which is to the tune of $850,000.00 due to past corrupt Governmental Officials who almost held the fund to themselves for their selfish reason and some individuals who have taken advantage of your fund all in an attempt to swindle your fund which has led to so many losses from your end and unnecessary delay in the receipt of your fund.
The National Central Bureau of Interpol enhanced by the United Nations and Federal Bureau of Investigation have successfully passed a mandate to the current president of Nigeria his Excellency President Good luck Jonathan to boost the exercise of clearing all foreign debts owed to you and other individuals and organizations who have been found not to have receive their Contract Sum, Lottery/Gambling, Inheritance and the likes. Now how would you like to receive your payment? Because we have two method of payment which is by Check or by ATM card?
ATM Card: We will be issuing you a custom pin based ATM card which you will use to withdraw up to $3,000 per day from any ATM machine that has the Master Card Logo on it and the card have to be renewed in 4 years time which is 2015. Also with the ATM card you will be able to transfer your funds to your local bank account. The ATM card comes with a handbook or manual to enlighten you about how to use it. Even if you do not have a bank account.
Check: To be deposited in your bank for it to be cleared within three working days. Your payment would be sent to you via any of your preferred option and would be mailed to you via FedEx. Because we have signed a contract with FedEx Express which should expire by the end of this month, you will only need to pay $200 instead of $500 saving you $300 So if you pay before the end of this month you save $300 Take note that anyone asking you for some kind of money above the usual fee is definitely a fraudsters and you will have to stop communication with every other person if you have been in contact with any. Also remember that all you will ever have to spend is $200.00 nothing more! Nothing less! And we guarantee the receipt of your fund to be successfully delivered to you within the next 48hours after the receipt of payment has been confirmed.
Note: Everything has been taken care of by the Federal Government of Nigeria, The United Nation and also the FBI and including taxes, custom paper and clearance duty so all you will ever need to pay is $200.
DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS: The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is $500 but because FedEx have temporarily discontinued the C.O.D which gives you the chance to pay when package is delivered for international shipping We had to sign contract with them for bulk shipping which makes the fees reduce from the actual fee of $500 to $200 nothing more and no hidden fees of any sort!
To effect the release of your fund valued at $850,000.00 you are advised to contact our correspondent in Africa the delivery officer David Sunday with the information below,
Name: David Sunday
Email: davidsunday@yahoo.cn
You are advised to contact him with the information?'s as stated below:
Your full Name..
Your Address:..............
Home/Cell Phone:..............
Preferred Payment Method (ATM / Cashier Check)
Upon receipt of payment the delivery officer will ensure that your package is sent within 48 working hours. Because we are so sure of everything we are giving you a 100% money back guarantee if you do not receive payment/package within the next 48hours after you have made the payment for shipping we the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) will get your funds refund back to you with immediate effect
Yours sincerely,
NICHOLAS STORY
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535
TELEPHONE: (206) 414-1408
Note: Do disregard any email you get from any impostors or offices claiming to be in possession of your ATM CARD, you are hereby advice only to be in contact with David Sunday of the ATM CARD CENTRE who is the rightful person to deal with in regards to your ATM CARD PAYMENT and forward any emails you get from impostors to this office so we could act upon and commence investigation.
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Olympic Team Announcement
Today the vast majority of the GB Rowers were announced as selected for the Olympic games.
There are still a couple of final selection decisions to take place. I'm training well and feeling more effective in the boat each day. Agrra los cuernos de un toro.
There are still a couple of final selection decisions to take place. I'm training well and feeling more effective in the boat each day. Agrra los cuernos de un toro.
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