Journey to the Centre of the Four... (A Rower's Journal)
- Thread starter Dutes
- Start date
As expected, my program has undergone a rewrite.
What was unexpected was that both of my coaches have had an input into the rewrite, and I've had a minimal input.
Here is the new program
Monday
Session 1: Rowing (4.45am)
Duration: 120-180 Minutes
Session 2: Off
Session 3: Core Strength (6.30pm)
Pull Ups
Squat Jumps
Push Ups
Sit Ups
Dips
Tuesday
Session 1: 2x 3km Run (5.00am)
Session 2: Training Session with Fitness Coach (10.15am)
Duration: 45 Minutes
Session 3:
Ergo 2k Warm Up (4.00pm)
Then 10k @ rating 20
Duration: probably 50-ish Minutes
Wednesday
Session 1: Row (4.45am)
Duration 120-180 Minutes
Session 2: Off
Session 3: Core Strength (4.00pm)
Pull Ups
Squat Jumps
Push Ups
Sit Ups
Dips
Then Work
Thursday
Session 1: 2x 3km Run (5.00am)
Session 2: Ergo - 4x500m (2k splits program)
Session 3: Training Session w/Fitness Coach's Program (3.00pm)
Duration: 45 Minutes
Friday
Session 1: Rowing (4.45am)
Duration: 120-180 Minutes
Session 2: Training Session w/Fitness Coach's Program (10.00pm/5.30pm depending on work)
Duration: 45 Minutes
Session 3:
Ergo 10k @ Rating 18 (3.00pm/6.45pm depending on work)
Duration: probably 45minutes
Saturday
Session 1: Rowing (4.45am)
Duration: 120-180 Minutes
Session 2: 2x Mt Cootha Ride (local mountain)
Duration: Don't know yet... never done a Mt Cootha ride, let alone 2. The others in the squad refer to it as 'The Dominator' so I'm expecting something pretty tough.
Session 3: Undecided, I want to rest but my rowing coach wants our squad doing a further 40km ride. I'll keep you posted on whats happening with this session.
Sunday
Session 1: Off
Session 2: Off
Session 3: Off
(ok thats a lie, Its not really a rest day. I'll be at work all day and even though not included in the training its still 12+ hours of running around)
None of these changes will take place till next week though.
What was unexpected was that both of my coaches have had an input into the rewrite, and I've had a minimal input.
Here is the new program
Monday
Session 1: Rowing (4.45am)
Duration: 120-180 Minutes
Session 2: Off
Session 3: Core Strength (6.30pm)
Pull Ups
Squat Jumps
Push Ups
Sit Ups
Dips
Tuesday
Session 1: 2x 3km Run (5.00am)
Session 2: Training Session with Fitness Coach (10.15am)
Duration: 45 Minutes
Session 3:
Ergo 2k Warm Up (4.00pm)
Then 10k @ rating 20
Duration: probably 50-ish Minutes
Wednesday
Session 1: Row (4.45am)
Duration 120-180 Minutes
Session 2: Off
Session 3: Core Strength (4.00pm)
Pull Ups
Squat Jumps
Push Ups
Sit Ups
Dips
Then Work
Thursday
Session 1: 2x 3km Run (5.00am)
Session 2: Ergo - 4x500m (2k splits program)
Session 3: Training Session w/Fitness Coach's Program (3.00pm)
Duration: 45 Minutes
Friday
Session 1: Rowing (4.45am)
Duration: 120-180 Minutes
Session 2: Training Session w/Fitness Coach's Program (10.00pm/5.30pm depending on work)
Duration: 45 Minutes
Session 3:
Ergo 10k @ Rating 18 (3.00pm/6.45pm depending on work)
Duration: probably 45minutes
Saturday
Session 1: Rowing (4.45am)
Duration: 120-180 Minutes
Session 2: 2x Mt Cootha Ride (local mountain)
Duration: Don't know yet... never done a Mt Cootha ride, let alone 2. The others in the squad refer to it as 'The Dominator' so I'm expecting something pretty tough.
Session 3: Undecided, I want to rest but my rowing coach wants our squad doing a further 40km ride. I'll keep you posted on whats happening with this session.
Sunday
Session 1: Off
Session 2: Off
Session 3: Off
(ok thats a lie, Its not really a rest day. I'll be at work all day and even though not included in the training its still 12+ hours of running around)
None of these changes will take place till next week though.
This is heavy mate...this is really heavy and you'll need calories to back you up...be careful, make a nutrition plan for each day of the week with your coaches or find a sports nutritionist, if you are struggling to come up with one.
Saturday 27/09/08 - Day 27 (70 Days to Deadline)
Back in the old single again today. Did a 16k technique row although I pushed myself out for the last 2-3k so I felt pretty good when I was finished.
The new program doesn't start till next week so there was no bike ride today.
Instead I headed to the gym to do the ergo program
Held the first 2 splits (1:41/500m) but after the second I had this weird pain in the back of my head. It felt like there was a massive build up of pressure and the back of my head was going to burst out. I took that as a cue to stop for a bit. I waited till that subsided then decided to try again, about 5 strokes and it was back fully again. I had to leave the rest of the ergo. No idea what caused it, never felt anything like it. I'm going to talk to my coach but also to my uncle who's a doctor.
Although I'd originally planned not to do any gym today I decided to do a lighter session anyway.
Did
Swiss Ball Bench Press 5x10 @ 45kg
Seated Row 5x10 @ 50kg
2x1minute kneeling on Swiss Ball
4x10 Squat and Press w/ 7kg Dumbells
4x10 Lat Pull Downs @45kg (2 w/ pull up grip, 2 w/chin up grip)
3x40 Bosu Bicycle Crunches
4x10 Dorsal Raises w/5kg
Food:
Meal 1:
2 Fried Egg+cheese+ham+tomato sandwiches on wholemeal
6 weetbix w/honey + Trim milk
(~1400 Calories)
Meal 2:
2 x Peanut butter + Honey sandwiches on Wholemeal + 500ml Trim Milk
(~700 Calories)
Meal 3: 4x Grilled Snapper, Dressing-less greek salad, 7 sea scollops grilled
(~800 Calories)
Meal 4:
Pasta, Potato, Mince (was at a mates 18th, to my credit though I didn't drink)
Not sure of calories, maybe ~500?
Total: ~3500.
Back into training. Lets go boy!
Thought for the Day:
"We're not here for something to do... we're here to do something"
Back in the old single again today. Did a 16k technique row although I pushed myself out for the last 2-3k so I felt pretty good when I was finished.
The new program doesn't start till next week so there was no bike ride today.
Instead I headed to the gym to do the ergo program
Held the first 2 splits (1:41/500m) but after the second I had this weird pain in the back of my head. It felt like there was a massive build up of pressure and the back of my head was going to burst out. I took that as a cue to stop for a bit. I waited till that subsided then decided to try again, about 5 strokes and it was back fully again. I had to leave the rest of the ergo. No idea what caused it, never felt anything like it. I'm going to talk to my coach but also to my uncle who's a doctor.
Although I'd originally planned not to do any gym today I decided to do a lighter session anyway.
Did
Swiss Ball Bench Press 5x10 @ 45kg
Seated Row 5x10 @ 50kg
2x1minute kneeling on Swiss Ball
4x10 Squat and Press w/ 7kg Dumbells
4x10 Lat Pull Downs @45kg (2 w/ pull up grip, 2 w/chin up grip)
3x40 Bosu Bicycle Crunches
4x10 Dorsal Raises w/5kg
Food:
Meal 1:
2 Fried Egg+cheese+ham+tomato sandwiches on wholemeal
6 weetbix w/honey + Trim milk
(~1400 Calories)
Meal 2:
2 x Peanut butter + Honey sandwiches on Wholemeal + 500ml Trim Milk
(~700 Calories)
Meal 3: 4x Grilled Snapper, Dressing-less greek salad, 7 sea scollops grilled
(~800 Calories)
Meal 4:
Pasta, Potato, Mince (was at a mates 18th, to my credit though I didn't drink)
Not sure of calories, maybe ~500?
Total: ~3500.
Back into training. Lets go boy!
Thought for the Day:
"We're not here for something to do... we're here to do something"
As expected, my program has undergone a rewrite.
What was unexpected was that both of my coaches have had an input into the rewrite, and I've had a minimal input.
Here is the new program
I took poetic license and edited your workout
Seriously, that program is freaking brutal, Dutes. You can do it. But you need to find a sports nutritionist.
I'm quite surprised your coaches haven't offered nutrition resources to you or your team-mates. They should be telling you exactly what you need to eat and how much in order to succeed.
I'll try to get some nutritional information from the rowing club here.
Sunday 28/09/08 - Day 28 (69 Days to Deadline)
Well, today is nominally my rest day but I decide to go to the gym anyway.
2x20 (each arm) Swiss Ball Single D/B Roll and Press @7kg
4x10 Swiss Ball Kneeling D/B Curl and Press
4x10 Lat Pull Downs @ 50kg (2x Pull up Grip, 2x Chin up Grip)
4x10 Squats with D/B and Press @ 10kg
4x10 Bosu Crunches Legs + Arms In and Out
4x30 Bicycle Crunches
2x20 Dorsal Raises @5kg
2x30 Second (each leg - one leg off the ground) Swiss Ball Plank
2x5 (each arm) Single Arm seated row @30kg
4x10 Cable Overhead Pull Downs @75kg
Then go to work.
Good god...
what a day...
its unbelievably busy all day, from 12 o'clock it doesnt stop... at 7.30pm i notice the boss is missing... he's drunk and unconscious in the carpark downstairs having spewed all over himself... somehow we get through the night but it's so f-ed up...
I go home and go straight to bed, really pissed off. Coach had better be at training tomorrow....
Food:
Too hard to calorie count as I ate at work (good food, fresh grilled fish and prawns, salad, etc), pretty sure I got enough food though.
Thought for the Day:
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records"
Well, today is nominally my rest day but I decide to go to the gym anyway.
2x20 (each arm) Swiss Ball Single D/B Roll and Press @7kg
4x10 Swiss Ball Kneeling D/B Curl and Press
4x10 Lat Pull Downs @ 50kg (2x Pull up Grip, 2x Chin up Grip)
4x10 Squats with D/B and Press @ 10kg
4x10 Bosu Crunches Legs + Arms In and Out
4x30 Bicycle Crunches
2x20 Dorsal Raises @5kg
2x30 Second (each leg - one leg off the ground) Swiss Ball Plank
2x5 (each arm) Single Arm seated row @30kg
4x10 Cable Overhead Pull Downs @75kg
Then go to work.
Good god...
what a day...
its unbelievably busy all day, from 12 o'clock it doesnt stop... at 7.30pm i notice the boss is missing... he's drunk and unconscious in the carpark downstairs having spewed all over himself... somehow we get through the night but it's so f-ed up...
I go home and go straight to bed, really pissed off. Coach had better be at training tomorrow....
Food:
Too hard to calorie count as I ate at work (good food, fresh grilled fish and prawns, salad, etc), pretty sure I got enough food though.
Thought for the Day:
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records"
S
sparrow
Guest
Dutes-what do you do for work? You have quite a grueling schedule, you must be young Very impressive workouts. I cannot imagine rowing for 3 hours straight. Thats gotta really be taxing.
Very impressive workouts. I cannot imagine rowing for 3 hours straight. Thats gotta really be taxing.@Sparrow - I work in an extremely busy restaurant, mainly as a waiter but also in the kitchen sometimes. The kitchen is pretty easy physically, but the waiter job involves a huge amount of running around as its quite a big restaurant and is always full.
As for being young, i'm 18
Oh, and I still think you should give the ergo a proper go
@Firefreak -
Motivation is simple... you eliminate those who aren't motivated.
As for being young, i'm 18
Oh, and I still think you should give the ergo a proper go
@Firefreak -
Motivation is simple... you eliminate those who aren't motivated.
S
sparrow
Guest
@Sparrow - I work in an extremely busy restaurant, mainly as a waiter but also in the kitchen sometimes. The kitchen is pretty easy physically, but the waiter job involves a huge amount of running around as its quite a big restaurant and is always full.
As for being young, i'm 18
Oh, and I still think you should give the ergo a proper go
@Firefreak -
Motivation is simple... you eliminate those who aren't motivated.
Sounds fun! and difficult.
For 18 you seem like you have a pretty good handle on your goals and tools to get there. That is awesome. Most people don't figure that out for a while!
I will give the ergo a proper go. I used one at college a lot and made it a part of my regular "stuff" 45 min each time. It seemed very very challenging then and I got some fantastic results, so perhaps the one I'm using is faulty in some way or I'm not using it properly. Its not really "rowing country" out here so I'm not sure who to ask-who would know how to help me but I promise I'll try!
Monday 29/09/08 - Day 29 (68 Days to Deadline)
Coach wasn't there... I was pissed. :violent:
Only 2 other people from the squad turned up. I didn't feel like going for yet another aimless paddle. Instead I went to the gym, after three days of gym prior and another session tomorrow I just do a light session.
5x40 Bosu Bicycle Crunches
5x15 Dorsal Raises @5kg
4x10 Squats @100kg
4x10 Bench Press @40kg
4x10 Seated Rows @40kg
4x10 Swissball Curl and Press @10kg
20mins HIIT, I'd planned to do it on the ergo but they were all being used (Monday night it's a pain trying to get equipment) so I did it on the exercise bike instead. Feel good (ok, felt stuffed but thats good).
Food:
Breakfast:
8 Weetbix w/Honey + Skim Milk (~850 Calories)
2 pieces of Toast w/Sardines (~750 Calories)
Lunch:
2 Ham, Cheese + Tuna Sandwiches on Wholemeal. (~710 Calories)
Dinner:
Roast Pork, Potatoes and Sweet Potato (Not certain, had dinner with my parents, but at a rought estimate ~800 Calories)
Rough Total: ~3110 Calories
Thought for the Day: (found this one in a story I wrote for English in my last year of school, it's what the coach in the story tells his athlete before the final)
"Rowing is a sport for dreamers and if you want it badly enough...
no one, and nothing... can take away your dreams."
Coach wasn't there... I was pissed. :violent:
Only 2 other people from the squad turned up. I didn't feel like going for yet another aimless paddle. Instead I went to the gym, after three days of gym prior and another session tomorrow I just do a light session.
5x40 Bosu Bicycle Crunches
5x15 Dorsal Raises @5kg
4x10 Squats @100kg
4x10 Bench Press @40kg
4x10 Seated Rows @40kg
4x10 Swissball Curl and Press @10kg
20mins HIIT, I'd planned to do it on the ergo but they were all being used (Monday night it's a pain trying to get equipment) so I did it on the exercise bike instead. Feel good (ok, felt stuffed but thats good
).Food:
Breakfast:
8 Weetbix w/Honey + Skim Milk (~850 Calories)
2 pieces of Toast w/Sardines (~750 Calories)
Lunch:
2 Ham, Cheese + Tuna Sandwiches on Wholemeal. (~710 Calories)
Dinner:
Roast Pork, Potatoes and Sweet Potato (Not certain, had dinner with my parents, but at a rought estimate ~800 Calories)
Rough Total: ~3110 Calories
Thought for the Day: (found this one in a story I wrote for English in my last year of school, it's what the coach in the story tells his athlete before the final)
"Rowing is a sport for dreamers and if you want it badly enough...
no one, and nothing... can take away your dreams."
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How much do you weigh now?
Sorry I haven't been as punctual with the log, I'm really strapped for time to write it.
Tuesday:
2 x 3k runs - felt good, new shoes really help as before I was getting bad pins and needles in my feet, not a problem this time. Didn't feel too puffed.
Gym session with the fitness coach
4x10 Bosu + S/B push ups
4x10 M/B squats (10kg) on upside down Bosu
2x20 S/B Reverse Crunches w/ S/B between feet
2x10 As above w/ 10kg M/B held 1 inch from ground with arms
4x10 S/B Feet Tucks - V Crunches
4x10 (2x10 each leg) S/B x2 push ups (one each arm) with one leg off ground
2x20 Bosu Twisting Crunches M/B in hands and between feet
4x10 Each arm, D/B Front Trap Raises @7kg
4x10 S/B Over the Head Crunches w/ D/B @20kg
4x10 M/B Side Lunges on Bosu @10kg
Went out to a party tuesday night, couldnt get home in time and missed training Wednesday morning. Decided to take Wednesday off.
Thursday - same as Tuesday except also did 20mins HIIT on the ergo after the program.
Friday - Did a Gym session as Thursday (with the HIIT), had work then till 5, then went out with the GF to South Bank. Late night.
Food: Consistently took in between 3000-3500 calories
Thought for the (last couple of) Day(s):
"Right here, right now you're exactly where you're supposed to be"
Tuesday:
2 x 3k runs - felt good, new shoes really help as before I was getting bad pins and needles in my feet, not a problem this time. Didn't feel too puffed.
Gym session with the fitness coach
4x10 Bosu + S/B push ups
4x10 M/B squats (10kg) on upside down Bosu
2x20 S/B Reverse Crunches w/ S/B between feet
2x10 As above w/ 10kg M/B held 1 inch from ground with arms
4x10 S/B Feet Tucks - V Crunches
4x10 (2x10 each leg) S/B x2 push ups (one each arm) with one leg off ground
2x20 Bosu Twisting Crunches M/B in hands and between feet
4x10 Each arm, D/B Front Trap Raises @7kg
4x10 S/B Over the Head Crunches w/ D/B @20kg
4x10 M/B Side Lunges on Bosu @10kg
Went out to a party tuesday night, couldnt get home in time and missed training Wednesday morning. Decided to take Wednesday off.
Thursday - same as Tuesday except also did 20mins HIIT on the ergo after the program.
Friday - Did a Gym session as Thursday (with the HIIT), had work then till 5, then went out with the GF to South Bank. Late night.
Food: Consistently took in between 3000-3500 calories
Thought for the (last couple of) Day(s):
"Right here, right now you're exactly where you're supposed to be"
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You asked for it Dutes, so I'm going to give it to you
I am assuming the program has started. If it hasn't, read this anyway.OK. Missed training Wednesday morning because you went out to a party on Tuesday night. Going out to a party on a Tuesday night is 100% unacceptable unless the party ended at 9:00pm and you weren't drinking alcohol.
The bottom line is you either want this or you don't. Unless you are incredibly genetically gifted and are able to win Gold medals skiing half drunk like Bode Miller can, you can't afford to do this to yourself.
I'm not telling you this because I'm preaching. I actually know what it means to sacrifice.
http://training.fitness.com/fitness-com-lounge/i-want-go-olympics-2-35710.html#post321707
http://training.fitness.com/fitness-com-lounge/i-want-go-olympics-3-35710.html#post322244
http://training.fitness.com/fitness-com-lounge/i-want-go-olympics-3-35710.html#post322515
Think about what your priorities are. Think about what it is going to take for you to win. Can you visualize yourself winning in the fours? Can you visualize yourself at the Olympics? Can you visualize any of this, Dutes?
How much do you really want this? I know you love to row. Is rowing in your blood? Is it part of what and who you are (like I think it is)? If so, what are you doing to yourself? Athletes don't party on a Tuesday night. Athletes think about their bodies and their discipline first. ALWAYS.
Dutes, you need to exercise your will power so it gets stronger.
Sorry for being such a hardass, but if you want this, you have to want it more than anything.
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Deserved every bit of it Maureen. I know I did.
Saturday 4/10/08 - Day 34 (63 Days to Deadline)
4.15am rise, so hard to do after getting to bed at 1.40am the night before... 26km row in the four. The longest row I've ever done. Feels awesome, we changed the combo in the four and this one clicks immediately. The timing, the balance, the rhythm, its all there.
After the row I go home and sleep, I have to be at Mt Cootha at 9am for our ride... its not a 2xMt Cootha after all, it's a 3x...
Well I have to say that the so called 'Dominator' has nothing on the old Mt Archer back home. Having said that, when you haven't done a serious ride in nearly two years doing three laps of it (approximately 30km all uphill then the downhill coast) is pretty f.ucking difficult.
After the bike ride I go home and sleep again. I get up at 1.30 to get ready for a 40km bike ride on the River loop, a more forgiving ride as its not up a mountain, but with enough hills to make it interesting.
Upon getting home I find I can't walk up the stairs
That night I again spend it with the GF although we just stay home as we have the house to ourselves :action4:
Food:
Breakfast: 2 Fried Eggs, a piece of grilled snapper, + cheese on wholemeal bread
Snack 1: (after Mt Cootha ride) Protein Shake
Lunch: (prior to 40k ride) 2 peanut butter + honey sandwiches on wholemeal
Dinner: Roast Beef and greek salad
Total Carbs: ~2800 calories. Less than I've been having lately and on a heavier day.
Thought for the Day:
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling... but in rising every time we fall"
Saturday 4/10/08 - Day 34 (63 Days to Deadline)
4.15am rise, so hard to do after getting to bed at 1.40am the night before... 26km row in the four. The longest row I've ever done. Feels awesome, we changed the combo in the four and this one clicks immediately. The timing, the balance, the rhythm, its all there.
After the row I go home and sleep, I have to be at Mt Cootha at 9am for our ride... its not a 2xMt Cootha after all, it's a 3x...
Well I have to say that the so called 'Dominator' has nothing on the old Mt Archer back home. Having said that, when you haven't done a serious ride in nearly two years doing three laps of it (approximately 30km all uphill then the downhill coast) is pretty f.ucking difficult.
After the bike ride I go home and sleep again. I get up at 1.30 to get ready for a 40km bike ride on the River loop, a more forgiving ride as its not up a mountain, but with enough hills to make it interesting.
Upon getting home I find I can't walk up the stairs
That night I again spend it with the GF although we just stay home as we have the house to ourselves :action4:
Food:
Breakfast: 2 Fried Eggs, a piece of grilled snapper, + cheese on wholemeal bread
Snack 1: (after Mt Cootha ride) Protein Shake
Lunch: (prior to 40k ride) 2 peanut butter + honey sandwiches on wholemeal
Dinner: Roast Beef and greek salad
Total Carbs: ~2800 calories. Less than I've been having lately and on a heavier day.
Thought for the Day:
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling... but in rising every time we fall"
Well, i think you are doing a good job so far and going to a party is not going to change the fact that you are dedicated to what you are doing. Give yourself some room to relax, avoid partying, choose an alternative so that you relax mentally. If you have to go to a party, avoid drinking too much, 2-3 units should be enough, and go home at a sensible hour. I think you're doing fine so far.
I see where you're coming from fit4life1976. But I do not want to enable Dutes to continue to do things that may ultimately affect his chances of being a winning athlete and rowing in the fours. I want Dutes to succeed.
You are correct by saying Dutes is dedicated. He's extraordinarily dedicated. I don't know the real reason why Dutes went to a party on Tuesday and took Wednesday off from training, and it's really none of my business. However, the fact remains it was bad timing. I realize that everybody needs to let go every now and then. It's human nature. But you don't do it when you've just started a new training regimen. That's why I came down hard on Dutes.
Another reason I came down hard is that I'm seeing some minor will power issues that may make the difference between Dutes making the cut and not making the cut. And I want Dutes to make the cut in more ways than you can imagine. I actually think Dutes has a good chance at making the Australian Olympic rowing team. Therefore, I want Dutes to strengthen the mental aspect of his game. And enabling him to do something that is wrong will NOT make him mentally tougher. Why would I want to enable Dutes to get away with moments of weak will at the wrong time? I can't do that to Dutes because if I did, I would only be letting him down. I really care about this kid. I don't want him to fail.
I do the same thing to any athlete I coach who misses training session(s). If they have a valid reason, I'm OK with it. If they don't have a valid reason, I want to know what's going on in their life that is making them miss training. I'm OK with that, too. We're human. We make mistakes. But I'll still call them on it.
Unfortunately, the hardest part for me is that the mental strength has to come from within Dutes himself. I cannot give that strength to him. I can only support his efforts.
I will say that it really pissed me off that Dutes coach didn't show up on Monday. I was choked. That's 200% irresponsible. That gives me the impression he isn't as committed to Dutes as he should be. I would not have been impressed if my coach didn't show up for me. In fact, my first reaction would have been "f**k you, a**hole -- I'm here, where the hell are you?" For the record, I never had a coach that didn't show up, and if he wasn't able to show up, he called in for back-up so at least somebody was there for us.
Perhaps times have changed ...
You are correct by saying Dutes is dedicated. He's extraordinarily dedicated. I don't know the real reason why Dutes went to a party on Tuesday and took Wednesday off from training, and it's really none of my business. However, the fact remains it was bad timing. I realize that everybody needs to let go every now and then. It's human nature. But you don't do it when you've just started a new training regimen. That's why I came down hard on Dutes.
Another reason I came down hard is that I'm seeing some minor will power issues that may make the difference between Dutes making the cut and not making the cut. And I want Dutes to make the cut in more ways than you can imagine. I actually think Dutes has a good chance at making the Australian Olympic rowing team. Therefore, I want Dutes to strengthen the mental aspect of his game. And enabling him to do something that is wrong will NOT make him mentally tougher. Why would I want to enable Dutes to get away with moments of weak will at the wrong time? I can't do that to Dutes because if I did, I would only be letting him down. I really care about this kid. I don't want him to fail.
I do the same thing to any athlete I coach who misses training session(s). If they have a valid reason, I'm OK with it. If they don't have a valid reason, I want to know what's going on in their life that is making them miss training. I'm OK with that, too. We're human. We make mistakes. But I'll still call them on it.
Unfortunately, the hardest part for me is that the mental strength has to come from within Dutes himself. I cannot give that strength to him. I can only support his efforts.
I will say that it really pissed me off that Dutes coach didn't show up on Monday. I was choked. That's 200% irresponsible. That gives me the impression he isn't as committed to Dutes as he should be. I would not have been impressed if my coach didn't show up for me. In fact, my first reaction would have been "f**k you, a**hole -- I'm here, where the hell are you?" For the record, I never had a coach that didn't show up, and if he wasn't able to show up, he called in for back-up so at least somebody was there for us.
Perhaps times have changed ...
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