Page 15 - RADC Bulletin 2022

SIRC and the World Indoor Rowing Champs WIRC).
The British Champs took place on Holly’s 2nd birthday so I stayed local to race. I was extremely fortunate to be able to use my place of work to compete, Pirbright Medical centre is very large, has great facilities throughout and includes a large TV that can show YouTube where all the competitions would be streamed. I also had some fellow teammates come to the camp who raced alongside me.
Once our rowing machines were lined
up and connectivity tests were complete it was a waiting game. My races in the BRIC were 500m and the team 2km relay. I had support from my friends and colleagues and made sure they stood behind my Erg and shouted at me to carry on and not give up! My race began. I started really well and manged to gain a firm lead however with 250m to go the lactic acid was too much for me to maintain my stroke rate, so my pace slowed down but with the encouragement from everyone around me I didn’t gave up. My strong start gave me enough of a lead for no one to catch up and I came 1st and got my first gold in the BRIC. Sadly, due to connectivity issues with my teammates our relay was not counted, as if one person’s connection drops out, we all lose the race.
Christmas came and went and in January it was time for the Scottish Championships. I competed in the 500m sprint and the 4x90sec team relay. I set up to race within the medical centre and my small support group who never let me down! My 500m was early and I was extremely nervous
as I felt like my fitness had dipped since Christmas, however I managed to hold my own and win gold. The relay was new to me,
a 90 second sprint which we all complete and the overall time is pooled together as a team. We won by a mile so I walked away with two gold medals for the Army Team.
I was content and happy that my time with the Army Team was successful and
I was able to provide the team with some silverware, then much to my surprise I was asked to apply for the World Champs - this was huge! Only 3 people are successful per continent so only 15 females can race and the same for the males. You must submit a video showing yourself before, during and after your row, clearly showing the rowing machine, the date, time and monitor details. This is to be submitted to the committee who then verify your application along with ID and other details. Once a predicted time is submitted you are uploaded onto their website stating that you will be racing. However, the earlier you submit the higher the chance someone will see your time and try and beat this and upload their application at the latest point of entry (night before
the deadline) and knock you off the top 3 spot. It’s a risk you have to take. I received notification that I was competing.
News had reached HQ on camp that I
had a place in the World Champs and I was informed that the CO of HQ Coy would also come to watch me race, however the night before I had an issue with my knee and something didn’t feel right. That morning I set up and I knew something was wrong and with one pull on the Erg my knee went ping. I was unable to compete, I was devastated.
After speaking with staff members, friends and colleagues I knew that removing myself from the race was the best decision. As hard as it was, I had to put my health first. I tore my meniscus, so I was right to listen to my body.
During my season with the Army Team
I walked away with 4 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal. I have since taken a step back from rowing due to the intensity of training and competition so I row for fun and will look to compete next year.
I am incredibly thankful for all the support I received during the season and I know that if it wasn’t for the encouragement of Ruth Garrity and Steph Davies I would not have done as well as I did; I owe them great thanks! I am always keen to support the indoor rowing community and offer advice for anyone who wishes to take up this sport.
of the 400m track) followed by midnight 1 Jul 22, 04:00, 08:00, 12:00 to allow 7 legs out of 12 to be completed. The pace was slow, but the group dynamic made it an easier proposition that was simple to fulfil and ensured that the event was sustainable across the 50 participants. The dark hours course included an internal route of the camp on roads but still required some splendid Hi-Vis and head torches.
HQ DPHC(D) will be glad to know that
this did not impact primary care delivery to patients with clinics scheduled in between the events and that my camp cot remains just as comfy in an office as within Camp Bastion.
The issues that I noted were a requirement to stretch out a painful 41-year-old body
after a slow run below normal pace, limited time to refuel properly and then attempt sleep with the anticipated need to ‘go again.’
However, the group effort and team morale were fantastic on each run with all members generously offering mutual support showing true resilience and mental grit while being able to run slower than perhaps normal.
Next year I would relish the chance to run the whole event, with the team, and maybe have a few within LS join in.
RADC BULLETIN 2022 13