Q - Power
Indoor Rowing Team
Ollie2 (3 of 4)
(Above) All very calm before the start...
(Below) ... but a bit more effort required to get the job done during the race.
"I was still on the interactive programme training 6 times a week but hitting everything as hard as I could. I remember doing my Challenge Series 5k time trial on New Years Eve 2010 and thumping to the floor at the end. At this point I was training in my bedroom and my parents were visiting. I recall my mum coming in and asking if I was ok... later I had to go and apologise for my obscenities."
New Year 2011 and Ollie found some salvation for his training. He discovered low rate 18k pieces which he did 3-4 times a week. This along with one high intensity session and two weight training sessions each week brought his performance back up. He trained alone, usually in a small store room hidden away from any distractions at work. It was in February 2011 that Ollie made a last minute entry to the English Championships.
"I went with the view to testing the water and aimed for 6:20. I was still aware of the damage BIRC had done to me and my confidence was low. I had done no fast pieces but felt surprisingly strong during the race and sat behind the 2 leaders all the way. 300m to go I opened it up as much as I could and moved up into the silver medal position. As I fell through the line and hit the deck again I was convinced that silver was mine but the pain was not as intense as before. It was only when I looked up at the big screen that I realised some big oaf named Buchanan (who was flaked out on the floor next to me) had pipped me on the line again by about half a second. Little did I know he was to become my team mate."
Ollie took his new found confidence back to the gym and three days later rowed a 10k PB for the Challenge Series and taking an insurmountable lead in the competition.
"With only 4 weeks or so before the World Championships I just stayed on the 18k’s. I felt powerful and I had gained a few pounds from the weight training."
The Worlds took place in February 2011 and Ollie rowed a 2k PB of 6:15, finishing 8th in the Mens HWT 30-39 and was the fastest member of Team GB.
Rowing had to take a back seat as he returned to running in preparation for the Royal Navy Physical Training course. In November 2011 some 9 months after racing and 7 months away from rowing Ollie began his come back with a 20 week training programme that would lead to BIRC 2012.
Although preparation was not injury free BIRC 2012 was a good experience and Ollie finished 6th in a time of 6:18 in the Mens HWT 30-34.
"I gave it my all on the day and thought that I would be able to PB but on the day it just was not to be. I had very little power towards the end and had forgotten just how much it hurts. What has been a frustrating career so far with long breaks has seen my competitors race ahead but I keep reminding myself I am still a newbie to the sport."
In June 2012 Ollie was successful in joining Q Power. "I have goals and ambitions of winning medals and major championships. Q has given me the drive to succeed and with the purposeful training that he sets out for his athletes I believe anything is possible".
You can follow Olllie's training in his blog.
New Year 2011 and Ollie found some salvation for his training. He discovered low rate 18k pieces which he did 3-4 times a week. This along with one high intensity session and two weight training sessions each week brought his performance back up. He trained alone, usually in a small store room hidden away from any distractions at work. It was in February 2011 that Ollie made a last minute entry to the English Championships.
"I went with the view to testing the water and aimed for 6:20. I was still aware of the damage BIRC had done to me and my confidence was low. I had done no fast pieces but felt surprisingly strong during the race and sat behind the 2 leaders all the way. 300m to go I opened it up as much as I could and moved up into the silver medal position. As I fell through the line and hit the deck again I was convinced that silver was mine but the pain was not as intense as before. It was only when I looked up at the big screen that I realised some big oaf named Buchanan (who was flaked out on the floor next to me) had pipped me on the line again by about half a second. Little did I know he was to become my team mate."
Ollie took his new found confidence back to the gym and three days later rowed a 10k PB for the Challenge Series and taking an insurmountable lead in the competition.
"With only 4 weeks or so before the World Championships I just stayed on the 18k’s. I felt powerful and I had gained a few pounds from the weight training."
The Worlds took place in February 2011 and Ollie rowed a 2k PB of 6:15, finishing 8th in the Mens HWT 30-39 and was the fastest member of Team GB.
Rowing had to take a back seat as he returned to running in preparation for the Royal Navy Physical Training course. In November 2011 some 9 months after racing and 7 months away from rowing Ollie began his come back with a 20 week training programme that would lead to BIRC 2012.
Although preparation was not injury free BIRC 2012 was a good experience and Ollie finished 6th in a time of 6:18 in the Mens HWT 30-34.
"I gave it my all on the day and thought that I would be able to PB but on the day it just was not to be. I had very little power towards the end and had forgotten just how much it hurts. What has been a frustrating career so far with long breaks has seen my competitors race ahead but I keep reminding myself I am still a newbie to the sport."
In June 2012 Ollie was successful in joining Q Power. "I have goals and ambitions of winning medals and major championships. Q has given me the drive to succeed and with the purposeful training that he sets out for his athletes I believe anything is possible".
You can follow Olllie's training in his blog.
