What a great weekend of erg racing. Australian National Champion 2020, womens 55-59 HWt in 2000m and 500m. The AIRC is run across several physical sites and this year, virtual as well. All results then put together by time -team.
Http://time-team.nl/en/info for all the gory details, use matrix results then select the event of interest.
The day before, arrive at the accommadation. Late lunch of calamari. Enjoyed views of the bathroom for a few hours in the evening. Not the best start but felt better through the night. Normal porridge for breakfast, with the normal pre race, feeling ill.
At the venue with time to spare. 30 min out from race, a 20 min warmup. Organised someone else to adjust the df for me as I can't reach to do it with my feet strapped in. Hoping to hold 1.55 strokes with only the odd 1.56 if needed. Last 2k record row was av 1.55.4. I was hoping to hit this and push a little more at the final 200. Too many 1.56 and 1.57 showing, do better I said, just simply do better. That middle 1000 is tough, initial adrenalin is gone the sprint to the finish hadn't started. As it ticked over about 900 to go I knew I had more. The argument continued, if I push just a little more now will there be anything left. 500 to go, come on legs, mouth too dry to swallow. 300 to go, get ready to ramp up. 200 to go trying hard to push more. 100 to go, 12 strokes to count. Done, in a new Australian record, beating my own by 1.1s. New PB, new Aussie champ, new record. Cheer the others to the finish. Then start to wonder why I do this to myself. 7.40.7 woot woot.
Technical difficulties with too many age groups in the 500m event meant this was pushed from 11.50 to about 2pm. Ended up with a warmup 20 min before the event but nearly managed the PB. Happy to finish it with a 1.45.0.
Then the wait for other states to link in their results. 2 golds, pretty happy with that. Who knew 12 min of rowing including a relay and also some warmup time would leave me more than a little stiff and sore.
Onwards to December 5, for the Oceania qualifying race for the world championships. I need to finish 1st to qualify through that pathway. Also tapping this out on my phone so I apologise if there are errors
. Apparently I was the 2nd entrant. I have entered the 55-59 2k, 500,1000 and mixed relay which is more of a fun event at the end. It isn't a huge event in terms of numbers. Times for events, or really the start of that event, with the number of actual races, and their start time, to be decided but roughly
good luck with the preparation for the Australian champs 
apart from the calamari a perfect weekend.
