Well, In the end I am pleased, bronze in Mu172x and ranked 7th in SB1x... and learned some really good lessons.

I have my first uni exam today, and I frankly cant wait for it to finish, its dragged on way too long.

52 weeks left until nationals, bout 70 till junior worlds, training starts back tomorrow*!!

I am actually looking forward to the winter season :P

Cheers,
Luke


*well actually we are doing an erg this morning, but on-water training....the good stuff..... starts back tomorrow!

Time passes soooooooo slowly before anything important.
Its hard when there is nothing left to do but just let it happen...
I have two important races today, two tomorrow.

Its official, rowing is mans greatest invention, he has discovered a way to push himself to the limits and put himself through the most unimaginable pain.

Yesterday I had the semi-finals of my under 17 single scull and I was out in front for the first 1700m (results) until I well and truly hit the wall, with only enough strength left to tap it along to the finish line. At the end of the race my chest was tight, my eyes watered and I could hardly breathe. I was one of the 2 favourites comming into the semi, expected by all to go through to the final. But anyone who knows the feeling knows how defining it is. When your body has nothing left, when you have pushed it too hard, sometimes you dont know why, but your body doesnt let you.

I am glad I remembered the advice of my coach: "To finish first, you must first finish". I do not give up and I do not stop. But it was definatly a humbling moment when my tanks hit empty and I came in at thrid.

Another thing that my coach says "you learn more when you do not win", and I am going to take that into accound for my MU172x and SB1x today, tomorrow and sunday.

Cheers,
Luke

after winning gold, rob drury wanted a poser picture 

under 19 crew fought hard for gold after being kirans and my fourth race of the day, both of us knackered, we picked up silver to the sydney university crew 

comparison between under 17 crew (gold, luke, matt, tom, gordo) and under 19 crew (silver, caydern, luke, adam, kiran.... after all jumping in the water) 

comparison between under 17 crew (gold, luke, matt, tom, gordo) and under 19 crew (silver, caydern, luke, adam, kiran) 

2nd race of the sunday MU17 1x, won heat by a mile 

mid-race, MU174x Final - 3rd race of the day, picked up gold 

mid-race MU194x Heat - 1st race of the day 

1st and only race saturday, Schoolboy Double Scull, won first place 

just recieved gold 

start of MU174x Final - 3rd race of the day, picked up gold

photos from NSWRA State Championships 

Well at the moment I am pretty bogged down with uni work, one of my projects at the moment is to make a webpage, which I am doing for Mosman Rowing Club... it is actually turning out really good... I am learning a lot, fast.

Last w/e was state, and I will share a couple of photos soon, I have nationals comming up Tuesday through to Sunday and am racing multiple times every day.

Life is going well, I am enjoying being more independant, not locked up in peoples expectations, being single is good too as I have been able to focus on friendships, which rocks!!

Neway, I am off (like an egg)

Well, i am now officially blogging again... SHOCK HORROR...
I never intended to stop.... i just got out of the habit.

My new subjects at uni both require a learning log, emphasis on doing it through blogging, so I have no excuse not to keep up my personal blog to...

Cheers,
Luke