Nationals write up

It's almost June. Nearly half of the year is gone. I thought I'd give a little update as I am currently procrastinating in doing something more important than blogging. Plus, I do not want to write up a lengthy post at the beginning of next year.

Life's been well. Busy I must say but I'm loving every single moment of it. Sure, I'm not that good at prioritization but I am enjoying what I am doing that is keeping me busy. I've been making a few more fitness achievements that I didn't think I would have ever completed in my life.

Have been running and dragonboating mainly between of the start of the year till Easter. The focus up till Easter was dragonboat until Nationals was over. Ever since the start of the year, I've been attending 2-3 water sessions a week plus 1 land session with my current club. And in March, there were 3 Sundays that were spent training with the state crew. I have to say, all this dragonboating have made me try to eat healthier and be more conscious of what I eat pre and post training to aid with muscle recovery. I have to make sure I recover in time for the next training.

Came back from Nationals with some amazing results. This was held over the Easter weekend. First of all, I had such an amazing time with the tsunami crew up in the Sunshine Coast. Everyone had the same mindset, so determined, so focused... but at the same time, Fun!!

The first two days of racing was tough. There was the 500m races with the nsw state team on the Friday morning - the womens got the Gold. I was part of the crew too but didn't race as I was a reserve. It was an experience training with them,  but I have to admit, I feel more comfortable paddling with the club. Didn't like the whole process of how they make the selections of the state team. Pretty much anyone who trialled got in. Hence, ended up with so many reserves. I felt like I rather not be in the team. But ohh well...  I call it my angry medal. Next year's aim is to make it into the mixed A crew and not be a reserve. That was what I told myself after that angry friday morning.

The tsunami paddlers in their NSW state uniform

Friday afternoon onwards were club races. Raced in the mixed 20s 2km race and it just felt awesome!! Sure we didn't win but to feel that the whole boat was moving together, so in tuned.... WOW!! It just make up for the not-so-good morning that I had.

Saturday races were the women's and mixed 20s 500m, open 10s 500m. Raced in the women's and mixed crew. It was very competitive, you pretty much have to treat every single race your final race. Even getting into the semis was tough. So many fast crews, but that's what Nationals is all about. You are racing with all the best teams in the country. Missed out on getting into the finals but it was nevertheless a great day of racing. Exhausted but felt great. Couldn't wait for the final day of splash and dash - 200m races!!

I felt very privileged to be selected to form part of the women's 10s crew in the 200m race on our final day. I've never felt that nervous before in a race. I was told that the club have been waiting for this particular event for two years now. Two years ago, the women's 20s missed out on third place just by a second. It was then that they decide they will form a 10s crew the next year to stand a chance to win in Nationals. They missed out on last year because it was cancelled due to the rain. Everyone was upset and disappointed. Hearing how much they have been looking forward to this particular event, and me being a newbie in the team, I felt like I must not muck this up for them.

The crew of the Women's 10s

It was really splash and dash, fast and furious 200m of racing. We came first in our heat and hence got into the semis right away, in which we came first as well, bringing us into the finals. I was so excited, to hear that we have made it to finals!! I had butterflies in my tummy during the whole wait up to the finals. THIS IS IT! I told myself not to get carried away, because being over-excited can just throw the timing out. It was a very fast race, I don't remember breathing until we crossed the finishing line. Overall results... 3rd in Trans Tasman (NZ came first), and 2nd in Oz!!! I was so stoked, I couldn't believe it. It was rather emotional, most of the crew had tears in their eyes... You could tell they wanted it SO BAD, and now, they finally got it. I too, was rather emotional. All that anger I had on Friday, this all made up for it, BIG TIME!!!

And so, this marks the end of the 2013/2014 dragonboat season. First season with tsunami, AWESOME AWESOME! Medals from regattas, medals from Nationals... and to add to my collection...

It just couldn't get any better :) Looking forward to the next season!!!