Today was at Kallang as usual. But unusually, we were in our battle gear. Ahhh - it's for the camera. (Everyone now - look cool and row properly - die-die must synchronize ah! Now SMILE and wave!)
Coach Patrick decided to try a new charge called the PRESSURE charge. After a few attempts, we abandoned it. Simply because the phase was too long - we lao4 hong1* in the midst of our charge to the finishing. So we reverted back to the good old 'hard-10, kiyah' charge. With the distinct preparation and execution phases, it showed better results.
* lao4 hong1 = punctured.
With Pierre cameoing as our coxswain of the day, steering was done with great precision - afterall he is the most expensive imported coxswain in Singapore (for the day la). Estimation and instructions were excellent - most importantly, we didn't notice his presence much - which is good! (Like referees, the good ones are those who stay unnoticed while facilitating a smooth flow - ie. no zigzagging, no crashing, etc.)
Cosy Bay was not so cosy today with the tremendous atmospheric noise from nearby construction work. Our lip-reading and God-of-Gamblers-style 'ear-twitching' skills were put to the test as we strained hard to hear Patrick. (Guess it's good practice for our ears to listen out for charge calls next Saturday!)
Our favourite sparring partner - Vets! - then floated alongside to bask in the noise and challenge us in three pace sets. (Excellent neck to neck stuff! - Well done to both teams.) In our desire to win, everyone pulled out all the stops - but Ah Ben wins hands down for maximum effort - he collapsed in the back seat with a little toe cramp.
During this time, we found ourselves in a unfamiliar area towards the Aljunied/Geylang side - it was quite a peaceful scene except for the occasional dragonboat scurrying by in the canal.
All in all, there was good pace and progress, though something seemed to be missing. Nevermind... we'll look for it tomorrow. Sunday at Lower Seletar Reservoir - preparation at the actual battle ground!
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20 July, Sunday, Lower Seletar Reservoir
Today, we turned out in our finest too - but there was no camera crew. (What the..!?) To think Christy went to set her hair and we all secretly did 500 push ups in the morning to improve muscle definition just for the camera.
The place was much better than yesterday - it was an idyllic sight with sprinklers creating dancing mists at the golf course in the distance, and bright orange slimy algae on the pontoon and boat hull - which Dawn gleefully scraped off amidst exclamations of "grossss..."
We rowed towards the starting buoys, rehearsing what to expect next Saturday for the Jurong Island race. We counted the buoys, marked out where the alert zone for charging was, and did many MANY starts and race sets. Searching for that 'something missing' from yesterday - aha - it's the aggression during charging. Strangely, with each set we did, it seemed to pick up. By the final few sets, Papillon was roaring with each charge we did. "YES! - that's what I want to see." - Patrick.
Friendly Vets were again out in full force today. So we paced with them, with good result. Could have something to do with imagery - we imagined them as our No.1 opponent - the Police, with very muscular and intelligent* ladies.
* High forehead = intelligent... (Note: This is extremely disguised humour for the select few who get it.)
Finally achieving what we had set out to do, and finishing strong, Patrick decided to release us. Papillon whoosh and paddles/life vests/bum pads all packed into Ken's car (Thanks Ken!) - we were finally off for the weekend!
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Paps - remember - although Patrick might not be in time to steer us for the first 2 races, it doesn't matter - we are ready.
In fact, we have already done everything that we could have done - build up of race experience in the weeks before, gym, water training, final recce and practice at the race site - we cannot be any more prepared.
So, have great faith in yourself, in us - that Papillon is ready for the big one.
Rest well and recover by Friday. And most importantly, let's be mentally strong. I know you will be feeling a tingle inside you from now until race day - but fear not. For that is not nervousness - that's Excitement.
Make it happen.
= Chief Editor signing off =
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