A FROZEN lake has kept us off the water, but training goes on. We're currently in the middle of our largest training block of our Olympic qualifying season.

Now is the time we look to put the knife in on our opposition. There's no point waiting until the finals day to put our performance together, we have to build the base from months out - this is that time.

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THERE are six full-time members of the GB Rowing Team hailing from the North-East. Each of us are putting in some serious miles and working hard to place big scores in the gym.

I've had three important tests on the erg (rowing machine) this week, PB-ing in all of three, and it's taking a toll on my body.

After a big test I'd normally like a few lighter days of training to let my body recover, but my chief coach, Jurgen, has kept his foot on the pedal and asked us whether we can keep up. Thankfully, I'm still hanging on in there, but injury (from fatigue) and illness are likely during a period like this.

There's no let up until Sunday, a rare day off. It's reward for a big effort that will be needed on Saturday when we travel to Boston, Lincolnshire, for one of our national long-distance trials. The trial will be a 5km time trial raced in a pair or single, with a 15-second gap between each crew as we set off. Pacing it right is always the biggest challenge.

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THIS big training block started at the beginning of January on altitude camp - I spent two and a bit weeks at 2,000m in South Africa.

The camp was mainly ergs with some long cycles and weight lifting for variety. We covered a huge number of kilometres and the team was strong. Each of us react slightly differently to the change in oxygen levels but everyone punched it out and delivered what Jurgen asked of us.

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LAST weekend was a good one for local crews at Durham Small Boats Head. Durham ARC men had a strong showing with the first and second fastest times overall and a win in the single scull for Rushforth.

Durham ARC also led on the women's side. The young McDaid showed the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, leading her boat to the overall fastest women's crew title with three fellow junior girls.

There were strong performances from other NE based clubs, as well as competitors travelling south from Scotland and north from Yorkshire.

Tyne RC will be hoping to overturn a narrow loss on the Wear when local crews travel to Newcastle on Saturday for Tyne Head. Racing is over two divisions from Scotswood to Newburn at 10.30am and 2.30pm.

To mark Valentine's Day, Tyne RC have introduced a category for mixed doubles. Two masters crews have entered, and we all hope both crews remain happy couples by the end of the race (I would suggest driving to the event in separate cars though - just in case!)

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