All race reports for Ming-Chee Chung
Event: University IVs 2007 - Light IVs
Posted as: M-C. Chung
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Crash.
Twice.
Still win.
Textbook.
Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2007 - Student Senior VIIIs
Posted as: M-C. Chung
Event Link
Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2008 - 1st division
Posted as: M-C. Chung
Event Link
Event: Robinson Head 2008 - 1st division
Posted as: M-C. Chung
Event Link
Event: FaT v BPBC Football Challenge 2008 - Football XI
Posted as: M-C. Chung
Event Link
Event: Welsh 3000's 2008 - Elite 2-
Posted as: M-C. Chung
Event Link
BPBC had put in a pretty good time for the 3000s in 2005 with their elite 4-. But I had two days to spare so added some extra peaks (including a second ascent of Snowdon by a different route) and took all my camping gear with me making it the 3000s - extra. Throughout the year I'd had my suspicions that a ham sandwich would in fact be quicker than Laffan. I was time to put it to the test. So the FaT elite 2- trekked into Wales with the sandwich in the bow seat.
We made a strong start from Nant Gwynant and the first ascent of Snowdon was pretty rapid. Then off the top via Y Lliwedd and back up Crib Goch for the second ascent of Snowdon. After coming off the start we hit a reasonable rhythm and were still moving pretty well at this stage. The ridge at Crib Goch turns out to be quite narrow and, with 10kgs of kit, we had some issues with balance, particularly as there was a reasonable cross wind.
The next climb came, after descending to sea level, up Elidir Fawr which in English means calorie deficit. By now we had fallen below race pace and I was beginning to suspect that the bow man wasn't pulling its weight. At the top of the climb it was clear that the ham sandwich was quicheing, and I was pretty hungry so he would have to be cut from the crew. So the elite lightweight 1x proceeded through the Glyders to Tryfan to conclude the first day. Jumping between Adam and Eve on the top of Tryfan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tryfan for photo) was entertaining but probably not the best idea without the bowman to provide assistance if I screwed up. So I took JPD's advice - "Just don't spaz it up".
At least for the first day I could see where I was going. The next day, though the Carnedd section, I might as well have been playing blindfold navigation games. Luckily I managed to avoid doing a Garrod and kept it within the lanes but was significantly slowed down by taking the scenic route. The latter half of the course was over fairly quickly but I'd gone off too hard having underestimated how difficult 14,000ft of ascent with camping gear would be. Unable to sprint (or walk) for the line I was now back to coxing weight and maybe that's the best option.
Results: Laffan beats ham sandwich, verdict easily. Single sculls are pretty boring. Sub 10 is achievable - in fact, the 4- probably would have done it if they had stayed at the top of Snowdon overnight and started from there, as the official route requires.
Event: Fairbairn Cup 2008 - Senior VIIIs
Posted as: M-C. Chung
Event Link
Still, there are a lot of positives to be taken from this race. As Charles says, this was a committed row and, despite the high intensity of work, the quality of the rowing was at least of the standard which we had trained at over the past few weeks.
In the middle of the race I was a bit upset by the fact that I couldn't put down as much power as I would have liked to because my forearms hurt so much. In the end, this was probably for the best as going any harder in the middle probably would have resulted in blowing up somewhere around grassy. Clearly more forearm guns are required in addition to technical pairs work.
Another positive was that losing reminded me of this video, which is definitely applicable under these circumstances: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1fmZmKsL5eE
Congratulations to the LMBC M2 crew who defeated us today. But we'll be back in black next term to set the record straight.
Note: Marcus Aurelius had a dream that was banter. This was some way towards realising that dream.
