fatigue

You know it is going to be one hell of a tough week when your coach personally takes the time to warn you. So far we have done a 4x2k high rate workout and two all out race rate pyramids..... today is a lactate step test, tomorrow is 3x1250, and Saturday is 3x2k. Oh boy, was she ever right! Welcome to selection.
Yesterday I had the privilege of rowing in a 4- behind Sarah Black and Carolyn Gains, two girls from the senior squad. On the last 30 second piece of the pyramid we build our stroke rate up to a 48 and held a 46. I could hardly walk by the time we finally finished our row and got back to the dock. Breakfast was silent, as we all slumped against our benches waiting for the food to arrive. Once it did all you could hear was the sound of  eight hungry athletes simultaneously inhaling what food was in front of them. I guarantee that by the end of the week there will be at least one over fatigued, crying athlete. Especially because there has been at least on episode every week since I arrived. I have been getting  nine or more hours of sleep a night, and feel relatively "fresh" in the morning, so fingers crossed that it won't be me!
Newsflash: One starboard was sent home this week. It is planned that more athletes will be sent home this weekend.