Harry Welsh's Distance Award Tips
On the 14th of December 1999, Harry Welsh, a veteran rower from Canterbury and a former world indoor rowing champion, became the first in Great Britain to achieve the 15 million metres Distance Award, though Harry is quick to suggest "Let's say the first officially registered, as I'm sure that there are other rowers who do not record their distances who have rowed 15 million metres or more." We asked him what his thoughts were on the Award Scheme, and if he had any suggestions or advice to offer aspiring participants.
"There is, in my case, a great advantage in being retired, possessing your own Indoor Rower, and having a wife who is sympathetic to rowing and training. Two ways of achieving the Awards can be considered. Firstly, just letting it happen in the course of training or exercise. Secondly, by way of a definite programme involving aims and objectives. The second way certainly demands self-discipline, determination and dedication, but is decidedly quicker! There is an often used expression: 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step', which seems an apt way to consider the Award Scheme - both short and long term goals are important.
A. Estimate a feasible and sustainable weekly distance that you could row, relative to your circumstances. Divide this into the required distance. This gives you an approximate time scale for achieving your first objective. For example, a weekly total of 20,000 metres would achieve the first senior award within a year. It is felt that a combination of 2,000 metre training and steady state rowing to reach weekly targets would be preferable. Irrespective of the award, a haphazard approach is less conducive to progress than one that is planned and organised.
B. Keep a strict record of all distances rowed, either under or over your target distance. It is not always possible to achieve this, but it is possible to do a 'catch-up' row to get back on track, or even beat your weekly target. The criterion for the awards is to row the distance. There is no stipulation as to how you must do it, either as slow or as fast as you like. Here the Performance Monitor is a great asset as there is a resettable odometer feedback to show distance covered in the workout.
C. On long rows, make use of music or even TV to relieve boredom. Ensure that you have a good fluid intake. Just keep rowing, if you have the desire, you will get there.
D. It may well be that the daily quota is a considerable distance, and fairly demanding. There will be days when it seems too much to do in one session. In this event, it would be prudent to split the distance into two or even three sessions, if sufficient time is at your disposal. There are thousands of rowers who have no wish to compete or be ranked. For these the Award Scheme is ideal. It provides encouragement and incentive, as the world does not revolve around competition."
- Harry Welsh
