Training Log Archive: Steve R

Div-2 Pennant GF at Elanora

3-1 win vs MG (245). What a tense night! Wasn't confident going into this (individually and as a team) as I'd lost the previous 2 encounters against him and team mates' form wasn't great.
MG takes up heaps of space and is super aggressive attacking from all over the court. Playing last, I needed to win for the team to get over the line and this result was always going to be pivotal to the team result. I was anxious before the match but felt nice and calm once on court and warmed up. During the first game and any loose shots of mine were punished. Despite losing the first, I felt comfotable and was able to put some work in his legs with some longer rallies. I Managed to claw my way back to take the tight second game. Length and width improved as the match went on and he started to tire with an increasing tin count. Huge relief and joy to close it out, especially after last season getting so close watching from the bench.

Team dominated the early home and away season although form was patchy over the last 5 rounds. Elanora were the form team coming into finals and beat us 2 weeks ago. They had their top 4 players while we were missing our 3 &4 Mark and Manav. So it was great to step up in the final when it really mattered. Ben had the toughest assignment at no.1 going down in a close 3-0 to ex pro SD (280). No.2 Mic brought serious game face to take down DG (246) 3-1. Matt H playing his first final at no.4 swung momentum our way with another 3-1 vs JB (237).

Feels great to tick off another challenging 2017 goal. After Recoveting from some summer series niggles and then severely debilitating lung issues I was never able to train with any sustained intensity this season. On court it was mostly level 3 intensity sessions focussing more on technique than conditioning and off court a lot of swimming and building up slowly to some long Sunday runs through June. Cautious training approach focussing on getting cherry ripe for this GF paid off.

Big season for MQ squash with Unsquashable's team 1 winning div-1 for the first time. Bit of an anti-climax with the MAASH team forfeiting though.

C • YAY 4

GF tune-up hit with Mic.

Nice long run from Gordon station to Long Reef via Pipeline, Bungaroo & Middle Harbour tracks (which is sandier than I remember), Cascades, and Heath track up to Belrose. Morgan Rd to Slippery Dip fire trail, Narrabeen Lagoon, then a tough street climb through Cromer Heights finishing at Long Reef headland. Another pearler of a day and a good mix of singles tracks and firetrail.
1L of water + 1 banana.

Games with Andy & Ben.