MCLAIN WAVES: July 2014

Hi guys,

I’m still training away in Romania. Since World cups, we’ve spent the past 6 weeks in a grueling training camp. We did a 4 week long “cycle” of hard training: 12 paddle, 6 lifts, and 3 runs - a week (Sundays off). Then took a long 3 day weekend complete off. Now we’re back half way through our 2^nd training cycle. The first cycle took a lot out of me. Most days, I felt like I was on top of the world and fought hard, pushing till I had no more to give. This cycle, I keep grinding away everyday but with less of that spark I saw in the first training cycle.

They say you improve the most when you’re struggling and tired. So this feels like the time to keep powering along as hard as I can through paddles/lifts/runs. I’ve been learning how to find my 2^nd winds, 3^rd winds, 4^th, 5^th. I learn how to push when I thought I had nothing left. I learn how to bounce out of soreness and tiredness. I think that’s where improvement comes fastest: pushing when you’re down. It’s all about keeping a positive mental outlook and finding that “fight.”

We have another 2 weeks of training here in Romania. We’re at probably my favorite place to train: Lake Snagov which is the site of the Romanain canoe/kayak home base. Nothing to do here but eat/sleep/train. Life is so simple and focused. Then I get a week back home with my family in Maine. Hallelujah. After that, it’s preparations for National Champs (end of July), and then PanAmerican champs (beginning of September). What a summer!

Happy 4^th of July, America!