It’s been six days since I left Canberra, and I’m writing this from the AIS European Training Centre in Gavirate, Italy.
On the 2nd of June, I finished my business and my Grad Certificate in Health Science (although waiting on final marks/results), and on the 7th, I left for Italy.
It’s been nine years since I last flew to Europe, and I was dreading it, but like most things, the anticipation is often worse than the actual event. I came prepared with books, both hard copy and audio, and downloaded podcasts where I listened to 2 Imperfects episodes and then spent the rest of the flight in and out of sleep. It’s funny when you look at a flight itinerary, and it seems like you have lots of time during a stopover (4.5 hours), but it’s not nearly as long as you think. It was nice to walk around Dubai Airport with my friend Andrew, who boarded a flight to Dubai an hour before mine en route to Africa.
My first three days were hectic with post-travel stiffness for the athletes, and I didn’t see much outside the treatment room.
The weather is excellent training weather of 23 to 26 degrees, the meals are fully catered, and cafes, shops and restaurants are within walking distance. One of the main complaints is the size of the face hole on the treatment beds, which I tried out and attempted to make more comfortable.
On my 4th day, I made it out onto the lake to watch the Men row and take in the views, and they didn’t disappoint. However, I have been told it is even better, so I will look to go out a few more times during my time here.
I’m glad that I packed my lifting shoes as I’ll be able to use the gym when the athletes aren’t, and I feel I will need to as I’ve been eating more than usual. There’s a cold breakfast from 5.30 till 9, then a hot breakfast from 9 till 10.30, followed by lunch from 12.30 to 2.30 (which for me is 12.30 as I often have an athlete to treat at 1 pm) and then dinner from 6 till 8 pm. My day is run by meal times and athlete appointment bookings.
A key observation so far has been that with access to a physio, massage therapist and doctor whenever needed, there is a hyper-awareness and perhaps even hypersensitivity to their bodies. This seems to be more prevalent in women than men. There are some race jitters as they have the first World Cup Regatta from Friday to Sunday. There has been feedback that massage usage, in particular, increases because it gives them something to do and why not? However, there is such a thing as overtreatment, which would be another blog post! Another consideration is that a previous rowing coach to the men shamed them for receiving treatment which may still affect their medical use.
Perhaps some of my readers can shed light on their experience when they’ve had access to medical on tap and how it impacted your presentation for treatment and body awareness.
I tuned into the Brumbies QF against the Hurricanes, and what a match it was! I started watching while treating an athlete and then was on lunch in the dining hall for the finish. (The S&C sat and watched the end with me, I could turn these rowers into rugby fans yet!) I was unashamedly emotional and so proud of their fight. Bring on the Chiefs on Saturday! Make sure you tune in at 5 pm on Saturday AEST, which is 9 am for me!
I am signing off with a picture of my hot chocolate (more like chocolate custard in a cup) and Chocolate Brioche, which I had on Sunday.
Ciao for now.
This looks like a terribly good time!
I always felt like I needed a massage before a big game just to calm myself down, I think we all get a bit antsy towards big events!
Great stuff Clare and we definitely had blokes who got extra treatment on game day just because they where nervous.