Working on endurance, rhythm
DeAnne Hemmens

June 24
Today we drove back down to the training center. We had blood tests and maximum VO2 tests again. I decided I didn't want to do them; the results are never of value. We've never put the results to any use and I have felt like a scientific guinea pig. Anyway, the coach wasn't too thrilled with this prospect but I really don't care. I've decided to do what is best for me for a change.

I went for a great paddle and did two all-out time trials over race distance. I wasn't too fast, but not so bad for a Monday, in a single, and without any speed work.

I spent the afternoon in the weight room with all the other athletes that didn't do the tests--then a walk after dinner. All in all it was a good day. We leave for Atlanta in one week.

June 26
We have had a few hard days. Tuesday was a long-endurance K4 workout--broken up in 45 seconds on, 15 seconds off x 50 reps--at 80 percent. We worked together as we had no coaching and had a very productive session. We are working together well and had a good paddle for not paddling in the K4 in two weeks.

The afternoon consisted of a K1 paddle for technique and endurance. Then we ran for 30 minutes and had a massage. I felt tired this day.

Today we had another long K2 session: 15 km of rhythm--kind of boring and again without coaching. Nevertheless we worked hard for the session and tried to get a lot from it. The afternoon was a weight-training session and a light paddle to stretch out. I'm starting to pack up my room because tomorrow I will check-out of the training center and get ready to pack for Atlanta--here we go.

June 30
Well, what a week--Thursday Lia and I checked out of the ARCO Training Center. It was bittersweet. I am sad to say goodbye to all the people there who have been so kind--the gardeners, cooks, volunteers, and administrators. On the other hand I am glad to be finished with this portion of my life.

Up here in Newport Lia and I have had a couple of really good paddles--sort of like old times before the Olympic Trials.

I have spent the whole day today packing and sorting out what to take to Atlanta--where it's 95 degrees and 90 percent humidity--Wow, I can't even imagine.

Lia and I fly United to Atlanta via Chicago--we leave at 6 a.m. and arrive around 4:30 p.m. I am very anxious to race--my mom and my husband gave me a going-away party with tons of red, white, and blue streamers. It was a fun barbecue and the weather was great--no fog and wind.