Oz Championships

[[old] dennish]

Not all sure where would be the best place for this thread but I decided that here would be fine. Last weekend in the OZ Championships John Harvey yet again won Gold, this time in the 55-59 Lwt. Also gold in the 500 and 1000. OK impressive enough, but if you have never meet this man and/or don't know his story you are missing out on one of the all time feel good, amamzing erg stories. I first met John at the 2003 B's. We are nearly exactly the same age and weight so it was natural that we got to know each other. Well mostly because he had many many questions for Caviston and Mike and I were hanging out together. That year he came third, to my second. Class act this man. The next year we were all set to renew friendships and competiton but he had recurance of major illness in Jan and was physiclly unable to compete. Never truly completely over his health problems he nonetheless embarked on prep for the '05 B's. Unable to train hard for long periods he would just replay the tape of the '03 event and put himself there in his mind. He could raise his HR to over 150 just sitting on the erg. He came to Boston and took a excellent fourth. This year yet more health trouble that doesn't allow him to erg in anything approaching a normal stroke. The only way he can manage the machine is a rate over 40. And yes, he qualified again with a 6:49. You want a champion? You want inspiration? Or maybe you just need proof that there are alternatives to more traditional training. I have known many champions in my athletic career, soccer, cycling, rowing and erging. Most I admire in huge proportions, h*** I taught and coached Ron Kiefel in High School, rode with Tyler and worked at charity events with Elway. I'm proud beyond belief to call Mary P., Joan VB, Bayko, Mike C, McGoldrick, McGuirk, Luann, Roadrunner, John-Paul Tardeau, Graham Watt and Paul Smith my firends and champions all. But none has a bigger heart or more passion for the game than John Harvey. He's going to BIRC and if you don't take the chance to met the man you will be lesser for it. Game on John, Live strong. dennis

[[old] Roland Baltutis]

I met John Harvey at the Aussie Champs last weekend. In fact because there was such a poor turnout amoungst the over 30s age groups I rowed my race at the same time as his and we were only a couple ergs apart. <br /><br />John certainly is a legend. Meeting him in person you can see just in his face that he had been through a lot lately. He didn't look all that well, jet some how he managed to dig deep from his heart and churn out an amazing 6.49 performance. I've got no idea how he can do it. Looks like he'll be off to Boston again for another crack at that hammer.<br /><br />There were about 700 competitors there (about 90% of them school kids), none of which could be credited as putting in a performance like John did.<br /><br />Roland Baltutis<br />

[[old] Bayko]

The only thing bad about John Harvey is that he can make me feel like such a wimp when things get tough and I give up on something. Maybe if he can keep working on me I can eventually get at least half as tough as he is. <br /><br />It's great to see he's qualified for Boston again.<br /><br />Rick

[[old] Mike Caviston]

It’s fantastic that John will be racing at BIRC, and I envy those of you who will get a chance to meet or talk to him. His story is absolutely remarkable and as Dennis and Rick have mentioned, when you put things in perspective it makes it hard to think of your own problems as serious. Well, maybe that’s not quite right… I know other people have serious problems to contend with. What is remarkable about John is his ability to stay upbeat and positive despite all the challenges he’s faced. At first you might think he’s just in denial, but he’s not. He’s very much a realist. He accepts what he can’t control but he’s developed an amazing ability to control aspects of his mental and physical states that leave me astounded. Knowing John can’t help but give you courage and faith that with a strong enough will we can meet whatever challenges life gives us. <br /><br />Maya Angelou wrote: “If you don’t like something change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.”<br /><br />John, thanks for all your inspirations and advice over the past few years.<br /><br />Mike Caviston<br />

[[old] Steve G]

Hi Guys<br />Just getting over my 55th Birthday, and humbled at Johns achievements, even though he will kick my butt at BIRC, will be good meeting him <br />Dennis, who knows, perhaps see you again at Boston in the same age group in February, just back from 2 weeks in Florida, and good to meet a lot of friendly US guys over there. <br />Cheers<br />Steve<br />55LW 37KG GB

[[old] Canoeist]

<!--QuoteBegin-Steve G+Oct 19 2005, 11:53 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Steve G @ Oct 19 2005, 11:53 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><br />Steve<br />55LW 37KG GB <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Steve, I knew that you were a lightweight, but starving yourself to 37KG is not really very healthy. My 9 year old son is skinny as a rail and about the same weight. But, you would make an excellent coxwain!<br /><br />Back to the topic, I met John last year at CRASH-B. I look forward to seeing him again this year. I would love to learn more about his mental approach to improving physical capacity.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Paul Flack

[[old] Steve G]

<!--QuoteBegin-Canoeist+Oct 22 2005, 12:40 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Canoeist @ Oct 22 2005, 12:40 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-Steve G+Oct 19 2005, 11:53 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Steve G @ Oct 19 2005, 11:53 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><br />Steve<br />55LW 37KG GB <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Steve, I knew that you were a lightweight, but starving yourself to 37KG is not really very healthy. My 9 year old son is skinny as a rail and about the same weight. But, you would make an excellent coxwain!<br /><br />Paul Flack <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Well spotted Paul, I actually put 2 Kilos on in the USA, due to no training, except hauling my ass up 100s of steps to the water chutes, but now back to normal at 67Kg!<br />Cheers<br />Steve<br />55LW/GB/67KG

[[old] Rocket Roy]

I raced against John Harvey last year but didn't get a chance to meet him. I hope to put that right at Birc.<br /><br />So Dennis you'll be 55 for the World's in Feb? Good thing I'm getting down to weight again