To be a successful high-performance lightweight rower, I required exceptional physical attributes such as fitness and strength, together with high levels of dedication and resilience. However, when faced with frustrating setbacks such as injury and illness, like many athletes, the qualities that made me a champion became my own worst enemy. Vigorous specifically targeted training followed by sufficient recovery is essential to improve athletic performance. It is difficult to balance training and recovery and when you layer on the added constraint of a weight-limited sport like lightweight rowing, training becomes more complex. In my sport, lightweight rowing, women compete under 57 kg and men under 70 kg. Making weight was a real challenge for me at 5′7″, so I maximised every opportunity to burn calories. That often meant choosing an active recovery session over a rest day, in my already challenging training schedule. The extreme weight loss strategies I employed in the days leading up to the National Championships in 2000 seem ridiculous and incomprehensible now. I was not at race weight the night before the finals, so I severely restricted my food and drink intake, to the point of dehydration. I remember the blissful sensation of sucking the moisture out of my toothbrush, I savoured that moment when the cool, minty water slid down my throat. Despite turning the heating up and sleeping under …

中文翻译：

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“睡鼠”：我作为一名患有过度训练综合症的轻量级赛艇运动员的故事

要成为一名成功的高性能轻量级赛艇运动员，我需要出色的身体素质，例如健康和力量，以及高度的奉献精神和韧性。然而，当面对伤病等令人沮丧的挫折时，和许多运动员一样，让我成为冠军的品质成为了我最大的敌人。剧烈的有针对性的训练和充分的恢复对于提高运动表现至关重要。很难平衡训练和恢复，当你在轻量级划船等重量限制运动的附加约束上进行分层时，训练变得更加复杂。在我的运动中，轻量级划船，女子 57 公斤以下，男子 70 公斤以下。在 5 英尺 7 英寸的时候，增加体重对我来说是一个真正的挑战，所以我最大限度地利用每一个机会来燃烧卡路里。这通常意味着在我已经充满挑战的训练计划中，在休息日选择积极的恢复课程。我在 2000 年全国锦标赛前几天采用的极端减肥策略现在看来是荒谬和不可理解的。决赛前一天晚上我没有达到比赛体重，所以我严格限制了我的食物和饮料的摄入量，以至于脱水。我记得从牙刷中吸出水分的幸福感觉，当凉爽的薄荷水从我的喉咙里滑下时，我享受着那一刻。尽管打开暖气并睡在… 决赛前一天晚上我没有达到比赛体重，所以我严格限制了我的食物和饮料的摄入量，以至于脱水。我记得从牙刷中吸出水分的幸福感觉，当凉爽的薄荷水从我的喉咙里滑下时，我享受着那一刻。尽管打开暖气并睡在… 决赛前一天晚上我没有达到比赛体重，所以我严格限制了我的食物和饮料的摄入量，以至于脱水。我记得从牙刷中吸出水分的幸福感觉，当凉爽的薄荷水从我的喉咙里滑下时，我享受着那一刻。尽管打开暖气并睡在…