During this hard time we are living far from water, we took the chance to talk with some of our top sailors to see how they are managing this lockdown experience.
How are they balancing their lives, training, mood or nutrition during this rare long period at home?
Quarantine talks – Interviewing Mari Erdi HUN
Hello Mari, thanks for your time. We saw on your Instagram account @mari_erdi you’re are back on water at Lake Balaton. How long have you been without sailing?
The last time I sailed before the virus hit Europe was in Mallorca. I was quite upset when I had to come home because I just got back to sailing after an injury and I was stoked to be back in the boat. Anyway, I am lucky enough to keep sailing at home now so I am pretty happy about that. My days don’t look too different from usual now. I sail 6 days a week and do 4-6 cardio sessions and 3 gym sessions. I really enjoy going out in the forest for a run or bike ride!
Sounds great! You’re really lucky of living in such a nice place. How’s being this quarantine to you? How do you manage your anxiety or mood, home tasks, feelings, nutrition, etc? Do you live alone or with your family? Do you have any hobbies?
My parents and my little brother live at lake Balaton and I live in Budapest. But now that life has basically stopped in the city I moved down to my parent’s house which I really enjoy. I just realized that I haven’t been home for spring or summer for like 6 years now. I was always on the road which takes a lot out of you. So I guess I needed this break I feel like I can finally catch up with myself. If you have a nice setup at home and you can keep training this is an opportunity for big gains. You are not wasting any time or energy on travelling, you decide what you put in your mouth and when and how much you sleep. So if you can stay disciplined this situation is not bad at all.
If you have a nice setup at home and you can keep training this is an opportunity for big gains. You are not wasting any time or energy on travelling, you decide what you put in your mouth and when and how much you sleep. So if you can stay disciplined this situation is not bad at all.
A new ‘hobby’ that I picked up is gardening. We decided to make a little vegetable garden in our front yard with my brother and everything started to grow already so we are stoked. 🙂
What’s your personal vision about this virus/ lockdown in the world?
It’s hard to tell. All we can rely on is what we see in the media and who knows what is true or false there… I think this situation is very difficult on many but most difficult on the people who are making the decisions. No one really knows what the right move is as this has never happened before. I will obey the rules and keep my distance from people as long as I have to.
How’s your coach and/or federation helping or pushing you to keep positive, motivated, healthy, strong?
I keep in contact with my coach, Sara Winther. I don’t have motivational issues. We keep trying to get the most out of every situation.
How do you feel about the Olympics postponement? Is it good or bad news to you? How’s that impacting your Olympic campaign?
Initially, I didn’t really care about the postponement as it’s out of my control. Now that I could think about it more I look at it as a positive thing. My plan, for now, is to keep training on and off the water, use this time to work on my weaknesses and be ready for when we can race again. But again, we don’t know how long this is going to last and there are far more important things than our Olympic campaigns happening in the World.
You might know we are all desperate to be back on water soon so we want to ask you, how were you allowed to sail? Are there any restrictions? Do you feel we’ll be all slowly allowed to sail soon?
My club, MVM SE was kind enough to get me a permit to go on the water with 1 coach and 1 training partner. This is quite a difficult situation for most of my sponsors too –Sennebogen, B+N, and MVM group–, but I believe that they grew out to be such great companies because they had the right people in charge who could handle difficulties. I am not sure when the clubs will open again but I hope really soon! I miss all the other sailors. It’s much more fun when everyone is there.
I am not sure when the clubs will open again but I hope really soon! I miss all the other sailors. It’s much more fun when everyone is there.
Now you’re back on your boat again, what are your first feelings after all this time?
I didn’t really miss any time because of the virus but I did miss about 3 month of sailing because of my injury. Anyways, when I finally got to sail again the feeling came right back so we could pick up where we left off.
What would be your best advice for others sailors to carry on this quarantine?
Use this time to do what feels right for you. If you can, go spend time in nature keep in contact with your loved ones and stay disciplined! Keep chasing your dreams, this will not last forever! 🙂
Mari
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