Good Intentions

I intended to blog after every practice. I intended to document my progress (or lack of). Not only in planning and executing a major national event, but to chronicle my own training. Good intentions have made way for God’s intentions. The amount of detail required to manage a diverse and demanding group of people have made it necessary for divine intervention every day. Imagine practicing twice a day three times a week and once the other two days, managing the group’s training and planning a historic, groundbreaking event. Brings me to my knees.

There is always something to improve. Stop shooting my slide. Quick hands. Tap down at the finish. Keep my hands moving. Not so much layback. Yikes! The callouses on my hands and calf bites on my left leg are leaving torturous reminders of the tough competitive practices. But I love the sun on my face, the breeze on my skin, the glide through the water, the experience of synchronicity. And the very rare moment, when it all seems perfect.

It’s hard to describe these feelings in words. So I let them be. I am content to blog when the words come.

You Can't Row In A Puffy Coat

You can tell it's the end of the season when you wear layers to practice. I hate to be too cold or too warm. So, what can I can wear to keep warm when not rowing, that fends off the elements (especially rain or snow flurries ---yes, I said snow!)?

I love sleeveless outerwear generally. It keeps my arms free for activity and flexibility. However, unless fitted to the torso, I found out the hard way, that the extra fabric is an impediment to getting in a full length stroke. No room for a puffy coat in the boat. 

Yikes!

Is It Really Over?

Haven't blogged in awhile. It's been a busy few weeks training for upcoming Regattas and managing the new novice class. Oh yes, and I do work and have a personal life. Imagine that. I also became ill for the first time in many years just before the Liftbridge Regatta which is a 6K race along the Erie Canal in Fairport, NY.

The practices were tough on my respiratory system, but I showed up. Unfortunately for the first time, I experienced negativity among teammates which reflected on my own rowing. Some of those on the competitive team actually resent being in any boat but the A boat. I'm as competitive as they come, but this kind of thinking and the behavior that comes with it, is new to me, especially with adults. My vision is so much more focused. I want any Cross Currents or Friend of Cross Currents rower to excel at their training, so that we can run an all CC boat and train for the Charles. To be distracted by bad mouthing, especially by others who aren't at the top of their own game, is distressing when I think of the folks coming behind us to train with the competitive coach. High school at 50. Who knew?

Yes, I made it through the 6K, and I didn't stagger out of the boat. It was not my best row, but I hung in there at 6-seat. But what made it funky was the undercurrent of negativity. I will need to ponder that. Not the way I wish CC rowers to behave, so need to take this lesson learned and incorporate it into our own training next season to ensure that we do not replicate this attitude. I wasn't able to row in the Head of the Genesee (HOG) due to other plans, but all reports were awesome. CC rowers were in numerous competitive and rec row boats and I couldn't be prouder. Nice way to close out our fifth anniversary.

Now on to 2012.

I Can Row!

Who would have thought? At five-seat the other night, I actually felt everything go right. My timing was there, my length was there, my strength and push off were there. It was so nice to be rewarded for a season of very hard work and self flagellation. I know how to beat up on myself better than anyone, even the coach. I am very hard on myself, and get to points of exhaustion and frustration when I am unable to perform to my standards. I never have been competitive with others, only myself. So even if it's just one time, I KNOW I CAN ROW!!!!

Reach for Your Toes

I am trying to avoid pausing  at the catch periodically, resulting from thinking instead of acting. Mentally, when I am trying to make a change in my stroke, I start to break down the sequence, and it doesn't take long for the coach to notice I have developed a little hitch. This very little thing can have a big impact on my team members and the set of the boat..something that  affects me more than anything. I hate feeling like I am negatively affecting the experience of others. Luckily, everyone has some thing or things they need to work on: timing, chopping, squaring up earlier, finishing strong, faster hands and reaching for the toes among many other little technicalities. The stroke has been described as a tabletop motion, coming to the finish high, and quick hands to the catch without dropping the hands. Complicated, for sure, but once achieved and everyone does it together, the row is exhilarating.

The Charles Is Off

Learned that our GWC entry wasn't accepted this year. We also did not have enough Competitive Cross Currents rowers to enter, but next season, we have a strong foundation to build upon, especially with so many new rowers that are training and eager to improve and race. I am disappointed, but I know now with experience, that it takes years to build a core group that will train together and work towards a common goal consistently. Oscar and I did an interview today for CityWise (Channel 12-Shiera Coleman-host), and it is always exciting to talk about the future. I would have never imagined that we would be nationally recognized as America Rows Rochester, and poised to significantly grow our program.

Sopping, but Not Stopping

Soaked again today. Switched to port today, so my form was off, but racing was so much fun, I forgot how wet I was. I enjoyed the row much better than Thursday, when I was ready to walk away. That day, I just couldn't get a good catch and finish, and was drinking river water (might as well have been drinking Genesee Beer) every other stroke. It's tough when the timing is off, because the bow reaps the sins of the stern, that's for sure. I'm not a quitter, but I get to the point of stopping, just to regroup and breathe.

Soaked and Provoked

Some days I come out of the boat sopping wet and feel great. Today was not one of those days. I should be stoked, not provoked. That's all for today. I'm speechless.

New to Crew!

Tonight Cross Currents hosted another Learn To Row session. It is always refreshing to experience rowing through the eyes of new recruits. We are getting better at this each time we plan our orientation to rowing. Participants receive informational packets, and the training consists of more than the erg, indoor and outdoor rowing experience. A tour of the boathouse, learning the jargon, safety rules and meeting veterans have been added to enrich the physical experience. This is a far cry from my first exposure, when I just stepped into a boat. What is even more amazing is that in five years, it takes recruiting and training three times as many people to result in a group of dedicated rowers who embrace the rigors and demands of this unfamiliar sport. 

We welcome all, and look forward to continuing to bring others who are "new to crew."

It's about Drop , not Chop

Last night's practice focused on dropping the blade into the water, then creating a "force" with your legs to propel the boat forward. Often, we work against our natural momentum, by "muscling" the stroke. We mistake the application of power as the element needed to move the boat smoothly, creating a "run" instead of a jerking, stop and start motion. Chopping, instead of dropping the blade smoothly fights the ability to catch the water at full reach and power. We need to fight the urge to make rowing harder than it really is and "go with the flow".

It's All About Timing

After several rocky practices in 3-seat in an eight, I was ready for a better experience. Usually I am in the stern, so my plan was to try and correct some flaws to improve the length and timing of my stroke. Well, man plans, God laughs. Today was not going to be that day, because it became all about timing. Originally assigned to 5-seat, coach asked me to switch back to three. I immediately started to wonder, hmmm. what is it NOW? Well, after our first ten-minute piece I found out. The timing was the thing. Or the lack of it. Even though I was with my usual seat mate in 4, it didn't help me. If I kept my timing with her, I was off 5-seat. If I kept up with 5, then I was off my pair.  It was like that for the whole piece. It was interesting to feel the thwarted run of the boat because of the dueling sides. At last, I decided to keep up with my pair, watch my handle heights as coach asked and get through the next 20 minute piece. As sloppy as the row was, it was way better than the last two practices, where coach had to take us back to 6's. When he was taking about how miserable it was for us, I thought I must be nuts, because I felt great compared to the rows I had had previously. Timing is everything. Well at least for today.

Almost Within Reach

Every practice, it seems like I am working to correct something else. I haven't gotten to the point where I have totally mastered one aspect of the stroke so I can concentrate on another thing. I always come away feeling that mastery is just out of reach. I get to the point of "almost there", but almost isn't good enough. If I could just know what success feels like, it would help me push through so I can focus on my conditioning. Almost within reach...it's just a tease to be so close.

To Row is To Grow

I just read through a collection of Steve Job's quotes, and given his terminal condition, was particularly struck by this particular one, delivered shortly after his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

And One More Thing

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” [Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

Those of us who are committed to the mission of Cross Currents are such change agents. The Diversity Invitational held recently here in Rochester, NY has altered the face of rowing and 136-year history of under representation in this prestigious and elite sport. Our rowing experience has influenced our own growth as individual rowers while touching other organizations locally, regionally and now nationally. We are poised to grow with our partners in USRowing's inclusion initiative, America Rows,  and look forward to working with so many others who make waves and change lives every day. We must create a legacy that will always make way for the new, while respecting those who have prepared the way.

It was Four-gettable

Today's row in the WinTech 4+ was miserable. It was Ethan's last practice, and I was looking forward to rowing with the guys in 2-seat, especially my friends Mark (1) and Oscar (4). Cliff who recently joined our practices, was in 3. Felt good in pairs and I was working on my handle heights, but the entire row was down to starboard and difficult once we rowed all four. I had a tough time trying to get the length and my timing wasn't where I wanted to be. The only redemption is that it was not a good experience for anyone. 
The best part of the practice was actually getting the exercise, even though I was wiped out for the rest of the day. I also wore a long sleeved skin, since it started out cooler in the morning. Not a good choice since I overheat easily. Good thing there was a lot of splashing, so I was drenched at the end of practice and cooled down quickly.

It's a Mixed Bag

Rowed in a mixed eight today (8/18) in the Joule with Sarah (8), Deb (7), me at (6), Cliff (5), his wife, Deb (4), Monique (3), Nicole (2) and Twylla in bow. It was mostly a technical practice with a lot of drills which is always a good way to work on improvements.
I am back on port, so it takes a bit to reorient my body position and make other adjustments. I am really trying not to reach so far forward and to let my hamstrings do the work, but it isn't easy to erase the muscle memory. Overall the row wasn't too bad, and the weather was perfection.

It's Only Just Begun

This morning was my first practice after a much needed rest following the planning and successful launch of USRowing's Diversity Invitational on July 30th. I can't believe that I was in five races -- two 2k's and three 500M sprints. Medaled three times--all bronze which was very cool. I was afraid all of my muscles had seized up, but there's nothing like being back in a boat. I love being on the river at the crack of dawn watching the sunrise and feeling the run of the boat as it glides through the current. I was in a mixed 8+ with Mark (8), Oscar(7), Vance (6), Cliff (5), Joan (4), me at 3--hey that rhymes--, Sarah (2) and Patricia (bow). This was Vance's second competitive practice but one would never know. The practice gave everyone a solid workout and technical training. Good to be back.