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.