First race recap.

Well that was an interesting regatta; my heat was at 7:30 so that was a little early, but still doable. My plan did not happen because I started to get a little startled and overwhelmed with my competitors coming back after a solid 500m in the lead. After that, I tried to hang in the race but one after the other they got closer. I took too much with the arms and slowed myself down. The last 500m, I sprinted and made up a little time.
In the end, I had the 7th or 8th best time, but I didn't qualify to the final because only 1 and 2 advanced. The heats were not equal though since the third heat (mine) was much faster than the second. I wouldn't have probably gotten 4th in the final. No big deal though, experience is experience. Now I'm off on vacation until the Halifax regatta and maybe Clubs.

USRowing Southeast Regionals

After 7 hours of driving to the middle of nowhere, I finally found the race site. Definitely not my favorite because it is a strong head wind, the course is extremely slanted, and it's very hot. Good thing Marvin Leninger is here to keep me company! I went out for a small 4k practice with a practice run of the course. It went well, but it feels long with a head wind. My heat tomorrow is at 7:30a.m. and I am in lane 2; the first 2 go to final. I'm not worried but I'm still skeptical on how the race will go because I have no idea who my competitors are.

Last day in Melbourne

Last practice in Melbourne before leaving for the S.C. race. Of course it was blazing hot and I hated it but I got some solid meters in with two old guys. I am not too worried about ratings or endurance for this race, just efficient technical work like keeping the shoulders down, staying relaxed in the upper body, and letting the shell glide after a swell acceleration at the release. I worked a lot on all the areas in France, but the hardest part this week was to apply that in the Hudson and trying to feel the same sensations (= semi-working lol). Leaving in the morning tomorrow for S.C. so that I can get so water time before the race.

Wood vs. Plastic

For the last two weeks, I was in France rowing in my mom's old Stampfli which is wooden of course and really learned to appreciate it's curves, sensitivity, and personality. Now that I'm back in Florida, I'm using my Great White Hudson which is fine, but I've been having a hard time getting back in the groove with it. The shell sort of feels dead and not lively. It will get better with time, but I still haven't had a bad time with wood.

Speed work

I am only 3 days away from the S.C. race and speed work was needed today. Because of the win, we had to row in the 500m creek which never helps. Starts, 10s, 20s, 30s, progressive build-ups in rating, these are all small exercises I do to start preparing my body for the next few days. Hopefully it isn't as hot up there because I'm dying in Melbourne.

First post!

First post for this blog. This is exciting because I will be able to share everything that is happening in my rowing life with detail.
Tomorrow will be the first day back on the water in the U.S. with Casey Baker, 5 more days until US Rowing Southeast Regionals.