Recap

I cried with complete abandon this morning after watching a replay of the race. With about 400 meters to go, I caught the crab that took us from first place to out of the race. I have not sobbed like that since discovering that my parents were divorcing.

This has been the most emotionally invested I have ever been in a single race season. Part of it is the amount of sheer resources I have devoted to this project. I left my home for the summer, I walked away from the quad at Malta, I left my friends in Seattle, I traveled repeatedly out to the East Coast for training camps and regattas. I worked for days just to bring a group of guys and coaches together to build this quad. I made the boat, I made stroke seat. We trained for weeks together. But it wasn't enough.

When the pressure was on, I faltered. At 38 strokes per minute, trying to steer the boat, trying to increase the pressure, watching the two competing quads come at us and eat away our lead, I lost my focus and got too tight and had a stroke that ended the season for me and my three teammates and our coaches.

So now I take two weeks off and get ready to do it again. I have a dream of racing for the USA and I am not done with it yet. I have more I can give, I just have to get more and more careful about it as I get older and my body wears down. But I will stay at it. I am going to make the team, even if it takes me four more years.

I have no regrets about this experience. It has been the greatest season in my rowing career and I am faster for it. I will eventually crawl out of the guilt hole in which I have buried myself.  The men I rowed with and coaches who trained me this summer were some of the best I have ever been with, and the experience was a privilege.

New season goals: sub 20:10 6k, sub 6:18 2k for the erg. Top 3 finish at NSR I in the light 1x. Top 3 finish at NSR II in the heavy or light double. Go to a quad camp. Make the quad. Win trials. Win a medal at the World Championship Regatta.

Headed to Princeton

We've packed up our equipment and are about to hit the road for the six hour drive to Princeton.  Wohoo!  We are pretty excited - everything seems to be falling into place and we have figured out so much in the last few weeks.  I feel so privileged to be racing with these gentlemen, under these coaches.  Trials should be a pretty solid couple of races too - there are entries from Malta Boat Club and Craftsbury Sculling Center.  All crews are full of talented oarsmen and the event should be exciting.  Looking forward to some great strokes and praying for some fast water!

The Quad in Boston

Another delayed update following a period of high activity.  I have been training in Boston the last three and a half weeks after a brief stent with some buddies in Philadelphia.  It has been a great experience and the coaching and level of athleticism is some of the best I have ever experienced.  I think the best way to start would be an introduction of some of the other people who have hands in the quad project.

Margot Shumway is our coach at Riverside and I am continually impressed by her level of devotion and the skill and focus she brings to our training.  I would list her as one of the most skilled coaches of my rowing career and am very thankful that she has taken this project on.  Margot is a two time Olympian with several national team experiences and is responsible for our day-to-day planning in Boston.

Scott Wisniewski is the high performance coach at Vesper and has played a big part in working with Margot and has put forth an offer for support however we may need it.  Scott has coached a number of boats and athletes internationally for years.

Pete Alter is the youngest athlete in our group, but also the one with the most international sculling experience.  Pete went to the University of Pittsburgh and rowed there for all four years.  This year, Pete finished 5th in the light men's single at NSR I, 1st in the light men's double at NSR 2x, and 9th in the light men's double at World Cup II in Dourney Lake, England.  Pete trains at Vesper most of the year in Philadlphia.

Andrew Hashway is the elder statesman at 28 and was a member of the US lightweight 8+ last year that raced at the World Championship Regatta.  Hash went to Marist College and has been on the lightweight sculling scene with me for the last few years.  This year he finished 2nd in the lightweight single at NSR I and 2nd in the light men's double at NSR II.  Hash trains at Riverside in Boston most of the year.

Jacob Georgeson is a graduate of Boston College and also trains out of Riverside Boat Club.  Jake finished 6th in the light single this year at NSR I and 2nd in the light double at NSR II.  Like me, Jake has never raced internationally on behalf of the US.

Stroke to bow: Me, Pete, Hash, and Jake with Margot in the background.

Training in Boston has always been a pleasure and this time is no different.  I am staying with Jake and his girlfriend and they have been outstanding hosts.  Riverside has done a great job of providing us with the resources we need, and the rowing community as a whole in Boston has been helpful and generous.

We are gearing up for US Senior Trials, which start August 5th.  There should be one or two other very quick entries in our event and we are excited for some great racing.  I never get to race enough and I feel such great anticipation for each one.  Bazoom!

Just playing around!

2013

It has been a long time since I have posted anything, so I will summarize.

June-December 2012: I trained solo in the single, joining up with other athletes whenever it was convenient.  No erg testing and unimpressive results in head races.  My primary focus was on school and work.  I stopped coaching (lots of crying for that one).

January 2013: I join up with Conal's group again for the coaching and structure - the break was good.  I set the American record in meters rowed in an hour on the erg for my age and weight class.  I set a new PR on my 2K, 10 strokes, and one minute tests.

February 2013: I win Ergomania.

March 2013: I win the lightweight 1x at Elk Lake Spring Regatta.  I travel to Philadelphia for my Spring Break and row with the men of Malta Boat Club.  I have a blast with my host David Smith and new buddies Colin Ethridge, Sam Cunningham, Brandon Eck, and Shane Madden.  We make boats go fast.  I got sick.  Gross.

April 2013: I bandit race NSR I, deciding to go a week before the regatta.  DOS hooks me up with a boat, a ride, and all the love I need to finish 3rd overall.  Best finish ever for me in the 1x at that regatta.  It was great to see Hugh McAdam win - three years ago we were both in the D-Final at NSR I 2010 and now we are together in the A-Final.  Hugs and kisses to all my old homies.

May 2013: Now I am keeping my head down, working my ass off.  In three weeks, I will be back in Philadlphia trying to make a lightweight 4x to trial this summer.  All the right men should be there, we just need to test out the combinations and have a coach pull the trigger on the lineup.  Getting faster, smaller, stronger!

Final at NSR I.  Roaring for a donut!  But seriously, thanks for the donuts, DOS!