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It has been a great transition these last few months since Aiguebelette. A quick recap.
Keara and I spent several days after the regatta traveling France and doing the tourist thing. I missed out on the post-race party scene, much to my chagrin. After so many months away from home and immersed in rowing, I was immediately ready to kick my feet up and relax with Keara.
I got back into the 1x as soon as I got home and started putting in the miles. I committed myself to training only once per day until the fall academic quarter was over. I needed time to address all of the life chores that had piled up while I had been gone.
At the top of the list, over the summer I decided to suspend indefinitely my pursuit of my doctoral degree at the University of Washington. I had reached the stage in my work where all of my focus would now be on my dissertation, and the prospect of spending three more years of late nights with little or no money coming in, stressing out over presentations, did no excite me. I gave notice to the powers that be at the University and confirmed that this would be my last quarter. I am spending my time teaching and taking a class just to round things out for me.
So what now?! I have that master's degree, and a pretty solid quantitative background. So I decided to go the actuarial route. Before I get flack for selling out, I have to explain the mast plan here. I have applied for and been offered an internship at Liberty Mutual. They're a large firm with offices in (wait for it) Boston and Seattle. The hope is to convert the internship to a full-time position and start a career with a company with will allow my some flexibility between these two cities so I can continue to race and train. Actuaries have pretty solid work schedules, and the first few exams shouldn't require too much prep on my part thanks to my background. So hopefully in a year, I'll be bringing in some real money, city hopping, and training like a boss, as always.
My plan is to hold out for 2017 at this point. I'm not an Olympian. I wish I was, but I'm not. I know I'm an OK rower, but I'm not a Campbell, or Konieczny, or Daly. I might fall somewhere in the top 20 lightweight rowers, but to be an Olympian, you have to solidly be in the top 6 (or go big like Graves). So this year I am going to be focused on fitness and development so that I can lay the groundwork for an opportunity to race in front of a home crowd in Sarasota. To me, that sounds incredible. Whatever boat I can make, as fast as I can make it.
With this long term plan, the fall has been chill. Head of the Charles was fun, and while we finished further back than we'd like, it was really the most likely outcome given our lack of training since France. Head of the Lake was a good race this year, with representatives from Italian, Canadian, and American National Teams. And now I am chugging away biking and running and lifting until school dies off and I can get back to some major mileage. I am planning to race at Trials this year, and while I am not making plans to travel this summer, if I can get some feisty bros in Seattle, I would love to make some magic.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
World Championship Regatta
What an amazing experience this has all been. I have been trying to keep things on the down-low in the last few weeks of preparation. I've had so much focus on training, fundraising, and plans for after the season that there just has not been time to add an update. So here we go.
We did it. We fucking did it. The first time we haven't been last in this event since 2009. Not only that, but we beat out last year's silver and bronze medalists to earn ourselves a bronze medal. Only 1.49 seconds off of the winner, Germany. Only .27 seconds off of the silver medalists and host nation, France. Beating out 3-time Olympian Elia Luini, of Italy, who raced my coach at the Athens Games and who has won more medals at the World Championships than anyone in the event.
The race itself was surreal. We were focused on coming off the line with more grace than we had in the heat. We had been sloppy then and knew that we could pick up 2 seconds just by relaxing and letting the easy speed come. That was the big call for me from Jack - "easy speed". It was about be as non-disruptive as possible and trusting in the adrenaline and experience that the power would be there. And it was there! We were still the slowest off of the line, but this time we stayed in contact with the lead crews. And more importantly, as soon as we shifted into our base rhythm, we took off! We were understroking the field by 2-3 strokes per minute, minimum, and just pushing away. Italy took off the line hard, rowing into the mid-40s. All other crews were rowing at 39-41 strokes per minute. But we just stuck it at a 37-38. Our power was huge, and our length carried us through the field. We had the fastest middle thousand, allowing us to stay with France and gain on Italy (Turkey was left behind). Germany grabbed several seats and held onto them. France surged about 4 seats in the last 500 meters, while Italy began to fade from their early attack. All of my focus was on Matt and Dave ahead of me; on Jack's voice. I knew nothing of what was going on outside the boat. As Jack made his final calls for the sprint, he called for something extra and special in the last 150 meters as France crawled away and we sat bowball-to-bowball with Italy. We crossed through the finish line, too close to see the result right away. We stared up at the results board, waiting as they announced first place: Germany. Second place: France. We waited. Third place: USA. Our boat exploded in joy. Dave stood up and promptly collapsed into my arms. Everyone was flailing in the water with their arms and legs, hugging and grabbing each other with affection and celebration.
The award ceremony was a blast, and the moments following the race were like a dream. I almost still cannot believe we did it. But our coaches believed in us, we believed in us. We rowed within 10 seconds of the world record on flat water.
Now I am off to travel France and celebrate with my girlfriend. I will start to think about what lies ahead in my rowing career. But my primary focus for the next week will be rest and recovery. #bubblelife.
Oh yes, and we will be at Head of the Charles in the lightweight men's 8+...
We did it. We fucking did it. The first time we haven't been last in this event since 2009. Not only that, but we beat out last year's silver and bronze medalists to earn ourselves a bronze medal. Only 1.49 seconds off of the winner, Germany. Only .27 seconds off of the silver medalists and host nation, France. Beating out 3-time Olympian Elia Luini, of Italy, who raced my coach at the Athens Games and who has won more medals at the World Championships than anyone in the event.
The race itself was surreal. We were focused on coming off the line with more grace than we had in the heat. We had been sloppy then and knew that we could pick up 2 seconds just by relaxing and letting the easy speed come. That was the big call for me from Jack - "easy speed". It was about be as non-disruptive as possible and trusting in the adrenaline and experience that the power would be there. And it was there! We were still the slowest off of the line, but this time we stayed in contact with the lead crews. And more importantly, as soon as we shifted into our base rhythm, we took off! We were understroking the field by 2-3 strokes per minute, minimum, and just pushing away. Italy took off the line hard, rowing into the mid-40s. All other crews were rowing at 39-41 strokes per minute. But we just stuck it at a 37-38. Our power was huge, and our length carried us through the field. We had the fastest middle thousand, allowing us to stay with France and gain on Italy (Turkey was left behind). Germany grabbed several seats and held onto them. France surged about 4 seats in the last 500 meters, while Italy began to fade from their early attack. All of my focus was on Matt and Dave ahead of me; on Jack's voice. I knew nothing of what was going on outside the boat. As Jack made his final calls for the sprint, he called for something extra and special in the last 150 meters as France crawled away and we sat bowball-to-bowball with Italy. We crossed through the finish line, too close to see the result right away. We stared up at the results board, waiting as they announced first place: Germany. Second place: France. We waited. Third place: USA. Our boat exploded in joy. Dave stood up and promptly collapsed into my arms. Everyone was flailing in the water with their arms and legs, hugging and grabbing each other with affection and celebration.
The award ceremony was a blast, and the moments following the race were like a dream. I almost still cannot believe we did it. But our coaches believed in us, we believed in us. We rowed within 10 seconds of the world record on flat water.
Now I am off to travel France and celebrate with my girlfriend. I will start to think about what lies ahead in my rowing career. But my primary focus for the next week will be rest and recovery. #bubblelife.
Oh yes, and we will be at Head of the Charles in the lightweight men's 8+...
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| Celebration on the medal stand. |
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Home stretch
We are in the last few weeks of preparation before we head of to France. In thirteens days, I'll be on my way to my first regatta as a representative of Team USA and my first time in Europe.
Training has been going well. Progress has been cyclical about an upward trend; a familiar pattern in high performance athletics. Fatigue masks progress, but the occasional opportunity for rest and recovery yields exciting moments on the water.
On an individual level, I am observing greater and greater power output during my mid-day ergometer sessions for a given level of perceived exertion. Video analysis reveals some pretty significant technical gains on my part as well. I am currently in six-seat, in a bucket with Dave Smith. A bucket is where two rowers of the same side are positioned next to each other, rather than the more common alternating patter. This can be done to improve matching and facilitate technical development. The right combination and ordering of multiple buckets (such as what we are employing with a 6,7 and 2,3 buckets) can eliminate mid-drive wiggle that is present in shells. So basically, we have a pretty fast rig.
This weekend we are having our fundraising party at CRI. It should be a blast. We have had many local businesses provide food, beer, and auction items. We're hoping to clear a big chunk of our fundraising goals out of it.
We're getting closer and closer to our fundraising goal. If you are able to help us out, you can go here. Any and all amounts will help us get to France!
Training has been going well. Progress has been cyclical about an upward trend; a familiar pattern in high performance athletics. Fatigue masks progress, but the occasional opportunity for rest and recovery yields exciting moments on the water.
On an individual level, I am observing greater and greater power output during my mid-day ergometer sessions for a given level of perceived exertion. Video analysis reveals some pretty significant technical gains on my part as well. I am currently in six-seat, in a bucket with Dave Smith. A bucket is where two rowers of the same side are positioned next to each other, rather than the more common alternating patter. This can be done to improve matching and facilitate technical development. The right combination and ordering of multiple buckets (such as what we are employing with a 6,7 and 2,3 buckets) can eliminate mid-drive wiggle that is present in shells. So basically, we have a pretty fast rig.
This weekend we are having our fundraising party at CRI. It should be a blast. We have had many local businesses provide food, beer, and auction items. We're hoping to clear a big chunk of our fundraising goals out of it.
| Cruising around the Charles in mid-July. Pre-buckets. |
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Back in Boston!
After a all-too-brief break, we are back in Boston and hitting it hard. So many little aches and pains arise in my body form these first few days of getting back into the grind of three sessions per day - looking forward to the future when they will be gone and I will feel back up to speed.
I spent my break in Seattle, mostly with Keara, but also catching up with friends at the various boathouses (because I don't have many non-rowing friends left in Seattle). I left some gear behind so I could travel a bit lighter for the rest of this adventure. I am digging the new bags we scored.
The eight is just such an amazing challenge for me. I thought I was finally getting OK at the single and then BOOM! New boat that is way different to handle. I am reflecting on those simple winter days this year of just grinding it out at SRC.
I spent my break in Seattle, mostly with Keara, but also catching up with friends at the various boathouses (because I don't have many non-rowing friends left in Seattle). I left some gear behind so I could travel a bit lighter for the rest of this adventure. I am digging the new bags we scored.
The eight is just such an amazing challenge for me. I thought I was finally getting OK at the single and then BOOM! New boat that is way different to handle. I am reflecting on those simple winter days this year of just grinding it out at SRC.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Equipment
Sounds like we're going to get some support from a couple of great North American companies, with a shell being provided by Hudson Boatworks and oars provided by Concept2. This sort of equipment support makes a huge difference in the burden on athletes and can often be one of the most challenging logistical problems to solve. To have support from two such reputable companies with such fantastic products will be great. We used a Hudson at Trials this year and I rowed a Hudson 8+ in college (it was our top varsity boat). Of course, C2 is probably the most common oar brand in the United States and has been my go-to choice when racing my single for years.
So excited for these two companies to be on board!
So excited for these two companies to be on board!
Monday, June 29, 2015
Trials, Respite, and Support
Last Wednesday we complete our racing at Senior I trials. We are now the official lightweight 8+ for the United States National Rowing Team. The lead up to our race was pretty straight forward. We were able to make weight and cam down the course without error. We completed the 2K in 5:52. This was not as fast as we had planned. Earlier in the week, we had done a casual 1K from a dead stop in sub-world record time, with all hands agreeing that there was plenty more to give and that the pace felt sustainable. But winds and temperatures can be fickle, and a little rain and slower wind speed can greatly affect on-the-water speed. We definitely had the slowest conditions of the day. Our goal of a medal stand finish, we believe, is in reach. Our boat motto: 5:35 or bust!
Knowing that we will be in a long and challenging training cycle until the World Championship regatta, Bruce has given us until July 5th to train on our own without organized practices. We have strict orders to only cross train - no erging, rowing, or lifting. I have flown home to Seattle to see Keara and reconnect with my community. This last weekend I was at the Northwest Regional Master's Championship Regatta, seeing friends and volunteering as a launch driver. It was a pretty nice way to spend the hot days. Through in some shorter runs just to stay loose.
This week I am ramping up my cross training and meeting with potential supporters. Because we are a non-priority event, our boat will receive no support from USRowing. We have to fully fund our travel and expenses to participate in the World Championships. Since most of our athletes have relocated for the summer and we have to train 6 hours per day, 6 days per week, working full time is not a realistic option. I am doing some private tutoring to fill in a few financial gaps and reaching out to friends, family, and enthusiasts to help make our trip to France possible.
You can give a tax-deductible amount to us via the National Rowing Foundation here.
My goal is to raise $7500 for my share of our team. This should cover all non-emergency expenses that may arise (USRowing fees, air travel, equipment costs, living expenses while training, etc.). The support of my community will help take us across the finish line!
Knowing that we will be in a long and challenging training cycle until the World Championship regatta, Bruce has given us until July 5th to train on our own without organized practices. We have strict orders to only cross train - no erging, rowing, or lifting. I have flown home to Seattle to see Keara and reconnect with my community. This last weekend I was at the Northwest Regional Master's Championship Regatta, seeing friends and volunteering as a launch driver. It was a pretty nice way to spend the hot days. Through in some shorter runs just to stay loose.
This week I am ramping up my cross training and meeting with potential supporters. Because we are a non-priority event, our boat will receive no support from USRowing. We have to fully fund our travel and expenses to participate in the World Championships. Since most of our athletes have relocated for the summer and we have to train 6 hours per day, 6 days per week, working full time is not a realistic option. I am doing some private tutoring to fill in a few financial gaps and reaching out to friends, family, and enthusiasts to help make our trip to France possible.
You can give a tax-deductible amount to us via the National Rowing Foundation here.
My goal is to raise $7500 for my share of our team. This should cover all non-emergency expenses that may arise (USRowing fees, air travel, equipment costs, living expenses while training, etc.). The support of my community will help take us across the finish line!
Monday, June 22, 2015
The Lightweight 8+
I was initially quite hesitant to buy into the light 8+ camp. Historically, the light 8+ for the USA had not done particularly well in international competition. Further, when I had attended the light 8+ camp in 2011, I was quickly cut due to a lack of erg power. However, with the 4x no longer a viable option and my desire to race as part of Team USA still strong, I decided I had to go for it.
This year the the light 8+ was being put together by Community Rowing Incorporated, under the supervision of Bruce Smith. CRI has run two of the last three light 8+s and Bruce has coached several light 8+s at the international level. And with the 2x, 1x, 4x, and 2- events seemingly on lock down by the top athletes in our sport, the camp was able to attract a large pool of talent, consisting almost entirely of post-collegiate scullers with some amount of international race experience.
We had 12 rowers in the camp, making for some solid seat racing action. We were grinding it out in coxed fours in the mornings, doing 1000 and 1500 meter pieces ranging from 32 to 36 strokes per minute with athlete switches between boats to measure individual skills. I was seat raced once early on and won by a sufficient margin to not have to defend my position again. Most of my time was actually spent stroking the fours. It was not easy for me - I like to race at lower rates with longer strokes so trying to hit a 36 took some big changes. Luckily, I had no problem making the weight cutoff (161 lbs to be seat raced), so I was able to stay pretty charged up day-to-day. Afternoons were spent in various four and eight lineups to help athletes row with each other and find an effective common rhythm.
After two weeks of grueling racing and lots of double checking to give all athletes the benefit of the doubt, we established our lineup. I will try to provide a bit of information about the guys, but I am still getting to know my new teammates.
Jack Carlson: Our coxswain, Jack is finishing his PhD at Oxford this year and is author of the book Rowing Blazers. He has coxed internationally for the USA light 8+ in 2011 and the USA 2+ in 2014. He has won Henley, Canadian Henley, and Head of the Charles. He has coxed for the Oxford-Cambridge Reserve Boat Race. He is a Massachusetts native and an alum of Georgetown. A solid leader on and off the water, I roomed with Jack at the 2011 light 8+ camp.
Matthew Lenhart: A BU alum, this is Matt's first year of post-collegiate racing. He is a West Coast guy, a native of the Bay Area, and trains at California Rowing Club.
Dave Smith: Dave and I go way back, having raced the 2x together in 2012 at Olympic Trials. Dave has been on two national teams in the light 4x and is an alum of Dartmouth and the Harvard School of Design. Currently, Dave is training in Charlottesville under Frank Biller.
Jack Devlin: Jack raced in the U-23 lightweight 2- for the USA in 2012. He hails from Virginia and is a Georgetown alum. He currently trains in Washington D.C. Jack's parents were both high performance rowers; his mom was a world champion in 1984 in the lightweight 8+.
Chris Lambert: Chris has raced as part of the 2007 U-23 light 4x and the 2011 senior light 4x. He is heavy-hitter in our boat in terms of raw power and erg score. He currently trains out of Malta Boat Club in Philadelphia and is from Florida.
Peter Schmidt: Peter currently trains out of Riverside and was part of the 2014 light 4x. He is a solid sculler who is from Rhode Island and studied at Drexel. He works as an engineer in Boston and was kind enough to lend me a suit for my brother's wedding the weekend before trials.
Phil Henson: Phil has been mostly been sweeping since college, trying to make his mark in the light 2-. In 2011, Phil raced in the U-23 light pair for the USA. This was Phil's first year focused primarily on the 1x. He trains out of Craftsbury and his parents live in New Jersey.
Tobin Mcgee: Tobin is from New York and currently trains at Riverside. He has been on two national teams: once in the U-23 light 4x in 2010 and once in the lightweight 8+ in 2013. He currently works as an engineer.
And then there is me to round out the lineup.
It is a solid group of guys. Lots of experience, with a great coaching staff and rowing community to back us up. Trials has already started, but we are racing unopposed. We will come down the race course on Wednesday morning at 7:00 AM to secure our berth. We will be racing with a focus on practicing a good rhythm and getting a measure of our speed. I am so close to attaining this 11 year dream, is is surreal.
This year the the light 8+ was being put together by Community Rowing Incorporated, under the supervision of Bruce Smith. CRI has run two of the last three light 8+s and Bruce has coached several light 8+s at the international level. And with the 2x, 1x, 4x, and 2- events seemingly on lock down by the top athletes in our sport, the camp was able to attract a large pool of talent, consisting almost entirely of post-collegiate scullers with some amount of international race experience.
We had 12 rowers in the camp, making for some solid seat racing action. We were grinding it out in coxed fours in the mornings, doing 1000 and 1500 meter pieces ranging from 32 to 36 strokes per minute with athlete switches between boats to measure individual skills. I was seat raced once early on and won by a sufficient margin to not have to defend my position again. Most of my time was actually spent stroking the fours. It was not easy for me - I like to race at lower rates with longer strokes so trying to hit a 36 took some big changes. Luckily, I had no problem making the weight cutoff (161 lbs to be seat raced), so I was able to stay pretty charged up day-to-day. Afternoons were spent in various four and eight lineups to help athletes row with each other and find an effective common rhythm.
After two weeks of grueling racing and lots of double checking to give all athletes the benefit of the doubt, we established our lineup. I will try to provide a bit of information about the guys, but I am still getting to know my new teammates.
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| The light 8+, messing around on a trip to the Basin. |
Matthew Lenhart: A BU alum, this is Matt's first year of post-collegiate racing. He is a West Coast guy, a native of the Bay Area, and trains at California Rowing Club.
Dave Smith: Dave and I go way back, having raced the 2x together in 2012 at Olympic Trials. Dave has been on two national teams in the light 4x and is an alum of Dartmouth and the Harvard School of Design. Currently, Dave is training in Charlottesville under Frank Biller.
Jack Devlin: Jack raced in the U-23 lightweight 2- for the USA in 2012. He hails from Virginia and is a Georgetown alum. He currently trains in Washington D.C. Jack's parents were both high performance rowers; his mom was a world champion in 1984 in the lightweight 8+.
Chris Lambert: Chris has raced as part of the 2007 U-23 light 4x and the 2011 senior light 4x. He is heavy-hitter in our boat in terms of raw power and erg score. He currently trains out of Malta Boat Club in Philadelphia and is from Florida.
Peter Schmidt: Peter currently trains out of Riverside and was part of the 2014 light 4x. He is a solid sculler who is from Rhode Island and studied at Drexel. He works as an engineer in Boston and was kind enough to lend me a suit for my brother's wedding the weekend before trials.
Phil Henson: Phil has been mostly been sweeping since college, trying to make his mark in the light 2-. In 2011, Phil raced in the U-23 light pair for the USA. This was Phil's first year focused primarily on the 1x. He trains out of Craftsbury and his parents live in New Jersey.
Tobin Mcgee: Tobin is from New York and currently trains at Riverside. He has been on two national teams: once in the U-23 light 4x in 2010 and once in the lightweight 8+ in 2013. He currently works as an engineer.
And then there is me to round out the lineup.
It is a solid group of guys. Lots of experience, with a great coaching staff and rowing community to back us up. Trials has already started, but we are racing unopposed. We will come down the race course on Wednesday morning at 7:00 AM to secure our berth. We will be racing with a focus on practicing a good rhythm and getting a measure of our speed. I am so close to attaining this 11 year dream, is is surreal.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Riverside and Pan Am Trials
I went to Riverside along with Phil Grisdela, Phil Henson, Jake Georgeson, Pete Schmidt, and Tobin McGee to try and put together a competitive men's 2x for Pan Am Trials and, we hoped, a men's light 4x for Senior Trials. Margot Shumway was still coaching there, which I think is terrific. Margot is one of those amazing coaches who is undervalued - her athletes benefit a great deal from her presence and involvement. We tried to get Hugh McAdam and Matt O'Leary into our group as well, but they paired up into a double without selection. Can't blame them for it - they just had a different belief into what and who would make a fast boat.
So we grinded through two weeks of seat racing in 2xs. At the end of it, Pete and Henson were out with rib pain. Jake and I were double together, and Tobin and Gris were doubled together for Pan Am Trials. I was very happy to get Jake as a partner. He had done the best in seat racing, and we had trained and raced together in 2013. It was pretty easy for us to get the boat moving well together and agree on a race attack.
We got to Princeton the day before the time trial. USRowing has started shifting time trials into the afternoon. Nothing is quite as much fun as having to make weight for a 6:00 PM race - you spend the whole day eating little or nothing, throw on a bunch of layer in muggy weather, and grind it out for a few ounces on the warmup erg. Yay.
Our time trials was probably our best rhythm of the weekend. We felt like the conditions and out focus really helped us find that light and quick blade placement that allowed us to really tap deep into our aerobic system without getting tight or muscley. We finished third, behind the Malta/CBC combo and the Hugh and O'Leary double. Given our results from NSR I, this was no surprise.
We finished second in our heat to Colin and Austin, which forced us into the Reps that afternoon, which we won easily with a rough row to get a spot into the A Final along with Tobin and Gris, Matt and Hugh, and Colin and Austin. We knew it was going to be toughed, but we had big dreams. Unfortunately, those dreams did not materialize. We had an OK race for our final, about 5 seconds off of Colin and Austin and 2 seconds off of Matt and Hugh. We would not be the Pan Am 2x.
Shortly after the conclusion of the regatta, we also learned that Colin, Austin, Matt, and Hugh were going to race the light 4x at Senior Trials as well. Now, I am a big advocate of always having a belief in yourself that winning is possible. But I am also an economist and statistician by training. I weigh my expected costs and benefits. So those of us who had been training out of Riverside for the last four weeks decided we would abandon our goal of racing the 4x internationally this year. Instead we would be making a leap for the lightweight 8+.
So we grinded through two weeks of seat racing in 2xs. At the end of it, Pete and Henson were out with rib pain. Jake and I were double together, and Tobin and Gris were doubled together for Pan Am Trials. I was very happy to get Jake as a partner. He had done the best in seat racing, and we had trained and raced together in 2013. It was pretty easy for us to get the boat moving well together and agree on a race attack.
We got to Princeton the day before the time trial. USRowing has started shifting time trials into the afternoon. Nothing is quite as much fun as having to make weight for a 6:00 PM race - you spend the whole day eating little or nothing, throw on a bunch of layer in muggy weather, and grind it out for a few ounces on the warmup erg. Yay.
Our time trials was probably our best rhythm of the weekend. We felt like the conditions and out focus really helped us find that light and quick blade placement that allowed us to really tap deep into our aerobic system without getting tight or muscley. We finished third, behind the Malta/CBC combo and the Hugh and O'Leary double. Given our results from NSR I, this was no surprise.
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| Slugging out a great rhythm in our time trial. |
We finished second in our heat to Colin and Austin, which forced us into the Reps that afternoon, which we won easily with a rough row to get a spot into the A Final along with Tobin and Gris, Matt and Hugh, and Colin and Austin. We knew it was going to be toughed, but we had big dreams. Unfortunately, those dreams did not materialize. We had an OK race for our final, about 5 seconds off of Colin and Austin and 2 seconds off of Matt and Hugh. We would not be the Pan Am 2x.
Shortly after the conclusion of the regatta, we also learned that Colin, Austin, Matt, and Hugh were going to race the light 4x at Senior Trials as well. Now, I am a big advocate of always having a belief in yourself that winning is possible. But I am also an economist and statistician by training. I weigh my expected costs and benefits. So those of us who had been training out of Riverside for the last four weeks decided we would abandon our goal of racing the 4x internationally this year. Instead we would be making a leap for the lightweight 8+.
SoCal and NSR I
I headed to Long Beach in order to enjoy a more focused training environment. By staying with my mom, I could ease financial constraints. By staying in a warmer climate, I could get more excited to train outside all day. I was logging tons of miles on the water with my buddy, Will Young, at both the Long Beach Rowing Association and with the SoCal Scullers Club. Plus I got to enjoy some wicked cool bike trails.
I always love training in Long Beach. The weather is always amazing, and the people in the rowing community there are extremely generous. Plus it is nice to be in the comfort of a family home. I was there for about two and a half weeks before flying out to Princeton to meet up with the SoCal team. For the first at an NSR, I was going to use my own shell to race, having gotten it out there with the California Rowing Club's trailer. I was also staying with the SoCal gang with a host family in Princeton. I am always grateful for this kind of hospitality - the cost of a week in a hotel can be a deal breaker for regatta travel.
I was feeling good going into the race. I was managing a hip flexor pull well, and though I was nervous for the time trial, I knew I could be competitive with the athletes there. I also knew that my small size was always an advantage for these multi-race regattas. I never have to watch my weight when I row the 1x, so when my peer are dieting and sweating daily, I am going back for seconds at the dinner table.
The time trial went well. I was in the middle of the pack and confident I could do better in side-by-side racing. However, due to inclement weather the next day, our heats were canceled so we were all advanced directly to either the A/B semifinal or the C final based on our time trial results. This goes to show: ALWAYS RACE EACH RACE LIKE IT'S YOUR LAST. I ended up on the good side of the cut and went to a semifinal.
I knew I was in for a hard race in the semifinal. Jake Georgeson and Phil Grisdella were going to be the guys I knew I had to knock out, and both had beaten me down hard at Head of the Charles this last fall. The weather was a rough tail wind, so times would be fast, but not too fast due to the chop. I focused on rowing a controlled and clean race to the 1500 meter mark, basing at a 31-32 stroke rate. I looked across and saw Jake just barely up on me; Phil had fallen back. I shifted rhythm, rowing my shorter, "loopy" strokes that I save for these conditions. I took the rate up to 37 and kept my hands low to avoid the waves. I built speed and walked through Jake, finishing 3rd in the semi by about 3 seconds and advancing to the A-final. It was a hard race, to say the least.
My expectations for the A-final were a little shapeless. I felt that the guys I was racing were, in general, faster scullers than me. I came out hard and tried to maintain pace with the top guys. This strategy can either help you find a new limit, or slam you against the wall. I hit the wall at 1000 meters and fell well off pace, catching a small crab in my last 300 meters. Still, I was very satisfied, being able to walk away 6th overall, my second time in an A-final at a US selection regatta.
After chatting up with all the usual suspects, I decided the place to be was going to be Boston. I enjoyed some celebrations that night, bought a train ticket, found a place to crash, and started getting ready for the next stage of my Spring: Pan Am Trials.
 |
| Riding with Tristan, who has been kicking my butt around since we rowed together at UPS. |
I was feeling good going into the race. I was managing a hip flexor pull well, and though I was nervous for the time trial, I knew I could be competitive with the athletes there. I also knew that my small size was always an advantage for these multi-race regattas. I never have to watch my weight when I row the 1x, so when my peer are dieting and sweating daily, I am going back for seconds at the dinner table.
The time trial went well. I was in the middle of the pack and confident I could do better in side-by-side racing. However, due to inclement weather the next day, our heats were canceled so we were all advanced directly to either the A/B semifinal or the C final based on our time trial results. This goes to show: ALWAYS RACE EACH RACE LIKE IT'S YOUR LAST. I ended up on the good side of the cut and went to a semifinal.
I knew I was in for a hard race in the semifinal. Jake Georgeson and Phil Grisdella were going to be the guys I knew I had to knock out, and both had beaten me down hard at Head of the Charles this last fall. The weather was a rough tail wind, so times would be fast, but not too fast due to the chop. I focused on rowing a controlled and clean race to the 1500 meter mark, basing at a 31-32 stroke rate. I looked across and saw Jake just barely up on me; Phil had fallen back. I shifted rhythm, rowing my shorter, "loopy" strokes that I save for these conditions. I took the rate up to 37 and kept my hands low to avoid the waves. I built speed and walked through Jake, finishing 3rd in the semi by about 3 seconds and advancing to the A-final. It was a hard race, to say the least.
 |
| Flying off the line in what was a great semifinal race. |
My expectations for the A-final were a little shapeless. I felt that the guys I was racing were, in general, faster scullers than me. I came out hard and tried to maintain pace with the top guys. This strategy can either help you find a new limit, or slam you against the wall. I hit the wall at 1000 meters and fell well off pace, catching a small crab in my last 300 meters. Still, I was very satisfied, being able to walk away 6th overall, my second time in an A-final at a US selection regatta.
After chatting up with all the usual suspects, I decided the place to be was going to be Boston. I enjoyed some celebrations that night, bought a train ticket, found a place to crash, and started getting ready for the next stage of my Spring: Pan Am Trials.
Winter Training and Planning
I started getting everything planned out for my season in December. I made arrangements to go on-leave from my department at the University of Washington for the Spring quarter and to have a replacement hired to continue my research assistance. Once coaching at Holy Names died down, I added a few more tutoring clients so I could keep bringing in cash. I figured if I could end March with $7K-$8K in savings, I would be able to cover my living and training costs for the summer (excluding international travel).
I did the bulk of my training in Seattle for December. Seattle Rowing Center organized a training trip to Florida, but I have never been one to get into those sorts of things. Seattle water stays liquid all winter, and traffic dies down significantly as it gets colder, so I find the training conditions pretty ideal. I sleep in a little more, enjoy holiday parties, and bulk up my "winter coat." I traveled to OKC for a little bit to visit with my Dad's family and to Long Beach to see my mom, briefly enjoying both as training venues as well.
As the racing season got closer, the sense of urgency becomes stronger. I was hoping for a big breakthrough at Ergomania this year, but did not break 6:25. Sort of a medium performance for me - not my best or worst in the last year. I chalked it up to nerves - all of my training and practice data suggested my fitness and strength were greater than ever, so I took the result in stride.
Our first race as a training group is the Elk Lake Spring Regatta. This one is always a blast, as it is an opportunity to mix it up with some elements of the Canadian Training Center guys. This year's regatta was made extra special since Keara was coming along to race as well and we were able to get a solid hotel room close to the course. I signed up for both the heavy and light 1x races in order to maximize my trips down the course, and the racing was great. I finished 3rd overall in the light 1x, finishing behind a guy from the Canadian National Team sweep group and a top development guy who had finished second at Canadian Henley last year. We were all within two seconds of each other across the line. The heavyweight final also ended up nicely, as I was able win a rematch against the winner of the light 1x and finish 4th overall.
At the end of my Winter quarter, I had my single shipped down to Long Beach via Crew Classic, and when March ended, I said goodbye to Keara and my team to head to Southern California where I could prepare for NSR I in a focused environment and stay with my Mom.
I did the bulk of my training in Seattle for December. Seattle Rowing Center organized a training trip to Florida, but I have never been one to get into those sorts of things. Seattle water stays liquid all winter, and traffic dies down significantly as it gets colder, so I find the training conditions pretty ideal. I sleep in a little more, enjoy holiday parties, and bulk up my "winter coat." I traveled to OKC for a little bit to visit with my Dad's family and to Long Beach to see my mom, briefly enjoying both as training venues as well.
As the racing season got closer, the sense of urgency becomes stronger. I was hoping for a big breakthrough at Ergomania this year, but did not break 6:25. Sort of a medium performance for me - not my best or worst in the last year. I chalked it up to nerves - all of my training and practice data suggested my fitness and strength were greater than ever, so I took the result in stride.
Our first race as a training group is the Elk Lake Spring Regatta. This one is always a blast, as it is an opportunity to mix it up with some elements of the Canadian Training Center guys. This year's regatta was made extra special since Keara was coming along to race as well and we were able to get a solid hotel room close to the course. I signed up for both the heavy and light 1x races in order to maximize my trips down the course, and the racing was great. I finished 3rd overall in the light 1x, finishing behind a guy from the Canadian National Team sweep group and a top development guy who had finished second at Canadian Henley last year. We were all within two seconds of each other across the line. The heavyweight final also ended up nicely, as I was able win a rematch against the winner of the light 1x and finish 4th overall.
At the end of my Winter quarter, I had my single shipped down to Long Beach via Crew Classic, and when March ended, I said goodbye to Keara and my team to head to Southern California where I could prepare for NSR I in a focused environment and stay with my Mom.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Fall 2014
I knew going into Fall 2014 that I wanted to make this season special. I had taken the summer to relax and refocus. Plus I was in the wonderful stage of my doctoral program during which I have no more class work, but I also have not formed my dissertation committee. If I was going to do something big, it had to be now.
The first things I had to do was get good at the single again. I was putting in as much mileage as I could hand by the end of the summer, sometimes going our for 26 kilometer rows. I planned on doing all of the local races and on getting out to travel for a few as well.
I also had to make the money necessary for all of the traveling I was planning on doing. I was working as a TA and RA at UW already. I was able to reclaim a job with Holy Names Academy again, as well as continue my tutoring work and my work with SSB. I was putting away whatever I could for my war chest.
I was also able to save some money and significantly improve my quality of life by moving in with Keara, who had also started rowing with the SRC elite team. We woke up, trained, and went to bed together. Nothing keeps you disciplined like a partner who doubles as a teammate.
My results for the fall were good. Aside from a hiccup at Head of the Charles, I swept my single races. I was particularly proud of my win in the Open 1x at Head of the Lake, a title that had eluded me for five years. At the speed order, I almost matched my PR on a 6k erg test and had a fantastic race in my single, beating a number of the heavyweights.
The training group at SRC was small, as usual, but motivated. Having those men and women around me helped me push harder and harder. Importantly, Sam and I were able to start to normalize relations again and work together productively. He was my biggest competition for the long distance work that characterized those first months of the season.
Needless to say, I was pretty pumped. Conal and I had discussed my options for the season. After talking with Keara, my academic adviser, and my parents, I started to set things in motion to take the spring quarter off of school so I could dedicate myself full time to training and racing.
The first things I had to do was get good at the single again. I was putting in as much mileage as I could hand by the end of the summer, sometimes going our for 26 kilometer rows. I planned on doing all of the local races and on getting out to travel for a few as well.
I also had to make the money necessary for all of the traveling I was planning on doing. I was working as a TA and RA at UW already. I was able to reclaim a job with Holy Names Academy again, as well as continue my tutoring work and my work with SSB. I was putting away whatever I could for my war chest.
I was also able to save some money and significantly improve my quality of life by moving in with Keara, who had also started rowing with the SRC elite team. We woke up, trained, and went to bed together. Nothing keeps you disciplined like a partner who doubles as a teammate.
 |
| Rowing to my first win in the Open Men's 1x at Head of the Lake |
My results for the fall were good. Aside from a hiccup at Head of the Charles, I swept my single races. I was particularly proud of my win in the Open 1x at Head of the Lake, a title that had eluded me for five years. At the speed order, I almost matched my PR on a 6k erg test and had a fantastic race in my single, beating a number of the heavyweights.
The training group at SRC was small, as usual, but motivated. Having those men and women around me helped me push harder and harder. Importantly, Sam and I were able to start to normalize relations again and work together productively. He was my biggest competition for the long distance work that characterized those first months of the season.
Needless to say, I was pretty pumped. Conal and I had discussed my options for the season. After talking with Keara, my academic adviser, and my parents, I started to set things in motion to take the spring quarter off of school so I could dedicate myself full time to training and racing.
The 2013-2014 Season
It has been a long time since I have updated this blog. I lost a lot of steam after 2013 trials and it has taken me years to crawl back to a place where I can write about my rowing accomplishments with pride.
A quick recap of my 2013-2014 season. It took a while for me to get back into training. Shame from catching that crab after being so close combined with my graduate core exams (which I passed). I had lackluster results that Fall, and after some discussion with my coach and teammates, I decided that I would turn my attention to the light men's pair for the season. I partnered up with my long, long time training partner, Sam McVeety.
Sam and I have been training together since I first moved to Seattle. We had played a bit together in doubles and quads, but had never swept seriously. Sam had also never raced at a trials or selection event before, nor had he ever raced as a lightweight (he was a muscle-bound guy, but not a natural lightweight).
Sam got on board quickly and in January 2014 we started rowing together, with Conal coaching us. It was a bit rough for the first few weeks. We were both learning how to sweep again, and coming to the boat with very different styles. But we were having fun training together. We were both getting incredibly fit. Sam was losing weight (I have no idea how, given his body type) and generating numbers on the erg that were competitive with his bests as a heavyweight. I was also having to work down to 67.5 kg in order to balance out Sam for competition, but still enjoying gains. I ended up setting a PR on my 6K of 20:13 in mid March at the West Coast Spring Speed Order. Things seemed pretty good.
But we were having hiccups with our short-distance racing. We had raced at the Elk Lake Spring Regatta and had been quickly eliminated in all events we entered. We just did not have the rhythm to move quickly for 2k. We also were not seeing the numbers we needed for our erg 2ks to be competitive with our top competitors.
At the first National Selection Regatta, we entered the LM2- and finished last after a frustrating time trial and final. We were 10 seconds behind the next slowest boat. But we returned to Seattle and redoubled our efforts. We had already been training in the mornings together every day since January. We started adding afternoons in the pair as well (previously we used the afternoons to cross train or row our singles). We raced in a coxed four in Seattle with some of our teammates, beating the JV kids from Oregon State University at the Windermere Cup Regatta. We planned to race the M2- at the second national selection regatta, giving us a short break from having to watch our weight.
However, NSR2 was another let down. We finished last in the event again, by another 10 second margin. We had given it our best effort and even had some strokes that felt pretty good. But we were not on par with the other pairs.
When we returned to Seattle, we dissolved the pair project. I offered Sam some fairly disparaging and hateful words in my frustration that left our friendship scarred. I took the rest of the summer to play in my single, spend time with my girlfriend, and study for my economics field exams (which I passed easily).
It took a long time to get Sam back onto speaking terms, and my biggest regret of the season was the damage I caused to our friendship.
As summer ended, I knew the next season would be one of the few remaining opportunities in my life to give rowing my all. I began to plot what would become my most dedicated time to rowing since I started paddling on American Lake in 2004.
 |
| Racing at Fall Speed Order in Oakland, CA. |
Sam and I have been training together since I first moved to Seattle. We had played a bit together in doubles and quads, but had never swept seriously. Sam had also never raced at a trials or selection event before, nor had he ever raced as a lightweight (he was a muscle-bound guy, but not a natural lightweight).
Sam got on board quickly and in January 2014 we started rowing together, with Conal coaching us. It was a bit rough for the first few weeks. We were both learning how to sweep again, and coming to the boat with very different styles. But we were having fun training together. We were both getting incredibly fit. Sam was losing weight (I have no idea how, given his body type) and generating numbers on the erg that were competitive with his bests as a heavyweight. I was also having to work down to 67.5 kg in order to balance out Sam for competition, but still enjoying gains. I ended up setting a PR on my 6K of 20:13 in mid March at the West Coast Spring Speed Order. Things seemed pretty good.
But we were having hiccups with our short-distance racing. We had raced at the Elk Lake Spring Regatta and had been quickly eliminated in all events we entered. We just did not have the rhythm to move quickly for 2k. We also were not seeing the numbers we needed for our erg 2ks to be competitive with our top competitors.
 |
| Racing with Sam at NSR1 in Princeton, NJ. |
At the first National Selection Regatta, we entered the LM2- and finished last after a frustrating time trial and final. We were 10 seconds behind the next slowest boat. But we returned to Seattle and redoubled our efforts. We had already been training in the mornings together every day since January. We started adding afternoons in the pair as well (previously we used the afternoons to cross train or row our singles). We raced in a coxed four in Seattle with some of our teammates, beating the JV kids from Oregon State University at the Windermere Cup Regatta. We planned to race the M2- at the second national selection regatta, giving us a short break from having to watch our weight.
However, NSR2 was another let down. We finished last in the event again, by another 10 second margin. We had given it our best effort and even had some strokes that felt pretty good. But we were not on par with the other pairs.
 |
| Keara and I enjoying a summer picnic at Kerry Park in Seattle, WA. |
When we returned to Seattle, we dissolved the pair project. I offered Sam some fairly disparaging and hateful words in my frustration that left our friendship scarred. I took the rest of the summer to play in my single, spend time with my girlfriend, and study for my economics field exams (which I passed easily).
It took a long time to get Sam back onto speaking terms, and my biggest regret of the season was the damage I caused to our friendship.
As summer ended, I knew the next season would be one of the few remaining opportunities in my life to give rowing my all. I began to plot what would become my most dedicated time to rowing since I started paddling on American Lake in 2004.
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