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.

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.

Racing at Fall Speed Order in Oakland, CA.

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.

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.

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!

Long Update

Wow, I have really dropped the ball on communications since Trials!  It is hard to compare anything to the exhilaration experienced at Chula Vista, but I will try to run through some personal highlights since the regatta.

I put all my energy into coaching upon returning to Seattle; what a fantastic outlet!  Just when I am feeling a little burned out on rowing, I get to rediscover a love for the sport through the eyes of my students.  Holy Names qualified three events for Youth Nationals this year, the Women's 1x, 4x, and Light 8+.  We had one of the most successful medal hauls in recent history from the Regional Championship Regatta, with 10 medals, including a win the the JV 1x.  So proud of my scullers in particular, with whom I worked most closely this last year.  Those five athletes brought home medals in four events!  At nationals, our 4x finished 12th and our Light 8+ finished 15th.  What a great way to end my time with those you girls.  I am going to miss all of them and wish them the best of luck in the years ahead.

HNA 4x, L8+, and Coach on the Oak Ridge course.

HNA athletes keeping it Catholic in Oak Ridge.

More big news: David Smith has made the US National Team in the Light Men's 4x!  He will be traveling to Bulgaria to compete at the 2012 World Championship Regatta from August 15th to 19th!  He will be rowing with Shane Madden, Sam Cunningham, and Bob Duff; all repeat national team members.  Because this boat is not an Olympic event, the athletes are responsible for their own funding, so if you would like to help their dream come true and support the US rowing team, you can find out more here.

David Smith, looking particularly good in his new unisuit.

Also big in the rowing news is HNA athlete Emmy Bateman racing in Germany for the US High Performance Junior team.  Her "B" quad beat the German "A" quad in two out of three races!  I am pretty sure she just jumped in the water and swam the boat down the race course, holding a tow rope between her teeth.  Emmy will be racing next at Canadian Henley, looking to show some strong small boat skills.

Emmy Bateman (right) will eat you if you stand between her and winning.

After a personally disappointing fourth place finish at the British Columbia Championship Regatta in July, I am taking the bull by the horns and devising my own training plan for the next few months.  I will be training under SRC, but I have come to the conclusion that my future success needs the kind of personal attention that only I can bring to the table right now.  What is my secret?  Row.  Alot.  Once I have my spring and summer 2013 plans squared away, I hope to work more with Conal to develop a successful team boat for the next big push.  In the mean time, I am getting mega-fast in the single again.  The goal is to win Head of the Lake this fall and build a strong base for the 2013 season.

Good luck to all the athletes competing at the Olympic these next few weeks!  Go USA!