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.

Cruising around the Charles in mid-July.  Pre-buckets.

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!