BLOG: Little assistance from Mother Nature
October 17, 2009 | Women's Rowing
Oct. 14, 2009
MADISON, Wis. -
Winds swept across Lake Mendota creating white caps, waves and unsuitable conditions for rowing. As a result, we’ve faced a few obstacles these past couple of weeks. While there were some opportunities to row on the lake, I began my acquaintance with the erg machines. The cold weather this week also was challenging as we began our first two-a-day practices, arriving at Camp Randall Stadium at what felt like o’dark hundred for circuit training and stair-climbing. Believe me, Camp Randall is not the same environment at 7 a.m. on a weekday compared to Saturday afternoons during a football game.
Other rowing programs across the country might consider us a little more crazy than others, yet our woman’s program had athletes go on to compete on national teams as well as in the Olympics. So...I guess that is some incentive, right?
Unfortunately, as great as that incentive might be, I will admit it has been a struggle adjusting from my high school club to a Division I rowing program. I began rowing my junior year of high school when I joined the Crystal Lake Rowing Club of Crystal Lake, Illinois. As a member of this club I was “required” to attend practices three times a week. Let’s just say, I did not have perfect attendance due to other activities or commitments. However, in Madison, rowing has become my number one commitment, after school work, of course. At Crystal Lake, I was lucky to get out on the water for 30-45 minutes and then practice ended. Now, practices are at least 90 minutes, if not two hours and not a minute is wasted.
When relatives and friends ask me why I had so much interest in Wisconsin-Madison, I explained the academic value of this institution, but I was even more excited by the prospect of joining the renowned rowing program. Although I am grateful to Crystal Lake for introducing me to this great sport. I was really enthusiastic about joining a program that practiced six days a week for two hours each day. While sometimes these hours are spent on ergs or running circuits, the hours spent out on the water are worth it, even early, cold, and windy mornings.
Over the past five weeks we have been training hard in preparation for this weekend. On Sunday, our top two eight boats will be heading down to Rockford, Illinois for the Head of the Rock Regatta. Although I wish I could be traveling down with the girls, I wish them the best of the luck at this race and I have full confidence they will row well. I look forward to Monday’s practice to hear how they perform.
