Callie at the Catch: “We are the machines”
February 23, 2017 | Women's Rowing
Junior Callie Hebert checks back for week two of her blog
MADISON, Wis. -- The power and energy in this boathouse is a force to be reckoned with. While most teams in the country are rowing on the water this time of the year, we are indoors putting in extra work on the erg. This may seem like a disadvantage, but to us it's an opportunity to get stronger, faster and more fit with every stroke, and come time Mendota decides to melt, which is hopefully soon with this unusually warm February, we are more ready and eager than anyone else to get out there.
The anticipation to get back out on the water could tear a team apart, but that's not the case for us. We are able to continue keeping morale high indoors because of the incredible team chemistry we have. We truly are a family.
One new addition was made this year that has made our team that much closer: our daily "intentions." Before practice every morning a varsity rower presents an inspirational quote, thought or story that sets us up for our challenging workout that lies ahead. This has given us more insight into our teammates as personalities shine. It is truly fascinating to be a part of and is one of the reasons we look forward to them every morning. There is no doubt that these have brought us closer as a whole.
When Saturday came around it was one of our star sophomore coxswain's turn, Jane Merriman, to step inside the huddle and present her "intention." She decided to take her own route and present the team with an in depth analogy that truly inspired us all:
"I want everyone to close their eyes and imagine that you're standing at the very top of a massive clock tower. You're watching the clocks' gears as they grind alongside each other, every rotation exactly synchronized with the one next to it. You are noticing that each part has one job that it does over and over and over again, perfectly each time, without fail. What you are seeing is a hard-working, clunky, rhythmic machine. Each part of the clock does its job to achieve the singular goal of letting the masses below know what time it is.
"You can open.
"Today, the erg is your clock tower. You are the machines that do the work now, so in the spring the people down below our clock can look up at us and say wow, they make that look easy. Fall into sync with the girl next to you and know that each of you is a necessary and vital piece to make our clock tick. No one here is an extra part because machines never come with any extra parts. They always come with the exact amount they need, nothing more and nothing less. You have a purpose here because this machine would not run without it. Grind it out today, Badgers."
You could see everyone in the room light up. This helped set the tone for the workout. We were all instantly hyped. These intentions of whatever caliber bring us something new to think about, tell us more about our teammates and bring us closer together every day, while we patiently wait for Mendota to melt. It helps remind us, while being on separate ergs, that we are one team with one main goal. And each day is one day closer to getting back into boats and one day closer to the day that can never come soon enough, race day.
The anticipation to get back out on the water could tear a team apart, but that's not the case for us. We are able to continue keeping morale high indoors because of the incredible team chemistry we have. We truly are a family.
One new addition was made this year that has made our team that much closer: our daily "intentions." Before practice every morning a varsity rower presents an inspirational quote, thought or story that sets us up for our challenging workout that lies ahead. This has given us more insight into our teammates as personalities shine. It is truly fascinating to be a part of and is one of the reasons we look forward to them every morning. There is no doubt that these have brought us closer as a whole.
When Saturday came around it was one of our star sophomore coxswain's turn, Jane Merriman, to step inside the huddle and present her "intention." She decided to take her own route and present the team with an in depth analogy that truly inspired us all:
"I want everyone to close their eyes and imagine that you're standing at the very top of a massive clock tower. You're watching the clocks' gears as they grind alongside each other, every rotation exactly synchronized with the one next to it. You are noticing that each part has one job that it does over and over and over again, perfectly each time, without fail. What you are seeing is a hard-working, clunky, rhythmic machine. Each part of the clock does its job to achieve the singular goal of letting the masses below know what time it is.
"You can open.
"Today, the erg is your clock tower. You are the machines that do the work now, so in the spring the people down below our clock can look up at us and say wow, they make that look easy. Fall into sync with the girl next to you and know that each of you is a necessary and vital piece to make our clock tick. No one here is an extra part because machines never come with any extra parts. They always come with the exact amount they need, nothing more and nothing less. You have a purpose here because this machine would not run without it. Grind it out today, Badgers."
You could see everyone in the room light up. This helped set the tone for the workout. We were all instantly hyped. These intentions of whatever caliber bring us something new to think about, tell us more about our teammates and bring us closer together every day, while we patiently wait for Mendota to melt. It helps remind us, while being on separate ergs, that we are one team with one main goal. And each day is one day closer to getting back into boats and one day closer to the day that can never come soon enough, race day.
Players Mentioned
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