The Torch

Well. I had a good sleep, it just ended pretty early. 4.15 am to be exact. I was wide awake. I would characterize myself as a morning person but this signaled to me that we are certainly feeling the jet lag. It has been difficult to discern what feelings are from jet lag and what are from the heat, because both of them are debilitating. Overcast skies this morning meant slightly cooler out on the water. Today's practice was characterized by fighter jets scorching the skies overhead. There is a base right next to the course and it seems to be quite active right now. At any given moment it seems like there are 3 or 4 fighter jets screaming past, landing or taking off. There is no doubt there is a lot of military activity in this part of the world. As far as rowing goes, today was the first day we were able to row on the buoyed course. We have been rowing outside the lanes for the last few days. It was a welcome change to have the course and begin our visualization of our racing. Its always really fun getting on a new course and getting used to it. I always feel like there is such great possibility when you get on a new course. Each one has its own personality and feel to it. Every rower has good and bad associations with rowing courses. Believe it or not, those feelings are important to the athlete. It's comforting going to line of a course that you really like. On the other hand, it can be terrifying to turn around while locked into the stake boat and glance down the lanes of a course you have bad associations with. There may be nothing different about the water itself, but just that feeling can have an affect on the way you race. While its kind of bogus, the point is that its worth something to build a positive association with the course. Make the water your home water. Cultivate the home course advantage. I want to sit at the start line and believe that the thousands of people waiting for me in the grandstands in the last 500 are cheering for me, whether they actually are or not. This year at Henley, the legendary sculler Peter Haining preached the same message to me. " When you go by out there, it'll be loud, but you gotta know that they are cheering for you. Every single shout, its for you." Yep. No doubt. 

We did some 250m pieces at our base pace today. It was the first real hard strokes we have taken here. While it seems like we have been here awhile, we really have just been getting over the trip and paddling around getting used to the boat. Today was the first day I actually felt like we could line up and race, which was nice to feel. We had a decent rhythm going and some good speeds. We made sure to do a couple sprints in front of the grandstands for good measure. Buzzing the finish line tower. Anytime we are in that part of the course we will light it up. 

Happy Anniversary Mommy and Daddy!