Preparing for the Triple Race

Rowers:

The freshmen boy’s rowing team has made a very uncharacteristic change in our training this week. And, without thinking twice, we probably all agree that it was one of the best decisions of the season. The perceptible growth in our crew’s performance over the past two days proves this point. It also means that with the limited time we have left before our first race, we need to streamline all of our training activities and continue our focus on the development of our freshmen and novice eights.

Tomorrow - Friday, October 5th - is our first race against local crews Saratoga and Shenendehowa on Fish Creek. Tonight, before you go to bed, think about Tuesday, Wednesday, and today’s practices. Take 15-20 minutes to visualize yourself in the boat and all of the technical changes you have made to your stroke. Then, put yourself into the context of the boat, blending and matching your stroke with the rowers around you (see the YouTube video of the Dutch national team).

Think about controlling your recovery and maintaining proper hand levels, exhaling at the finish as your hands quickly move down and away, raising your hands at the catch and then driving the boat together. Finally, visualize yourself focusing forward, with your eyes in our boat, the Niskayuna blades only in your peripheral view, and crossing the finish line with the fastest time.

Eat a good dinner and rest well. I hope everyone is as excited for tomorrow’s race as I am.