Movie Day

Well, they have earned it. I am pleased with the performance of the CC novices on Saturday's TRRA erg sprints. Results are in the link to the right to Three Rivers Rowing. I'm also pleased that the guys made their academic goals. We're starting the real "push" month of winter training, so it is a good time for movie day.

Sometimes I don't announce this event ahead of time. It's nice to have a surprise. But somehow I think the boys will be excited about a practice with no sweat tomorrow. It might be a better lunchtime conversation than "I wonder how many 5oos we're doing today...."

No matter how much they whine, I usually control the selection myself. There is usually a reason for the film offered. Any who have rowed with me before can predict tomorrow's movie.

However, there will be a special screening before the feature presentation. A rare film short, with yours truly having a role. Yes, there is film evidence that I actually did race. I'm easy to find in this film, as I've got bleached blond hair. Ask Emily, it took 3 treatments and 5 hours to get it that color. My eyebrows remained brown.

I've always made questionable decisions with my hair. Here I am with my Henley medal in 1996. I'll let the hair speak for itself.

Notional Weather Service

Let's see. Total predicted snow accumulation for the last three days: 2 to 5 inches. Total actual snowfall: perhaps an inch. I can still see grass in my front yard.

I know that weather predictions here in Pittsburgh come either from Accuweather or the National Weather Service. I know that the people working at these services are experts and try their best to give close forecasts. This terrible miss this morning just poured salt into a festering wound. Really, if weather man is calling for 2 to 4 inches and there isn't anything, what is a coach supposed to tell (understandably) nervous parents? Assume we're not practicing? Assume that we are? Wait until that morning and see how far off the guess was?

The problem has become the desire of local news jokers for higher ratings. One easy ratings boost is the threat of a storm, with school closings and possibly snow-covered roads. I simply can't believe the local news dizzies aren't pumping up these storms. After all, it's been a mild winter so far and they much be feeling a ratings pinch.

Non Sequitur

Couldn't resist. Just too funny.

What have you done today?

Novices:

It's exam week. If you have done as I requested, then you are prepared. If you haven't, then it's time to study hard and do the best you can. If you're walking into your exam in a panic, then remember that feeling for next exam time and get your work done so there isn't a mad scramble.

What have you done this week to build a championship team? Are your grades going to help push the team over the top, so there won't be extra 2ooom tests? Have you put in any workouts this week? There is a 5 x 5min this Saturday and your first 2ooom test on Monday. Are you going to be ready to do your best, or will the 5 x 50 jumpies and cross-countries be in your future?

I've been in the gym twice this week, and I'll be there again in 6 hours. And I'm fat, old and out of shape.

Championships are built months before they happen. It's the oldest cliche in sports. It's also true. Are you building a championship today?

Frustration

It's that time of the year. The mid-January blahs. The weather is miserable, schoolwork is interminable and indoor training is simply a grind. I know where everyone is.

Yeah right you say? It is true; I understand exactly where everyone is. In some form or fashion, this is a frustrating time of year. Improvements are painful to grasp, the work load is increasing and the coach is demanding more. How can I understand this? Simply look at this picture, and please ignore the terrible outside grip.


Now, that mean-looking devil in the stroke seat is long gone. He isn't coming back. The problem is that nobody who sees this picture thinks I'm the same guy. So I've started (gasp) working out again. Scary thought, huh?

No, the erg didn't break when I sat down on it. No, I don't even look at the monitor. No, it's not snowing in hell. Yes, I still fit in that unisuit. (Sort of.) My goal is to at least look like that guy in the picture and be able to get in a boat this summer.

So, anybody who is a little frustrated right now, I feel your pain. Really, I feel pain. I'm ten million meters from being that guy again, but the memory of what that guy could do is frustrating. So if you're not exactly where you think you should be, keep at it, because I need to keep at it as well.

Merry Christmas

Once again we're down in Atlanta for Christmas! Emily, Will and I wish everyone a wonderful holiday and restful, joyful time spent with family.

If anyone gets on the erg tomorrow, you need some serious counseling. But you will get the crazy award for the winter.

Here comes the Boom

A new workout playlist by DJ Coach.

Thunderstruck by AC/DC
Ready, steady Go by Paul Oakenfold
Any way you want it by Journey
Heart of a champion by Nelly
Wheel in the sky by Journey
Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down
Don't stop believing by Journey
Stupify by Disturbed
Voices by Disturbed
Radar Love by Golden Earing
When worlds collide by Powerman 5000
Here comes the Boom by P.O.D.
Sand Storm by Darude
Du Hast by Rammstein

Total time: 60 minutes. (hint, hint)
Comments welcome.

Time Off

I've mentioned this multiple time in past posts, but time off for the team really doesn't agree with me as a coach. I sit around during normal practice times and brood about the guys eating junk food, playing computer games and getting into trouble. (Skiing anyone?) It's ironic, given my memories of my own precious time off from training in days long gone. They were precious, wonderful events, sometimes little mini-vacations taken to New York City or other states in New England. Mostly, I would sit around and rest my mind.

Surprising? Shouldn't be to anyone who understands the sport. Intense mental concentration is required for good rowing training. Up to 90 minutes per day of ignoring your body's pain threshold while concentrating on perfecting a full-body motion. That takes a lot of mental energy. It's a "grind" that doesn't injure, but slowly saps the joy of the sport from the athlete. Simply put, indoor training isn't fun.

So why do I as a coach now hate time off? Two reasons. For every training day skipped after three to four in a row, the athlete loses double of the progress made over that time. Thus, two weeks off will set the athlete back one month, and so forth. Kind of makes one wonder why do the training in the first place.

Second, there are days like today. High 50s, partly sunny and a calm, flat river. I wanted to go on the water so bad. I know that the guys probably wouldn't gain anything much from one day out there in December; rowing teams need several days on the water in a row before a measurable gain in technique or boat skills is evident. I just wanted to be out on the river in a launch, watching a boat. It's been a long time already and I'm antsy for the spring.....

....And it's only December. Blast.

5th Central Biathlon

Good morning and welcome to the 5th annual Central Catholic Biathlon. Go to Regatta Central to see the results come in.

Over 150 lunatics think getting up before dawn to race 10,000 meters on the erg isn't crazy enough. They want to run 6 miles after the erg in 22 degree cold. What are they racing for? Not money, (I don't think you could pay anyone enough for this), nor fame (no, the international press isn't here). They are racing for the most valuable items in rowing: a shirt, and bragging rights.

A warm November

It's really hard not to be out on the water when it looks like this. Just two days ago. Mid 60s, level low and water flat. I know that I'll be wishing for these kind of conditions sometime in March, when the river looks more like a whitewater rapids course. Instead, I sent the boys out for a run.

Am I cruel? No, not yet. The Central Biathalon is coming up in a week, and the guys need to be ready for a long run, so off they went, with much groaning. We're not the Central cross-country team, but the running does them some good. Runs like this build mental toughness in ways my shouting can't.

Now, fellows, we need to talk about timing and concentration, just a little......














I'm not putting these shots up here to embarrass anyone or put down my own crew. I just want to make a point. Concentration is very important in rowing. I've said before that a crew is like the offensive line in a football game. They have to practice together in order to be successful. However, unlike football, a crew must do everything in unison, all the time. The concentration level required is very high.

This is a very dusty, old cliche, but it's true: "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect." --V. Lombardi.

Concentration isn't something that can just be turned on when the time comes in a race. It has to be practiced. Every day, every stroke, every lift, every stretch. So, let's lock this timing and concentration down.