Saturday, July 05, 2008
Why Do I Do This Again?
written by LuLu
July Topic:
Do you ever ask yourself as your morning alarm rings at 4:30 am--"Why do I do this to myself?"
Why do you row? Why do you get up BEFORE the chickens, shell out money for lessons, for regattas, take time off from work, arrive late on days you DO go to work, why, why, why? What's in it for you?
Please post your thoughts in the "comment" section below.
Happy Day! (Take your nap later!)
Photo by Max 7/13/2008, compliments of J.Buck
July 9, 2008 at 9:34 AM
What's in it for me? The satisfaction of knowing that before most people have gotten their lazy butts out of bed, I have worked harder than many of them could ever dream possible. Out of it I get the satisfaction of pushing myself to the limits to finish first or know that the other crew was just that much stronger and faster. Best of all, sunrise on a beautiful day with the water like glass. How many people take the time to really watch the sunrise never mind see it every morning reflecting off the river? I am a rower and I love it!
July 10, 2008 at 9:31 AM
It's so easy not to show up those early mornings. But what's so great about easy? A couple of hours of sleep? Big deal. The payoff is worth it -- feeling that magical rhythm in the boat, watching the sun peek out to welcome the day, sweating hard through a piece for your boat and knowing your teammates doing the same. Of course there are the not-so-great days too, cold and rainy, or when nothing seems to go right, a new set of blisters appear, whatever. But the good days by far outnumber the bad, and I feel lucky to have the privledge to be a part of this great team.
July 13, 2008 at 9:46 AM
I enjoy all aspects of the sport, the teamwork, training, fitness, competition, hardwork and sweat. Especially, the sunrises and even the rows in the rain! And the friendships I have made that are more like family. The early mornings work well for me. I know I've accomplished more by 7 am than my neighbors or co-workers. Plus, I look forward to a strong row with my teammates each morning to start my day!
July 13, 2008 at 4:43 PM
I do this for my mental and physical health. I squandered my athletic opportunity in my twenties. This is my revenge. From overweight couch potato to competitive rower - here I am waking up before the sun rises to practice. I wouldn't trade this for anything. I love team camraderie, competition, and the uniqueness of this sport. I have found no other activity that keeps me in its grasp the way that rowing does. The question 'why do I do this to myself' hasn't come to mind when getting up for an on the water row...but waking up to erg in the dead of winter...that's another story ;-)!
July 13, 2008 at 6:08 PM
I don't really like rowing, I just prefer it to not rowing.
July 13, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Last week when folks at work where gathered up for their first coffee of the day, I said.."I have had such a great day today." It didn't even occur to me that it was a weird comment for 8:20 Am. I was so excited about a great morning on the water...the progress, the challenge, the coach's patience, the beautiful morning...Rowing makes me more alive.
July 13, 2008 at 10:08 PM
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July 14, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Part of the reason I row is practical: the time slot - 5:30 am - is perfect for a father with two small kids and a wife who works. (My wife, a marathoner, gets up at 4:30 to run!) The other reason I row seeing the fierce beauty of the sun rising over the hills, the ghostly clumps of fog drifting slowly over the river. I feel like I'm in a Thomas Eakins painting come to life.
July 14, 2008 at 7:05 PM
So many reasons...for my mental well being...the beauty and calm of the morning river and surroundings. For my physical well being...the workouts and contribution to moving the boat. For my social well being...part of a great group of diverse women.
I was never a morning person till I joined this team.....now my best days are the ones that started with a row...thanks for rowing with me!
July 15, 2008 at 5:14 AM
See photo (by Max, 7/13/2008)
July 15, 2008 at 7:22 AM
Photo that JBuck refers to above:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jbrogan24/ThreeRiversMastersRowing/photo#5223197769833728514
July 20, 2008 at 8:50 AM
When I moved back to the Pittsburgh area in June, I didn't expect to row. I figured that I was too far away from the boathouse, and that it would impractical given the constraints of my new Americorps job. But Georgia invited me to crash practice one morning, and during the day of orientation that followed (hours and hours of meetings), I was cheerful. When I realized it was because I had started the day out with a row, I knew it was worth the drive. I've been coaching juniors for two years, and rowing was a central component of my life in Albany. I'm so grateful that I haven't had to give it up.
July 20, 2008 at 5:58 PM
Oh Yeah!! Almost forgot...I row because it's FUN!!!
July 21, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Because, as one rower said to me a few days a go, "to make ugly men do a beautiful thing is a gift"
Because sleep is over rated
Because being yelled at builds my confidence (ha)
Because what better water to be drenched in than that of the Allegheny?
July 23, 2008 at 12:22 PM
I row because my therapist told me to.
July 23, 2008 at 12:24 PM
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