Time is flying. The Speed Order wrapped up about a week ago and already Kate and I have been to New York, Colorado, and back, and now somehow the holidays are here. Here's a quick recap of the last couple weeks:
The Speed Order went well - better than expected even. I pulled a personal best time on the 6,000 meter erg test on Saturday to take second place for the lightweight women. Kate, my doubles partner, beat me, which I guess I'm okay with since she set a new WORLD RECORD in doing so. No big deal. I took third place overall for the women in the race on the water - and second place for lightweight women.
The regatta was a chance for everyone to check in and see where they're at right now, and I'm happy with my results. Here's a video from the event, which gives you a good idea of what the erg race and singles races were like. On the erg, there's lots of noise with fans spinning, music blaring, and people cheering. On the water, it's super quiet. (If you're looking for me in the water coverage, go to about 3:15.)
A couple days after, Kate and I went on a trip to New York City and Colorado Springs. You'd never know I grew up in New England or went to school in the upper midwest if you'd heard me grumbling about the cold in both locations. By the end of the week, we'd dubbed it the "2013 California Appreciation Trip" and vowed to no longer whine about the 45 degree mornings in Oakland.
We were in New York City for the Golden Oars awards dinner. We got to see lots of familiar faces, revel in how awesome the people in this sport are, and I got to cheer Kate on as she accepted the 2013 Female Athlete of the Year award. It's the coolest one to get because it's voted on by all the women on the national team, some of whom are pictured here:
Look mom, we're a silent auction item!
Less than 24 hours later, we were off to the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. We got in a few days of testing and altitude training, which, for the record, is a lot more challenging than sea-level training. Everyone at the OTC was amazingly helpful, as always. Whenever I go to one of our Olympic Training Centers, I'm inspired by all the athletes in other sports. This time around, we watched some of the little wrestlers flip huge tires in the weight room and saw the male gymnasts do their work. If ever you feel abnormal for putting so much time into your sport, a trip to the OTC will solve that problem.
Now we're back in California and right back into training. The Speed Order finished out the fall racing season, so now my team is starting the long stretch of winter training before spring selection events roll around. Full steam ahead!
