Steering u Right

Amazing light in Italian Rowing heaven

Yes, that is my view of the starting line from my 16x16 balcony at the Hyatt Regency!

I love HOCR. I love Boston in the early morning, when few are awake and I can run the length of the course in the quiet and the dark and reconnect with the river after being away for a year. I love watching as the parking lot at FALS fills up with boat trailers, and seeing the oars set up perpendicular to the trailer like flags announcing their team's arrival. I love the scuffle of the vendors as they fill the big tent, preparing to sell their rowing wares. Love the smell of the food, and the signs for Chowda and Sweet Potato Fries I love rubber boots, and layers of clothes, and the magnificent leaves on the trees that drape around you like a coat of many colors. I love the sound of oars entering the water as we paddle away from the dock the first practice...and wind our way around the volunteers who are setting the buoys along the course...all the stuff that happens before the insanity begins, the opportunity to be on the river before it resembles a major traffic jam. Mostly I love that single moment when we are called up to the line. "#7, bring it up..." Looking at that boat that is directly ahead of us, anticipating a little smack down...preferably before Magazine Beach. I love the reciprocal relationship between crew and coxswain, you give to me and I give to you, none effective without the other, knowing that I can push them and take them to another level when they think the tank is empty. I go over the plan in my head every single day. I see my team when I close my eyes...I visualize their legs pressing down, again and again and again. I see them focused on one another - connecting to one another, the oar, the pin, water ... to me. Every stroke has to be like it's their last. Every recovery has to be useful . . . recover ladies, recover and breathe. Prepare, again and again and again, don't waste a thing. I love the dock at Winsor Boat House, all the people pressing toward the water, love to take it so tight there...and then tuck in on the starboard side and stick it to one more crew before the finish line ~ How about you?

Some fabulous women that row in the DC area are desperately in need of a coxswain for the Head of the Charles in a masters race. The race is Saturday October 20. Please send me an email if you are able to help them out. [email protected] All you amazing tumblr coxswains, please re-blog

No weigh in at the HOCR - but would like to get the most out of my team which means I have to give my all - Hunger pains, have not felt that in decades. Menopause sucks for weight management. Entire metabolic system slows to a reaching halt. Gonna make my weight goal though, come hell or high water - lbs will not be in the way. 1000 calories a day Monday through Saturday, Sunday 600 and sleep sleep sleep :/