#rowingwa

I have my first ever States Youth VIII training/trials session on Saturday morning and I am a little bit excited. I just want to keep up with everyone and not make too much of a fool of myself. They released the 5km times today and mine was above the average for the juniors at a higher resistance level than anyone else so hopefully my boat fitness isn't too low compared to to the others. I just really want to impress the VIII coaches and do well, and hopefully I'll be able to get into the states team for nationals despite my lack of experience at the higher levels. I have never raced in C grade or higher before and I've only done one 2k erg in my time as a rower plus I've never actually done a 2k on the water. If I actually get a spot at nationals, I will be over the freaking moon. To go from an E-grade in my first ever race at the start of this year to competing at state level would be huge for me. I know I have a lot of technical aspects of my stroke to work on, and I know I need to improve my cardio and weights training but despite this I feel like I can do this. I won a state champs medal in my first season. I'm only just below C grade and next year all my crews bar one will be at C grade. I dislocated a rib the week before a race, and I pushed through being diagnosed with appendicitis and a kidney infection five days before champs.  I did all this, and I did it well while playing netball, acing uni, looking out for my depressed/suicidal best friend that boards with me, trying to inspire my beginner rowers and supporting my boyfriend through his TMG diagnosis and treatment, as well as watching all his softball games.