Starting area in Bled. Our hotel is right behind me!

We left Princeton 13 days ago but it seems longer.  Maybe because we’ve done so much and by so much I mean rowing.  This time of year is when all the months of training pay off and when boat speed starts to show.

We’ve had a pretty fun racing season so far because of Henley and Lucerne.  I should have updated my experiences while there but I feel like there are so many blogs and information out there already that I waste my time reading others updates and never allow myself enough time to focus on my blog.  I do a much better job updating my twitter and facebook pages so if you ever get annoyed that I don’t update this website go and check those two places first and bug me there to get my act together and update this thing.  I also have links on the left side of my website page.  This also includes all the questions I’ve been sitting on that coxswains have asked me through my “ask” page.  Please do keep sending me your questions and if you don’t hear from me then ask again and call me out!  Please be nice about it though

Three of my teammates have been doing way better jobs than me on the blogging front. Check out Megan Kalmoe’s, Jamie Redman’s and Esther Lofgren’s blogs because I strive to be like them one day with all their multi media additions which are definitely fan favorites.

The best part about Munich was the ability to jump into the water right after practice.  Growing up in Orangevale, CA and learning to row on Lake Natoma spoiled me into thinking that all lakes were swimmable.  Lake Carnegie in Princeton, NJ burst that bubble. Another great part of Munich was at every dinner there were two forms of potato.  I haven’t met a potato dish that I haven’t liked!

Thumbs up in Munich

Swimming in Munich right after practice!

Since being in Bled the only difference in weather conditions is that our hotel in Munich had air conditioning.  The hotel in Bled is in a very convenient location with it being right on the starting line area but for those with the “ugly” view of the trees and not the lake we also have the pleasure of not having air conditioning.  I’ve been really blessed with the best roommate ever, Gevvie  Stone, who has the same needs as me.  We have perfected the balcony to front door draft by opening both doors and blasting our fan around the clock to help cool things down.  I’m excited to report that last night I actually used the covers to keep warm rather than sleeping on top of the covers.

Things are moving and shaking as racing starts.  You can follow the W8+ races with this link to World Rowing’s website.  My first race is tomorrow, Monday at 11:06am CET. We are racing in lane 1 against the Ukraine (lane 2), Great Britain (lane 3), and Germany (lane 4).  Winner goes directly to the A final where the top 5 finishers of the A final qualify their boat for the London Olympics.  We’re taking one step at a time and one race at a time.

Starting line area. Grandstands and anyone can watch the start for free.

On our walk to the course on the first day.

View from the start down a lane. The island on the left is at the 1500m mark.

We try and having matching uniforms while at Worlds except for College Uni Day!!

Go USA!

mwhip+

The 2010 Women's 8+ at the National Rowing Foundation reception

This last two weeks have been filled with receptions, pieces and now packing! After the Meet and Greet at Mercer Lake we had the opportunity to attend two more receptions. The first was given by the National Rowing Foundation in New York at the New York Yacht Club.  What made that night special was to see all the alums there that have represented our country long before I ever made my first team.  It was a great way to spread the word to the new members of the team on how special this organization is and how we are now all apart of it.  I also enjoyed meeting former coxswains and talking some shop of how the 8+ is moving and shaking.

The other reception we had was given by our new friend, Leo Holt.  Leo attended our annual USrowing Golf Outing Fundraiser and now we have him hooked on the sport. He invited us to the Philadelphia Racquet  Club. We got a tour of their facilities and treated to a nice reception by the other members.  Then….I tried meat!  I was raised a vegetarian but I’m not afraid of the occasional chicken or beef broth or salmon here and there.  However, after the reception we all went to one of those Brazilian BBQ places where waiters walk around with chunks of meat on a skewer.  So after many of “no thank yous”  someone said that if I ever wanted to try a steak now is the time because they were tasting on of the best pieces right now.  Now I’ve heard that before many times during college BBQ’s and people claiming that I will love meat after tasting this piece.  My curiosity got the better of me so I said, “Why not!”  I have to admit that it was the best half of a half of bite I have ever nibbled on.  I can see now why people love steak but I still can’t imagine ordering a big ‘ole slab of beef anytime soon.

So thank you to all our supporters and especially to Leo for making a veggie like me love my nibble of meat!

Amanda Polk (2 seat) and I being cheesy and patriotic!

Philadelphia Racquet Club. (From L-R) Adrienne Martelli, Kady Glessner, Jamie Redman, Sara Hendershot, Jesse Reel, Taylor Ritzel and me.

At a Row New York event last month. (From L-R) Elle Logan, Anna Goodale, Ali Cox, Erin Cafaro, Me, Susan Francia, Tom Terhaar.

Me and Ali Cox...we are the grannies from Athens!

Philadelphia Racquet Club Reception

Dress up fun is now done and now we get to the part of the year that we all have been waiting for, Worlds.  I plan on blogging while I’m over there with internet connection permitting.  So check back soon.  Good luck everyone at HOCR!  I hope the weather is better this year than last.

Now I’ve got to start packing and getting ready for our never ending day of travel tomorrow, Thursday.  We are actually going to skip over Friday completely and land in New Zealand on Saturday.  I’ve also found a way to start writing on my blog…it is way better than packing any day!

Steer Straight!

Mwhip+

Bouncing around Anchorage, AK!

Since my last post I, The 9th Seat, have been busy.  I started grad school at the University of Washington and am on my way in completing a masters degree in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership.  Which is basically a mouth-full for sports administration for college sports.  This is the main reason for taking the summer off from the National Team since the IAL program smooshes one full year of curriculum into 8 weeks.  I’ve been in school this past 8 weeks from 9 am to 5 pm.  Talk about intense.  I’ve met really cool people and love my class size, all 27 of them.

All 27 of us in front of Gas Works/ Lake Union

We now move into our internship portion of the program and I’ve secured an internship with the Tyee Club.  I’m excited to learn about donor relations and hopefully use my skills that I’m going to learn to help me run my college rowing team one day!

The Poland World Championships are a week away and I’m going to be excited and sad to cheer on my team from Seattle, but a year off is what I needed to help me prepare for 2012.

Look for more coxswain specific content in the coming weeks and more news about upcoming clinics.

Steer Straight!

mwhip+