It might just be the boat ...

I last wrote about having a good row due to being tired and blister-y.

Well, I've since had 2 more good rows and I can't say the blisters were that much of a factor. I must be getting better.

Nah ... it might just be the boat.

A blister in the sun ...

I row and scull on the Mississippi River out of the Minnesota Boat Club on Raspberry Island in Saint Paul about 6 months out of the year. The other six months, "Old Muddy" is more like "old slushy" or "old frosty" due to the interminable winters here.

I've been rowing for about 3 years now and, well ... I'm not that good. Ok, I'm not horrible, but I have a long way to go until I'm skimming effortlessly over the water. I even wear a tshirt to practice that states, "It take alot of courage to row this badly" much to the chagrin of my club team.

This morning, I was rowing with my doubles partner, Bruce, before work and my hands were killing me. Last night, I rowed (badly) with my team in a coxed 4 boat and as a result I literally skinned some of the fingers on my left hand. I left alot DNA in the river.

So I was all taped up this morning and it didn't help - my sweat was causing the bandaids and tape to come off and they soon added to the trash floating south to N.O.LA. I was sore and tired from last night and my hands were tender to say the least.

But ... as a result, I was lightly gripping the oar and I didn't try to overreach and I ended up having a really, really good row. Bruce had a good row too; I know becuase he had a little grin on his face after we docked and put the boat back up in the boathouse.

Bruce is a man of few expressions, but a solid and good guy. The grin made my day and my usually futile attempts at this sport temporarily worthwhile.

So, by being tired and being slightly in pain, I was able to accomplish what my coaches have been saying for the last 3 years - "relax and just row". In other word, stop being anal, stop overthinking and trust your body's instincts.

Cool. See you on the river.

It's been a while ...

... and I'm trying to get back into the swing of things.

Life has kind of gotten in the way - you know - work, play, family, career (ie - a boring on-line course that took too much time and energy for the yield it has provided) - but I need a little "release-valve". Something to exorcise (or exercise?) the demons in my mind.

Also I'm a little slow today at wotk and my knee hurts - may be more on this later.