Positive Thinking

A back tracking post. Let me take you back to August 5, 2011.

The schedule in OKC is pretty repetitive. Karen picks me up at 5:45am. We have become regulars at the Starbucks where we tease the baristas each morning. On the way to the highway we wave to the sole early morning walker - an older gentleman with his reflective vest on. Karen has deemed him my boyfriend and i have exaggerated the story to suggest that he is walking home from my apartment. We are standing by the boat ready for practice by 6:15 and sometimes have our fun like this: http://www.row2k.com/potd/index.cfm?id=1436

Morning practice is typically 12-16k meters, either in hard pieces or long and strong steady state. The boat works hard and after every workout i think to myself (and sometimes aloud) "more speed everyday".

After practice we load into Eric's car with Eleni in the front seat because she has the longest legs, Andrew behind her because there is more leg room there and I squeeze in behind Eric as any good coxswain would. With Jamaica and Briggs - the Service Dogs - in the way back, we head to Jimmy's Egg for breakfast. We are regulars here too and they know to bring us all coffee and water with oj for the boys. The omelette order changes daily, but Andrew always gets his sweet potato pancakes. Then it's back to the boathouse by 11am for an erg and weights, tanks, core or serious stretching. Afterward we head home and each go through our own afternoon relaxing routine.

Here is my favorite part of the day:

It is 4:30. Eric, Eleni, Andrew and I are headed to our afternoon session in Eric's big Yukon. Something magical happens to us on this 20 minute drive to the boathouse and laughter ensues. Everyday we find something new and fantastic to make us giggle. Pure happiness coats us as we head to afternoon session. It must be the anticipation.

We start at 5:15 with a reading from the book The Way of the Champion. Coach takes it slow and lets us savor each word. Admittedly, I have a dictionary ready for the words that the author appears to have made up but are always real (thank you google). We are all so enjoying discussions of mindfulness, commitment, and positive attitude. Sometimes we share personal examples of determination or overcoming a challenge. These sessions have proven powerful in building our trust in each other, and confidence as a boat. The positive nature of the discussions carries over through our afternoon practice as four rowers commit to 100% focus even in 105+ degree temperatures. The afternoon technical row is typically 8k and I'm learning so much from all our drills; cut the cake, the Gollum, and alternating half and full slide rowing are some of my favorites.

All in all, I'm feeling like a champion - enjoying the process and feeling the benefits everyday. You can see that our little team has become a family. The power of positive thinking, confidence and commitment in our group are HUGE!