Quaker City Regatta

[Edward4492]

OTW race, so taking liberties, no erging involved. You've been warned. This was a target event for me. I cut a lot of weight to hit the OTW LWT limit of 160lbs which I easily met at 158. This was our last local 1000m sprint event. Stake boats but no buoys; so a little nervous about being able to row straight while racing. I drew lane 1 which I was thrilled with, only had to focus my attention to the starboard side. Weather forecast called for increasing winds and sure enough by the time we went off it was blowing 6-8 mph, mostly head wind. There's a lot going on at a regatta, ya gotta get the boats all rigged and in the water (we had five singles racing yesterday). Ya need to get lined up, get your self in the right race, get on the stake boats. A little nerve racking and the wind didn't help.

My plan was pretty simple. Two easy strokes to get the boat away clean, then build quickly to my racing speed. Was planning on settling around 2:10 or just under (hoping to break 4:20), but with the wind I had no idea what to expect. I managed to get "locked in" on the stake boat, got set, and we get the horn. I come out a little crooked, but not too bad, get the boat going , and get down to work. Looking at my splits after the race tell the tale. The 100m splits:

2:17.6
2:03.1
2:03.7
2:07.1
2:08.5
2:07.2
2:11.6
2:07.6
2:14.1
2:22.6

Got off a little slow, was hoping to be under 2:10 for the start. Then looks like I dug way to deep on the 2nd and 3rd, particularly into the wind. Finally settled down a bit through the middle. By the final 200m I was falling apart. Finshed up at 4:23.9, was 5th (of 6) on the water, moved back into dead last on the handicap. The first two boats were way faster (4:01 and 4:07), then the rest of us were packed pretty close at 4:18, 4:22, 4:23, and 4:27. It was pretty thrilling coming to the end right in the mix.

So, to be perfectly honest; I'm really hoping to get some better finishes as I (theoretically) improve. But it's hard to be disappointed when I row with in a couple of seconds of my target time of 4:20 in pretty sub-standard conditions. My target for this season was to break 4:30; so far 4:19,4:23 (in a 1x), and 4:28 (mixed 2x). Also, wanted to get comfortable with how the OTW racing "works" and meet some of the competitors in my class. And, see if I could realistically compete as a 160lb LWT. So far right on track. Next up will be the fall head races, essentially 4k+ time trials. A little less frenetic, but you're on it for 20min. Have also started back on the erg, just adding in some volume, several nice easy 5k's this week.

[jackarabit]

Who hired the guy in dflp? Just kidding. You are making quick progress, not least of all on the pre-race logistics. Breezy course must be an additional challenge.

[Edward4492]

Thanks Jack, having a decent season learning the ropes. This sport is a study in contrasts. Ya need to learn to relax while busting a gut trying to row as hard as possible. The best make it look easy, but ya know they're killing it. I guess what gives me confidence is that I'm keeping pretty close in the races and I'm nowhere near what I think I can learn to do; unlike the erg where I've pretty much maxed out. Really enjoying it. Keep on pullin' !

[G-dub]

Great job Ed!

[Edward4492]

Thanks Glen, sure you'll have an opportunity to jump in a race at some point. All I can say is , do it! You already know how much fun and how damn difficult this is. You won't regret it.

[Cyclist2]

Good job, Ed!

I enjoyed the head races more than the few "sprint" races I did. There is no dead start, lots of time to settle into your rhythm, and it's exciting overtaking (and being overtaken) in corners. Have fun, keep us posted!

[lwtguy]

Great job Ed! You certainly crushed your own expectations this season! I was considering entering but then I got food poisoning on Tuesday and decided that it wasn't going to happen. I did pass by the race on my way to my girlfriend's apartment but I didn't get to see you.

Fall head races are my favorite. I'm better at long distances to begin with, but I also enjoy the racing aspect of it. It really can be an exercise in mental toughness and boat handling skills. You have to navigate turns, as well as yielding and passing (if you're good enough). The toughest part I think is when you end up "rowing in a vacuum." That is when you are between crews and are rowing all by yourself. I can be a bit of a grind.

[Edward4492]

Thanks Bill. I'll be at the Navy Day and Schuykill for sure. At least one of those will be a mixed double. To be honest, I really love the sprints. I like coming out of the start and the frenetic nature of it, along with all of the boats side by side. I think the training foe the head races will help me build up my endurance which has faded over the past several months. Time to start packing in some meters.

[lwtguy]

See if you can do your first head race in the 2x. It might help you to get a better bearing on the course. They aren't quite identical because different organizations are in charge of them, but they are mostly the same.