Some Notes From Boston

[[old] dennish]

Just thought it might be appropriate to share a few thoughts from the big show on Saturday: I don't think the silver line is an improvement over the blue line from the airport. The Hyatt was much more accomodating and helpful than the previous hotel. I love riding the T, a friend once characterized mass public transportation as "the last traveling freak show." No disappointment here, you get to see everything. When we left home is was minus twenty at our house and I thought the weather was quite passable. I thought my race went pretty much as I had planned it out. I wanted to settle quickly on 1:40 pace and hold it there till the last 300 or so, depending on what I needed. But I saw a few too many 1:41's during the mid part of the race to be able to get under 6:40 with a sprint. I don't think I'm alone here but when I saw the video of myself, I was appalled at some of the things I did wrong. I'm full well convinced that I was getting my arms away fully, but was never really even close to doing it right. The other problem I had was related to the Spitler system who were doing the race displays. They failed to get John Harvey into my race and the monitor was showing me that I had about 50 meters on second place, when in reality John Harvey was only a second or two behind. Luckily Paul S (thank you more than words or numbers can say) was coxing and not about to let me slack it home. I didn't think it was possible but I sort of felt sorry for the worlds fastest 55-59 lightweight with a stunning 7:04. But to more substanial thoughts. It was John Harvey's last race due to physical maladies that are not mine to discuss, so it was with tears and fears that I had the honour to stand with him on the podium. Meeting Henry Baker was excellent. Huge racing high points for me were Mike Caviston making it a race to the wire with Paul after a crummy and difficult patch leading up to race day, Bayko getting under 7:00, Mary P being young again, Joan racing down the heavyweights, and lordy, lordy lordy, Roadrunner getting silver, watching Roger Prowse being steady and strong at 60. It was also my great good fortune to sit with Nate Birkhead, lightweight from CU as he went 6:25. Sort of ying and yang situation when Mike coxed Erin O'C and I co-coxed Katrina Lunstedt in the same race. They went 2-3. I guess this means that Mike will have to push his fat ass into the cox's seat before I do. On the feel good side of things, whew, a lot to mention here. Maybe start with all the excellent people I got to hang with, Mike C, John Harvey and his friend Johnny, Rick Bayko, David Hislop, Erin, Mary P, Joan and John van Blum. New folk that I am proud and honoured to have met and call friend. Roger Prowse, not really a new friend but one whose company is treasured, Jon Goddall, Carol McNally, and all the folk from the USIRT, (Jonathan, Veronica, Luann, Libby, Robert Meenk, Paul Siebach, Katrina, Robert Spenger, JIm C. , Lisa, Bill, Noel). I could hang out endlessly with the Brits. They say they most profound things with more wit, style and grace than I can imagine. ANd the adaptive rowers. I stood for almost the whole race. Courage, grit, class. I was dumbstruck by their display. even teared up a bit I'll admit. And because this has gone on far too long, I'll leave it to your own thoughts what Mike C was talking about as this bunch of lightweights hit the ice cream in this years version of post race, "lightweights gone bad." And lastly the best, my long suffering wife who is always there to tell me "good job" win, lose or draw. Off now to try my hand at bike racing and putting erging on hiatus for a spell. Missed you Graham. live well and strong all dennis

[[old] CAROLE MAC]

Dennis was great to meet you to .... I found the whole adaptive race very humbling .... there was I complaining that I did a crap race when they were racing against all odds........ was also great to catch up with Joan and with Mary at long last..

[[old] mpukita]

<!--quoteo(post=57563:date=Feb 27 2006, 09:22 PM:name=dennish)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(dennish @ Feb 27 2006, 09:22 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Just thought it might be appropriate to share a few thoughts from the big show on Saturday: I don't think the silver line is an improvement over the blue line from the airport. The Hyatt was much more accomodating and helpful than the previous hotel. I love riding the T, a friend once characterized mass public transportation as "the last traveling freak show." No disappointment here, you get to see everything. When we left home is was minus twenty at our house and I thought the weather was quite passable. I thought my race went pretty much as I had planned it out. I wanted to settle quickly on 1:40 pace and hold it there till the last 300 or so, depending on what I needed. But I saw a few too many 1:41's during the mid part of the race to be able to get under 6:40 with a sprint. I don't think I'm alone here but when I saw the video of myself, I was appalled at some of the things I did wrong. I'm full well convinced that I was getting my arms away fully, but was never really even close to doing it right. The other problem I had was related to the Spitler system who were doing the race displays. They failed to get John Harvey into my race and the monitor was showing me that I had about 50 meters on second place, when in reality John Harvey was only a second or two behind. Luckily Paul S (thank you more than words or numbers can say) was coxing and not about to let me slack it home. I didn't think it was possible but I sort of felt sorry for the worlds fastest 55-59 lightweight with a stunning 7:04. But to more substanial thoughts. It was John Harvey's last race due to physical maladies that are not mine to discuss, so it was with tears and fears that I had the honour to stand with him on the podium. Meeting Henry Baker was excellent. Huge racing high points for me were Mike Caviston making it a race to the wire with Paul after a crummy and difficult patch leading up to race day, Bayko getting under 7:00, Mary P being young again, Joan racing down the heavyweights, and lordy, lordy lordy, Roadrunner getting silver, watching Roger Prowse being steady and strong at 60. It was also my great good fortune to sit with Nate Birkhead, lightweight from CU as he went 6:25. Sort of ying and yang situation when Mike coxed Erin O'C and I co-coxed Katrina Lunstedt in the same race. They went 2-3. I guess this means that Mike will have to push his fat ass into the cox's seat before I do. On the feel good side of things, whew, a lot to mention here. Maybe start with all the excellent people I got to hang with, Mike C, John Harvey and his friend Johnny, Rick Bayko, David Hislop, Erin, Mary P, Joan and John van Blum. New folk that I am proud and honoured to have met and call friend. Roger Prowse, not really a new friend but one whose company is treasured, Jon Goddall, Carol McNally, and all the folk from the USIRT, (Jonathan, Veronica, Luann, Libby, Robert Meenk, Paul Siebach, Katrina, Robert Spenger, JIm C. , Lisa, Bill, Noel). I could hang out endlessly with the Brits. They say they most profound things with more wit, style and grace than I can imagine. ANd the adaptive rowers. I stood for almost the whole race. Courage, grit, class. I was dumbstruck by their display. even teared up a bit I'll admit. And because this has gone on far too long, I'll leave it to your own thoughts what Mike C was talking about as this bunch of lightweights hit the ice cream in this years version of post race, "lightweights gone bad." And lastly the best, my long suffering wife who is always there to tell me "good job" win, lose or draw. Off now to try my hand at bike racing and putting erging on hiatus for a spell. Missed you Graham. live well and strong all dennis<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Great summary Dennis ... those of us that were not there surely get a good feel for how it felt for you, and likely would have been for us. Thank you! It's clearly not all about times and weights and ages, but sharing a great sport with great people. Very special.<br />

[[old] roadrunner]

Great meeting all you guys again especially Dennis, Mike C, Mary P, John Harvey, Bayko, JVB - the CRASH-B CREW.<br />Got my CRASH-B Medal at my 5th attempt.<br />Dennis thanks for coxing me through.<br />Mike C respect mate for your consistency and friendship, Mary P your everlasting smile, Bayko - just being you, John Harvey - Dennis said it all, what a man. Richi-Mrs Dennis - We all love you. <br />Missed the LWT assault on the ice cream but got ahead of you all with mine at the post race bash!<br />Dennis you and I were on local TV over here last night and in local paper - well your arm was.<br />Also check out home page on UK concept site.<br />Pictures printed, video watched-dare I admit that I can't wait for CRASH-Bs 2007!!!!<br />What a weekend.<br />Training now on for BIRC in November.<br />RR

[[old] Bayko]

Hey Dennis,<br /><br />As usual, it's not JUST the race (although it is a great event), but a yearly gathering of close friends. It really is special. Tell Rich that my Crash-B Crew mini-hammer is beside the computer amongst the photos of from past years, keeping thoughts of y'all close by at all times.<br /><br /><br />Rick

[[old] c2bill]

Dennis - just in case you wanted to see more of yourself your race is now online:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.concept2.com/sranking03/webc ... 5vetm50.rm" target="_blank">http://www.concept2.com/sranking03/webc ... .rm</a><br /><br />good to see you again dennis - you are a class act.<br /><br />-bp

[[old] seat5]

I was there just briefly to catch a few races and got to meet some of the forum even more briefly...it was exciting and mind boggling to see so many rowers, very inspiring!!!! What a great group of people!!<br /><br />I'd love to see more of the races that I missed on the replays, but can't get them to work. The links don't seem to work...anyone know the secret? <br /><br />

[[old] John Rupp]

The link doesn't work well at all.<br /><br />I'm getting the sound okay -- suggestion turn it way down on your computer first or it will blast your ears out -- but the video only shows a still frame every 30 seconds or so.<br /><br />Is there a way to download the files?

[[old] seat5]

Sound? Moving pictures? I get NADA. I get the same darned blue page with writing on it ove rand over again. None of the links do anything but get me back to the same page. ...?

[[old] eparizeau]

Works fine here. Both IE and Firefox. Perhaps downloading an updated Real player might help?

[[old] johnmcclellan]

<!--quoteo(post=58472:date=Mar 4 2006, 06:15 PM:name=eparizeau)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(eparizeau @ Mar 4 2006, 06:15 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Works fine here. Both IE and Firefox. Perhaps downloading an updated Real player might help?<br /> </td></tr></table><br /> <br />That is the answer (or at least likely to be an answer). I got nothing until I downloaded the updated Real player and that solved all my problems. Except I still came in the same place on the replay - I was hoping that might improve!

[[old] Steve G]

Dennis<br />Thanks for a superb report as always, you are a worthy champion, and fully deserve the hammer. I bet it was great to hang out with John Harvey, Roger, Rick, RR, and the ubiquitous Carol Mac!! et al. <br /><br />I'm pleased I had the honour to talk at length to John at BIRC, and really chuffed he won Gold. Pity no stroke rate or splits for him on the replays. Well earned silver and much respect to RR too, he delivered on the day. Pleased for that other true gent Roger Prowse, he is always ready to share his training ideas, and just gets on with the job in hand. As for Rick, consistent as always!<br /><br />I said to MRs G last night, it would be good to do CRASH B again, 5 years since my one and only.<br /><br />Enjoy the bike racing Dennis, sounds fun. Catch you at BIRC 2006???, Just sort that technique out <br /><br /><br />Steve

[[old] rspenger]

One of the neat features of the 2006 C-B was the sight of the gleesome threesome, the senior men's lightweight medalists. They were waiting in line for their time on the podium and having a great friendly chat. You would never know from watching them at the time that they had just finished an intensely close competition. It is sort of fascinating how close the times for these three have been in the last two seasons and how the finishing places have been shuffled around between the three of them, each one of them having a first place.<br /><br />Bob S.