June 4, 2006 - Selection Camp Day 4
Veni, Vedi, Vici! Final selections became apparent this morning when Karen put Jesse, Aerial, Jen, and me out together for a long row and then asked us to do an on-water time trial later in the afternoon. The team was formalized after our final rowing session. No one seemed surprised, but we were all still very excited.
In only our second row together, the final crew posted a time of 3:23 for 1,000 meters, traveling with the current of the river. This is probably about a 3:35-3:40 on still water. Regardless of the specific time, though, we know that we’re pretty fast relative to previous US adaptive boats (there have been adaptive crews in the past, but none sponsored by US Rowing). By Aerial’s recollection, the fastest US time for 1,000 meters was only 4:06. We’re not where we need to be to catch the Brits, yet, but at least the USA should make a better showing than it has in the past.
The ending to my weekend was pretty awesome, as the Tarbox’s threw a birthday party/congratulations party for me! Lindsay Perea, another Wake rower and Philadelphia native came over and we had an incredible meal and the best carrot cake ever made. After several weeks without soda, I enjoyed several icy Cokes.
It’s funny, though, because I really don’t feel like I’ve accomplished much, yet. I was in shape when I came to camp, maybe the best shape of my life, and I performed well. To feel like I’ve succeeded, though, I need to prove myself on the world stage. I want a medal, and I won’t be satisfied with my performance without it. Perhaps it will not come this year, but when the Paralympics come, I want the USA to stand atop the podium when the first medals are awarded in the sport of adaptive rowing.
The celebration was wonderful, but it must be short-lived. Now it’s time to get home and get back to work for the red, white, and blue.
In only our second row together, the final crew posted a time of 3:23 for 1,000 meters, traveling with the current of the river. This is probably about a 3:35-3:40 on still water. Regardless of the specific time, though, we know that we’re pretty fast relative to previous US adaptive boats (there have been adaptive crews in the past, but none sponsored by US Rowing). By Aerial’s recollection, the fastest US time for 1,000 meters was only 4:06. We’re not where we need to be to catch the Brits, yet, but at least the USA should make a better showing than it has in the past.
The ending to my weekend was pretty awesome, as the Tarbox’s threw a birthday party/congratulations party for me! Lindsay Perea, another Wake rower and Philadelphia native came over and we had an incredible meal and the best carrot cake ever made. After several weeks without soda, I enjoyed several icy Cokes.
It’s funny, though, because I really don’t feel like I’ve accomplished much, yet. I was in shape when I came to camp, maybe the best shape of my life, and I performed well. To feel like I’ve succeeded, though, I need to prove myself on the world stage. I want a medal, and I won’t be satisfied with my performance without it. Perhaps it will not come this year, but when the Paralympics come, I want the USA to stand atop the podium when the first medals are awarded in the sport of adaptive rowing.
The celebration was wonderful, but it must be short-lived. Now it’s time to get home and get back to work for the red, white, and blue.
posted by Jamie at 11:51 AM
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