With the holidays just around the corner, there are a number of parties going on (for work and friends): you drink, eat a lot, and have great times spent with family and friends. For me, Christmas has been about spending time with them while also slowing down to appreciate even the smallest of things I am fortunate to have. I think it’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of shopping for presents, and wanting this or that. Some of us are lucky to be able to ask for things we “want”, while others are simply asking for things they “need”. If you have a chance, really look at yourself in the mirror to ask if you are one of the fortunate. If you are, is there anything you can do during the holidays to give to those who aren’t as fortunate? At work we are donating toys and food, and one of my friends held a charity night where everyone brought a new toy to donate to a kids charity.
I would like to be able to give back more to the community. I am aware that I don’t do enough now, but that can change. And this “giving” back will hopefully be all year round, not just for the holidays or after a natural disaster. I have a friend, Jackie Halko, who has lived in Poland for the past year as a member of “Athletes In Action”. While involved with this organization, she has also had the opportunity to row for the Polish National Team. As a role model it is really good to build your credibility as an athlete so that the younger generation of athletes you are helping can have a goal, believe and achieve just like you. Jackie is a great example of this.
As I look more internally, I assess what my driver is with rowing. At first I jumped to the conclusion that it was more selfish than anything else – think about it, I am choosing to spend time away from family/friends so that I can do something for me (twice a day, 6 days a week) with a goal of finding out how good I can be at something. While that still holds true (“to be the best that I can be”), I know that my ultimate goal with rowing is to have the opportunity to build my credibility as an athlete so that I can give back to my community in a bigger way – specifically I want to be able to reach out to young female athletes. I had some challenging times as an athlete when I was younger, and I see it much too often with others too (young and old). At one of the Christmas gatherings, I learned about an amazing organization that is giving back now and making a difference. It’s called “StepStones for Youth” – it’s a charitable organization run by two people who work endlessly to offer programs to children and young adults who are considered vulnerable or at-risk within their community.
Again, I feel it is important to slow down and really appreciate how lucky I am and be thankful for the opportunities I have been given. Never take anything for granted.
So on my mission to build my credibility, I am continuing to work hard in the erg/weight room. Over the week-end, between the ridiculous amounts of cookie eating, I did trainJ. I actually had some of the best training sessions to date. I was fortunate to be with my teammates, Kathleen and Claire. I’d like to say that we destroyed the ergs, but part way through some of the pieces I felt like I was getting destroyed pretty bad myself, ha! The one piece I am most proud of this week-end is the 2 x 3000m workout. I was able to hold sub 2:00 / 500m at a stroke rate 20. My second one ended up being faster than my first, so I am seeing more consistency and endurance coming into play now. This is now the last week before I head off to the Dominican (this time I can check off “personal” instead of “business” on my customs formJ). I am hoping to get the chance to train on an erg while I’m there, but if I don’t, then trust me I will entertain you with a very interesting way of erging with a rolling seat and bands!
Happy Monday!
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