Life as I live it: Summary of National Development Trials (east)

Wow, what a week-end! I first want to say that the best outcome from this week-end was my mom overcoming her first round of chemo side-effects. I derive so much inspiration from this woman I am so blessed to call mom, thank you!!

And it is so fitting that she shared the following quote with me:

“Detach from all values that support the belief that success in life means achieving certain goals. Instead, view a successful life as a process of achieving self-control and the capacity to work through the challenges life brings you. Visualize success as an energy force rather than a physical one.”

- Anatomy of the Spirit, Caroline Myss

This couldn’t be more true. As you know, this past week-end I raced at the National Development Trials (East) and was fortunate to race alongside some really great athletes from all categories (Heavyweight, Lightweight, Under-23, and Juniors) – including those who have gone to previous World Championships, and are currently carded on the National Team.

I went into this race thinking that the outcome would define the success of my training over winter and spring, however, I know that the result from trials only shows one part of my journey and that there is much more to come. Everyone has their challenges, so I am no different than anyone else - I feel that I am learning so much about myself every day that I am becoming better at working through these challenges, and I am hopeful that this will continue to help me ride this amazing “process of achieving self-control”.

I say this now, after the races are over, but over the week-end I displayed all types of emotions: J L :S...

As a lightweight, I had to weigh in each day (2 hours before racing). Fortunately my weight was close to the international target, so this was helpful to see how I could perform under those conditions. On Saturday we had the time trial where each athlete went down the course one person at a time. The top 12 went on to the A/B Semi-Final, 13-24 to the C/D Semi-Final, etc. Although I made it through to the A/B Semi-Final, I had a disappointing time trial result. My coach had a really great talk with me to help prepare for the Semi-Final. We removed my “stroke coach” (a device that is used in the boat to help athletes see their stroke rates) just to see what rate I would lengthen into during the semi-final….28! Darn it Laura, you can’t race at a 28!! This would have to change, and change quick if I wanted to get an invite to London Ontario for training at the London Training Center (where the National Women train).

Saturday night was exhausting! Thank goodness I had a good sleep on Friday night. As I experienced before, having espresso definitely shocks my body…for MANY hours, ha. So Saturday night I was wired, however, I was resting so that’s the positive side of thisJ.

Perhaps the lack of sleep affected my ability to fully function in the morning…I forgot my water bottle and food at the entrance of the house, I had an incident with my phone, etc. What a GOOF! Again, these were challenges, small ones, but still challenges. I just had to let them go and move on with what I had.

After weigh in, eating, drinking and resting, my coach and I sat to have our pre-race chat, and I was then off to race in the A final.

I was so incredibly focused for this final, I knew what I had to do and so I just had to go out and do it…and yes, this required me to bump up my stroke rate to race pace. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I work best under pressure and so this was my comfort zone.

I had an INCREIDBLE support team there to cheer me on, so I would like to give a big THANK YOU to them – my husband Andrew, his parents, my dad, our uncle and aunt, my amazing friends Lauren, Robyn, Vanesa and Chris, my mom and sis back home and so many more. It’s not the norm to see such a big group of people go to a local regatta, but that’s just how we do things in my hood, ha! Whenever I can, I also support my family and friends by going to their events, activities, etc. I think we should hire this support team for the upcoming Olympics, what do you think?!:)

With my amazing support team, pre-race chat with my coach, and trust in my training, I went out to race and ended up finishing fourth overall (behind the top 3 heavyweights), and first for the lightweight women.

I now prepare to move to London Ontario next week! The top 3 lightweights in Canada have already been selected to go to the Olympics, so Rowing Canada has selected 6 other lightweights across Canada to try out for 4 spots that will make up a Lightweight Women’s Quadruples Scull going to the World Championships in Bulgaria this August.

Let selection beginJ