Feb. 25, 2005

The days are cold and the mornings are colder. And so begins our water practices.

We've been so lucky to commence our practices in the boats and on the water this past week, even though it is only the third week in February! Last year at this time there were still large chunks of ice floating down the Susquehanna River. Unless we wanted a reenactment of the Titanic, we were to remain on the ergs and in the weight room until our spring break training trip to Georgia in mid-March.

Although we continue our practices on the ergs, the weather has permitted us to take our first strokes on the water since our training trip in Miami this past January. That's not to say that it hasn't been cold during our morning rows. In fact, rowing on the Susquehanna before the sun rises proves to be quite the extreme from the tropical Florida weather. No more rowing by palm trees in our shorts and short sleeves. No more exotic canals to explore, and definitely no more dolphins. Now, we must turn our attention to the icy conditions of Central Pennsylvania. Our rows on the Susquehanna require at least three or four layers of spandex, and plenty of hot chocolate upon our return from the boathouse. Hats are a definite must, as well as the warmest socks you can find.

Yesterday morning, we started our row just as the snow began to fall and I wondered if that was what it felt like to be inside a snow globe. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Being the only ones on the water, it was easy to focus on each stroke. There was a feeling of power, as we were the only ones moving in a world where it seemed everyone else was standing still (or sleeping). We broke the stillness of the morning air with our steady breathing. The smooth, glass-like water was disturbed by the catch of our oars. We intertwined the power of our drive with the tranquil beauty of the environment around us. I believe that rowing is a sport which embraces both the beautiful and the turbulent. I have been able to feel power, pain, motivation, and glory, all at once.

After we finished our row, the bottoms of the boats had iced over by the time we walked them up to the boathouse. Our oars had turned to oar-sicles. We quickly jumped back into our sweatpants and gloves, while trying to regain some feeling in our limbs. It is an amazing feeling to be on the water so early in the season - as well as in the morning. While it seems as if the rest of the world is sleeping, I know that I am part of a dedicated team that works hard to improve with each stroke we take. Each stroke is one more step towards breaking new records - towards that finish line. I must look past those early mornings and snowy weather because those are only two of the many things that make rowing so great. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it.

And those early-morning practices can only mean one thing - SPRING SEASON HAS ARRIVED.

-Courtney Luzzi `06