Inches Away

Last week was a calm week. Well, that was the calm before the storm. On Saturday morning, I went to the 3 x 2k test. I actually did just how I wanted to. My aim—which I did not actually think was realistic for me—was to get my split (how long it takes you to row 500 meters; a good split for women is around 2:00 minutes/500 m) between 2:10 and 2:12 for the three 2ks. My average at the end of all three, cumulative was 2:11.5—spot on.

More than hitting a personal goal, I gained recognition from the varsity coach, Pete. This is kind of a big deal in my world. To be a rower, there is a certain body type that is ideal. Naturally, the taller you are, the better your stroke and faster your splits will be. Some of the girls on my team are upwards of six feet tall. And so being short is a HUGE disadvantage. Lucky me, I am one of the shortest members of the team and so I was really behind everyone else from the beginning.

My coach sees that I can do whatever she needs me to, if I have the mental capacity to do that. She knows that she needs to really push me, but since I do deliver, she does take the time with me. The varsity, on the other hand, does not waste his time with me. He has better rowers on the varsity team that have the foundation for being truly accomplished rowers, so he works with them. It does not bother me—he is shaping medal-winning rowers and I know I am not there yet.

But as I sprinted the last 300 meters of my second 2k (a very tiring point in the 3 x 2k process, I might add), my coach was working me through the meters. As I started the last 300 sprint, she whispered, “Pete’s watching. Let’s go, get on it.” So I kept my form and upped my concentration. With that, I naturally started bringing my splits down; I ended at a 1:59. As I paddled out that 2k, I heard Pete say, “Alright, I’m impressed. I’m impressed.” I never thought I’d hear those words, even when I got promoted to varsity. So to hear that from Pete at this stage in the game was more than I ever hoped for. It made the calm week I had behind me, full of technique and building my mental strength completely worthwhile.

And that was not the end of my encouragement. My coach has been paying particular attention to me since this past Saturday, putting me with some of the tallest girls on the team, as well as in stroke seat. Both situations exemplify the progress I have made and the capabilities I can now reach. Being able to successfully row with girls who are a foot taller than me is one of the best compliments my coach can give me, putting me in that situation, and one of the best positions to be in as we approach our upcoming spring season.

Being short is only a handicap if I allow it to be. Although not everyone may remember a point that Keith made in his speech this morning, he mentioned how in high school, Michael Jordan was deemed too short to play basketball seriously. The word “short” caught my attention, and the entire phrase resonated with me. Just as Jordan said in the commercial, either he ruined the game of basketball or everyone else is just making excuses. I refuse to make excuses.