Video from last week

Here's a clip of Mags (green boat) and me (white boat) during a workout last week. Paddling is coming along well. Nathan has returned, which is great for many reasons including that he films most of our sessions. Video is really important, especially during the autumn months when we are trying to correct technical weaknesses and build muscle memory. When I look at this video I can see that my elbows are coming too high on the exit-- they should drop down and relax-- and I need to hold my top arm back more and make sure it is coming across my face at the same speed as my hip. You can see that I am paddling too much with my upper body; there is not enough connection or leg drive.

There is always so much work to be done on technique. It is paramount to every sport!

Jump- roping

I was doing a bunch of jump-roping this afternoon and it reminded me of this video.




I've got to learn their moves!!

An artist's rendering

A bunch of the athletes from the training center volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club charity event tonight in Chula Vista. There were poker tables, a magician, and (my favorite) an artist drawing caricatures!


What do you think?

I had to read Jane Austen for my literature class this week.


Sense and Sensibility= not such a great book.



Downloading the mp3 and knitting this scarf while I listen... much better!

What is Fem doing?

Posts have been lacking so far this month. What have I been doing?

Well, I've been easing in to my training load by increasing my hours week by week (next week I'll be up to normal fall training-- which is between 16-30 hours per week). We're able to get on the water now, so I'll be paddling 3-4 times per week from now on. I've also started swimming a few times per week, lifting 4 times a week, yoga at least twice per week, and a lot more biking than I've done in the past. On top of that, I am taking 5 classes at University of California- San Diego this semester, so I have plenty of work to keep me occupied when I'm not out training.

My college career, if you were curious, is a bit unorthodox. Unfortunately, kayaking is not yet a collegiate sport, so most of us have had to choose between school and paddling. I'm a sophomore, credit-wise, and for the past 3 years I've been going to college intermittently. When I get all my ducks in a row, I would like to study music.

It's often frustrating to be on the "8 year undergrad" plan (as my teammates and I fondly refer to our educational journeys) especially since those with whom I graduated high school are graduating from college this summer. (WOAH.) However, I'm the one who has made kayaking a priority, knowing that I would never be satisfied unless I knew I gave Olympic gold my best shot!

2016 Olympics in Rio

Well, I can't lie: I was very disappointed when Chicago lost the 2016 Olympic bid last week. I have relatives in Chicago and I like the city; I dreamt of having the huge honor of competing in front of my friends and family on home soil! However, after much thought and discourse, I've put aside my disappointment. The whole point of the Olympic movement is to spread goodwill, charity, knowledge, and opportunity. Rio de Janeiro needs it much more than Chicago. And furthermore, it will be exciting for athletes to compete in the Olympics on South American soil for the first time!

A must-read for your thursday morning

Read this interesting article about Britain's athlete recruitment program leading up to the 2012 Games in London. Sprint kayaker Rachel Cawthorn, 4th at World Championships this summer, actually came out of this program! Wild.