Feb. 16, 2008

Throughout the season, members of the UNC rowing team will provide TarHeelBlue.com readers with an inside look at the Carolina program and the experience of being a varsity athlete at UNC. This installment, the sixth of the 2007-08 school year, is by Katie Wood, a junior from Cornelius, N.C.

The past two weeks have been intense yet exciting as we have moved from the confines of our erg room and back out to University Lake. With spring racing just around the corner, we all know that every piece we do in the erg room and every set we do in weights is more important than ever.

Right now we are training on the water six days a week, working to perfect our blade work and technique. It has been rewarding for everyone to see how the changes we make each day improve the boat flow and increase our overall speed. In addition to our water practices, we condition on land and lift weights multiple times per week. Our new weight training regime includes a challenging and fast-paced circuit with multiple Olympic lifts and, a new team favorite, pull-ups. To improve our flexibility, Melissa has introduced us to a series of yoga poses and band stretches. We have started to do these unique stretches every Friday to help stretch our legs after an intense week of training.

Every single person on the team has stepped up their game during these first weeks of our spring season. With our first race less than three weeks away (vs. Alabama on March 8), everyone on the team is getting more eager and excited to compete. Until then, we'll keep pushing ourselves and bettering our technique in preparation for everyone's favorite season, racing season!