Feb. 22, 2007

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 13th of the 2006-07 school year, is by Katie Wood, a sophomore from Cornelius, N.C.

Since May of 2006 when last year's season ended we have been working to get back to this point ... just two weeks from our first spring race. All our summer workouts, fall races, erg workouts, and weightlifting sessions have been done to prepare us for this exciting part of the year. In sixteen days we will travel down the road to race our rivals at Duke. As a team, we have made vast improvements over the last eight months and we could not be more excited to show the speed we have gained in the off season.

Our immediate preparation for the spring season has included a lot of technical work on the water, different land training, and many erg workouts. We have been learning how to maximize our individual power by erging at low stroke rates and working on the technique of our drive in the boat. On land we have been competing amongst each other and the novice team in triathlons that involve erging, running, and stadiums. These land practices are challenging but they are a fun and competitive way to build our fitness. This past week we took a series of fitness and erg tests that enable us to measure our improvement, and use our success to build confidence as we head into our racing season. The last month the coaches have challenged us physically and mentally but as a team we have stepped up to the plate and met these challenges.

It may be cliché, but the reason why we are a much improved team is that we encompass the true meaning of team. Rowing leaves no room for individualism and our awareness of this has lead to vast improvements in the off season. We take erg tests as a team, working to do our best so that we can make the team average that Coach Haney sets for us. We work as a team in the weight room by encouraging and pushing one another to hit the set rep target. And it need not be said that when we are one the water we work and move as a unit to achieve our goals. The unique aspect of being a Tar Heel rower this year is that this team dynamic and attitude extends far beyond the athletic arena. We support each other through everything from emergency appendectomies to academic success and struggles. Challenges that we face as individuals become easier because we have the support of the team. With this intricate team dynamic we have pushed each other beyond what we thought possible and have gained incredible team speed since last season.

A few weeks ago Melissa, our strength and conditioning coach, reminded us that every rep we do and every stroke we take is one step closer to success at ACC's this spring. We have really taken this to heart and work everyday with the ultimate goal in mind. We have set high goals for ourselves this spring and we have been working hard so that we can achieve them. Everyday the coaches remind us that "Failure is not an option" and with this attitude we approach the most important part of the year. So watch out for us this spring because as a team we have gained speed, and we have the confidence that we will not fail.