Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Rowing Journal - Emily Gladstone
4/13/2010 8:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
April 13, 2010
As a novice rower, it was a challenge to get through the fall and winter. I had never raced before, so it was difficult to keep pushing myself to work towards something I had never experienced. Throughout the year, there were many times I thought to myself, "Is all of this worth it?" I was committing over 10 hours a week to a sport I wasn't even sure I liked. After spending much of the fall swimming in the Susquehanna after flipping out of my single, I was looking forward to the winter as a chance to stay on the solid ground in the erg room. But, after all of the exhausting erg pieces I found myself wishing I was back on the water, even if it was in a single. Now, after we have entered the spring season, I know what I will ultimately look forward to every day - racing.
Many of my more experienced teammates told me that racing was the best part of rowing and it was what inspired them to give their all every day, but I was still skeptical. Who would want to voluntarily subject themselves to eight minutes of pain and find a way to enjoy it? Now that I have experienced a race, I now understand the thrill and adrenaline that comes from pushing yourself to the limit and knowing that there are seven other girls around you doing exactly the same. After my boat won its first race, I know that the countless hours spent in the erg room and weight room were worth it. Nothing compares to crossing the finish line and seeing five other boats behind you and knowing that all of the hard work that you and your teammates put in all year finally paid off.
Before my first race, I had no idea what racing would be like. What would I think about for those eight minutes? In the end, I don't think I actually thought about anything except giving my best press to each stroke. I had no idea that as soon as the boats were all lined up; the race would start in mere seconds. I just let my muscle memory take over from the hundreds of strokes we take in practice every day and followed the girl in front of me. I can't wait for our next race and the opportunity to show the results of our hard work.
- Emily Gladstone '13
