Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Rowing Journal - Gia Ciccolo
3/31/2011 8:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
March 31, 2011
Upon joining this team I was told the winter season would be rough. I had an injury during winter training, but I was also told it would be worth it; "Just wait", all the returning rowers said. "Once you race you'll know exactly why we do all of this and why we all choose to stick it out." As the spring season got closer I grew more and more anxious anticipating something amazing to be worth all of this work but still having no idea what a regatta would be like.
Then March 26th came along. We loaded up the bus and left campus by the all-too-familiar 5:30 a.m. Together we journeyed to Philadelphia. As we neared the Schuylkill River and were told to get our things together, knots formed in my stomach and all the nerves about racing surfaced. As we got off the bus, my boat, the freshman 4, had to begin warming up immediately because our race was one of the first ones of the morning.
Finally, we met at the boat and brought it down to the dock. We placed it in the water, were told good luck by our coach and were off for our warm-up. We hurriedly fixed our feet and adjusted our handle heights, and most of us were anxious for our first race ever. Eventually we calmed down, got through our warm-up, and got to the starting line.
At the most anticipated word of the day, "Row", we were off! Adrenaline filled all of our bodies as we powered out our three quarter, three quarter and 90-stroke start and then the next full 15 strokes. As we pushed and pushed I saw all of our competition fade in front of the stern as we gained more and more open water on our competition. We lengthened our strokes for a couple but kept a consistent pressure and by the 20th stroke I knew I was giving everything I could, but didn't question whether I could give more.
With the burning sensation trailing through my legs with every push and the aching in my shoulders I knew I would give my all through the entire race, because I had to. We all had to. We raced together for the longest eight minutes of my life and powered out at the end with energy we had no idea we had. We placed first in our heat by 11 seconds and qualified for the finals race. I don't think any of us were expecting this. Our work was paying off and we were experiencing it at our first race together. It was an amazing feeling. I wanted to say all of this as soon as the race was over, but my entire body was drained and I felt as if a hole was burned through my throat. That was one of the most physically exhausting things I have done, but proved to be exactly what all the other rowers claimed: completely worth all the work we have put in. As we came back we were all congratulated and were able to watch the second varsity eight place first in their heat as well. Both our boat and the 2V8 went on to place solid second-place finishes at our respective finals.
Rowing has proven to be a sport unlike any other. Each teammate works so hard all year round to participate in these races that are so physically challenging. What I have read about the feeling you experience during a race is now proven to be true. From the beginning with every stroke you aren't sure if you can give more because you're pushing your hardest the entire time, but somehow you do and you keep pushing and telling yourself that you will finish because you have to--for your boat. That's what rowing is all about: not only doing your best for yourself but doing so for your boat because in the end you endure everything together.
- Gia Ciccolo '14
