Still not on the water, but starting to get excited

We've actually gotten out on the water twice, but now we're back at the school.  Damn Spring.  The

first couple of days we got to go out, it was really cold.  I took one boat out and left the other on the shore to circuit and run and then I switched them out.
I'd forgotten just how bad novices are when they first get out in a boat.  We did some arms only and arms and back rowing by pairs, and let the coxswains do a little practicing with steering and guiding the boat.  First day, pretty crazy, I wasn't thinking right and I just put them in the seats I thought they'd be rowing in eventually, when what I should have done is make sure I had an experienced bow pair to help with the steering.  Fixed that problem on the 2nd day, so it wasn't quite so crazy.  Everyone has had a little bit of a chance to get out on the water, except for 2 girls.  One just never showed up... she's going to be flaky I think and the other failed her swim test... sweet lord... I need her to pass her swim test.  I don't want to be down 1-2 girls.  That's going to make it really difficult if I end up rowing with 6 or 7 every day.  Bleeck!!

The last two days we've been up at the school, but it's been very productive.  I had the girls on slides, practice rowing in sync and slow up the slide.  We also got some pause drills done in the hopes that they'll be more familiar out on the water.
Then I divided them into their boats Novice 8 and Freshman 8 and we did some circuits, competing against each other.  I was really please and impressed with how hard they worked and their competitive spirit.  They had to do 500m, 1 lap, 50 squats and 10 burpees, repeated twice so each person in the boat did something.  It was a tough circuit and I made them race 3 times!  Not one complaint, not one real whine... they just buckled down and worked hard!  They encouraged each other.  I was so tickled with them!!  #teamnovicerocks

March is a fickle mistress

Once again, just like last year... March rolls in like a fickle bitch.  We got through tryouts and now the excitement is high, everyone is ready to getup on the water and what happens.... 8 freaking inches of snow and 2 snow days!

Not only can we not get out on the water, but we aren't even at school.  It's been a crazy winter!  I'm ready for spring.  Although, I must admit I'm a little nervous about going out on the water.  I still don't know what Mike is going to expect me to do, so a few more days inside on the ergs and conditioning is not the end of the world.  Geez, I hope I remember how to drive a launch!

Scrapbook success!

We've had a pretty crazy winter lately.  It's not that there's been so much snow, but it's been icy, windy, cold and just miserable for the most part.  The very first "snow day" of the year, the school system didn't call it and they were lambasted about it.  I think they may still be licking their wounds.  The result... if there's even a flake in the air, heck if they even predict a flake might come down, they are canceling school or at least delaying us!  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, at least not  yet, we haven't gone over our allotment of days so okay so far.  The result of our last 3 snow days...

#1 - I discovered The Blacklist on Netflix!  Totally addicted.  I have literally watched 30 hours straight of this stupid show.  33 episodes in the first season and 11 episodes in the 2nd season to get caught up and current.  Much to my shame and humiliation... I actually paid $1.99 for the last 6 episodes on iTunes because I couldn't wait!

#2 - I have pretty much single-handedly eaten every scrap of unhealthy food in this house!

#3 -  My 2014 scrapbook is done!

Before

After

I really need to take stock in Shutterfly... those orange envelopes just seem to multiply of their own accord.  I'm feeling pretty good, I still have a couple "special" projects that need completion.  Zack's sophomore year of crew and John and the kids trip to Alaska, but otherwise I'm caught up.  Maybe if we get a few more snow days I can get those taken care of as well.