Taking a break from emotional overload tonight and writing a rowing post. For those of you who had me as a sculling coach in Seattle – I hope you enjoy this one.
I was carrying two coffees out of Starbucks this morning. One in each hand. As I approached the door to leave someone had just come in. The door was opened wide and then swung back to close. I knew I had to catch the door with my foot in order to get out. So I had to time the speed and pressure my foot caught the door and push it back open smoothly. So I wouldn’t jam my foot. So I wouldn’t disrupt the door’s momentum. So I could seamlessly change its direction back to swinging open. And of course so I wouldn’t spill any coffee.
It reminded me so much of the catch in rowing. Creating a smooth change in direction and acceleration. Understanding the speed you are traveling and how and when to drop the blade into the water and apply pressure.
Maybe it’s been too long since I’ve been in the boat or coached from the launch. But it struck me as a a decent analogy for all the components of a good catch to drive.
What every day acts make you think of the catch? And why am I still thinking about the catch? The world may never know.
Thanks for reading and taking a timeout from chaos to talk rowing with me.
