See Gevvie Stone's original row2k Starting Five questions here
1. How have you prepared differently for this quadrennial than previous cycles?
Because of the rowing/medical school balance, the two quadrennials were forced to be very different from the start. In the first two years of medical school (which I completed 2008-2010), most of the time is in the classroom; consequently, I had a two to three hour window every afternoon which I could use for training. In the second two years of medical school (for me, 2012-2014), the time is spent in the hospital on rotations as an apprentice. The hours are unpredictable and vary incredibly depending on the rotation. During some months, I was working just 9-3 and could train twice a day while during others I was working 5am-7pm (not counting the commute) so barely had time to squeeze in a 10k on the erg. All in all, because of the time demands third and fourth year, I think I was starting from a bigger disadvantage physiologically when I started training full time in 2014 vs 2010. Fortunately, I had more experience and time in the boat (technical advantage) on my side.
When I did start training full time in 2014, I think I made rowing more of a priority and made better choices than in 2010. In general, I paid a lot more attention to recovery. Instead of working in a lab doing research like 2010 and 2011, I now do research from home when I have the time. The result is significantly less time researching (and more nap time), but it's actually been more productive as measured by publications. Also, I know now that I train better with other people, and though I had my awesome teammates in the springs through falls leading up to London, a lot of the winter training was on my own. This cycle, I have made an effort to travel in the winter months so that I'm training with a competitive group (whether it be the Irish team and CRC in 2015 or Vesper in 2016). Lastly, I have made improvements to the non-rowing side of performance with detailed nutrition labs, recovery measurements, yoga, etc.
Of course, much of the preparation has been the same during the two quadrennials. Full-time training as a rower includes a lot of on the water work no matter what!
2. Did anything completely unexpected happen, or do you have any memorable or unusual stories from your previous Olympiad?
Dozens of many amazing memories from London! A random little funny one: The crowd in the grandstands would often stay after racing was finished for the day and watched the crews out practicing. Whenever a British boat passed (which was frequent as they qualified 13 of 14 events), the crowd would go crazy, yelling "Go GB! Go GB!" While rowing, it sounds just like "Go Gevvie! Go Gevvie!" so I turned it into positive encouragement for my rowing.
As for unexpected, despite the tendency for a cross-wind at Eton Dorney, I got surprised at the start of my semifinal. I was on the windier side of the course and was constantly tapping my bow around with barely enough time to reset my instruments. Looking across the course, some of my competitors were seated calmly and taking only the occasional stroke to get pointed. I let the difference get to me far more than I should have. I could have had a much better frame of mind when I left the starting block. It was a good lesson for me to focus on what is controllable and to keep my concentration inside the boat at the start line.
3. Any/Most important advice for first time Olympians?
Embrace being at the Olympics and enjoy it! Have fun! And, when you're racing, treat it like you have every good race in the past. The reason a rower is at the Olympics is because they've been successful racing in the past. So, treat it like a race and go as fast as possible over 2000 meters.
4. What was your state of mind like sitting in the starting block of your first Olympic race?
Honestly, I couldn't wrap my head around how big the Olympics was, how many people were watching, etc. It's too intimidating and nerve-wracking for me to think about all that. I get nervous enough for non-Olympic races! I told myself to treat it as I would any other international race, racing against women whom I had raced before. Obviously, I was still very nervous! But, I was focused on reminding myself to hang on it, to push hard, and to execute the race I knew I could.
5. What's different this time around/what will you do differently at this Olympics?
For me, I went into London as a relative newbie on the international single scene. I had only been on one senior team in the single prior to London (2011). I had qualified for London through the "last chance" regatta, and having made that journey through the "regatta of death", being in London was a dream come true (literally!) after a tough fight to get there. I think a lot of London for me was about experiencing the wonder that is the Olympics and about having my best regatta. In 2012, winning the "B" final was that "best".
Four years later, I'm older, theoretically wiser, and, as results would show, faster. While London was about experience, Rio is more about performance. I took another break from medical training because I thought I could be faster and possibly be on the podium in Rio. With about 30 days to go, the podium is still my goal, and I'm focused on that goal. Though, I'm sure I will enjoy the experience too!
6. Do you feel older/better/wiser/stronger/other?
All of the above! My knees are creaky now! However, most of the effects of being another quadrennial older are positive. With another four years of training (rowing and weightlifting), I am certainly stronger than I was headed into London. The numbers on the erg and in the weight room prove that. Additionally, I have done more pieces and raced more races, learning as I go; consequently, I'm mentally more prepared. I think that my results in the last two years compared to the last quadrennial reflect these benefits of "old age".
7. Does the phrase "the Olympics" ring differently the next time around?
I`t's still incredibly special! Seeing the Olympic ads on TV brings butterflies to my stomach, and I hope it is always important enough to me to cause such a physical and emotional response.
8. As far as regattas go, comparing the olympics to different races (Worlds, Lucerne), is it a better or different regatta, or just higher stakes?
I think that in order to stay sane regarding racing I have to think of the Olympics as being on par with Worlds. It is the same competitors, the same 2000m, and the same goal--go as fast as possible. If I let myself think about the Olympics being the bigger (or biggest) stage (that it is), I would get so nervous that I wouldn't be able to focus--or to eat anything!--for the next month.
DATE OF BIRTH: 7/11/85
HEIGHT: 6’0”
WEIGHT: 157
BEGAN ROWING: The Winsor School, 2001
HOMETOWN: Newton, Mass.
BIRTHPLACE: Boston, Mass.
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Cambridge, Mass.
HIGH SCHOOL: The Winsor School, Boston, Mass.
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: Princeton University, 2007
GRADUATE EDUCATION: Tufts University, M.D., 2014
TRAINING LOCATION: Boston, Mass.
CLUB AFFILIATIONS: Cambridge Boat Club
National Teams: SENIOR: 2011-2012, 2014-2016, UNDER 23: 2006-2007
International Results: Won silver in the single sculls at the 2016 World Rowing Cup II...Finished fourth in the single sculls at the 2015 World Rowing Championships...Won bronze in the single sculls at 2015 World Rowing Cup 3…Won silver in the single sculls at 2015 World Rowing Cup 2…Finished ninth in the single sculls at the 2014 World Rowing Championships...Finished seventh in the single sculls at the 2012 Olympic Games…Finished eighth in the quadruple sculls at the 2012 World Rowing Cup 2...Finished third in the single sculls at the 2012 Final Olympic Qualification Regatta...Finished 11th in the single sculls at the 2011 World Rowing Championships...Finished 13th in the single sculls at the 2011 World Rowing Cup 3...Reached the final of the Princess Royal Challenge Cup at the 2011 Henley Royal Regatta...Finished 7th in the single sculls at the 2010 World Rowing Cup 3…Reached the final of the Princess Royal Challenge Cup at the 2010 Henley Royal Regatta…Reached the final of the Princess Royal Challenge Cup at the 2009 Henley Royal Regatta…Won the elite single sculls at the 2009 Henley Women’s Regatta…Won gold in the quadruple sculls at the 2007 World Rowing Under 23 Championships...Won gold in the eight at the 2006 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.
National Results: Won the single sculls at the 2016 Olympic & Paralympic Team Trials...Won the single sculls at the 2015 National Selection Regatta 1…Won the single sculls at the 2014 National Selection Regatta 2...Won the single sculls at the 2014 National Selection Regatta 1…Won the single sculls at the 2012 Non-Qualified Small Boat Olympic Trials...Won the Championship Single at the 2011 Head of the Charles Regatta...Won the single sculls at the 2011 Senior World Championship Trials...Finished second in the double sculls at the 2011 National Selection Regatta 2…Won the single sculls at the 2011 National Selection Regatta 1…Won the Championship Single at the 2010 Head of the Charles Regatta...Finished second in the single sculls at the 2010 World Rowing Championships Trials…Won the single sculls at the 2010 National Selection Regatta 1…Finished second in the single sculls at the 2009 USRowing Fall Speed Order...Finished second in the Championship Single at the 2009 Head of the Charles Regatta…Finished fourth in the single sculls at the 2009 National Selection Regatta 1...Won the single sculls at the 2008 USRowing Fall Speed Order...Won the Championship Single at the 2008 Head of the Charles Regatta...Finished sixth in the quadruple sculls at the 2007 USRowing National Championship …Finished third in the varsity eight at the 2007 Eastern Sprints…Won the Collegiate Championship Eight at the 2006 Head of the Charles Regatta...Won the varsity eight at the 2006 NCAA Championships…Won the varsity eight at the 2006 Eastern Sprints…Won the Collegiate Championship Eight at the 2005 Head of the Charles Regatta…Finished second in the varsity eight at the 2005 NCAA Championships…Won the second varsity eight at the 2005 Eastern Sprints…Won the freshman eight at the 2004 Eastern Sprints…Won the Youth Four with Coxswain at the 2002 and 2003 Head of the Charles Regatta…Won the Four with Coxswain at the 2002 and 2003 USRowing Youth Invitational.
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