See Patricia's original row2k Starting Five questions here
1. How have you prepared differently for this quadrennial than previous cycles?
Massively! I was very inexperienced the last quadrennial. There are a couple key difference in my over all approach: prior to 2012 I thought rowing was about being mentally tough and going as hard as you can all the time, and that's it. I negated the importance of turning off between practices for recovery, eating in a way that works for my body and flows with the training phases, utilizing health care practitioners to keep my body in alignment and all muscles firing efficiently, the list goes on! The second big difference is that I prepared for practice everyday like it was the Olympics. This lead to massive burn out by the time the Olympics actually came around. This time, I use each day as a building block towards the Olympics. I want to have my best performances on the day it matters.
2. Did anything completely unexpected happen, or do you have any memorable or unusual stories from your previous Olympiad?
Being in a B final! Ha. In retrospect I can see that should not have been as surprising as it was for me at the time. Finishing 4th in the semi-final in 2012 is almost the only true memory I have from London. Everything else seems like a fog compared to the vividness of that moment.
3.Any/Most important advice for first time Olympians?
Utilize athletes and staff with experience. You don't know what you don't know! Not just medalists either, because lots of time, more learning comes with losses. Keep yourself open to learning as well as performing. If you learn and adapt throughout the Games it will give you a leg up on people who aren't learning through the process.
4. What was your state of mind like sitting in the starting block of your first Olympic race?
I felt really uneasy. I had an injured rib and I knew I was burnt out and over-trained, but my partner was in good form. I felt I had to be the best I could be for her, knowing that it wasn't as absolute best from me.
5. What's different this time around/what will you do differently at this Olympics?
I feel like I am in peak form this time. I feel mentally amazing, physically and technically the best I have ever been. That is the main difference. I am going to know this at the start line and around the regatta. I will race with confidence in my ability this time.
6. Do you feel older/better/wiser/stronger/other?
Much!!! All of the above!
7. Does the phrase "the Olympics" ring differently the next time around?
I feel more proud because I think I embody what it means to be Olympian. Last time I felt really uncomfortable calling myself an Olympian.
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?
The regatta itself is very similar, the people we are racing will be the same. The one thing you can guarantee is that everyone is trying to have the peak performance of their lives. Not everyone will get it right, but we have to expect to see slightly higher quality racing from each crew. The racing will be a culmination of the last Olympics and the 4 years leading into this Olympics, and that will be super cool to see what kind of performance can come out of all that experience and work together.
DATE OF BIRTH: OCT 31, 1991
COACH: TOM MORRIS
HEIGHT: 165 CM
WEIGHT: 60 KG
HOMETOWN: VICTORIA, BC
CURRENT CLUB: VICTORIA CITY ROWING CLUB
Favourite rowing destination: Bled, Slovenia
Favourite post-workout meal: Doug Vandor's homemade french fries Biggest Fan: My family
Desert island survival item: Matches
Favourite inspirational quote: Never give up! Year first rowed: 2009
First Rowed at: Victoria City Rowing Club
First Coach: Aalbert Van Schothorst
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