1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
Boredom... There's really nothing better to do in Madison. So, unknowingly, at Freshman Orientation my future novice coach had me sign away house parties, bar hopping, and my early 20s for End of the World Runs, Hours of Power, 5 by 5s, and Stadiums. Around about 10 minutes into our first practice, I realized that if Greg Myhr, my freshman coach, wanted me to run across Lake Mendota in the dead of winter in nothing but team issued tights and socks for gloves to prove I was tough, I woulda done it.
2. Was there a practice, race or other event when you fell in love with the sport, or when you knew you might not be too bad at rowing? When you thought you could make the national team?
I've always enjoyed racing, no matter the sport. I wouldn't call it love though. I would say rowing and I have more of a symbiotic relationship, like vascular plants and mychorrhizae, or rhinos and oxpeckers. I think rowing has made me what I am, and right now it's hard to imagine life without it. As for realizing when I became "not too bad" at rowing, that came when my coaches told me I didn't need to be coached, but I was easily coachable. Wrap your brain around that, I've tried and I still get a headache.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
Best race was Lucerne 2004 in the M4-. We sucked something awful that whole week, barely advancing in every race, literally. Then the last 1000m of the final something happened, I don't know if it was the cowbells or what, but we took off. Here's some sage advice about "bad" practices/races, they're only bad if you don't learn anything from them. I think that's an ancient proverb or something.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
I think it's important to remember where you come from, and how you got to where you are. Not a lot of people know that I gave my Olympic gold medal to Coach Clark at Wisconsin four years ago. He shows it to kids who were just like me at freshman orientation and tries to make them realize that with some hard work this could be their gold medal. It's a powerful symbol, and it's meant to be shared rather than collect dust in a shoebox underneath my bed at my parents house.
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
Listen to your coach, they yell because they care. And stay in school.
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