row2k - We talked about your 12 years between A finals, can you talk about racing the A final and being on that stage at this point in your career?

Kara Kohler - I definitely appreciate it a lot more, all the sacrifice and the work that goes into getting into an A final. To be off the medal stand is obviously disappointing, but those are some fast women's singles out there. It's an honor to get a chance to race with them, and I'm very happy for them. We're looking at the Lithuanian on the screen right now, she's had an incredible year to scrape that last podium spot.

Question - Where you aware where people were?

Kara Kohler - Yeah, roughly; Karolijn and Emma are clearly quick starters and just get out.

row2k - Was it your plan to race through the body of the race and see what position you could put yourself in?

Kara Kohler - Yeah, it's historically been my strong suit, the middle of the race. I was about even with the Lithuanian at the 1000, but she really put on the burners and outpaced me.

Question - Given your experience, what's your big takeaway from this week, both personally and also for the overall team?

Kara Kohler - Just showing up and then zooming out and being grateful for the chance to be here and trying to have fun amidst all the pressure and stay loose; I think that's when we perform our best. Yeah.

row2k - Can you talk about your preparation for for these Games, and the racing you were able to do leading into the Games last year and this year, which wasn't part of the path to Tokyo?

Kara Kohler - It was kind of a roller coaster year. I had an injury earlier this year and it was definitely a slow build to get back up to speed for this race. But luckily, I spent a lot of time in the single, so a lot of it's just fitness and then getting back on the technique. I was able to turn it around from racing a month ago.

row2k - Are you proud of the progress you made even in short period to make the final?

Kara Kohler - Definitely; I'm proud of how I stepped up and kind of shifted my mindset and was able to turn it around to get into the A final.

Question - Do you find you react differently when you have an injury? Does it worry you it might take a long time to get back?

Kara Kohler - I've been lucky to not have really any devastating injuries. This was a non-rowing related thing earlier in the year, an elbow - but it's definitely a concern. Luckily it was early enough in the year so there was time. There are plenty of other ways to maintain fitness. Rollerblading was critical to my journey last year in Sarasota. Sometimes it's good to just to have some time away from the single, and at this point, I can do that a little more, not row every single day, especially early in the season.

row2k - Were you rollerblading alongside the course there watching practice?

Kara Kohler - Yeah, I was living the Florida life.

Full results from today's racing can be found here.