rowing...

It's clear that it is time to write a post about rowing! This crazy Oxford tradition that is currently taking up about 20 hours each week certainly deserves more than just passing mention... So the first few weeks I was here I went to the novice rowing introductions for my college. It was fun to be out on the water, and I decided that it would be great to give it a go this term (as it seems like one of those things you just have to do when you are here).

We went out on some outing the first few weeks before they settled on who was really interested in continuing, and then they placed us into boats based on ability and commitment thus far. I made the A boat, which was quite exciting... It just also means that we have the largest time commitment! Our schedule has been 4 outings on the river per week, plus a circuit training session, erg (rowing machine) sessions, a heavy weight session, and whatever else they come up with! It's been a great way to commit to getting exercise, and it's been a good stress relief, though having one more thing to schedule around has caused a bit of troubles as well. Plus those 6am outings aren't always fun! ;)

On Sunday the 13th, our team got to participate in the Isis Winter League. It's a timed piece race (but not really a race) mostly for the senior crews, to keep them in shape for the big races in the coming terms, but they let a few of the Novice A crews participate. It was good fun, and good practice. Here is a photo of us in motion that day (I sit in seat #4, from the back): The big races of this term, The Christ Church Regatta, is only for novice crews. There are 73 women's crews and 73 men's crews participating, so it's quite a large event! The races start tomorrow afternoon (and conveniently, my parents arrive for their visit just in time!) and continue through Saturday... so we'll see how that goes!