Motivation Archives

When Everything Hurts: Pain, Injury Prevention, and Starting Over

It feels strange to admit, but I have no plans to row in a boat this season. I've only gotten on an erg once since March. So this is not a story of my triumphan... Read More...

Nancy Blakemore and Aldina Nash Hampe reunited after 50 years to row at USRowing Masters Nationals.

Aldina Nash Hampe: Pioneer of Women’s Rowing Reunites with 1960s 2x Partner

If you were at the 2017 USRowing Masters Nationals in Oak Ridge, TN and stuck around until 4:36pm on Sunday, you would have witnessed history in the making. Whe... Read More...

Coxswain Tom Beodeker spent 16 years with Lake Union Crew before moving to San Diego.

Hot Seat: Tom Boedeker

When you're a 90-pound high school freshman, your seat in the boat is the ninth. And if you take on the challenge of learning the coxing ropes as a teenager, yo... Read More...

Karen Werth is a perennial sight on the Anacostia River in Washington, DC.

Hot Seat: Karen Werth

There was cycling in the Werth family blood, but in 1996 Karen was looking for a new sport to claim as her own. Hours spent on the gym erg sparked an interest i... Read More...

Matt Lehrer, Director of Coaching Education at CRI, and Coach of CRI Competitive Women

Hot Seat: Matt Lehrer

“The reason I came to CRI in 2000 is I realized I really wanted to coach and had no idea what I was doing,” Matt Lehrer explains. His coaching education and... Read More...

AC Chacon, Head Coach of Long Beach State men's rowing. (Photo: Jasmine McGill)

Hot Seat: AC Chacon

Weight Training 101 is what 110-pound AC Chacon signed up for one fall as a student at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. It was there that a chance mee... Read More...

Q&A: Why Canoeist Pam Boteler Used an Erg Half Marathon to Cross Train

"Pam from Washington Canoe Club, meet Rachel from DC Strokes! I'm introducing you two because you'll probably be sitting next to each other doing the erg half m... Read More...

Find Your Perfect 2k: Pacing Chart

A 2k test pits you against the clock. Alone on the erg you don't have your boatmates for companionship or motivation. It's up to you to get the fan moving, to e... Read More...

A mixed 8 rows on the Anacostia River in Washington, DC

4 Common Questions a Rower Asks After Years Away

Once upon a time you were younger, more motivated, and willing to push your body through punishing workouts, laughing off the muscle soreness and doing it all a... Read More...

Brett Freeman rows 2 seat in the PBC Senior Masters Eight at HOCR 2015.

Proof It’s Never too Late to Master Rowing

When I met Brett Freeman in 2011, he was just figuring out the difference between squared and feathered. At 38, Brett was five to ten years older than the major... Read More...

From LTR to HOCR in Two Seasons

The big stories that get the most coverage around the Head of the Charles, most often spotlight national team rowers, former Olympians, and talented athletes wh... Read More...