The Charles River - Boston, MA

This post is not about a TN lake. It's about a river that is historical in the rowing community. I fell in love at first sight with the Charles River! My doubles partner and I were attending a training camp. As we drove into Boston and crested over the bridge to see the water. All I could express to my mixed doubles partner, Bob, was an 'Oh my' as my heart skipped a beat. There was so much to take in. The flat water twinkling with gold coins, the historical buildings framing the curving tree lined banks, the various bridges that cross the Charles, and the activity of the people enjoying the greenway that runs the banks of the Charles River had me mesmerized. Our final destination was Northeastern Univeristy's boathouse where we would be staged for our training camp.

Northeastern University's Boathouse dock.

On a funny side note, the entire 1,000 plus miles of driving we were tracking Hurricane Irene. Our hopes were to get in at least a couple of rows with our All American Rowing Camp coaches. The excitement in preparing for my mixed doubles race for the Head of the Charles Regatta this October has been building all summer! Between the txts, emails, phone inquireries and alerts from the Weather Channel we knew that at some point during the camp, Irene would make her presence. Even a few random people we talked to either in toll booths or sitting on the side of the road in traffic commented, "I hope you're not getting on the water with those boats"! After Bob and I had driven all that way, Hell Yes!, we are getting on the water even if it was to put our boat in, row five feet and get out! I digress......

As we pulled up to the boathouse, I realized I had been bouncing in my seat since we had pulled into Boston. I could not wait to get on the water!!!! But my impatience was subsided quickly as we got straight to unloading boats and rigging. Once all was set, the camp gathered to be assigned to Coaches. Our doubles group went out last, but I was finally on the water! Immediately the sights and sounds were overwhelming. Thank goodness Bob rows bow or we would have been all over the river with all there was to distract me.

Within our first 1,000 meters I learned quickly how active that city and river is. Trails line the riverbank filled with runners, walkers and cyclist. Streets just beyond the trails were alive with cars zipping by. Absolutely beautiful buildings to gaze at with every stroke. Kayakers, motor boats, paddle boards, wildlife, and other rowers on the water were a constant to watch for and manuever around. The photos do not do any justice to all that I was taking in.

As we started learning the turns under the bridges, it was quite obvious, I could NOT have done well jumping on the river for a race. Thank you Bob for telling me I needed to do this!!!! Bob called the turns while I try to maintain a stroke rating. With all of our excitement, the stroke rating was a challenge to keep at a steady pace!! I've crossed under bridges but these are deceiving, just when you think you are traveling under them at the correct angle, another adjustment in course needs to be made. The lessons learned in getting directional points with surrounding structures and just how shorelines can trick you has been invaluable. Bob and I row together well, but we communicate even better in calling out how to correct one another, steer the boat or even talk a pace through.

I love the Charles!!

Harvard's Boathouse

Almost to where the start line will be.

Riverside Boathouse & Coach Sean Wolf

We took the course three times during camp to learn the curves both heading to the start and were coached on the strategy points as we came back. Our final run included navigating the course and mainly bridges at race pace. This was a great feeling to hit some solid pieces while turning and gaining a strategy along with confidence. Each bridge was a challenge and also a victory as we made out paths correctly as Coach Sean Wolf instructed. The final piece of our race for the last bit of our camp was making a tricky corner then kicking in a sprint for the last 300 meters. Bob and I turned up the heat and hit a good rating with a perfectly steered course......we finished strong!

Boston College Boathouse

Weeks Bridge with the famous clock tower for guidance.

Although Irene cut our training camp extremely short and it felt like we spent more time loading and unloading trailers than rowing. The knowledge of the course from our coach Sean Wolf was invaluable. I'm pumped about the Head of the Charles!! I've got my training cut out for me these next two months. All I need to think about is those bridges, turns and race paces, over & over. It's been a great time with a great group of people whom I'll be watching closely in the Charles. In all I road over 2,000 miles, spent 24 hours in Boston and rowed 25,000 meters.....Mother Nature just did not cooperate. But I found another love in a river I hope to row several more times.

Stay tuned for the post after the Head of the Charles. Who knows, if it goes well, I might try to enter the lottery and see if I get drawn to race my single next year! Ready Bob? - Let's row!