This is my last post in a series of blogs about my training for the 2012 USRowing Masters National Championships. All summer I’ve viewed masters nationals as my end point in training. Then the selections for the Head of the Charles Regatta were announced the week I left for Oklahoma City. Suddenly, going to race at masters was no longer the end of a plan, but the beginning of the next plan. 

Racing 930 meters? Sprint. Racing 930 meters 7 times over 4 days? Endurance.

The reality of racing because you LOVE it is that it never ends. There is always something else on the horizon. There is always a reason to get fitter, get stronger, to keep working. It doesn’t matter if that reason is a gold medal, or to age more gracefully, enjoy life to the fullest, load groceries into the car with no pain. 

At masters nationals, my experiences ran the gamut. I was on the good side of .15 seconds and brought home gold in the AA single. I was on the bad side of .13 seconds and lost a medal in the lightweight single. I’m encouraged (and slightly discouraged) by the fact that I got beat by women who were 10 years older than I, in an age category for women 10 years younger than I. I’m encouraged by the fact that the oldest competitor at the regatta was 83 years young, racing the men’s single. And I’m thankful that here I am, faster than I’ve ever been (and obviously older than I’ve ever been) and still looking to gain a bit more speed over the next few months.

You can improve. You can build towards winning gold – you can build towards looking awesome at your high school reunion, you can build towards being happy. Enjoy the journey and realize that goals are everywhere, small and large. Just pick one and focus on it.

For me? I’m going to focus on building towards the Head of the Charles. October 22nd.

(inspired by Susan who, on her 49th birthday, is stronger and healthier than she was on her 40th)