Lifelong Rower

  Photo Credit:  J. Zydeck Rowing Friendship   I have to admit that I would have no friends if it weren’t for rowing.   When I go to visit my rowing friends, I will often say to another rower that I am going to visit my stroke, my 5 seat.  Many of these friendships have lasted decades, and all I feel is lucky. Lately, I have been pondering why these friendships are long and strong.   When the pandemic hit and I was no longer hugging or visiting my longtime buddies, we started to set up video chats.  It was a lifeline.  It was just not me, other rowing friends were also setting up video time sometimes with college rowing friends, even though they had graduated more than a decade ago.   Last Friday, I coached the Northwestern Novice women in the morning, and a ROW sculling clinic in the afternoon.  I went from college students to those who graduated years ago.  They have a great deal in common.   Bot...

Photo Credit:  J. Zydeck   Lifelong Rowing Blog #17 (May, 2021)   In past blogs, I have mentioned the many resources that I have utilized in order to continue to row.   Getting past injuries is one of the biggest challenges, but ongoing care and maintenance is a constant. When I used to be able to run, I remember a book from the longtime runner, spokesperson, advocate, Hal Higdon.  The book was titled “Fitness after Forty”.  As I approach 70, I perhaps should have followed all of his suggestions in more detail.   One of his biggest takeaways was as you age, you should alternate hard days with easy days.  Do you have an approach to working out that works for you?  I know, I do not.  Though my thinking is this: ·        Know your body: take a day off or two. ·        Stretch more, go to a yoga class.  As we age the flexibility disappear...