University of Minnesota Athletics
Kayla Thom's San Diego Traveling Blog
1/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
The Golden Gopher varsity and novice teams are currently training in sunny San Diego. Follow Kayla Thom's varsity rowing blog! Most recent entries are at the top, while scroll down for her first entry on Jan. 8.
Friday, January 14Besides tomorrow morning’s “Race for the Bay”, today’s row was our last morning as a 1V and 2V. Concentrating on our aggressive yet relaxed ratio, the twisting action of our torsos, the pop of the leg drive, and the swing of the body all are important factors to a successful row. We did three, 6-minute pieces in the bay at early practice and maintaining power at ratio shifts was my boat’s goal. This week is a great time for us, as student-athletes, to only concentrate on rowing, instead of having to do homework to the mix. I, personally, am coming to realize what real leg pop feels like at different pressures and that is vitally important as I continue in the program.
Following our technical row in the later morning, I was again found poolside with my Women’s Health magazine. The hot tub was even too hot to sit in today, with the higher temperatures and low winds. Jenessa White, Katie Anderson, Natalie Foshag, Katrina Pichelli, and Christine Beauparlant walked down the street to Belmont Park on Mission Bay Drive. We rode the famous rollercoaster that originally dated back to 1925. Thankfully it has seen a few facelifts over the years, too. California burritos were on the menu for lunch and then a double scoop ice cream cone at the Sweet Shoppe.
In order to warm us up after the sun goes down, we lit the fire to our annual end-of-the-trip bonfire. After a kindling search, the flames took flight from the pieces of palm trees, wooden pallets, and the Christmas tree that happened to be lying around. The tree got us in the mood to exchange our Secret Santa gifts among the team. “Light-Sheet-on-Fiah!” At least that is what I was told to name such a memorable occasion. Well, sadly there is only one race left in the way of us and home and although it may be the last for some, without them this team could never have become what it is today.
So, I would like to thank our seniors—Caitlin Boon, Sarah Krueger, Kate Ladell, Teresa Logemann, Tracy Merth, Mikaela Rogers, Kathryn Switalski, and Linnea Trandem—all of whom have in some way been a leader on this team, impacting, inspiring, and leaving their mark. They may only be two years older, but to me they are role models and I hope that this spring is one that they will always remember.
Thursday, January 13Wowsa! I can hardly believe, or I am trying not to believe that it is Thursday! The beginning of the week seemed so slow and now when we are finally becoming situated in the warm 70 degree weather, time decides to fly right on by. By the end of each day, I am exhausted and ready to hop into a nice clean bed, without any sand on the bottoms of my feet. Today we had three practices, two on the water rows and the beloved body weight circuit. Some steady state pieces at 7 a.m. were a nice start to the day and then more technical drills in the later morning. During that time, we took a channel out of the bay and towards the ocean until some mild swells persuaded us to turn around.
At 1:30 p.m., the varsity and novice teams walked down to the beach together for the annual team sand volleyball tournament. We invited the novice along, as a way to get to know them and make them feel part of our team. My volleyball team was not so fortunate when it came to game time; Our record was a loosing one but nothing to be ashamed of. A Frisbee circle was also started as a change of pace; I ended up being the one running like a dog to fetch the Frisbee more than I expected. Katie Anderson was buried in the sand and formed into a mermaid by a few of the team members, too.
On the way back, we stopped at WD’s (Wendy Davis) room for Tubby Time and Luigi’s pizza. The #25 Minnesota Men’s Basketball team played #8 Purdue at the barn and with Minnesota’s three point win, the room was loud as can be. Besides pizza, cottage cheese (a team favorite) was our other entrée.
Only three practices left and I only wish there were more. It will be close to a little less than three months until we are back on the Mississippi and that thought is a bit discouraging knowing that the time indoors is on the ergs. Although this is true, I am able to look past that and know that this group of women is one strong support system, preparing for a dominating spring season. We are behind each other every day, building on each other for the momentum that is needed to stay mentally strong during winter training. And we continue to crank on it everyday!
Wednesday, January 12
Ready, Set, Sprint! After our crazy calorie burning workout, Maddy Bourgeois, Erika Berg, and I went on our 45 minute run. It needed to be accomplished before the day was over, and as many of us know, if you don’t get it done right away, things get put off, and left till the last minute when you would rather not do them. Instead of a run, we also had the option to go for a bike ride, so some people grabbed their wheels and rode on up to the shores of La Jolla and back with some wonderful hills to conquer along the way.
With such a busy morning, another afternoon poolside was a great choice, falling asleep for a short nap. Our evening plans were certainly a highlight to the week, when Coach Liz dropped off Jenessa White, Ali Haws, Allison Putlak, Molly Gruber, Emily Sabourin, and I at Seaport Village in our darling family mini van. On our hour long search for food, we stopped at the MLB stadium, Petco Park for Ali Haws. Without a set plan we thought, “What’s the worst that could happen?” We might get lost but that’s when the fun starts.
So we stopped at some small shops along 5th Street in the famous Gaslamp District such as the Ghiradelli store and then ended up eating at TGi Friday’s. The Beverly Hills Motor Cars caught our eyes as we dreamed of owning such beautiful automobiles someday. Furthermore, we stumbled upon the Balboa Theatre where the mayor of San Diego, Jerry Sanders, gave his State of the City Address. We only caught the end, so we floated next door to Sam Goody and the Horton Plaza. The plaza is a large, multi-level outdoor shopping mall filled with a wide variety of stores. In order to get home, we all put our heads together (with some persuasive skills), and packed six rowers into a taxi car for only a $30 fee. Wonderful Wednesday had officially come to a close as we pulled in slightly before curfew.
Tuesday, January 11
There is another birthday today! The other team mascot, Tucker, is 4 months old today. Three practices were on the agenda for the day, with the last being a wonderful body weight circuit that I could certainly feel the effects from the next day. During another group’s row, they went on a bit of a Wilderness Adventure, having the opportunity to see some dolphins swimming near the boat. In between practices I found Tracy Merth, Molly Kalmoe, and Teresa Logemann swinging away in there portable hammocks. They were extremely comfortable with the sun beating down on my face.
Many assortments of candy were purchased by the pound at the Sweet Shoppe and then a stroll over to the boardwalk to watch the sunset on the Pacific Ocean. Tomorrow night, some sophomores are planning on discovering the downtown and on the Thursday is the sand volleyball tournament. But tonight, is the team dinner outing to Luigi’s for their famous LARGE slices, even bigger than the one’s back home at Mesa Pizza. My eyes were certainly larger than my mouth yet again, filling me up more than I had liked. Some girls still found room inside for a stop at Yogurtland. Time to get some rest so I can be ready for our 8 x 2’ pieces. Sprint season here we come!
Monday, January 10
Wendy Davis decided to finally join us today, after her small trip out east for her son’s wedding. We set out on our first practice of the day, focusing on the upper half of our bodies and what it is doing during the sequence of the stroke. She pulled each boat aside and let us know what she is looking for in her rowers for the spring. She is well aware that this spring could bring the least amount of water time in her history at the U of M and with that she is looking for women who are tough, go-getters willing to put it all on the line. Aggression is key. Someone may not have the sharpest technique but they sure are going to be hauling as they cross the finish line.
After the second practice, I decided to try the pool out, and say Katrina Pichelli treading water and swimming laps in the pool as an alternate workout. I couldn’t just sit there and watch so I decided to test my mild swimming abilities and jumped right in. The wind picked up after lunch, but still tried out what the beach had to offer. The ocean doesn’t have ice, but without a wetsuit, it sure is chilly. Natalie Foshag taught Katie Anderson, Theresa Logemann, and I how to body surf. As we walked back to out towels, Tracy Merth and Cassie Drozynski had made quite the sand castle even with its own moat.
More bikes were rented for the week, knowing that there is so much city still to discover. A large group of the upperclassmen chose one place in particular for their dinner choice called Barebacks, while the sophomores found the half-off appetizers to be a great bargain at Luigi’s down the street from the hotel. We would be back here for the annual pizza dinner the next night as well. Our final stop of the night was, of course, our team favorite, Yogurtland. This was my first bowl of yogurt on this particular trip, and it was quite the experience. Our car full of rowers files in the building and heads for the sample cups. I went with a fruit theme in my large bowl. It was a great ending to the day and the start of a long week.
Sunday, January 9
Our day starts out nice and early, well not much more than the usual 7:00 am practices at the boathouse. Our first row happened to be the only on-water practice of the day, but the overall success was a enormous start to the week. It has been a while since the last time the team was all on the water during our first major snow fall in the Twin Cities (i.e. The Goldy Cup) so some kinks are slightly expected to exist. To my boat’s surprise, our first strokes with all eight girls were smooth. In that moment, I could tell that this was going to be a good week, wait… an epic week!
With a small break between practices for a second breakfast, we were back at it but this time we would be on land for “Run Time, Fun Time”. The team set out on a 5.5 mile run, or somewhere along those lengths. Let’s just say the bay was a bit larger than I had expected, but Natalie Foshag and I stuck together for most of the duration.
Luckily after such an intense run, someone on the team, possibly Maddy Bourgeious, had her 21st birthday so a large group of the team received a ride from Liz Van Zyel to The Mission for a scrumotious brunch in honor of the occasion.
Tracy Merth, Kate Ladell, Molly Kalmoe, and Theresa Logemann (four seniors) rented bikes for the week for a reasonable price and spent the day exploring around Mission Beach and made a small stop at the beloved Yogurtland. I must admit, this destination has become a team favorite, emptying our pockets, only hoping to add a couple more topping without adding too much weight. The vast array of yogurt flavors leaves you in awe and excitement and is a must for any travelers in the area.
A large number of the sophomores went on an adventure of their own, but this time walking. Touring an 8 million dollar home, dropping some money at Buffalo Exchange, which is a new and used clothing store, and getting their picture taken with Ali and Roberto from one of the most recent seasons of The Bachelorette are only a few that made the list. A small bulldog even skateboarded by the girls and Katrina Pichelli couldn’t resist but to snap a few pictures of such a site. I managed to sneak in a much needed nap this afternoon as well.
At the end of the day, the team met upstairs for cake to celebrate with Maddy on her special day. The singing wasn’t the most in-tune but the motivation behind the song was the most sincere. Times like these are what make me happy to be part of this team. Ever since the day I joined the team, each girl has shown me humility and spunk, determination and a sense of humor, yet each is so very different. Teammates like mine are what make me come to practice everyday. It’s not the workouts, although they are important, but the women in front and behind me that motivate me. Tomorrow brings new opportunities for us all.
Saturday, January 8
For some time now I have wanted to start a blog and suppose that such a trip like San Diego is most befitting for such a venture. This will be my second year traveling to the west coast with the Gophers and can hardly wait for the week to take flight. The plane ride was one of the smoothest I have had the luxury of riding on and my teammates were either reading the last issue of their favorite magazines, chatting about what their aspirations were for after-practice fun, or like me, with my head phones on and doodling in Sarah Krueger’s Strawberry Shortcake coloring book with a small assortment of crayons. She on the other hand, chose wisely with a small snooze, despite the fact it lasted the entire flight here.
As we pull up to Bahia, the reality of our trip had finally come. We are in the breathtaking, sunny San Diego. The overcast sky of today is the only one with clouds in the forecast for the week. We stop at Ralph’s for the beginning of the week groceries. I have my list in hand; I am ready to charge the isles. We have 45 minutes to buy the weekly necessities (i.e. peanut butter) and Sarah Sobek and I decide to split a few items.
The rigging of the boats was the next task on our list, with Tom Perry (“the boat guy”) making sure everything runs smoothly. Untying, loosening, positioning, tightening, flipping, and measuring are just a few of the motions in the process. Thoughts of climbing a nearby tree, like Mulan did in her movie flowed through me, but were quickly cleared with visions of Wendy waving her finger in a disapproving fashion. So instead I was even educated on how to apply a backstay. It is much more tedious than to be expected. And then the not so “mandatory” run that most of us attended, which ended up being more of a relaxant as we ran past the boardwalk to the slightly chilled ocean. Running on the sand is such a magnificent change of pace, as compared to the snow and record low temperatures back in our hometown tundra. With the time change, bedtime seemed to come shorter than to be anticipated, but as this year has shown me so far, sleep is extremely important to a rower!
This year we are fast; faster than the last. Our numbers are lower, and our heart rates aren’t too high. The time is now, but our motivation is endless. The time that we have this week on the water is precious, knowing that it may be quite limited come springtime in Minnesota. We have twelve practices in seven days to get a head start and sneak preview for the spring. Wish us luck!
Players Mentioned
