Jan. 18, 2008

Other Bucknell Winter Training Trip Journals

Katherine Palmer

Allison Martens

Katherine Relle

Sophie Bird

Winter Training Trip Photo Gallery

Studying abroad in the fall semester was the experience of my life and I will never forget it. New Zealand is a beautiful country where people refer to themselves as Kiwi's, rugby is more than a sport - it is a religion - and sheep overrun the population. Athletically, being abroad was an interesting experience too. It is the first place I have ever been where I could switch on the television and actually find a station that broadcasted rowing races like football and it is where I had the opportunity to train for my first marathon, a feat I always marveled at tackling. New Zealand will always hold a special place in my heart and I miss it greatly. However, during my time down under I missed my Bucknell family, my teammates on the rowing team. And I would have to say, I think I learned more about them while I was abroad than I ever have training with them. I know that sounds unusual, but keep in mind this is not your typical team.

For my first two years at Bucknell, my teammates and I have worked unbelievably hard at early hours and extra afternoon sessions to build this team into what it is today. The work ethic and bond on this team is so strong it is hard to believe it is intangible. A month after coming back from New Zealand, we all gathered onto campus to leave for our annual winter training trip in Georgia. I knew my teammates had been digging their heels in and going at it all fall, and my confidence in that did nothing but push me to train just as hard in my own training on the other side of the world. But it is often difficult to see how much hard work pays off in athletics because the progression to excellence happens day by day and piece by piece. I have never felt the excitement of just being hit with the mass of my own team's new strength and accomplishments. Coming back from abroad, I was able to see the improvements piled up all at once (and this was before the training trip even began!). I have never seen our team so changed, strong and with so much depth and dimensions. Each of us worked harder and harder by the day in Georgia, setting ourselves up to do some of the best rowing we have ever done for the winter and spring racing season. It was truly an exciting trip for me to be apart of and I cannot wait to see and feel the payoffs later this spring!

To my teammates who may be reading this, whether you were abroad or in Lewisburg, I am thoroughly impressed, and the accomplishments we have this spring will no doubt be a testament to the year round drive and commitment that infects Bucknell rowing. I missed you all greatly while I was abroad and it is an honor and a privilege to be back training beside all of you! Dream big, sweat a lot. GO BISON!

- Caitlin Doolin '09