It didn't rain today! The weather was still very cold and windy, but there was no rain. That made the trip from the lodging to the boat shed much more enjoyable. My morning workout was 2 x 20 minutes changing the rate between a 20 and a 22 every 2 minutes, rowing as hard as you can. As usual, 0 resistance to emphasize the connection and fast drive. Felt solid but I could really feel how hard I have been working the last couple days - I'm tired.

We were able to get on the water (for me the first time) for a little while. The conditions were so choppy that we were relegated to a short portion of the lake that is in somewhat of a wind shadow.

We went out as an 8+, which was great. I was excited to go out in an 8+ because I have spent most of my time rowing small boats and I've never been in a really strong 8+. I learned a lot during that row - even before I took one stroke.

In New Zealand it is common to wet-launch, which is where there is a gradual slope into the water in place of a dock. Doing this barefoot in the middle of winter is not fun, but I suppose it builds character. I must say that I find using a dock much more efficient, but to each his own. This was my first time doing a wet-launch, and it's a tough adjustment.

Our coxswain, Michael, is a local from the University of Otago. He's a super nice guy, and also an excellent coxswain. It was interesting hearing the differences in American and Kiwi coxing. Here in New Zealand, the phrase "easy off" is used instead of "weigh 'nuff", "bowside" instead of "starboard", "strokeside" instead of "port", and "on this one - yup" instead of "in two...".

It was also interesting to see how everyone in the eight had a different style of rowing. Since we all come from different coaches and types of teams, that is understandable. It all started to come together near the end of the row and I was having such a good time that I was reluctant to have to take it back in. Partly because the new experience was so exciting, partly because I didn't want to have to stick my feet back in freezing cold water.

After the row, it was off to the erg room for the afternoon erg work out. Mine was fairly short. 3 x 250 meters with a long warm up and cool down. Nothing too hard this time.

Before dinner, Dave and a couple other rowers went down to the University's College of Physical Education to be briefed on a study we will be participating in over the next two weeks. The study sounds quite interesting. It is an investigation into the effect of some sort of pressurization of our blood on athletic performance. In two days,  I will be doing a 2k test with a VO2 max mask, lactate blood sampling, urine sampling and muscle oxidation tests. Before hand, I will undergo a series of leg pressurization.

I already had my familiarization session today. Essentially, the researcher places two pads, similar to a blood pressure testing machine, one on each leg, and then can adjust the pressure they exert. Today, they went to about 170 mm/hg which was a bit painful. Apparently some people find the pain excruciating but to us rowers it wasn't so bad.

I'm interested to find out what effect these pressurization had and what data I can use from the erg test.

I'll be back at the boat shed at 7am for practice. Between morning and afternoon practice we will be doing some kind of community service with children. I'm excited to learn more about that and participate.

I took one picture today...there will be more soon. Hopefully of us on the water! I hear its supposed to snow in the next couple days....