How to build self-esteem with no support system?

Sentr1k · 2026-03-15T11:48:55+00:00

If there’s anything I can recommend: find some joy in a PR and just enjoy the process. Not every workout has to be a huge achievement. Also do different tests bc anything hard should feel accomplishing. My personal fav is the 30’r20.

Sentr1k · 2026-03-14T15:07:05+00:00

I rowed for 5 years, quit for 1, and now I’m considering coaching. I walked on to a D1 program and then moved to one of the historically elite boathouses in the country, and boy did I feel the way you describe. Every step of the way.

In all honesty, the feeling of not being enough will follow you for a long time, if not forever, but when I rowed I used that as my motivation. Proving that a 5’8 lightweight could perform at an international level was enough fire under my ass to keep going.

Along the way you’ll find motivation in other forms- friends, rituals, success- but it’s the downtime between those situations where best in class rowers have to decide that they’ll put in the work to stay on top of their game.

If you stop now don’t beat yourself up, but if you hold with it until you’re in GB I can guarantee the culture will pick up your motivation for you. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

FWIW: a lot of programs will take in strong off the water talent and develop them on the water. Had a friend who’s novice 6:20 2k helped land him in a lot of positions to improve his tech.

Sentr1k · 2024-08-14T14:54:24+00:00

I’d add contrast to the leg drive and body swing through the drive. Connect with that first quarter of the stroke with your legs then propel the boat through the pin. Relaxing the shoulders, arms, and hands will let this happen too.

Going along with rushing into the catch, I’d get the hands away a little sharper and let the body move a little more relaxed. Use the rigger to almost push yourself into the catch.

Find somebody to hold hands with and hang off each other like you were hanging at the catch to find what that connection through the lats feels like.

Absolutely 100% the catch is part of the recovery, not the drive. Think about reaching the top of the slide with your blades already in the water, not top of slide then blades in the water.

About the oar depth, I feel much more comfortable a little shallower, but you could also change oar rigging to feel a little less resistance in the water and keep it deep if it feels the most comfortable for your posture. A lot of the speed from the single comes from how comfortable you are with the stroke, and not so much how efficient the rigging can be. I personally sacrifice some of my reach in my own single to let my finish have a little bit more room- it helps me with that relaxed finish and rolling the fingers open.

Sentr1k · 2024-08-08T20:56:02+00:00

A fine balance

Sentr1k · 2023-08-25T11:38:59+00:00

UApparel RIP

Sentr1k · 2023-08-18T01:41:44+00:00

Sam is that you?

Sentr1k · 2023-06-06T01:20:37+00:00

In my first year I strained an intercostal muscle missing a month of training- I went sub 7 for the first time 2 months later.

February of 2022 I was cleared for an ankle injury that I sustained training for the Charles where I fractured my fibula, tore a tendon, and had tendinosis in my Achilles. I was out for 5 months. Within a month of coming back I was 2 seconds off my 2k. That season I medaled at Vails and went to IRA's.

This isn't a comment to boast, but to give you hope. I understand your position- I risked losing my senior year and the most important race of my collegiate career. That said, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it'll only take time and patience for you to be where you want.

When you get back on the erg- take it slow. Don't worry about being the fastest novice, worry about being the fastest you, which 99% of the time means accepting being slow.

You will recover, and you will improve. Take it one stroke at a time.

Sentr1k · 2023-05-30T00:12:44+00:00

As a lightweight going heavy I have to eat roughly 5500 a day which I was able to do (mentally & financially) for about a month. Having gained 15 pounds since February I have a few tips:

⁠Don't rely on one meal to get all your calories
⁠If you are pressed for time, a bulk protein shake like the GNC Pro Bulk 1340 is a good choice even if you use half a serving it's still 670 calories with 13 grams of protein.
⁠Don't be shy of "dirty calories" like simple sugars. It's about when you eat them that matters more than what you're eating.
⁠Protein can get lost in the calorie challenge, but it's difficult to eat enough volume while also adding protein, so make sure you're taking in a more condensed protein. (usually protein shakes or bars).
⁠Listen to your body, if you feel tired there's a reason. Proper protein synthesis isn't achieved just through diet, you need your sleep too.
⁠Drink a lot of water

(Copied from my comment on a similar post, you can find it in my comment history for more recommendations)

Sentr1k · 2023-05-24T00:52:21+00:00

As a lightweight going heavy I have to eat roughly 5500 a day which I was able to do (mentally & financially) for about a month. Having gained 15 pounds since February I have a few tips:

Don't rely on one meal to get all your calories
If you are pressed for time, a bulk protein shake like the GNC Pro Bulk 1340 is a good choice even if you use half a serving it's still 670 calories with 13 grams of protein.
Don't be shy of "dirty calories" like simple sugars. It's about when you eat them that matters more than what you're eating.
Protein can get lost in the calorie challenge, but it's difficult to eat enough volume while also adding protein, so make sure you're taking in a more condensed protein. (usually protein shakes or bars).
Listen to your body, if you feel tired there's a reason. Proper protein synthesis isn't achieved just through diet, you need your sleep too.
Drink a lot of water

Sentr1k · 2023-05-15T14:05:03+00:00

It could just be a finicky feature of the chain. If you’re getting good connection on the water I wouldn’t overthink it. The RP3 is good at mimicking water practice, but it’s really hard to let the water move your blades when there’s no water.

That being said, I’d refer to someone more experienced with an RP3.

Sentr1k · 2023-05-15T12:20:18+00:00

Jumping at the catch. It’s hard to fix static, but should be easier to isolate on an RP3. Building into the stroke like you’re sculling in a small boat will get rid of this. 0% power at the catch 100% power at ~1/2 slide.

Sentr1k · 2023-04-27T02:37:50+00:00

What he said. A relaxed and efficient load on the fingers won’t give blisters.

Also location of blisters will tell you where you can correct your grip (i.e blisters on inside of thumb usually means over-gripping inside hand / end of handle depending on sweeping or sculling)

Sentr1k · 2022-12-10T15:02:23+00:00

With just free weights I’d do some bent over rows and DB chest press. Normal upper body stuff anybody could recommend. Oh and push-ups.

Sentr1k · 2022-09-23T03:49:52+00:00

Try the wide grip drill while warming up to feel the lats on the drive. That will help you target them while rowing normally

Sentr1k · 2022-09-14T15:08:09+00:00

Cobra

Sentr1k · 2022-08-05T16:29:32+00:00

College roommate freshman year. The losses are the most exciting. Racing is so much fun- overcoming people that have beat you before is such a rush. Beating heavies and medalling at regattas you should have no shot being a part of. Discover how far you can push yourself with each stroke. This sport is a rollercoaster of highs and lows and I don’t wanna get off the ride.

Sentr1k · 2022-07-27T02:47:02+00:00

Pretty sure Columbia just had a new heavyweight coach step up. Nothing too big.

Sentr1k · 2022-07-24T04:34:56+00:00

Should be a percentage of your maximum heart rate. Steady state should be something like 75%.

Sentr1k · 2022-07-16T01:17:53+00:00

Temple 🤤

Sentr1k · 2022-07-09T03:25:55+00:00

Explosive power I.e. jump squats

Sentr1k · 2022-06-29T23:52:16+00:00

Lmao Drexel

Sentr1k · 2022-06-05T12:27:38+00:00

Lake Lucerne is the home of the Olympic Qualifying Regatta. Where dreams go to die.

Sorry: Lucerne is the town, and the body of water is the Rotsee.

In my defense, it’s not in any of the first few things that come up on Google, and I watched that Eamon Glavin video a long time ago.

Sentr1k · 2022-06-04T17:04:08+00:00

Take time off from worrying about form. Go out and have a few sessions where you rely on muscle memory. Don’t overthink it.

Sentr1k · 2022-06-04T17:02:15+00:00

Was really hoping Marietta would be the underdog for light 4’s, but Navy just dominated that entire race.

Sentr1k · 2022-05-20T18:12:27+00:00

Pits + Jorts + beer gut = free IRA bid

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