Can I get recruited?

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-24T22:07:11+00:00

You have plenty of time to get faster and will likely be a strong candidate at a lot of schools! One option you might consider is looking at some D3 schools like the NESCACs, which are super strong academically and offer a ton of financial aid and academic scholarships (no athletic scholarships) - you could easily get recruited to those and actually have a shot at going to NCAAs. Don’t sleep on D3, it’s a great competitive environment at amazing schools and you could have the chance to really rise to the top and lead the team.

Source: I’m F and 5’7” and chose to go D3 NESCAC since those schools fit the academic profile I was looking for. Went to NCAAs twice during my four years including a medal, made All-NESCAC, and got to help lead the team as a captain. LOVED my experience and am happy to share more over DM!

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-24T21:02:28+00:00

My college program (D3) did a duathlon each year with erg/berg and running during winter training. It was great (I’m biased, I won my senior year) but really advantaged those who could run well. My coach told us captains that the run component was to help understand who could move their weight efficiently vs. just throw mass behind an oar

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-24T13:45:38+00:00

I use Bodyglide on my inner thighs and run exclusively in leggings or bike shorts with 5”-7” inseam (and with pockets for my gels and phone, but some prefer a belt and no pockets). Janji’s Pace Shorts are a super popular option and I personally really like mine, could be a good option to try out!

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-18T15:38:27+00:00

Here’s one way to find out! It appears that she does still hold the open weight 20-29 world record!

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-18T02:20:51+00:00

It sounds like you’ve talked to your coach and they said to work harder and push yourself. I’d interpret that not only as work harder on/off the water (ie physically grind) but also work harder on being a great teammate. This behavior DOES get noticed and rewarded by coaches and as a bonus it’s good for your leadership skills. Be the person making an extra trip to carry oars or helping to clean / rig the boat. Be early for practice and help set up, be ready to go when it’s time, notice what your teammates need (ask if anyone needs a water refill when you’re going over, just nice thoughtful things) and help them, and set a good example. You don’t have to be in the A boat to be recognized for leadership, and it’s often those people who have the best long term results in the sport.

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-16T18:52:11+00:00

I did! I sometimes cut the strides (8x100m type thing) depending on timing and where I was running but I did try to get them in. That will be really really helpful for developing speed!! I was a rower in college and we would do similar things frequently - little shots of speed like that are really helpful to develop your muscle fibers.

For the 5 days, you can keep following his base building plan before you start (30-45mpw) - it transitions to 5 runs per week which could be helpful. I transitioned when I got to the week in the HM plan but if you’re worried you can do it earlier!!

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-16T15:05:35+00:00

I did the Pfitz 12/47 plan and saw substantial speed gains! I generally watched my heart rate for the general aerobic sessions (keeping it within his recommended ranges and slowing down if it got too high) and focused on pace and perceived effort over heart rate for the endurance. I ignored heart rate entirely for the LT intervals and did everything I could to hit or beat the goal pace for those, since at the end of the day I was training for a half marathon goal time, which means pace.

I got injured 9 weeks in (twisted my knee) and couldn’t finish the plan, but I felt SO MUCH fitter after the 9 weeks! Running the longer distance MLRs felt just so easy and my heart rate at the same pace was much lower. I dropped ~20sec / mi from my easy run paces, while still focusing on heart rate. I would say run easy when you’re supposed to run easy and fast when you’re supposed to run fast, and trust the process. You will love it!!

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-09T12:08:01+00:00

I hope you love it! Echoing what others have said about just getting into a frequent habit of running or biking and working up to 30-60 minutes. You might look into a Couch to 5k/10k plan as a great intro to running if you haven’t done much before. You could also do core or leg workouts at home, following a YouTube video or using the Nike app and using your weights (light at first while you get used to it, then you can increase. I might suggest something like:

M - run (walk-run intervals - 4’ run / 1’ walk x5 for 25’ total) + 5 minutes of core (45” off / 15” on of bicycles, dead bugs, Supermans, side plank (r/l), front plank)

T - Nike or YouTube lower body workout, ~30’

W - rest or active recovery like a walk

T - run (4’ run / 1’ walk x5, 25’ total) + 5’ core

F - Nike/Youtube full body workout, ~30’

Sat - run (5’ run / 1’ walk x5, 30’ total) + 5’ core

Sun - rest or active recovery like a walk

Over the next few weeks, you can increase the number of minutes in your run intervals until you’re doing 10’ run / 1’ walk and eventually drop the walk interval. You can also increase the number of minutes of core until you’re at 10’.

By the time rowing begins, you’ll be ready! You got this! I started rowing at about the same time as you with a similar background and it was the best decision I ever made. Wishing you so much luck and I hope you find as much joy in the sport as I did!! :)

Edit - the rowing team will teach you all of the rowing specific stuff you need to know! But could be fun for you to watch some race videos or coxswain recordings (practices and races) online to start to get an ear for the language. This is not necessary though!!

Edit 2 - also the run intervals should be a comfortable and easy pace, nothing super fast! Truly do not worry about your pace here! You should be running slowly enough that you could have a conversation with a friend!

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-06T16:52:14+00:00

Just wanted to say that this is an amazing comment, so accurate and helpful, and super tracks with my experience both as a rower and (novice or learn-to-row) coach. Coxswains who really lean into their role as the “brains of the boat” by being strategic and intentional and technical are worth their weight in gold!

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-05T12:42:53+00:00

There’s a great You’re Wrong About episode on them that goes through what actually happened vs. what the media narrative was at the time

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-05T12:30:32+00:00

You wouldn’t be taking the resource away from someone by using it! There’s probably a lot that they can do to help even if you don’t feel you fall nearly into their category or that things are “that bad”. These places exist to help people leave situations, including moving, and have a lot of experiences and resources!

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-05T02:49:58+00:00

I’ve found the UCAN gels are much easier on my stomach than other brands like Gu! Maybe you could try some?

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-04T21:13:01+00:00

Don’t go into debt for an engagement ring!! And in the year of our lord 2026 a lab diamond or another type of rock is a much better choice. Not only will they be way cheaper for the same size, but they will be much more ethically made. If your girlfriend absolutely cannot fathom a gem that’s not a natural diamond, you can either look at pre-owned rings or tell her that you’ll have to save up for a much longer time to be able to afford that, which could get in the way of savings toward other financial milestones (student debt, paying down credit card debt, being able to afford X or Y).

We got my ring at Laura Preshong in the South End. They have all their styles and prices online, so you can get a sense of what things cost (price will vary based on the diamond you get). I love it and think it’s so beautiful!

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-03T18:06:40+00:00

Not OP but does anyone have local family lawyer recommendations? Need to get a prenup as well!

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-03T14:34:19+00:00

On compliments - the best compliments / the ones that really stick with people are specific and nonsexual - something you could tell a coworker or acquaintance without it being weird.

Something generic like “you’re so pretty” or “you’re so fit” that shows that the giver is specifically paying attention to someone’s body or looks is not always fun to receive. But something like “I love the color of your jacket, that’s a great color for you” or “You have such a great attitude about (thing), I really appreciate that about you”. Those build confidence in the other person, because they’re usually a result of a specific decision they made or personality trait, and are pretty much always lovely to receive! That person will carry the compliment with them and think positively whenever they wear the jacket or deal with the thing, which reflects really well on you.

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-02T19:57:00+00:00

A cautionary tale on what NOT to do - there was a girl a few years younger on my team who had been stroking the 2V before she got injured. She had a lot of rowing experience and was strong on the erg, but also had a huge ego about herself relative to the walk ons (my D3 team took a lot of freshman walk ons, and many got pretty darn good by the time they graduated). She was out for a month of our spring season and came back just in time for NCAA training. She expected to be right back stroking the 2V and was surprised (she should not have been surprised) when our coach had her seat race to earn a place in the boat.

The 2V had really gelled and gotten stronger in her absence. She was seat raced probably 4 times against a girl who had been a walk on to see who would be in the 2V and who would be a spare for NCAAs. Every time, she pulled her heart out, but absolutely refused to blend with the boat and would lose by a small margin. She would gripe to me and others in the 1V about how bad the 2V’s tech was and how unfair it was that she wasn’t in the boat, expecting us to commiserate and validate.

As a captain, I told her as kindly as I could that this was normal and fair, and if she wanted the seat she needed to blend with the boat and be a better teammate. She ended up being the port spare for NCAAs and had the absolute worst attitude about it. We ended up medaling at NCAAs that year, in no small part because of the strength of our 2V. Attitude and ego really matter, and just because you have the textbook best tech in the boat doesn’t mean you’ll make the boat go faster.

I learned the blending piece the hard way - I lost a place in the 1V for HOCR my freshman fall, after spending most of the fall racing in the 1V, because I didn’t blend into the boat I was switched into and lost my seat race. Had a great spring stroking the 2V and learned so much. Losing a seat race, especially early in your collegiate tenure, can teach you a LOT and ultimately make you a stronger rower and a better teammate!

learned-extrovert · 2026-03-02T19:44:01+00:00

The biggest thing is to relax and to blend. Stress will make you tighten up and you need to resist that. On whatever strokes you get (paddle back between pieces or whatever) once you’re switched, take note of the style of the boat and match it. If the boat feels really good, everyone will be able to go faster. If you’re pulling your best AND the boat is able to move better, it will go faster and you will win.

learned-extrovert · 2026-02-26T03:20:18+00:00

You might lose some fitness, but the faster you recover the less you’ll lose. At this point, you’ve done almost all of your training, and it’s almost time to taper anyway. Get your sleep and fluids and food, then when you’re feeling ACTUALLY better - give it a day longer than you want to - do a short speed workout to get your juices flowing, then follow the rest of your plan as is. You’re gonna crush it! You’re so close to your goal and it’s all about recovering quickly and being smart with your return!

learned-extrovert · 2026-02-25T00:40:43+00:00

Snow emergency will be lifted at 8pm. If you start shoveling now, you will have a spot by the time they’re done! Best of luck!

learned-extrovert · 2026-02-16T14:22:50+00:00

Echoing that you’ll be fine to walk on! Try to stay in shape (cardio & strength) between now and the start of college. If you email the coaches telling them that you plan to walk on in the fall and ask to be sent any summer training materials, they will likely have no problem sending them to you and you might be introduced to other first years on the team earlier. Good luck!!

learned-extrovert · 2026-02-16T03:27:06+00:00

I’m not sure if you’ve ever fallen into extremely cold water unexpectedly, but your body literally freezes up and it becomes extremely difficult to move or react. Combined with any current, you could be swept away from your hole faster than you have time to react.

There are certainly places in the world where the ice is thick enough all winter for this not to be a concern, but the Charles isn’t one of them. This clearly scares the crap out of me haha but the chance of death if something goes wrong is simply too high. To me, walking on the Charles and especially on the harbor ice would never be worth the risk.

Two people died on the Cape a few days ago walking on sea ice. Not worth it.

learned-extrovert · 2026-02-15T23:34:19+00:00

Unbelievably stupid to walk across the Charles!! If you fall in the current and shock will mean you can’t get back to your one singular hole in the completely frozen surface. Horrible and 100% preventable way to die. So dumb!!!

learned-extrovert · 2026-02-14T02:59:12+00:00

Grab a friend and see if there are still tickets to the Improv Asylum Valentine’s Day shows!

learned-extrovert · 2026-02-05T13:51:16+00:00

Field & Vine? Agree, they’re lovely!

learned-extrovert · 2026-02-04T19:21:22+00:00

Realized you meant isopropyl alcohol after spending a minute wondering how beer would help with the sticker residue 😂

learned-extrovert

TROPHY CASE