When we experience pain, our brains tell us to stop, seek help, and back off. In rowing, everything after the first two minutes is rough. Because it uses so many muscles and quickly takes a toll on the lungs, rowing is uniquely able to bring about discomfort in a very short period of time. It has taken me awhile to realize that after those first two minutes of easy effort, I need to be comfortable with my discomfort. The brain is an athlete’s greatest ally and greatest enemy. Olympians train not just their bodies, but also their minds to reach peak performance.
Being able to mute the brain’s pain controls is vital to rowing. Every time I get on an erg or in the boat, I know it will result in some level of discomfort. How well I manage this discomfort directly correlates to how well I perform. It is not enough to say, “Today, I will be in pain.” Instead, I need to say, “I am ok with this pain, it is making me stronger.” The first step I took to reach this point was to let go of my fear of failure, and instead motivate myself by success and the support of my teammates. Fear is not enough. It can get you far, but, in the end, it is mentally and emotionally draining. Secondly, I have embraced the erg as a tool for my success. I do not like erging, but I accept it and recognize its use. The numbers on the screen do not define me, but they can motivate me to get where I want.
Rowing is addicting. All the hours of erging in the winter are worth it to be in a boat come spring. But, it’s really hard to stay motivated for over four months where I’m alone with an erg for a large part of the time. Establishing a pattern of erging every day or every other day without stressing out over the numbers has made me stronger mentally and physically. I have learned to be comfortable with my discomfort.
