This weekend brings us the European Rowing Championships in Bled as well as the National Schools
Regatta, so I thought it was a good opportunity to reflect on what racing means.
For junior rowers all over the country, this will be the biggest race of the season and the biggest race
of their rowing career to date. For the elite athletes who have traveled to Bled, this could be much
the same picture – possibly a first international senior vest, or the first opportunity to test how the
season is unfolding so far.
The point is, racing allows us an opportunity to explore ourselves, and our development and offers
an opportunity to learn and move forwards. Being dedicated and pursuing excellence in a chosen
pursuit puts you in a vulnerable position. It exposes you to the eyes of others, to being ranked by
time and position. All this can get tied up in self-worth and a fear of failure. However, ultimately it
offers the opportunity to make life a bit richer – you learn about yourself and how you respond, you
make memories, friendships can be made stronger and yes, you do get a result to your name that is
a manifestation of the work you have done, but whatever that result is, as long as you can look at
yourself and say you have produced what you are capable of on the day.
That is good enough! Be proud and move forwards knowing you are richer for the experience and what you have learned, that is living!!
The Stories We Tell Ourselves are Powerful – Pay Attention
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." Ralph Waldo Emerson We spend our lives telling our life’s narrative - recounting the past and using that story to make an image of the present and future. Sometimes, these stories are helpful...
