Tory's Top Ten: Top Ten Things I Did on Training Trip

The way time works on a break is different than the way time works in real life. On a vacation, one second it's the first day, full of possibilities,  and then the next second, you're headed home with a sunburn and five extra pounds around your waist. The way time works on a training trip is different. The first day goes incredibly fast as you're readjusting to getting on the water all the time. The next four days your body tries to commit suicide with the amped up level of training. Then it's the end of the week and you're wondering where the time went.

Our training trip was very productive this year. Unfortunately, our varsity team is so small that we do not have a 2v and while our freshmen boats are making good progress, we were unable to practice with them as much as we might have wanted to practice with another boat. However, having the individual coaching attention definitely helped our boat improve immensely. Instead of boring my readers with the "eat, row, eat, row, eat, sleep" of the everyday, I will highlight the best ten things that I did on my last spring training trip.

Rowed mixed line ups. There are years where mixed line ups are incredibly painful, and then there are years where mixed line ups are fun. With a fairly talented freshmen class, this year mixed line ups were fun and incredibly competitive. We did six pieces between two eights and the difference between winning and losing for every single piece was less than a seat. I love racing, and that was awesome. 

Didn't erg...not even once! I did not touch an erg handle for ten whole days. It was fantastic. A mid season break from the erg is both mentally and physically refreshing.  And I loved it.

At our favorite ice cream shop Spill the Beans

Ate as much delicious food as I wanted to. There aren't many times in my life where I can justify four full plates of food per meal. In fact, the only time I can justify this is during training trip. Did I possibly eat more than I needed to? Maybe. Was it totally worth it? Yes. 


Did pieces with another team.  I love racing...and I love racing other people. With our freshmen needing to practice by themselves, sometimes it was tough get the extra kick that we needed to really push ourselves. Luckily, Purdue was nice enough to give us the opportunity to piece against their 1v, 2v and lightweight 8, which was very competitive and enjoyable. I don't think I've ever sweat so much in my entire life, but it was awesome.

Got immersed in good books. Like everyone else in the world, I spent our training trip reading The Hunger Games. Like the savvy millenial that I am, instead of buying the hard copies, I downloaded the Kindle App versions. I have to say that it was the best choice I made for the trip and the best $17 I've spent in a long time. I was able to devour the first book on the bus, even after everyone else went to bed. Then when I decided that I needed to read the second and third books, I could read in bed when my roommates went to bed. 

Stroked the Varsity 8. It has always been my crew dream to stroke the Varsity 8+. Realistically, I am not the correct size, nor do I have the correct length of stroke to stroke a competitive Division I V8. Although I know I will likely not stay in this position for long, it was exciting for me to remain in stroke seat for more than ten minutes.

Channeled my inner child. Who hasn't wanted to jump on a hotel room bed? And yes, I know my mother told me not to, and I know you're not supposed to, and I probably shouldn't be writing about this, but honestly...it was great.And I promise I will never do it again.

Jumped in the lake. I have wanted to jump in Lake Hartwell since I first saw it and our boat finally took "the plunge" this year. It took some guts...and maybe someone pulling me in a little bit but I can say that I did in fact participate in a wet t-shirt contest on my college spring break. It was just the PG version.

"If the coxswains keep talking about their social lives during this erg test, I'm going to throw someone off the balcony."

Freshmen imitating their first crew practice

Laughed til I cried. One tradition our team takes part in that seems to be prevalent in the rowing world involves performing skits for our teammates. We divide up by grade and imitate our teammates. The senior class chose to verbalize what we think when we're erging (ex: "If I have to hear N***s in Paris one more time, I'm going to scream" or "Pretty sure someone just farted").  The three juniors held a Marist Crew version of "The Bachelor". The freshmen divided into three groups to imitate the three stages of crew season so far: first week in the boat, fall racing and winter training, all while doing hilarious impersonations of our three coaches. As good as our skit was, I think the juniors and the freshmen did an amazing job of making me laugh until I cried.

Got off the line with very fast crews. On our last day of training trip, we raced Clemson, Indiana, Purdue, Syracuse, Iowa and Boston University. All of these crews are very fast and we knew that it would take everything we had to hang on for the start, never mind the entire race.While our race wasn't great by a long shot, we had an amazing start and hung on for a good twenty strokes until we got walked on. Check out the video!

I have to say I still haven't knocked off everything on my Clemson training trip bucket list, such as rowing the 1x on the Clemson course or running the Death Valley stadium stairs, I am very happy with how things went this year. And who knows, maybe I will pull the alumni string and come back with the team in the future!

Top Ten Things to Bring on a Training Trip

1. Heating pad/The Stick

Training trips make you sore – that’s why they are called “training” trips. I’ve found that anything to alleviate soreness is useful to pack. Back stiffness is something that happens a lot on training trips and our room usually has a lineup of people to use the heating pad. The Stick is the same and probably the best $25 Christmas present I’ve ever gotten. Very useful for rolling out calves and hamstrings or – if you have a particularly nice teammate – glutes and forearms.

2. Sunglasses

This easily forgotten item (when it’s barely over 32 degrees at home) is a training trip necessity. Eyes need sun protection just like your skin does. Six hours a day on a bright sunny lake is not good for your eyes. I love Oakleys but I know a lot of people who also like Rudy Project. Just make sure they have UV protection – good sunglasses are worth shelling out the extra cash.

3. Pepto/Tums

I’ve never been on a training trip where someone hasn’t had stomach problems. The change in food and the extra workouts can magnify any minor issues. Last year it got so bad that our team – who celebrates such training trip holidays as Wacky Wednesday and TieDye Friday – dubbed one such day Poop Your Pants Thursday. Beautiful, I know. I personally carry Tums everywhere, but for those who don’t, pack some for the trip.

4. iPod (with new music)

One of the best things about a training trip is spending every minute of every day with your team, however, it can be one of the hardest things too. I like bringing my iPod because it gives me a little bubble of alone time – when the headphones are in, people usually don’t bother me. Training trips can be a tough time mentally as well as physically and listening to music helps keep me sane.

5. PreWrap

This cheap band serves two purposes: It can help warp a sore wrist or ankle, but it is also a stylish hair accessory. And by stylish, I actually mean functional. This is the only hairband that can keep my hair out of my face (I think that’s due to the fact that I have an abnormally small head). Our team usually wears red, but it comes in all different colors and patterns, like floral, leopard print, and tie dye (above) .

6. Epsom Salt

Whether you bring this or buy it en route, Epsom salt has always had a place on training trip. We’ve perfected the art of healing blisters: get the ice bucket, fill with warm water, dissolve Epsom salt in, put blistered hands in concoction and commence swearing. Epsom salt – as I’ve mentioned before – is a great way to keep blisters clean and on the right track to becoming callouses.

7. Extra Water Bottle

Of course you’re going to bring one nalgene, but are two really necessary? I think yes – hydration is vital to good performance and water bottles get lost constantly. Is it in the room? The cafeteria? On the dock? Did it get left in the boat? Did the coxswain accidentally drop it in the water? Just bring an extra and even if you don’t lose the first one, you can have one for water during practice, and one for your -ade of choice after. Or you can be nice and lend it to your pal who didn’t follow my advice.

8. Raingear

Training trips normally take place somewhere that’s always warm and sunny, right? Wrong. I thought that until it poured the first three days of our trip my freshman year. I ended up having to go to Walmart to buy pants because my only pair was constantly soaked. Fashion aside, water proof jacket and pants are good choices. Bring them.

9. Team bonding activity

Whether its Apples to Apples, a deck of cards or copious amounts of OPI nail polish, doing something the team can enjoy together is smart. There is down time on these trips and although napping and watching TV may seem like a better choice, you’ll miss out on that time that your teammate hilariously pronounced “mucus membranes” as “mu-chos mem-bra-nays”…and thought it was right. 

Getting excited during an intense game of Ninja last year!

10. Positive Mental Attitude

Training trips are hard. I wish that someone had told me that when I went on my first one – all I heard about was how much fun you have. Yes, training trips are fun, but it’s important to be prepared for a lot of work. When it’s 90 degrees out and you’re on your fourth of who knows how many five-minute seat racing pieces, it’s going to be a PMA that gets you through. Training trips put everyone through a lot of scrutiny, whether it’s through video, seat racing or just a lack of privacy. It is important to be positive about the work that you are putting in and how it’s going to help the team during the regular season. Because, really, that’s what you’re there for.

Honorable Mentions

Pillow and blanket for the bus

Good bus movies (usually easy to follow with same volume all the way through…Inception is not a good choice)

Team gear (a given)

Every pair of spandex you own

Every pair of socks you own

A scale to make sure that you’re not losing or gaining too much weight during this intense spike in training (and eating!)

And.....

....love for your teammates!