We have arrived in New Zealand!

We've made it to the other side of the planet!  New Zealand is beautiful.   It's so green, sunny, and we've felt so welcomed.  It's especially fun being able to feel the excitement and support in the community about the upcoming event! 

Our boat is great, we are making all the necessary adjustments, and got a good long row in this morning.

Racing starts Sunday, October 31st (which will be Saturday afternoon for those of you in the US!)

More updates and pictures to come soon!

Thanks to everyone for all your support...it's so amazing to be here and be so close to the culmination of so much hard work!

Joining us on the Journey

We have had a few visitors over time that have joined Carlos in the motor boat and reviewed practices, including Joel Rogers who has given us some great photos to remember these training days by. It's great to bring fellow coaches and athletes on board and have them excited to share in this journey. It also made me think of our rowing as a performance. A skill, that we love to do, and then having the grand finale be the race. I'm hearing the 5th, blasting with fireworks as we cross that finish line (if only in my head!)

Today the Western Washington girl's crew came by the house and we shared mostly on nutrition. Laying down the foundations of Paleo seemed startling. Because its so simple, we can't believe it and make it harder than it is. Fruits, Veggies, Lean Meats/Seafood and Nuts. That's it. So why does our brain still linger on to the pretty packages with things in there you can't even pronounce. Such is capitalism right, but that's too much for here.

After the Western girls left, Abby made us a slaw salad, posted on the Bellingham Quad Blog, and we talked about the college rowing experience. It was interesting to hear from Vic, Kristin and Abby about there college rowing days, and then what Carlos observed with his volunteer coaching at the UW. Read more about the recent press release from the UW here >

We have sent out our first Newsletter! It's a start; building the momentum!

The final countdown...

It's hard to believe that after months of training, our trip to New Zealand is right around the corner!  These days, it's all about quality.  Every stroke, as perfect as possible.  Every moment on the water, completely focused and feeling the boat.  And even off the water, we are constantly thinking about how everything we do can impact the upcoming big races.

Another great day of training on Lake Samish!

Thank you Living Tree Community

When looking at what we eat, the reading of labels goes deeper into where does what we eat come from. Buying food is such a great way to help our environment. If you feel guilty for not having money to donate to wildlife funds and environmental groups, then know that what groceries you buy is the biggest donation, for good or bad. For example, if you buy local you are supporting local farmers who will keep cultivating the soil. If you buy organic and grass fed you are saying I'm supporting a better way. If you buy things that have traveled further than most families ever do on vacation, then you are supporting more gas, oil and taxes involved in that. So when the items costs a few cents more on the shelf for local farms, in the background the damage is far worse.

I guess that is why I looked at Living Tree Community and felt connected to their farming practices and pursuit for unpasteurized almonds.  Living Tree also donates wonderful products to us, and we are so fortunate to have them partner with us. Their support is wonderful! Thank you!

Going to New Zealand, leaving October 21

In Bellingham we are.
On Samish we row.
Believing we do.
Stroke for stroke,
Day by day.
The desire and willpower to get to New Zealand
And stand on that stand
For USA
Gold
The journey goes on.