I really struggled to find ways to motivate myself to work with and for people who ask so much of their National Team athletes, and in return expect so little from themselves. And I did it all alone. I did it looking outward every day at all of my teammates who were happily unaware of the things I knew, and the betrayal I felt. They all could come to practice every day feeling good about what they were doing, and experiencing no conflict whatsoever about being involved in an organization which --for all they knew-- was working hard to keep them safe and protect them from sexism and misogyny.
the Superlatives
This is my second season racing the pair for the United States. Over the past four years, I have spent more time in the pair than probably any other boat--it's our primary training and selection tool at the US Training Center, and for most of the 2016 quadrennium I had hoped that it would be … Continue reading the Superlatives
The Fountain of Youth
In 1513, Ponce de León landed on the coast of Florida near modern-day St. Augustine during his storied search for the Fountain of Youth. His quest was violent and exploitative, not unlike many early explorers' searches for wealth, power and immortality. Ponce de León never did find the Fountain of Youth in Florida--despite what the … Continue reading The Fountain of Youth
Dear Kerry
Dear Kerry, I’m writing this to you as I make my way back home after the conclusion of our last winter camp together in San Diego. Three months have flown by, and the 2016 NSR is done. I haven’t been sure how to really craft an end to our time in the pair together, because … Continue reading Dear Kerry
The Hammer
This is something I have been meaning to post for a while, and haven't found the right time to do it. Today we had a side by side workout in the pairs, and it got me thinking about my team, my teammates, and what it means to me to be a part of this team. I … Continue reading The Hammer
The Thing About Bob
As I'm sure you've heard by now, Coach Bob Ernst was fired from the University of Washington about two weeks ago. In the time since, though part of me still cannot believe it, I have spent a lot of time thinking about how this could have happened, and it what it means. It has hit me quite … Continue reading The Thing About Bob
Megan Kalmoe, OLY 