Head of the Charles Regatta – Marilyn R. Gardner

You can see the concentration on their faces — this is not a spectator sport. They care not whether there is an audience, whether people are cheering on the side.

They just keep on rowing.

The wind comes up on the Charles River and you can see the ripples of current in the water. The way their hair blows back tells you that the wind is going against them, making it harder to row fast, harder to move forward.

But they just keep on rowing.

The coxswain, small from the stern of the boat, yells out instruction and pacing. She is there to guide the boat, to keep rhythm, to encourage. It’s important for the team to keep to the course and the coxswain is essential for this. She steers the rudder if they begin to go off course, she watches for technique and safety.

And the others? They just keep on rowing.

The team is unified in purpose, they clearly know each other’s style and strength. The goal is to make it to the finish line, increase your time, row well, do your best. So many metaphors for life that your brain freezes and you wonder why you have to analyze everything. But you know no matter how much you’re enjoying the event, you will keep on pondering, writing things in your head. It’s who you are, how you were made.

Signs for Regatta 2013 are high on light poles, vendors under awnings either sell their wares or give out free products, the gold and red of the Autumn season is at perfection and the sun shines bright. The wealthier gather on the other side of the river under a large, white tent — undoubtedly enjoying the fruits of their wealth through food, wine, and conversations about Yale, Harvard, and Princeton.

But you’re lost in the importance of rowing, because even though you don’t row, you know how hard it can be to keep on rowing, keep on going. You know that it takes every ounce of will and strength, that you need your coxswain, your people who encourage, to help keep you on track, to guide when needed, to watch for your safety.

It’s Monday morning and the week will greet you with all kinds of unknown, but you know you need to keep on rowing. And so you do.

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Monday muffins: These muffins make me wish I had small children again. Well….for a minute anyway. Stacy says this about these ‘Triple Booberry Muffins’: “blueberry muffins with blueberry yogurt, frozen blueberries that have blueberry jam mixed through them….they turn out a wonderful purple color and I thought they might be nice as an alternative to the usual overly sweet things folks make for Halloween parties. Or to make for breakfast the morning of, for those who enjoy the holiday.” Click on the link above or the picture to get the recipe!

In Union There is Strength…Row

Just hearing the words “Head of the Charles Regatta” brings images of Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle from “My Fair Lady“, stunning with a massive hat on her head, beautiful gown, and of course those famous words: “Come on, Dover, move your bloomin‘ ass!” Well, turns out it’s not quite like that. At least for our family and friends in our station in life.

It is thousands of people gathered on both sides of the Charles River, with the Cambridge side bearing the bulk of the action. It is an energy and openness that is not always experienced in this more reserved area of the country. It is the contrast of muscles and sweat vs. the strolling spectators. But for all involved it is an event not to be missed.

This year, unseasonably warm weather had some people strolling in t-shirts while others looked at their families saying ‘I thought it was going to be chilly! I would never have worn this jacket” as they removed layers of clothing. Sun and blue sky with a bit of wind made for a near perfect day, unlike some years where rainy and cold autumns dampen rowers and crowds.

The Regatta, a 46 year-old event, began in 1965. The event began based on traditions in England called “head of the river” races. The event has grown into a tradition that attracts rowers from around the world as well as 300,000 visitors to Boston yearly. Hotel space is at a premium and traffic is impossible.

I’m not athletic. Read the post “Crossing the Athletic Line” to learn more about this part of my life. The strength and muscles of the rowers are quite remarkable to this non-athlete. Even more so is the discipline. We are told that crew members at universities have to be tremendously disciplined to keep up with studies and compete on the crew team. 4:30 mornings are not uncommon in freezing weather, as in this area practice continues until the Charles River freezes over. What I deeply appreciated as I watched this years race, along with the great company of good friends, was the motto – “In Union There is Strength….Row” It’s not a new concept, but it was a new way of word-smithing and added an active verb to the end leaving the reader to understand that none of this happens without action. Often when I read things that are presented in a different way, I am struck by the truth in a new way. These rowers have to be unified in their rhythm to achieve success. There is no room for fractures in a successful crew team. If you want to go out on your own, then you need to row alone, and some people choose just that.

There is no strength or success in fractured anything. Not in families, not in churches, not in friendships. Fractures, even hairline fractures, hurt deeply and have to be identified and cared for in order to heal. So with the “In Union There is Strength” motto, I offer you this glimpse into the Head of the Charles Regatta 2011. Enjoy.