far was during a rowing competition my senior year of college. I have replayed
the few minutes of the final 500 meters of that race over and over in my mind
often, remembering the complete joy and contentedness I felt that day. It was
one of those rare moments in life that I will never forget. The sounds, the
smells, the feeling-they are forever ingrained in my memory.
was coxing. The coxswain is the person who sits in the stern of the boat,
steers, makes the calls, and motivates the crew. For this boat, I was also the
coach. These women had been rowing for just over a month and this was the
biggest race of the year. We were up against 30+ boats and were, by far, the underdogs
coming from a club level team at a small school. As we moved through the first
4500 meters of the race, we overtook a handful of crews, gaining momentum and
drive as we cut through the Chattahoochee River.
When the final 500 meters of the race approached
I became silent. It hit me in that moment that these four women had rowed a
perfect race and I found myself speechless. Struck with awe and pride tears
welled in my eyes.
worried. I composed myself and began coaching the boat to finish the race
strong. With each stroke, they pressed their blades through the water,
increasing speed and propelling the boat powerfully across the finish line.
They finished the race in first place.
prouder of how they finished that race. They could have easily coasted through
the final stretch, probably finishing better than they anticipated, but they
refused to accept anything less than their best and they found the drive to
finish strong.
endurance sports, know the strange shift that happens when the finish line is
in sight. Somehow, regardless of the pain and exhaustion, something inside
kicks in to make the final stretch the best of the race.
This is what I hope to find in the final
two months of this Race.
With only two months to go, I can see the
finish line. I can smell the Georgia air, taste the southern sweet tea,
envision my sisters’ smiles, and feel the embrace of my favorite person in the
world, Molly Grace. Feeling all of that, it is easy to lose site of what God is
doing here, where I am today. But I cannot finish this Race with regret. I
cannot finish knowing that I had more in me to give. I will finish strong.
I want my Coach to be proud of me; I want tears of joy to well in His eyes as I
give all that I have for Him.
Many Blessings,
Kim
Viking Crew and the 2007 Women’s Novice 4+ boat, Catch-22: Susanna Brown, Sarah
Conn, Caitlin Ryan, and Rachel Sussenbach. Also to Melanie Scott who’s words
encouraged and inspired my mission in life. I am so proud of each of you! Words
will never be enough.
