You honestly don’t realize how fortunate you are to experience something, until you’ve given up on it. It was like facing your back to your competators & seeing them pass in front of you, as you were beating them one by one. Or the feeling after a race when you’ve finally finished & it takes every ounce of strength you have to lift the boat but you’re doing it for the people you love & the people that love you too. On Crew, there was no form of embarrassment that the person sitting in front of you wouldn’t see or feel also, they will all see you at you’re absolute highs & lows. And, It’s always worth it, because there is a distinct feeling when you’re gasping for air, tears are streaming down your face & all you & your boat can do is smile… you’re crossing the finish line, you know that you just won by 0.2 seconds but that was still enough. It was one stroke that you took that made that much of a difference & the absolute ecstasy of the last 10 stokes was nothing but power. Nothing but fighting with everything you have, seats slamming, Coxswain screaming telling you everything you are & what you need to be to cross that line. For most rowers, Al Pacinos’ famous “Inches” is drilled into their heads & they’re playing it over & over again, until they reach they’re goal. Finally, you’re done & all that’s left is silence, pure gratitude & the sound of you’re oar sliding into the water. When It’s all over with, it is truly, the most peaceful experience anyone could ever have. I miss this more than anything.