I am sitting here overlooking the Thames and all the river traffic going by.  Not only is this a quaint village with a long history of rowing, but lots of people with boats converge on the town for the Royal Henley Regatta and the Music Festival.  So it is constant entertainment.

During this week of the Music Festival, the Beach Boys played the first evening.  After their afternoon rehearsal Diane and I met Bruce Johnston, one of the original crew, and he and I talked about being 70 and he said how much fun he was having still surfing and playing keyboard on tour.  When we heard them play “I wish they all could be, California girls” I was glad I had my California girl, Diane.

The last two days I have been rowing in the Henley Masters Regatta where I won both the single sculls and double sculls with a friend from Vermont.  Sometimes in the past I have enjoyed the training and the getting in shape part of the process and kind of dreaded the nervousness and anticipation of the effort and pain that goes with the racing itself.  Even though the racing provided the focal point and brought out the best I could give at the time and I was happy I had competed, it was always a necessary evil.

Since I am committed to enjoying my life at all times, if it is at all possible, I decided I would focus on enjoying the racing this year.  While I still got nervous, narrowing my focus as the racing got closer and being a bit tense and short with people over any distraction, I was better about the prerace jitters than ever before.  Observing my mind chatter and letting it go when I could.  Also, having Diane here to support me helped as she didn’t question what I felt I needed to do next, but just did what she could to make my life easier.

In each warm up I would have to really bring myself into the present moment of each stroke and just do the routine I have developed over the years that I know will bring me to the starting line ready to race.  Once the umpire gave the start signal, the racing itself was really a pleasure.   I am in very good shape so I was quick and fast off the line.  Then I would settle into the main body of the race, trying to conserve my energy while still controlling the race and being prepared to counter any move the competition made and still have a bit left for the sprint in the final minute.

I enjoyed the intensity of the race itself, of putting all those hours of practice into the race – making each stroke smooth, strong, efficient and relaxed.  I reveled in my body’s ability to operate at that level of intensity with its pain and effort, overridden by a certain level of observation (being somewhat outside the experience but totally present) and driven by my strong will to win, to dig as deep as I could to make that happen.

I feel good about my performance and deeply respect my competitors as I know how much work and dedication it takes to be competitive.  I always thank my opponents as it is a privilege to be challenged to be my best.  I am thrilled to be so alive for those precious moments of intensity.

May your life have its share of those intense joyful moments.

All the best,

Landon