I am glad I could help!

Dear Xeno,

Hello my friend! It has been quite a while since we last spoke,

and since my experience at your camp, I have neglected to properly thank

you.

It is amazing what one can learn after the fact. Even though it

has been nearly a year since I visited the Iron Oarsman center, I still

watch the dvds of myself rowing, and every time I glean something new

from them. My coach borrowed them for a while, and he now employs some

of the key words you said in the work outs, such as "organising the

body". Costel also agrees with your overall philosophy of training for

this sport, so for him and me, your words have been nothing but a positive

reinforcement. He also was extremely happy when you said on one of the

videos that you "have great respect for that Romanian coach of yours"

which was in regards to my straight arms on the erg. I guess it

confirmed the method to his madness!

It was an honor to row on the water with you as well. Although it

was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences, ever! I did have a

great time, those drills you showed me are amazing! I became very

proficient at flipping my oars from sqare to feather and back, and rowing with

one oar in a circle is such a great method to veiw your own

stroke...but it is definately a hard and humbling drill!

All of the little tips you so generously gave me, all the stories

you told me, all the workouts you showed me paid off this summer. I

trained for the lightweight single, and at the Masters Nationals, I took

silver. When I was sitting at the start, I remember thinking, "Ok, use

everything you've learned. Think about Xeno, what would he do: he

would use everything-his brain and his body. Use your legs and FOCUS!". I

rowed the race at a 32-34, and it felt amazing. Everything clicked.

This year, I am planning on rowing in "the big leagues", Speed

Orders and the big races this summer. What I learned from you and Costel

is that I can do anything if I have heart and passion to try. (And, of

course, do exactly what my coach tells me!)

Sincerely,

Preston

Xeno Muller, Olympic gold and silver medalist, indoor rowing, rowing technique.