2014 Winter Training Blog: LeAnna Kemp
TAMPA – Temperatures on the Kansas River can make preseason training a challenge, so the Kansas rowing team uses the opportunity to travel to warmer climates to get the Jayhawks ready to race in the spring. This year’s trip finds the team in Tampa, Fla., for 10 days of training. Throughout the week, KUAthletics.com and members of the rowing team will catalog the trip. The fifth and final blog from the winter training trip features assistant coach LeAnna Kemp.
Jan. 22, 2014 – LeAnna Kemp
“As we rode the bus back to Lawrence, it had the feel of the start of a training trip, not the end. Chatting, singing and laughter resonated through the bus the moment we left the airport. That is not the normal feeling I remember. Especially, after the tough, grueling practices and the vast number of meters rowed down in Tampa. I couldn’t help but smile as the middle of the bus was singing some Beyoncé song at the top of their lungs. This small instance speaks volumes on what this team is all about.”
“The team, as a whole, came back in great shape, which allowed for us to jump right into training when we arrived in Tampa. The fact that we rowed as many meters as we did (340,000 to be exact) is a testament to the training that the team committed to over the break. More than ever, it seems that this group is buying-in to the process of becoming great. It’s fun to work hard and see results.”
“Training trips are tiring and long, but at the end of it comes stronger friendships, honesty, trust and a bond that pushes through the third-500 together. It gets me pumped up thinking of the potential this team has and what can be achieved this spring – the sky is truly the limit.”
“This team is having fun and enjoying the growing pains together. They want to be successful and they are willing to put in the time, distance and extra work it takes to go that extra distance. Our first race is 53 days away and this team is chomping at the bit to get out there and compete. Everyone is excited about what this season holds because it has the potential to be something special. If the team’s attitude on the way home from the airport was any indicator, this season will be a fun ride.”
The Jayhawks will begin the spring season in Oak Ridge, Tenn., at the Louisville Invite on Mar. 15.
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