(Photos taken from here)
For first year rower Zach Markowitz ‘23, crew started out as a way to train for other sports. Now, the athlete is ready to be a steady force on the crew team here at Skidmore.
Rowing was something that Markowitz didn’t find. Rather, it is something that found him, “halfway through seventh grade, my friends’ mother said that we needed to do something to train for basketball.” Out of this training came the beginning of Markowitz rowing adventures. By tenth grade, rowing became his primary sport.
Throughout his high school years, crew became a large part of his life, and as he weighed his options for college, Markowitz wanted to make sure that the sport would be a part of it. “It was definitely a big factor in my decision to come [to Skidmore]. I looked at the boathouse when I came to visit the school, and I really liked it” So far, Markowitz says that decision has paid off very well for him. “I’ve definitely found so many positives from [rowing] so far.”
Rowing has helped keep him on track through his day-to-day routine, saying “It gives me a good regiment to my day. It keeps me active and motivated.” Markowitz credits his work ethic on crew to his ability to manage academics along with crew itself, as it keeps him “amped up so I can start doing my homework.”
As Markowitz continues to adjust to his new schedule, he makes sure to prioritize certain things to take care of himself. His day starts out with a good breakfast in the morning, as he’s trying to reach a certain amount of calories and eat a certain amount of protein. Markowitz has certain strategies he uses to ensure that his food choices reflect his dedication to the sport, even switching to soy milk for the increased protein intake.
After breakfast, classes, a quick lunch of chicken and rice, Markowitz then practices on a nearby lake from 4:45-7:15. With such a rigorous schedule, the importance of self care is crucial. On this topic Markowitz emphasizes that crew is about more than physical care. Many of the challenges that a rower might face come from the mind, and overcoming these challenges is key for him.
While talking about self care, Markowitz emphasizes that crew is about more than physical care. Many of the challenges that a rower might face come from the mind, and overcoming these challenges forces Markowitz to emphasize the little things, as little mishaps often turn into big mishaps while on the water, “In crew, you’ll probably perform similarly to others.”
The competitive nature of the sport prompts a thought process that may appear to be unorthodox, but is the key to success on the water, “If you can restructure how you think, and embrace pain, then you can row longer. Crew is very much about the reconfiguration of the perception of pain into a positive.” Embracing the pain that comes with rowing is what allows people to be successful in the sport, according to Markowitz.
In order to have the mentality of a rower, one must stay in what is called the green zone — rather than the red one. As Markowitz describes it, “The red zone is when you’re anxious, unfocused, and your heart rate is elevated; the green zone is when you’re very focused, your heart rate is lower, and you can maintain poise, even in the midst of physical pain.”
Thus, training one’s mind to embrace pain and understand that there is an end in sight helps the rower succeed. Staying in the green zone allows rowers to be in the moment and keep on top of the sport’s smaller details.
Each person in the boat has distinct responsibilities that help the unit function and win its race. In order to strengthen this cohesion, Markowitz says that “If you’re not relaxed, you’re not going to be as in sync as the person in front of you. Rowing is all about synchronization” — which requires a level of calmness that may not be noticeable from an outside perspective.
“People have a hard time seeing that when rowers appear tired, they are actually in a meditative and calming state.” This level of teamwork and cohesion is what Markowitz wants to carry into the upcoming spring season.
For the upcoming season, Markowitz has the team goal of finishing in the top three spots for the Liberty League. Individually, Markowitz wants to lower some of his racing times on the urg: “I’d like to get my 2k time down to 6:40. Right now its 6:55.” While dropping seconds will be challenging, it is something that Markowitz is prepared for.
As he reflects upon his journey and looks forward, he recalls what he would tell his younger self: “Embrace rowing as a team sport. One person can’t move a boat.”
(Zach is sat on the left.)