the Aftermath

Megan Kalmoe's picture
Submitted by Megan Kalmoe on August 27, 2008 - 11:45am. :: | | | | |

Well, I am still alive. Barely. After a week in the Olympic Village and touring around Beijing at top-speed, I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to sleep and my body is just now beginning to give in to some sort of viral invader. But I’ve had the time of my life over the past few weeks and I am sure I will have to keep telling myself that when I am relegated to my couch tomorrow and the days following, engulfed in phlegm and jet-lag.

First things first: the Final. It hasn’t been easy for me to find an angle from which to frame my experiences racing in the Olympic Final. It’s no simple task to publicly declare the ways your mind and heart attack yourself after falling short of an Olympic medal on a global stage. I’ve juggled thoughts of hope and disappointment since crossing the finish line on the 16th and nothing quite seems adequate. How could anything really bring it all together?
The few things that I have come to settle on don’t really form a cohesive picture, but they are related in some ways. And with all the comings and goings of the drastic, negative, hopeless and humble, they are what continue to fill my thoughts as I continue to sort through the aftermath of the 2008 Olympic Games.

  • I am not satisfied with my result. The entry I wrote about our repechage race wasn’t just for show: I really did (and do) believe that all of the boats in our race were contenders in the medal race and I am disappointed that we weren’t able to capitalize on that opportunity.
  • I don’t regret anything. Although I didn’t get the result I wanted, I feel like I did everything within my power to try to achieve it. Ellen and I rowed a great piece in the Final, and fought hard for what we wanted. In the end, we didn’t take bad strokes or run out of steam. Our fastest on that day just wasn’t fast enough.
  • I’m not giving up. I think one of the most important things I have taken away from the experience of racing a the Olympics is that it has whet my appetite for something more. Having been able to travel, race, and represent my country in international competition this season has given me a new perspective with which to approach my training, and a kind of motivation to succeed and improve that I couldn’t have gotten without having lined up and raced against the strongest, fastest athletes in the world. It’s a kind of awe, and a kind of anger—that I’ve been beaten and I don’t care for it. And I don’t want it to happen again.

    The next step is to make the 2009 team to get another shot at it. That means another year of focus and hard work, taking on the role of being one of the few remaining athletes at PTC from this year’s team to stick around (at least in the fall and winter). I am unsure of what the next year holds for me, but I am excited about the challenges of undertaking the next leg of the journey with a new group of talented young women coming in in September, and welcoming back old friends as they trickle back in to Princeton in the spring.

    As for the rest of it, well… I can’t even describe how proud I am of all of my teammates who raced for this year’s Olympic rowing team. I think we all conducted ourselves with pride, honor and conviction, and were all able to take something away from the Games that will inspire and challenge us for the future. That we had three crews who were able to medal was amazing, and I am proud to say that I watched it all happen. I was there, and being a part of the joy and celebration that followed those successes was a great thing.

    Beyond that, I have little to say about the bliss and mysteries of life in the Olympic Village except that everything you’ve read and heard about it is probably true. Unabashedly, I admit that I have never been so infatuated with so many people simultaneously, and the placards posted around the facility declaring it “Dream World 2008” were absolutely spot on. I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so happy as being among he world’s strongest, fittest, most talented and beautiful people all congregated in one place. And I am absolutely devastated that it has come to an end and I am returning to Princeton.

    Lastly, this will be my final blog for RCM. I’ve had a lot of fun blogging for the site, but following this entry, I will be launching a personal blog to continue writing about the ups and downs of elite training and competition. I hope you’ll continue reading and commenting, it has been great to connect with those of you who have sent me messages via my blog here. Thanks to the RCM group for giving me the opportunity to start writing, and thanks for all of the support I have received, it has meant a lot during my journey to Beijing!

    See you out there,

    --MK


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    Thank-you
    Submitted by jamisonjames on August 28, 2008 - 4:37pm.

    Megan,
    I just wanted to pass along my thanks for giving us a wonderful behind-the-scenes look at the Olympic experience. I enjoyed all of the blog entries.

    Congratulations on a great season. You have every right to be proud of your accomplishments. You are a great rep for the USA. I'm happy to hear you are planning to continue with rowing and not quitting to have a baby like the beach volleyball ladies. Will your rowing partner also continue?

    Megan, I have known and worked with your father for nearly 20 years. He is so proud of you. I will be seeing Dean next week in Baltimore and can't wait to hear his travel stories.

    Take care and best of luck in the future.

    Jim J.

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