Bronze is Progress

0.98 seconds. That's all that stood between us from competing in the final's of 2008's Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Novice Division. That was the difference between the gold or silver. But we settled for bronze.

As much of a competitor as I am, all I'm willing to say is bronze is progress. Given the fact that VPN has only competed in this event for the last 3 years since the organization's conception, I'd say we are definitely making progress. Obviously, this is our best finish thus far. But I think we can do better. And we were less than a second away from standing on the highest tier, and tasting that gold.

Everything was going according to plan. Eliminate Janus Boat, and we would well be underway to smelling ultimate victory. Well, we eliminated Janus, but then came the flukey start in our 3rd race with those hockey-helmet-wearing fish sticks. What kind of name is WagenKamp's anyway?! Because of the loss, we were forced to race additional races of which we were in need of a few more subs. The 4th race required for some of us, including myself, swapping of sides with our rowing partner to try and muster any advantage of the less-tired arm. We still came up short. 0.98 seconds short that is. I think VPN's Dragon Boat history would have been dramatically re-written if the wind and starting official had cooperated. Simply, things don't always go according to plan, and we should always expect the unexpected. But, these are mistakes that I am recording and committing to memory. And, I will be sure to share these vital experiences when engaging next year's lineup.

Although we ended with a 3rd place finish, I truly believed we were the 1st place team. I am truly proud and honored by our team's achievement. Without any doubt, we had a heck of a run. And, we didn't walk away empty-handed. So that is still something to be said.

0.98 seconds. That number will be engrained in my mind from now until the races roll around next year. It will be the sole, driving, motivational factor that will push me and my crew to train harder, paddle deeper, and thrust that 1 ton boat faster in 2009.