more gear - and Easter

So I'm getting guilted into buying way too much 'high-end' training stuff. Since I don't want to leave anything undone, I'm buying everything that I think will make my training easier. That includes hundreds of packets of GU energy gel, way too many Clif and power bars, and now the latest is Skins compression tights, the latest trend in training. They are supposed to increase bloodflow and improve recovery of muscles - I did some research and there is no scientific research that they actually help, but athletes all seem to say their muscles feel slightly better when they use them. So I logged on to the Skins website, to find out the tights and the long-sleeve top are $100 each. Sweet. On my $480 USOC stipend, that's a pretty big percentage of my purchasing power. But since I promised myself I'd buy whatever I felt like I wanted for rowing (minimizes stress and economic waffling). I am so, so, so looking forward to not having to spend all my money on training accessories, but since this is my priority right now I gotta do what I gotta do.

Also, quick note on Easter. We had to row Easter morning. It was about 30 degrees. And we had to race, meaning the practice was important and we had to be on top of our game. It's not quite the typical Easter brunch day that many might have enjoyed. We were all joking before practice that our coach was going to show up with Easter eggs and Easter chocolate for us and tell us to go home. We were joking, but there was a very very small part of my brain that believed that might actually happen - hope springs eternal, I guess. Anyway, as you might have deduced, we did the racing. Not really a fun way to spend Easter... next year it's Easter egg hunt for sure.