Getting “Blue Boat” Ready

A love of growing, learning, and rowing led Connecticut’s Annie Wertheimer to apply to the University of Cambridge. She had recently completed a master’s in art history and Curatorial Studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she also rowed on the crew team, but she wanted more. When she received notice that she was accepted to St. Edmund’s College at Cambridge to study arts education and to row as a member of the Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC), she almost didn’t believe it.

“I said, I think that they got the wrong Annie,” said Wertheimer.  “Cambridge is one iconic place to study, and it’s one iconic place to row. So quite honestly, I did not think I was going to get in.”

On Crew Naming Day, on March 26, when CUBC selected the athletes who will compete for the University in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race set for April 13, Annie again drew a result that surpassed her expectations. Annie will be rowing for Cambridge, competing in the legendary rivalry. 

What was it like for you to find out you’d been selected to row in the Boat Race?

Joy and relief!  As an athlete anywhere but especially here, there's a lot of self-pressure. You're competing for four spots. You either row on the stroke side or the bow side of the boat. So, there's eight people but four positions in each boat. And you're on a huge team with tremendous talent.

My coach called me over, and he said, “you won your seat, but you’ve got to keep working really hard.’

What is your training routine like?

I get up at 5:10 every morning. I pack my bag and make my breakfast the night before and then get up and do a 10-minute cycle to the train. The train [to Ely where CUBC practices] leaves at 5:57 and arrives at 6:11. Everything is planned to the minute, because we have classes afterwards. We’re on the water for 75 to 90 minutes Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Saturday and Sunday, we have double sessions of water, from about 7am to 1:30 or 2pm. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons, we have 90 minutes of weights training. On Wednesday afternoons we have about 80 to 90 minutes of cardio.

Rigorous! You must be in great condition.
I hope so! Rowing is a full lower body sport. The idea is, right before you take your stroke, everything is powered up by your glutes, your quads and your core. So really, you’re just pressing through with your legs, and then as you come back in, your stroke arms just follow. So, I’m in pretty good shape. I’ll let you know after the race!

What most excites you about taking part in the Race?

I have become aware of the rowing community and what this race really entails and how much of an honor and history there is behind it. It’s so overwhelming. I have to pinch myself and be like ‘this is my life!’ I’m trying to take it all in and I want to make all the women who have come before me proud too. If we row a good race, like the best race we can, we’ll be proud of it. Regardless of the result. Being part of this event is wonderful, but I think being a part of the Cambridge University Boat Club is even more wonderful. I’m rowing with the best and learning with the best!