I rowed in college, then life happened. Twenty years later, I joined a masters program. My technique came back quickly. My hands did not.
"Your hands have to learn all over again," the coach said. "Just like when you were a novice. Be patient."
Starting Over
At forty-five, my skin doesn't adapt like it did at eighteen. The blisters were worse, the healing slower. I had to be smarter about protection and recovery.
Tape became essential. Not because I was weak, but because I wanted to keep rowing consistently. Time off for hand injuries meant time away from the sport I'd finally returned to.
Still Rowing
Three years back on the water. My hands have calluses again, different from my college hands but functional. I row three times a week and love every stroke.