Mark Borchelt

Montreal 1976 Olympic Alternate
Moscow 1980 Olympic Team

7 National teams

2 Olympic teams

2 World Championship
Medals

Head Coach of Adult Programs at Texas Rowing Center

What technique issue was the hardest for you?

I opened my back up really soon in the drive.  Now, when you compound your back with leg drive, that slows your legs down. Coaches really wanted fast legs. So I couldn't do that.

I came back [from being an alternate at the 1976 Olympics], I said, "I've had it with rowing."  I went out, and I bought some fencing equipment. I got two of the headgear and two foils.  I found this fencing school out in Maryland somewhere, and I went out and watched a practice.  And I realized, "yeah, this isn't for me." So I came home, and my brother-in-law got all the fencing equipment. He played around with it for a long time.  But, no, I couldn't [quit]. Rowing was too much fun.

How have you dealt with rowing burnout?