Ok, yeh,yeh, I know I've been slack with the blog. I've been so busy (and not at home) that I've let it slide. Anyway, the thought of doing several posts to catch up was not appealing, so I've decided to do one post to cover the last 2 weeks.
Saturday 4th April
With a very kindly borrowed Flash from Jack (for me), Carol in my Mirage, Jack and Jen in a borrowed Supersonic, Anton in his own Mirage, and briefly Mal in a K1, we headed off from Davistown to paddle in Brisbane Waters. As it was a day before the end of Daylight Savings, our 5:30am wake up was in the dark and 7am on the water start was at sunrise. It was beautiful. As this was Carol's first paddle in 15 years we did a cruisy pace and it was lovely just enjoying the scenery, until the storm came across. The last half hour was tough, but all in all it was a lovely paddle.
Running
I've been very slowly getting back into running again after my back injury. I've done a couple of 10-15 minute runs (with 5 min warm-up and cool-down). It still feels very hard and I'm hanging out to start feeling like I did before the injury. It's such a bummer to go back to feeling like this again and having to work my way up again.
Kayaking at Penrith
Whilst staying down in Sydney I took the Van Dusen to my old training home at Penrith. I was too nervous to go too far up the river (due to a lack of re-entry points), but I felt MUCH better. There were some other paddlers there too, and they commented that I looked VERY comfortable, so that was reassuring.
Australian Canoe Polo Championships
Whilst still down in Sydney I went along to have a look at the Australian Canoe Polo Championships at the Whitewater Centre at Penrith. It was soooo interesting. I've always wanted to see a game of that level. The paddlers are incredible. They are so talented, versatile and skilled. It is a brutal game and it just blows me away how good these guys were.
Kayaking back on the Central Coast
I met up with Mark late one afternoon/night for a quick paddle and to give him back his Van Dusen (he needed it for a race). I paddled the VD and he paddled the club K1 and as soon as we started I felt like I was so unfit. He was having no trouble keeping up with me and I was puffing the whole way. However, when we met up with Greg up at the lake and he paddled back with us, he was finding it challenging to keep up with us in his TK1, so that made me feel better. Once back at the put-in spot (and in the dark) I asked Mark about how fast he thought we were going. His comment was that he was "having a go". Thank goodness...I thought I was just paddling really bad.
Saturday 18th April
Went for a paddle with Anton in the afternoon. I'd been having stomach cramps (and other gut related issues) since Friday and was feeling a bit nauseous, but thought I'd be alright. Bad move. I felt really crap the whole way. Paddling the club K1 was NOT fun and I felt so slow. Luckily (for me) Anton was unwell too, so we both felt like crap together. We ended up paddling alright, but it didn't feel alright.
Today
So after a couple of days recovering from whatever I had, I'm now feeling like I can start training again this week. Tonight is the information session for the World Masters Games and I'm looking forward to this. I'm sure I'll know most of it, but it's nice to go along and maybe respark the motivation.
Ok...now I'm all back and up to date. Look forward to more regular blog entries now. :)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Back into running
After several weeks of not running due to my injured back, I finally headed out for a slow short jog this morning. I pushed Clayton in the pram and Connor rode his bike. The plan was to do 10 minutes and I was amazed at how quickly I had lost my running fitness. I felt ok, but was glad I didn't have to go any longer. I'll have to slowly increase my time/distance again over a couple of weeks. It's soooo frustrating to feel like this again, after I was going so well.
Swimming with the Van Dusan and getting chased by a man with a fish
Jack and Jen joined me for an early morning paddle on Sunday morning. They were trying out a Sladecraft Supersonic and this was my first session back in the Van Dusan after paddling the Struer for a few weeks and at State. Wow...how quickly you lose the feel for a tippy K1. I was all over the place. I think the problem was that I was trying to do the same good technique that I used in the Struer (more rotation, straighter arms, more length at the catch, higher top hand), and in the Van Dusan my balance wasn't quite good enough to do it.
It was all quite funny really, with Jack calling out every km or so "Ahhh, Jen...what are you doing?" as they were trying to get used to the tippier double, and me calling out Aaaarrrghhhh, and $hit etc every couple of hundred metres as I had to do a brace stroke or lost my technique. Anyway, up near the lake a boat came past us (same direction) and the tiny ripples were enough to land me in the drink. De-ja-vue from State. So it looks like I'm back to swimming in the Van Dusan again. I guess it'll take me a few weeks to get back to the level I was at before I switched to the Struer. But it will be worth it...if I can master the Van Dusan by World Masters I will fly in it!
After the usual re-entry (which I'm getting rather good at now), I felt slow and asked Jack what speed he thought we were doing. With his reply of 10.5-11km/hr I felt much better. Seems I'm paddling better than I thought after all.
We headed back to the boat ramp and Greg Slade paddled from his house and met us there. I had to leave to go to another children's Birthday Party, and Anton and Greg were joining Jack and Jen to head back out into the lake. As Greg and I were standing knee deep at the waters edge he noticed a large fish "doing a handstand" in the water near us. It didn't look too well, and with a huge bite already out of it Greg set about catching it. What a sight...with Greg running through the water holding and using his paddle like a spear taking occasional whacks and scoops at the fish. After a while and with a shout of "I've got it" he brought it over on his paddle to show us. My comment was "eeeuuuuwwwww,yuk" and so for the next minute he chased after me with the fish on the paddle. I ran to grab my paddle and used it to defend myself with Greg pretending to throw the fish at me. Sooooo funny.
The fish was then returned to the water and Jack and Jen, Anton and Greg headed off towards the lake.
It was all quite funny really, with Jack calling out every km or so "Ahhh, Jen...what are you doing?" as they were trying to get used to the tippier double, and me calling out Aaaarrrghhhh, and $hit etc every couple of hundred metres as I had to do a brace stroke or lost my technique. Anyway, up near the lake a boat came past us (same direction) and the tiny ripples were enough to land me in the drink. De-ja-vue from State. So it looks like I'm back to swimming in the Van Dusan again. I guess it'll take me a few weeks to get back to the level I was at before I switched to the Struer. But it will be worth it...if I can master the Van Dusan by World Masters I will fly in it!
After the usual re-entry (which I'm getting rather good at now), I felt slow and asked Jack what speed he thought we were doing. With his reply of 10.5-11km/hr I felt much better. Seems I'm paddling better than I thought after all.
We headed back to the boat ramp and Greg Slade paddled from his house and met us there. I had to leave to go to another children's Birthday Party, and Anton and Greg were joining Jack and Jen to head back out into the lake. As Greg and I were standing knee deep at the waters edge he noticed a large fish "doing a handstand" in the water near us. It didn't look too well, and with a huge bite already out of it Greg set about catching it. What a sight...with Greg running through the water holding and using his paddle like a spear taking occasional whacks and scoops at the fish. After a while and with a shout of "I've got it" he brought it over on his paddle to show us. My comment was "eeeuuuuwwwww,yuk" and so for the next minute he chased after me with the fish on the paddle. I ran to grab my paddle and used it to defend myself with Greg pretending to throw the fish at me. Sooooo funny.
The fish was then returned to the water and Jack and Jen, Anton and Greg headed off towards the lake.
Friday, March 27, 2009
State Marathon Championships 09: Day 2 Race Report
After ensuring that I reloaded up on carbs and had an early night to bed, I woke up feeling excited about racing in the TK2 with Mick. I felt refreshed and ready to go. I knew it was going to be fun and couldn't wait to have a good hit out against Dave and Leah, Craig and Liz, and Mark and David (all from the Central Coast Canoe Club) and Liz Van Reece and John McIntosh also in a TK2. I expected some serious racing and tactics, and thought that Mick and I would do well together again.
This was only the 2nd time Mick and I had ever paddled in a kayak together and just like last time we clicked straight away. Our warm-up went really well and I was feeling confident. At the start we all lined up together and the mood was great. Off we went and Dave and Leah took off. The 3 remaining crews soon settled into positions with Mick and I taking the lead and the other 2 crews wash-riding us.
With Dave and Leah in Dave's new TK2 their turns were amazing and they gained on us each time. Occassionally we would get within reach, but would lose too much ground on the turns again. I think we were paddling about the same speed, but they increased their distance on us with each turn. We dropped back to try and wash ride one of the other kayaks, but everytime we did this the other kayaks would slow down and Dave and Leah would get even further ahead. I think that if we had all worked together a bit better we would have been able to catch them, but as it turned out most of the race was spent with the other 2 kayaks wash riding us, and as hard as we tried we could not catch up to Dave and Leah on our own.
Towards the end of the second lap (half-way into the race), a speedboat came past and the other 2 crews (Craig and Liz, Mark and Dave) didn't stay with us through it, so Mick and I took the opportunity and made a move. Within about 30 seconds we had made enough of a lead and got them off our washride and we just kept getting further in front of them from that point on. By the end of the 3rd lap we had a significant lead on them and knew they couldn't catch us. So in retrospect I think that they didn't take over the lead place and let us wash-ride them because they were probably struggling to keep up with us as it was.
Now that we were well and truly on our own we again busted our butts to try and catch Dave and Leah, but every metre we made up we lost again on the next turn. Half way through the last lap we realised we couldn't catch them and eased off a bit. The others were way behind us, it was amazing how much distance we had made on them in just over a lap, and we finished a strong second to win the silver medal. Dave and Leah did 1:47:41, we finished only 50 seconds behind in 1:48:31, Mark and Dave finished almost 2 minutes behind us in 1:50:17 and Craig and Liz in 1:50:39.
Considering we were hoping to do 1:50:00 Mick and I were stoked with our time. And considering it was only our 2nd time paddling together I think we did amazingly well. Throughout the race, without even speaking I could feel what Mick was trying to do...increase rate, increase pressure, surge, ease off. He didn't have to say anything, I could just tell by the feel of it. Our timing was great and I really think we paddle well together. I hope we get the opportunity to do it again, because I think with experience we could be very good.
This was only the 2nd time Mick and I had ever paddled in a kayak together and just like last time we clicked straight away. Our warm-up went really well and I was feeling confident. At the start we all lined up together and the mood was great. Off we went and Dave and Leah took off. The 3 remaining crews soon settled into positions with Mick and I taking the lead and the other 2 crews wash-riding us.
With Dave and Leah in Dave's new TK2 their turns were amazing and they gained on us each time. Occassionally we would get within reach, but would lose too much ground on the turns again. I think we were paddling about the same speed, but they increased their distance on us with each turn. We dropped back to try and wash ride one of the other kayaks, but everytime we did this the other kayaks would slow down and Dave and Leah would get even further ahead. I think that if we had all worked together a bit better we would have been able to catch them, but as it turned out most of the race was spent with the other 2 kayaks wash riding us, and as hard as we tried we could not catch up to Dave and Leah on our own.
Towards the end of the second lap (half-way into the race), a speedboat came past and the other 2 crews (Craig and Liz, Mark and Dave) didn't stay with us through it, so Mick and I took the opportunity and made a move. Within about 30 seconds we had made enough of a lead and got them off our washride and we just kept getting further in front of them from that point on. By the end of the 3rd lap we had a significant lead on them and knew they couldn't catch us. So in retrospect I think that they didn't take over the lead place and let us wash-ride them because they were probably struggling to keep up with us as it was.
Now that we were well and truly on our own we again busted our butts to try and catch Dave and Leah, but every metre we made up we lost again on the next turn. Half way through the last lap we realised we couldn't catch them and eased off a bit. The others were way behind us, it was amazing how much distance we had made on them in just over a lap, and we finished a strong second to win the silver medal. Dave and Leah did 1:47:41, we finished only 50 seconds behind in 1:48:31, Mark and Dave finished almost 2 minutes behind us in 1:50:17 and Craig and Liz in 1:50:39.
Considering we were hoping to do 1:50:00 Mick and I were stoked with our time. And considering it was only our 2nd time paddling together I think we did amazingly well. Throughout the race, without even speaking I could feel what Mick was trying to do...increase rate, increase pressure, surge, ease off. He didn't have to say anything, I could just tell by the feel of it. Our timing was great and I really think we paddle well together. I hope we get the opportunity to do it again, because I think with experience we could be very good.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
State Marathon Championships: Day 1 Race Report
Singles events were on this morning and I started off at 10:04am in the Open Womens K1 (me and only 1 other competitor) with the Under 23 Womens K1 (Elizabeth Dodd from our club and 1 other competitor) starting with us as well. A pretty disappointing turn up for all events I must say.
I aimed to start conservatively and was slow off the start (better to stay upright and lose a couple of metres). Straight away the 2 elite women bolted and that was pretty much the last Lizz and I saw of them the whole race (other than turns of course). They were just too superior and it was pretty much what I expected to happen. So it was me and Lizz paddling fairly close together for the race. I was feeling good and by the end of the first lap I had caught up to Liz (after my slow start) and we went into the portage together. By the end of the portage she had gained a lot of distance on me, but I caught her back up by the end of the second lap. The second portage was the same, but she gained even more distance and I couldn't catch her. However on the 3rd portage she didn't do so well and we left the beach together. I decided to wash ride her (technically I wasn't meant to but everyone else was doing the same thing) and the first part of the 4th lap was spent with me wash riding her, and some guy wash riding me. I started to feel really good and strong and had planned to let her rest behind me after the turn around and then after the last portage to let it be every man/woman for themselves, but 200 metres from the turn disaster struck...
The whole race we were cursed by speed boats and water skiers. They were very inconsiderate and even sped up when they got near us. I can't believe that they were allowed on the river - it was really quite dangerous. I had coped with all this wash extremely well, but this time we had 2 boats come past from behind us who sped up when then reached us. It created 2 lots of enormous following wash. I coped with the first lot well as I had time to turn towards the bank a bit, but at one point the cockpit was even in the water. I had never paddled on wash so big! The second lot was the end of me. I was still paddling in the direction of the wash but the waves just turned the kayak and spun it sideways and flipped me over. I have no idea how Liz didn't fall in - much better skill I suppose. But then again I think it was just bad luck for me.
I was pretty pi$$ed off. I swam for shore and soon discovered that eventhough it was shallow water the mud/silt was knee deep. I had no hope of getting back in on my own. Every time I managed to brace my paddle on a rock and get a leg in, the other leg would sink in the mud and I would tip back over. I tried in vain for a while and then finally a safety boat saw me and came over. After several amusing attempts for them to help me (which included them drifting 30 metres down the river with my paddle), they finally managed to help me get back in. In all, it was at least 15 minutes spent until I was back in the K1. Soooooo frustrating. I really had only 2 options. To end my race there and then with a DNF (which really wasn't an option for me) or to keep going. So I kept going. I was so far behind by now it was embarrassing, but I came in for the last portage and everyone was cheering me and encouraging me, so off I went on my final lap and paddled hard till the end.
It was so frustrating to paddle so hard and well for so long, to have it end like that so close to the finish. I always knew that I wouldn't win - that wasn't the issue - I had wanted to paddle well and see what kind of time I could do for the distance. And when Liz and I were so close it turned into a race between us (eventhough we were in different classes) and I had hoped to finish close to her or even beat her. Oh well. At least I can look at her time and have a vague idea as to what time I would have done.
So I got a silver medal in a time of 2:46:08 (hr:min:sec) for 25km with 4 portages. Liz did 2:38:30, which I know I could have done without the capsize. I think she probably eased off a bit when she saw I'd disappeared and would have gone faster than that if I'd still been on her tail.
But, all in all I'm happy with how I paddled and coped with most of the wash and conditions. My portages were slow, but for my first time I think I did well. So other than the capsize I'm pleased with my race.
I aimed to start conservatively and was slow off the start (better to stay upright and lose a couple of metres). Straight away the 2 elite women bolted and that was pretty much the last Lizz and I saw of them the whole race (other than turns of course). They were just too superior and it was pretty much what I expected to happen. So it was me and Lizz paddling fairly close together for the race. I was feeling good and by the end of the first lap I had caught up to Liz (after my slow start) and we went into the portage together. By the end of the portage she had gained a lot of distance on me, but I caught her back up by the end of the second lap. The second portage was the same, but she gained even more distance and I couldn't catch her. However on the 3rd portage she didn't do so well and we left the beach together. I decided to wash ride her (technically I wasn't meant to but everyone else was doing the same thing) and the first part of the 4th lap was spent with me wash riding her, and some guy wash riding me. I started to feel really good and strong and had planned to let her rest behind me after the turn around and then after the last portage to let it be every man/woman for themselves, but 200 metres from the turn disaster struck...
The whole race we were cursed by speed boats and water skiers. They were very inconsiderate and even sped up when they got near us. I can't believe that they were allowed on the river - it was really quite dangerous. I had coped with all this wash extremely well, but this time we had 2 boats come past from behind us who sped up when then reached us. It created 2 lots of enormous following wash. I coped with the first lot well as I had time to turn towards the bank a bit, but at one point the cockpit was even in the water. I had never paddled on wash so big! The second lot was the end of me. I was still paddling in the direction of the wash but the waves just turned the kayak and spun it sideways and flipped me over. I have no idea how Liz didn't fall in - much better skill I suppose. But then again I think it was just bad luck for me.
I was pretty pi$$ed off. I swam for shore and soon discovered that eventhough it was shallow water the mud/silt was knee deep. I had no hope of getting back in on my own. Every time I managed to brace my paddle on a rock and get a leg in, the other leg would sink in the mud and I would tip back over. I tried in vain for a while and then finally a safety boat saw me and came over. After several amusing attempts for them to help me (which included them drifting 30 metres down the river with my paddle), they finally managed to help me get back in. In all, it was at least 15 minutes spent until I was back in the K1. Soooooo frustrating. I really had only 2 options. To end my race there and then with a DNF (which really wasn't an option for me) or to keep going. So I kept going. I was so far behind by now it was embarrassing, but I came in for the last portage and everyone was cheering me and encouraging me, so off I went on my final lap and paddled hard till the end.
It was so frustrating to paddle so hard and well for so long, to have it end like that so close to the finish. I always knew that I wouldn't win - that wasn't the issue - I had wanted to paddle well and see what kind of time I could do for the distance. And when Liz and I were so close it turned into a race between us (eventhough we were in different classes) and I had hoped to finish close to her or even beat her. Oh well. At least I can look at her time and have a vague idea as to what time I would have done.
So I got a silver medal in a time of 2:46:08 (hr:min:sec) for 25km with 4 portages. Liz did 2:38:30, which I know I could have done without the capsize. I think she probably eased off a bit when she saw I'd disappeared and would have gone faster than that if I'd still been on her tail.
But, all in all I'm happy with how I paddled and coped with most of the wash and conditions. My portages were slow, but for my first time I think I did well. So other than the capsize I'm pleased with my race.
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