21st March must be just as cold as in early January! I know this, because after training tonight on my ride home, I realised I couldn't feel my feet to pull them out of the toeclips! Oops.
But it's almost the end of March and I swear every single Tuesday and Thursday night since 8th Jan has been cold and wet...and 50/50 windy. Saturday paddles are often barmy in comparision. I do hope April realises that it is Spring and that means sun and warmth!!!
Despite this, some fantastic news from our training, we are paddling smoother and faster. We were in an Old Town tonight as Fifty would not doubt have sent us swimming. Bit of a slower canoe and in Jan it took us an hour to do 8 laps of the basin. Tonight we did 10 laps per hour. That's 5 miles in 1.5 hours with no flow, wind and 8 x 90 degree turns. I should also point out that Sarah had flown back from intensive work in Gibraltar just in time for our training so was a bit tired! Also, I have a sneaking suspicion her back still isn't 100% so her committment right now is really inspiring me to keep my stroke rate up and not be a wimp!
I am feeling very positive, even though my feet haven't warmed up and my red wine should be replaced by a warm shower. I'm putting it off though as I know from experience, showering while this cold actually hurts as you try and warm up. Positives for the night run down 30 Mile River if we are already used to mild hypothermia!!
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Marsport..not as scary as I thought!
Being a recreational paddler I never expected to find myself at Marsport. For the UK Marathon and sprint canoe/kayak following they know all about it but for the rest of the world and mere mortals it seems to be the home for marathon racing.
Marsport is positioned in Reading on the banks of the Thames at Dreadnaught Reach, which is where folk paddling in the Devizes to Westminster canoe race get a hot meal before starting the overnight section of the challenge. It's also where the day support crew swap and handover to the night crew. Having done day support a couple of times I'm used to seeing the field in front of the Waterside Centre covered in mini camps attempting to boil water and make hi-carb meals before their racers come in.
Saturday morning was much quieter but this is still a technical racing place with lots of serious racing boats about - in for fixing and lots of friendly faces. They design and build there too - clever folk.
Turns out Paul who coaches sit and switch was fooled (or more likely is the only person who so far has got us right) by our relaxed attitude into initially thinking we were a pair of numpties with no idea. After a while we persuaded him this wasn't the case and we were particularly pleased by the reassurance he seemed to have for us by the end of the session that we were going to have a great time and that the paddling skills were certainly there (slightly reassuring since I've been an L2 coach for 4 years now).
We played on his canoe ergo (I want one) and then did a few ups and downs on the Thames with me destroying a paddle in the process
To date our paddling style has really been a tweaked touring style but we have been told now to dab more at the water. Increased stroke rate and dabs raise the boat (lessening friction I guess) and without extra oomph you go faster. To minimise steering you then switch more often. Our typical switch length at the moment has been 1/3 mile and now we are onto twenty max. Now we just need to get to a point where we can estimate so we don't spend 31/2 days counting to twenty. Esther isn't keen on having to call hut every twenty either
Whilst at Marsport we got us some technical paddles - British made bent shaft by Streamlyte which Paul cut down to size and told us how to alter if we need to before shrink wrapping the handle cover on. Look we now look almost professional at this!
Having got the paddle home and carefully examined it - its technical - almost seems to be the canoe equivalent of a racing wing paddle - I love it.
After being put through our paces we decided to head for a paddle and the plan was to head down and turn around at Henley (of the Regatta). On this stretch we paddled past the homes of the rich and famous and saw Paul Daniels in his garden in a lilac jumper (no sign of the lovely Debbie). I already knew his magic is not that strong anymore as he has previously asked us to help with untying a rope across the inlet to his boathouse.
However - no stopping us, we looked to see where the next train station was - Marlow - so off we went. From setting off at about 12.45 we arrived in Marlow - 17 miles later - at 16.41 and that includes portaging - a couple of looks at the map to re-plan the route and eating. Ok so there was flow on the river but given we were trialling a new style of paddling I'm happy.
What this does mean is that our next full Saturday paddle is the thirty mile one. I realise these distances are much smaller than the Yukon but the Thames is a lazy river and whilst you do, in the main, get some push it's not a great deal so there is no way we could cover the same kind of distances.
Esther relaxing and showing off her un-matching shoe/outfit combo on the train home.
Marsport is positioned in Reading on the banks of the Thames at Dreadnaught Reach, which is where folk paddling in the Devizes to Westminster canoe race get a hot meal before starting the overnight section of the challenge. It's also where the day support crew swap and handover to the night crew. Having done day support a couple of times I'm used to seeing the field in front of the Waterside Centre covered in mini camps attempting to boil water and make hi-carb meals before their racers come in.
Saturday morning was much quieter but this is still a technical racing place with lots of serious racing boats about - in for fixing and lots of friendly faces. They design and build there too - clever folk.
Turns out Paul who coaches sit and switch was fooled (or more likely is the only person who so far has got us right) by our relaxed attitude into initially thinking we were a pair of numpties with no idea. After a while we persuaded him this wasn't the case and we were particularly pleased by the reassurance he seemed to have for us by the end of the session that we were going to have a great time and that the paddling skills were certainly there (slightly reassuring since I've been an L2 coach for 4 years now).
We played on his canoe ergo (I want one) and then did a few ups and downs on the Thames with me destroying a paddle in the process
To date our paddling style has really been a tweaked touring style but we have been told now to dab more at the water. Increased stroke rate and dabs raise the boat (lessening friction I guess) and without extra oomph you go faster. To minimise steering you then switch more often. Our typical switch length at the moment has been 1/3 mile and now we are onto twenty max. Now we just need to get to a point where we can estimate so we don't spend 31/2 days counting to twenty. Esther isn't keen on having to call hut every twenty either
Whilst at Marsport we got us some technical paddles - British made bent shaft by Streamlyte which Paul cut down to size and told us how to alter if we need to before shrink wrapping the handle cover on. Look we now look almost professional at this!
After being put through our paces we decided to head for a paddle and the plan was to head down and turn around at Henley (of the Regatta). On this stretch we paddled past the homes of the rich and famous and saw Paul Daniels in his garden in a lilac jumper (no sign of the lovely Debbie). I already knew his magic is not that strong anymore as he has previously asked us to help with untying a rope across the inlet to his boathouse.
However - no stopping us, we looked to see where the next train station was - Marlow - so off we went. From setting off at about 12.45 we arrived in Marlow - 17 miles later - at 16.41 and that includes portaging - a couple of looks at the map to re-plan the route and eating. Ok so there was flow on the river but given we were trialling a new style of paddling I'm happy.
 |
| This is how we travel to and from the river - boats on trains! |
What this does mean is that our next full Saturday paddle is the thirty mile one. I realise these distances are much smaller than the Yukon but the Thames is a lazy river and whilst you do, in the main, get some push it's not a great deal so there is no way we could cover the same kind of distances.
Esther relaxing and showing off her un-matching shoe/outfit combo on the train home.
Thursday, 14 March 2013
Oh Fifty, Fifty Shades of Wetter!
Things have been going well with Sarah and I along paddling and training lines.
I had my first personal trainer experience at Parliament Hill Fields last week as I joined Sarah on her usual weekly proactive physical development regime. The down side of cycling up hill for 30 mins to get there and then doing numerous squat jumps only became apparent to me at the end of the hour as I stamped on my pedals hard to avoid being run over - and well, I was walking funny for a few days!
Sarah's back seems a bit better, at least it is when she is paddling, so I assume that means we need to be in the canoe more?
However, I've had a few thoughts about this training malarky and am planning changes. Firstly, I suggested getting up at stupid o'clock and paddling around our lovely basin before work as sometimes the rushing from work to get on the water as close to 6:30pm as possible and then not getting off till 9pm or home till after 10pm can be tiring.
I don't like getting up out of my bed so that might not be a goer.
Secondly, we are getting close to Easter and the need to be paddling for longer. So, our weekends are organised from now until after the Race. But I need all these extra practice time to work out what to eat...no really I do.
I like strawberry jam (my Mom's) and strong cheddar cheese sandwiches but I savour the taste too much so while I eat one Sarah downs a flask of meatballs and sauce. So while quickly choking on a hard-boiled egg I successfully slow us down for 10 minutes. The Pakboat does jerk around if I have a coughing fit at the back.
Anyway, mainly I am procrastinating due to embarrassment from the event referred to in Sarah's comments on the previous post!
It was a dark and stormy night and the woman at the back shouted "brake". So the woman at the front paddled in reverse (action here...fast C2 heading at 45 degrees towards pontoon) and the woman at the back shouted "brake" while the woman at the front then paddled forward (action here...faster C2 heading towards pontoon). And if you can imagine, that dark night, that murky shiny water calling you and underneath you Fifty is ever charging on. To be fair, that's all I remember before I fell in, about 6 inches away from the pontoon and at the end of a 8.6mile paddle.
Downside of a C2, if one goes in the other pretty much has to fall in too. It's the camraderie of this training that I really appreciate although you'll have to ask Sarah for a more detailed tale of that. After all, she was at the back steering so could see every stroke or non-stroke I made!
Our next brave idea is to have some formal coaching on our technique and hopefully this happens on Saturday. I'm so looking forward to this but it'll be odd, learning how 'real' marathon canoeists go at it! Bet they don't have to worry about how fast they can eat cheese and jam sandwiches. (I'm in training for that too, just in case you were doubting my commitment to the Yukon River Quest...)
I had my first personal trainer experience at Parliament Hill Fields last week as I joined Sarah on her usual weekly proactive physical development regime. The down side of cycling up hill for 30 mins to get there and then doing numerous squat jumps only became apparent to me at the end of the hour as I stamped on my pedals hard to avoid being run over - and well, I was walking funny for a few days!
Sarah's back seems a bit better, at least it is when she is paddling, so I assume that means we need to be in the canoe more?
However, I've had a few thoughts about this training malarky and am planning changes. Firstly, I suggested getting up at stupid o'clock and paddling around our lovely basin before work as sometimes the rushing from work to get on the water as close to 6:30pm as possible and then not getting off till 9pm or home till after 10pm can be tiring.
Shadwell Basin, Tower Hamlets, London. 6 January 2006. Photographer: Fin Fahey
I don't like getting up out of my bed so that might not be a goer.
Secondly, we are getting close to Easter and the need to be paddling for longer. So, our weekends are organised from now until after the Race. But I need all these extra practice time to work out what to eat...no really I do.
I like strawberry jam (my Mom's) and strong cheddar cheese sandwiches but I savour the taste too much so while I eat one Sarah downs a flask of meatballs and sauce. So while quickly choking on a hard-boiled egg I successfully slow us down for 10 minutes. The Pakboat does jerk around if I have a coughing fit at the back.
Anyway, mainly I am procrastinating due to embarrassment from the event referred to in Sarah's comments on the previous post!
It was a dark and stormy night and the woman at the back shouted "brake". So the woman at the front paddled in reverse (action here...fast C2 heading at 45 degrees towards pontoon) and the woman at the back shouted "brake" while the woman at the front then paddled forward (action here...faster C2 heading towards pontoon). And if you can imagine, that dark night, that murky shiny water calling you and underneath you Fifty is ever charging on. To be fair, that's all I remember before I fell in, about 6 inches away from the pontoon and at the end of a 8.6mile paddle.
Downside of a C2, if one goes in the other pretty much has to fall in too. It's the camraderie of this training that I really appreciate although you'll have to ask Sarah for a more detailed tale of that. After all, she was at the back steering so could see every stroke or non-stroke I made!
Our next brave idea is to have some formal coaching on our technique and hopefully this happens on Saturday. I'm so looking forward to this but it'll be odd, learning how 'real' marathon canoeists go at it! Bet they don't have to worry about how fast they can eat cheese and jam sandwiches. (I'm in training for that too, just in case you were doubting my commitment to the Yukon River Quest...)
Saturday, 9 March 2013
First time fifty
I'm afraid this is an old one we have had in draft for a while:
It had to be done - we had to leave the safety of the Old Town Discovery and actually get in Fifty (our ultra tipsy proper racing canoe purchased on ebay for £210 - bargain). Tuesday was as good as any day as there was no ice on the basin.
Needless to say that we had managed to paddle all of 5m away from the pontoon before we were swimming towards the pontoon with the boat on the end of a bit of string.
The second attempt was much more successful and we got 13.5 times round the basin when we managed to take a turn for the worse and once again found ourselves swimming - at the furthest possible point from where we got in.
Sarah Likes swimming - she did a relay swim of the channel in September and still seems to be cold water acclimatised. Esther seemed less keen. After hanging onto a ladder, dragging the boat in, getting tangled in fishing line and emptying Fifty we got back in and made it without further incident back to the hot showers.
We're quite impressed by our efforts as it was clear from the shape of the hull that she was going to be a little sharp. A day on my stomach muscles feel as though they have been put through their paces (they are in there somewhere) and there is more wet kit about but we are feeling positive. We know that the Clipper Jensen we have hired for the race has a flatter hull and a higher freeboard so if we can cope with Fifty we can cope with anything.
Fifty does now seem to be a more appropriate name that it did before - we're not quite sure if she gives us more pleasure than pain - as she's a smooth runner but dumping you in the drink isn't favourable. She has been slightly abused in the past although some of these were improvements but we are trying to keep this family friendly so that's as far as I'm going!
We have now been out again together and Sarah also persuaded Luke from the canoe club to take several spins round the basin on a Tuesday night. We are now MUCH more comfortable in her and know that she is a lot more unstable than the Clipper Jensen we'll be using in the race. We can now even wobble a bit without fear.
This week we did 24 laps in fifty but Esther isn't allowed to turn around to talk to the people we pass .
It had to be done - we had to leave the safety of the Old Town Discovery and actually get in Fifty (our ultra tipsy proper racing canoe purchased on ebay for £210 - bargain). Tuesday was as good as any day as there was no ice on the basin.
Needless to say that we had managed to paddle all of 5m away from the pontoon before we were swimming towards the pontoon with the boat on the end of a bit of string.
The second attempt was much more successful and we got 13.5 times round the basin when we managed to take a turn for the worse and once again found ourselves swimming - at the furthest possible point from where we got in.
Sarah Likes swimming - she did a relay swim of the channel in September and still seems to be cold water acclimatised. Esther seemed less keen. After hanging onto a ladder, dragging the boat in, getting tangled in fishing line and emptying Fifty we got back in and made it without further incident back to the hot showers.
We're quite impressed by our efforts as it was clear from the shape of the hull that she was going to be a little sharp. A day on my stomach muscles feel as though they have been put through their paces (they are in there somewhere) and there is more wet kit about but we are feeling positive. We know that the Clipper Jensen we have hired for the race has a flatter hull and a higher freeboard so if we can cope with Fifty we can cope with anything.
Fifty does now seem to be a more appropriate name that it did before - we're not quite sure if she gives us more pleasure than pain - as she's a smooth runner but dumping you in the drink isn't favourable. She has been slightly abused in the past although some of these were improvements but we are trying to keep this family friendly so that's as far as I'm going!
We have now been out again together and Sarah also persuaded Luke from the canoe club to take several spins round the basin on a Tuesday night. We are now MUCH more comfortable in her and know that she is a lot more unstable than the Clipper Jensen we'll be using in the race. We can now even wobble a bit without fear.
This week we did 24 laps in fifty but Esther isn't allowed to turn around to talk to the people we pass .
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Indoor padding
Saturday we had a short wizz round the basin so I could get my back up and working again. At the basin it was snowing - big fluffy lumps of snow and some folk from our club were out doing their level one coaching course so we did our best to complete our measured circuit without getting in their way.
After a couple of hours on the water we spent some time with the official race maps and google maps plotting the paddle and distances to certain places. This means that as we go we are able to determine how well we are keeping to time. We tried to do this as authentically as possible whilst drinking tea and eating the remaining Christmas cake in my living room. Ok I'll admit that it all descended into silliness when Dan suggested that I should be wearing my canoeing hat.
Breaking it down into chunks makes it look a lot more do-able although the 8 hours we expect to spend on the lake is not overly welcome.
I suspect that getting over the lake will need my entire Abba medley which I kindly demo'd to keep me going as the painkillers started to wear off. I feel sorry for Esther at times like that trapped in a boat whilst I warble along.
Now just down the road from our basin is Greenwich where this was recorded. I think we need to get out on the river to test our resolve against the seal who clearly wants a water fight!
After a couple of hours on the water we spent some time with the official race maps and google maps plotting the paddle and distances to certain places. This means that as we go we are able to determine how well we are keeping to time. We tried to do this as authentically as possible whilst drinking tea and eating the remaining Christmas cake in my living room. Ok I'll admit that it all descended into silliness when Dan suggested that I should be wearing my canoeing hat.
I suspect that getting over the lake will need my entire Abba medley which I kindly demo'd to keep me going as the painkillers started to wear off. I feel sorry for Esther at times like that trapped in a boat whilst I warble along.
Now just down the road from our basin is Greenwich where this was recorded. I think we need to get out on the river to test our resolve against the seal who clearly wants a water fight!Saturday, 23 February 2013
Plumbing
Last Thursday I was woken by my downstairs neighbour as she had water coming through her ceiling. I had a coating of water all over my kitchen floor.
After investigation and several bottles of sink degunker we worked out that the drain was blocked with solid stuff so the u bend had to come off.
Friday before work saw me in my pj's under the sink unscrewing the u-bend and other sections of plumbing, removing the grit (which I suspect has been washed out of my paddling clothes by the washing machine) and putting it all back together again.
Saturday I was stiff, Sunday stiffer and by Monday barely walking. A trip to the docs sees me with good painkillers and a series of appointments with the physio.
Plumbing has now resulted in two missed paddle sessions and today demoted to a gentle session round the basin.
Why, oh Why is it that I don't hurt myself paddling but doing something ridiculous.
After investigation and several bottles of sink degunker we worked out that the drain was blocked with solid stuff so the u bend had to come off.
Friday before work saw me in my pj's under the sink unscrewing the u-bend and other sections of plumbing, removing the grit (which I suspect has been washed out of my paddling clothes by the washing machine) and putting it all back together again.
Saturday I was stiff, Sunday stiffer and by Monday barely walking. A trip to the docs sees me with good painkillers and a series of appointments with the physio.
Plumbing has now resulted in two missed paddle sessions and today demoted to a gentle session round the basin.
Why, oh Why is it that I don't hurt myself paddling but doing something ridiculous.
Sunday, 17 February 2013
Why did I think I could paddle? And can you help?!
Now, this isn't such a ridiculous question as you may think - although this post is all about me! Poor Sarah just has to put up with me being crap at the mo (or, in reality, turning her head from the bow position every time I screw up. She's like an owl!)
Starting out on this race prep I wasn't that worried about my canoeing ability. I knew I'd be learning more about racing techniques and how to paddle consistently and efficiently with Sarah. However, somehow I thought I could actually paddle well enough to just 'pick this up'.
Turns out I couldn't have been more wrong.
I was originally very worried that physically this would be just impossible and that I'd spend the whole training time struggling to keep up.
Well, that was rubbish too.
Physically, I am mostly okay. That isn't to say it is not hard work, it really is. A couple of weeks ago I mostly wanted to be sick from the pain in my lower back (wasn't rotating properly). However, I don't mind and can push myself here - as Sarah can, so we really train well together in this aspect and will push one another.
My technique, well it is just rubbish. How I thought I could canoe is beyond me!
In no particular order to be fair, these are the elements I am rubbish at:
So, how do we break down these obstacles into bite-sized bits, into mini challenges that can be thought through, analysed and solved?
We are going to get a marathon canoe expert to have a look at our paddling but it behoves me in particular, to at least get the basics right before-hand.
But, what other recommendations do you all have?
For example, do we continue training to ensure that both are us can equally paddle in the bow and stern or should we specialise now?
And, should I dedicate some time to paddling solo to improve my overall technique and sterring ability?
Starting out on this race prep I wasn't that worried about my canoeing ability. I knew I'd be learning more about racing techniques and how to paddle consistently and efficiently with Sarah. However, somehow I thought I could actually paddle well enough to just 'pick this up'.
Turns out I couldn't have been more wrong.
I was originally very worried that physically this would be just impossible and that I'd spend the whole training time struggling to keep up.
Well, that was rubbish too.
Physically, I am mostly okay. That isn't to say it is not hard work, it really is. A couple of weeks ago I mostly wanted to be sick from the pain in my lower back (wasn't rotating properly). However, I don't mind and can push myself here - as Sarah can, so we really train well together in this aspect and will push one another.
My technique, well it is just rubbish. How I thought I could canoe is beyond me!
In no particular order to be fair, these are the elements I am rubbish at:
- To have the same paddling technique on both sides - I know, don't ask me why I can't be the same either way!
- Steering - oh my, all I do is brake the boat
- Power - I rock the boat back and forth so we are mostly plowing towards the bottom of the river. If not doing that, I rock sidewards!
- Paddling at the back, I can't paddle and steer efficiently so have to put less effect in to avoid turning the boat too much, hence slowing us down.
So, how do we break down these obstacles into bite-sized bits, into mini challenges that can be thought through, analysed and solved?
We are going to get a marathon canoe expert to have a look at our paddling but it behoves me in particular, to at least get the basics right before-hand.
But, what other recommendations do you all have?
For example, do we continue training to ensure that both are us can equally paddle in the bow and stern or should we specialise now?
And, should I dedicate some time to paddling solo to improve my overall technique and sterring ability?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)