My first long distance kayak race has come and gone. I feel really good that I accomplished some goals and also was much faster than I anticipated. But it is also a bit of a letdown because I really don't have a goal to train for anymore to keep me motivated to work out.
I learned quite a few things during the 16 hours and 31 minutes that I was paddling. Here are just a few thoughts that I still remember:
-When you find a 3/4" crack in your brand new $400 carbon fiber paddle the night before the race, you will loose quite a bit of sleep worrying about it.
-Guys in 10' plastic sit on top kayaks think that they actually have a chance to win the race and MUST get a spot in the front of the starting group.
-Those same guys realize after 50 yards that they have no chance.
-Having to stop too many times for bathroom breaks is a much better alternative to cramping from dehydration.
-I can paddle about 50 miles in about 8 hours and 15 minutes. The top paddlers in the competitive class (and in the world) can do it in 6 hours and 15 minutes....they be fast.
-Scott Cleland is an awesome friend and team captain that kept me hydrated and nourished.
-92 degrees and sunny is a walk in the park compared to 105 degrees and sunny. The out of state paddlers didn't quite share my feelings on this point....
-After non stop paddling while eating Cliff bars for 10 hours, your stomach won't thank you. Hammer gel goes down easy though.
-I can paddle over a large log with a ripping current in the middle of the night and not flip. The California guy who was following me can't say that however....
-Never trust someone who has been "befriending" you for the last 30 miles because they have no bow light. He said that he would let me finish first when we got to the end because I helped him all night long. But he quickly crossed the finish ahead of me when we got there....
-To finish in 25th place overall out of 250 boats, and 10 place in my class out of 95+ boats takes about 7 months of very hard training for a rookie.
-You are more capable than you think you are.
-You never know what you can accomplish until you try.
-My wife is a saint for watching Gavin so much this summer while I was training.
-A month off sounds good.
Pictures are coming soon....stay tuned
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
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Congratulations--we're really proud of you. That's a really outstanding goal to achieve. We know it took a lot of training on your part and sacrifice on Miranda's part.
ReplyDeleteJust what is Hammer Gel? It sounds horrible!
P.S. Thanks Scott--you're an awesome friend to miss the first Saturday of college football to help a friend.
Essentially glucose in gel form that you eat for energy.
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