Well we did a 5mile paddle in the best time ever which was quite hard work and ertainly not sustainable for the whole race and then found out that it was about the same speed as jamie did on the canal in the DW last year with his brother.
Only trouble is, why did it feel so much harder to do the same speed. We don't understand.
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Friday, 14 January 2011
I bless this kayak and all those who paddle in her
We welcome our new boat ....Name pending!
Finally we have a boat that we can call our own. No more trying to set up boats designed for 7ft tall men to fit a 5ft nothing woman. I also never realised what difference a smooth, unscratched hull would make on our speed. Not to mention the paddler weight to boat weight ratio means that finally I can actually succesfully steer the back end of the boat at a portage. The handbrake turn of the kayak world.
Just gotta learn to handle the twitchy lady as she does threaten to buck us out and the water is not warm enough for swimming.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Please Follow Me
Before I start, those of you who are interested might like to click on the followers link on the right. this gives me a chance to see if I am writing to myself or if anyone is actually reading it.
We went to the wey navigation canal today and had the best session we have had in a long time. we paddled about 4 miles in total but did several interval reps and really worked on communication so that we each knew what the other was doing. I discovered what everyone has been telling mefor ages, that if you actually power the boat forward it suddenly gains a huge amount of stability. I just need to be brave enough to paddle forward in times of trouble rather than back off like I have been doing.
We also did plenty of portaging practice, I am getting better at stopping the oat at the right place and we got in and out about 7 times so that we can now get in and out of the boat together without either of us falling or tipping the other in the water.
We are now planing a long trip from Windsor back to base with a support car. Fingers crossed!
We went to the wey navigation canal today and had the best session we have had in a long time. we paddled about 4 miles in total but did several interval reps and really worked on communication so that we each knew what the other was doing. I discovered what everyone has been telling mefor ages, that if you actually power the boat forward it suddenly gains a huge amount of stability. I just need to be brave enough to paddle forward in times of trouble rather than back off like I have been doing.
We also did plenty of portaging practice, I am getting better at stopping the oat at the right place and we got in and out about 7 times so that we can now get in and out of the boat together without either of us falling or tipping the other in the water.
We are now planing a long trip from Windsor back to base with a support car. Fingers crossed!
Friday, 7 January 2011
Still Going
Well it has been a while since I posted. partly because of the snow and christmas but also because there was a little doubt for a while as to whether we would actually be doing the race this year since I managed to fracture my elbow the week before christmas. Anyhow the arm seems to be mending, the swelling has gone down and we risked our first paddle this evening and it went fine.
Its the first time we have paddled in anything other than glass flat water. There was certainly some flow on the river tonight and we had one heartstopping moment when I thought we might be going in but thankfully we stayed upright.
I also go to test out my new christmas socks (sealskinz) and they really truly are waterproof. The jetty where we put the boat in was flooded so we had to walk in the water to get in and although my socks were squelching my feet remained totally dry and warm. Amazing!
We are going out again on sunday but havent decided whether we are doing the club time trial or our own thing? In the meantime the rower is getting nightly use and I have the blisters to prove it. Tonight was the first paddle where I really did feel like I could have carried on so the rower must be doing something.
Its the first time we have paddled in anything other than glass flat water. There was certainly some flow on the river tonight and we had one heartstopping moment when I thought we might be going in but thankfully we stayed upright.
I also go to test out my new christmas socks (sealskinz) and they really truly are waterproof. The jetty where we put the boat in was flooded so we had to walk in the water to get in and although my socks were squelching my feet remained totally dry and warm. Amazing!
We are going out again on sunday but havent decided whether we are doing the club time trial or our own thing? In the meantime the rower is getting nightly use and I have the blisters to prove it. Tonight was the first paddle where I really did feel like I could have carried on so the rower must be doing something.
Monday, 6 December 2010
It's sNOw joke
Getting very fed up with the snow, ice and low temperatures stopping us getting out and paddling. Have taken up intervals on the rower instead. As you can see I have a future DW partner in training already!!
I have started studying the portage maps and decided a trip to county and blakes lock might be in order, they look tricky and seeing as how my steering resembles that of the drunken sailor I feel I had better check out the route. Expecting delivery of our boat before christmas. Very exciting!
Saturday, 4 December 2010
No Excuses
Have just managed to purchase a 2nd hand concept 2 indoor rower so I really have no excuses now not to get fit. That along with the weekly sadist type beasting that I receive at the hands of the british military fitness guys should do the trick. I defy the snow to stop me!!!!!!!!