Long Distance Paddle

This Sunday is the Lake Owasco Challenge. In preparation of the race, I paddled did a LD (long, slow distance paddle) today.

I paddled for just over 2 hrs and did several laps on the Erie Canal.

Third Time Trial

This week, in a downpour, I waited on the promise of paddling the bow position in a tandem canoe. The promise was empty and my canoe never showed.

So ... after the canoes started, I put together my paddle and grabbed my kayak and set off on a chase. It was cold and rainy - perfect for madpaddler - I paddled hard and enjoy being 'in the hunt'. I caught the lead canoe at the top of the island. At which point, I tried to pace the lead canoe and give them an opportunity to ride wash. With about one mile left, I cruised to the finish line.

No time, since I wasn't racing. I suppose I can consider this an interval night - 2 x 0.5 mile.

I need to plan a long paddle on Friday for the Owasco Lake Challenge on Sunday.

Second Time Trial

I made it to the second NNYP paddlers time trial. This time I knew where I was going and we had fair weather. It was a good race for me.

I paddled hard to the top of the island, putting some distance b/w myself and the pack and then I coasted to the bottom turn and then stepped on the gas for the last 1/4 mile to the finish. It was a solid effort, one that I am happy with.

Distance: 3.44 miles
Time:27'05"

Electric City Regatta

This morning I woke with a pinched nerve in my lower back and could barely walk. I talked it over with Dot and was just going to use the race as a chance to do an Long Distance paddle and speed recovery to my sore back.

The Electric City Regatta is held on Lock 9 on the Erie Canal. When we arrived, the weather was overcast and cool with no breeze. It was beautiful and there was even a barge near the canal.

After I registered, I did a 1 mile warmup. I was interested to know if my back could survive a 12 mile paddle. The pinched nerve limited my rotation on the right side, but I worked at stretching it on water.

The race start-
About 20 minutes before the first starting wave the winds picked up. Kayaks were to go last and I paddled around waiting for the start. I saw my friends Tom and Scott in their new K2. Scott trains A LOT [ I think he trains more than I sleep] and is a very good paddler. In sum, I expected to get dusted at the start.

Tom and Scott in their K2.

For whatever reason, they didn't blast off at the start and it made for a very lonely 9 or so miles of the race. I paddled up-canal for 5 miles turned at a buoy and then started to make my way down canal to the finish. In fact, when making a hard sweep at the buoy I felt something 'let go' in my lower back and was able to rotate and paddle without pain. Finally! I could now *race*. I was also now in the deep part of the Erie canal were my boat speed is relatively unaffected by the shallow water effect and I had finally caught up to the back of the first wave.

The back of the first wave (yes ... that's the "Captain"in the red hat) at the finish line.

I caught the front of the first wave of canoes heading down canal, about 2 miles from the finish line. About 6 or 7 canoes were side waking and moving along very well as a pack. I knew from past experience that if I paddled alongside, that I would bring out the competitive nature of several of these canoeists and they would break formation. I didn't want to see this happen, as I think there was a lot of learning going on within the pack.

When I was spotted by one of the racers, the pack split. A mixed team, with a top male paddler seated in the bow, spotted me and made chase while another all male team slide onto my stern wake. [You can see the all male c2 just over my should in the photo below].

Race Finish Photos-

Mixed canoe with top ranked male paddler in the bow.

Another mixed team with the talented Joe Shaw in the bow.

Madpaddler nearing the finish line.

I finished the 11.18 mile course in 1 hr and 33 minutes.

Northern New York Paddlers TIme Trial

Tonight was my first NNYP time trial. I had to drive 1Hr 15 minutes to get my boat and get to the Erie Canal. The time trials are held in a little park owned by the local rowing club in Rexford, NY. I arrived with only minutes to ready myself for the race.

I had heard that a very good local paddler usually shows up with his kayak and destroys the field. Indeed, he is a very good paddler and I'd lost at least twice to him two years earlier when he was paddling the NYMCRA circuit. So ... I was expecting a similar result.

We all lined up, and then the race was off.

I paddled moderately because I had no idea where I was going. I was paddling out front, looking over my shoulder, trying to anticipate the course based on the direction and actions of the paddlers behind me. I had slowed at the 1/2 mile mark because I wasn't sure if we were turning at the bridge abutment! It was actually a lot of fun, but I didn't get a great workout.

After the race, the NNYP had a small party for one of its members and they offered me cake! It sure beats the pizza that I'd normally have with SLVP. I can't wait for the Electric City Regatta on Saturday.

Sunday's Long Distance paddle

I have arrived in the Albany area and have finally found a nice place to paddle. In Rexford, at the aqueduct, there is a beautiful section of river. It is quite calm compared to the St. Lawrence, even with a bit of motorboat traffic. Nothing like having a "Salty" chasing you down the length of the St. Lawrence River. Nevertheless, I did manage to sneak in a one hour paddle on the Canal.



And yes, I slowed down two or three times to wipe the sweat from my eyes or to take in the scenery. [I passed below a train bridge *just* as a train was coming through! What fun!!] I plan on paddling at the Wednesday night time trial in a few days. Stay tuned ...

Taper?

Since my last posting, I've traveled much and paddled very little. In short, I have moved temporarily to Troy, NY for my career. [Which promises to be a lot of fun, especially for protein biochemists...]

Due to various circumstances, I had to travel back to the St. Lawrence Valley [4+ hr drive]. I dislike driving, but was excited to make it home early enough to paddle on the Oswegatchie River. My usual course is a loop that takes me upstream for about 2.6 miles around an island and then back downstream. It is a perfect course for sprint or marathon kayaks.

It has a number of turns; nice mix of shallow, suck and deep water; a fair amount of current; and a little island that serves as a turn buoy. The start and finish is located on the upper right hand corner of the following picture.

And here are the results from garmin training center.

I hadn't paddled in over a week. Perhaps this is like a mid-season taper? Anyway, I paddled the 5.35 miles in 43'30" with an average HR of 157 bpm. Which rounds out to about 7.35 mph. A new PR ... Fantastic!