Tuesday, 13 January 2009

More Training Required


I was a bit slack over the Christmas period so I need to get cracking now. My wife tells me how fit and toned the Olympic canoeists are down at Bisham gym. They do pull ups on a bar at incredible speed for considerable periods..................hmm. I paddle every other morning 3 miles to Temple and back. 5mins slog, 1min rest etc. Its not enough. Last week was interesting with temperatures as low as minus 10deg. There were ice sheets close to the river bank and a combination of startled ducks and the water lapping underneath sounded like rattling chains. It was a good opportunity to try out different clothing combinations for these temperatures. I am trying hard to improve my paddling technique as we had been taught at Marsport. Hand high in line with the peak of a cap and not crossing the boat centre line, stab the paddle in as far forward as possible next to the boat, pull hard (no pushing) and don't pick up water on the lift out to fling on your partner.
The build up races start in mid February with waterside A. I plan to do them all so we have covered the whole course for a second time. We still have a first run at Devizes to Newbury to do, as well as Teddington to Westminster. I hope to complete these in the K2 in the next two weeks. I think I need to be down the gym every day that I am not paddling. What a fag.

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