Starbucks I can do 40 days without coffee!
Tom
(18 02 2010 - Today my Tigger mug passed away, slid down the curtain and joined the choir invisabule!)
16 February 2010
Lent
Starbucks I can do 40 days without coffee!
Tom
(18 02 2010 - Today my Tigger mug passed away, slid down the curtain and joined the choir invisabule!)
15 February 2010
Thameside 1
Sunday 14th February 2010
No Richard, therefore, it was either kidnap or opt for paddling K1. I opted for my K1
This morning I was in two minds as to paddle TS1. When we left Buckinghamshire this morning it was snowing. In Berkshire the weather got better but it was raining on and off. It was also cold in my book, I'm not sure how cold that means mortals find it
In the end I decided to paddle. Apart from yesterday, it was quite some time since I had paddled my Epsilon. Until Theale I was going OK but was having problems with some of the chop especially the back wash in narrow sections. I decided to move my seat back a click at Theale to keep my tail down and the rudder in the water- note to self; move the foot plate back if I move the seat back and don't do it during a race!
The portage at Fobney amazes me, why am I the only one to use the easy route?
At county I tried an early get in as an experiment to see what would happen. The current from the recirculation off the tow back was so great that I couldn't get any speed up and it just turned me around. Deciding that this was a bad idea I went for the normal put in. Unfortunately a ladies K1 capsized, therefore, getting her safe was far more important than any race. A mens K2 crew sorted out her boat and I got her out. This was her 5th swim of the day, she was cold, tired and had no support and was looking for her team mates or coach. They were nowhere to be seen. This was a good (or bad) example of someone in the wrong boat and the boat was in a poor condition (At the end we were going to speak sternly to her coach- there was no need for this she was more than capable herself!).
Overall I was pleased with my finish and overall race. I did comment that it was a personal best for me.
When we got back to Remko's he went on line to look at the times.
Without subtracting time for the rescue I was still shocked-
VK1
Position Name Club Class Div Time P/D
1 STUART DUNN LEA V 01:43:16
2 MIKE MARTIN LBZ V 01:43:23
3 JAMES TREADGOLD RDG V 3 01:43:44
4 GRAHAM HOLMES RIP VM 01:54:41
5 RUSSELL CROWLEY TON V 5 02:00:22
6 IAN LAVARACK RIC V 02:00:38
7 BRIAN HAMMOND RDG S 6 02:08:13
8 JEREMY CLARK TON V 7 02:13:40
9 CHRIS JONES BAN VM 02:15:41
10 MALCOLM WILSON RDG V 8 02:25:22
11 Clive Baylis IND VM 02:32:42
12 Tom Westwater IND V 02:43:14
13 LOUIS VAN ZYL EXE V 02:46:36
DAVID GALLIMORE IND V ???
I was expecting to be over three hours. This took over 30 minutes of my previous PB and I was within 1 hour of the winning VK1 boat all be it 59 min 58secs. I will do a timing from the video to give myself a corrected time. Not to try and get my time changed just for my own reference.
How did I manage to take such a large amount of time off my PB? Easy, I got Paul Ralf (and Craig) to do some work on my technique. The lesson for everyone, look at yourself on video and get some critical analysis to see where you could improve.
I'm a very, very happy teddy bear! Many thanks to Paul, Craig and Remko.
Tom [I will put up video this week]
No Richard, therefore, it was either kidnap or opt for paddling K1. I opted for my K1
This morning I was in two minds as to paddle TS1. When we left Buckinghamshire this morning it was snowing. In Berkshire the weather got better but it was raining on and off. It was also cold in my book, I'm not sure how cold that means mortals find it
In the end I decided to paddle. Apart from yesterday, it was quite some time since I had paddled my Epsilon. Until Theale I was going OK but was having problems with some of the chop especially the back wash in narrow sections. I decided to move my seat back a click at Theale to keep my tail down and the rudder in the water- note to self; move the foot plate back if I move the seat back and don't do it during a race!
The portage at Fobney amazes me, why am I the only one to use the easy route?
At county I tried an early get in as an experiment to see what would happen. The current from the recirculation off the tow back was so great that I couldn't get any speed up and it just turned me around. Deciding that this was a bad idea I went for the normal put in. Unfortunately a ladies K1 capsized, therefore, getting her safe was far more important than any race. A mens K2 crew sorted out her boat and I got her out. This was her 5th swim of the day, she was cold, tired and had no support and was looking for her team mates or coach. They were nowhere to be seen. This was a good (or bad) example of someone in the wrong boat and the boat was in a poor condition (At the end we were going to speak sternly to her coach- there was no need for this she was more than capable herself!).
Overall I was pleased with my finish and overall race. I did comment that it was a personal best for me.
When we got back to Remko's he went on line to look at the times.
Without subtracting time for the rescue I was still shocked-
I was expecting to be over three hours. This took over 30 minutes of my previous PB and I was within 1 hour of the winning VK1 boat all be it 59 min 58secs. I will do a timing from the video to give myself a corrected time. Not to try and get my time changed just for my own reference.
How did I manage to take such a large amount of time off my PB? Easy, I got Paul Ralf (and Craig) to do some work on my technique. The lesson for everyone, look at yourself on video and get some critical analysis to see where you could improve.
I'm a very, very happy teddy bear! Many thanks to Paul, Craig and Remko.
Tom [I will put up video this week]
08 February 2010
Waterside A 2010
Sunday 7th February 2010
This was our first race together, it was also Richard's first ever kayak race.
It was overcast and at times a bit chilly.
There are a few issues we need to resolve:
This was our first race together, it was also Richard's first ever kayak race.
It was overcast and at times a bit chilly.
There are a few issues we need to resolve:
- Portages: Quicker, faster, slicker
- Synchronisation: staying together and me not changing the rhythm
- Better food preparation
- Trunk rotation, not arm power
- Paddles face all in the water
- Fix the rudder tracking
However, we finished, most people did today. The criticisms are negative they're constructive. We've been held back by everything being frozen or thundering too fast. All in all I was pleased with how much we achieved today. A big thank you to our support crew and cameraman. The video lets us see what needs improving.
We're now videoing in Full HD, if anyone can tell me how to upload either HQ or 1080p to YouTube please let me know.
Tom
04 February 2010
Hmmmmm, what will the weather be like in Devizes?
For those who like their finger on the pulse of the centre of our universe, they need look no further than our Blog! I have added a weather gadget, and I haven't told Tom! We shall see over the next few hours if he approves or not, but for now at least, this is the forecast for Devizes............................
Rich
Rich
01 February 2010
It is less than 2 months away....................
Hi, not been writing for a while, so it's about time I did something. This is also the first post of February 2010!!!
In the absence of any decent ice free canals or rivers not flowing at lightspeed, I have joined a gym to keep in shape. Fortunately I am fit from playing rugby so this is really to tackle those muscles I don't usually bother with. Things like stomach muscles and funny ones in your back and shoulders that all help to paddle a kayak. I am used to running and using arms to try and grab hold of my opposite number or pass the ball, so if you ask me using arms to propel me 125 miles is a silly idea, and I am surpised this race has actually caught on!
Tom is ill and so am I! Actually I think I am healthier than Tom at the moment, as he isn't far wrong with saying he has plague. I think Tom should think about putting this sticker on our boat to warn of pestilence!
Bye for now!
Rich
In the absence of any decent ice free canals or rivers not flowing at lightspeed, I have joined a gym to keep in shape. Fortunately I am fit from playing rugby so this is really to tackle those muscles I don't usually bother with. Things like stomach muscles and funny ones in your back and shoulders that all help to paddle a kayak. I am used to running and using arms to try and grab hold of my opposite number or pass the ball, so if you ask me using arms to propel me 125 miles is a silly idea, and I am surpised this race has actually caught on!
Tom is ill and so am I! Actually I think I am healthier than Tom at the moment, as he isn't far wrong with saying he has plague. I think Tom should think about putting this sticker on our boat to warn of pestilence!
Bye for now!
Rich
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