Fast tracking myself has been a challenge that is nigh on impossible, as to do something quickly you need to miss out the mistakes which take up time by learning from the best in the game. The best people in the game are few and far between in this country. Sprint Kayaking is a minority sport and as I have realised by training at nearly every club in the south, the place to be for the fastest improvement is London. All serious canoeists travel to London to train, to get the depth of competition required to gauge how good you really are. What purpose does it serve to be the best at your local club if you turn up at a national competition only to be thrashed and ultimately humiliated? This issue is compounded by the technical nature of sprint kayaking and that most clubs don’t have dedicated coaches. Sprint kayaking is the most technical sport I have attempted to master. I never would have thought to be the case, but even months after learning, I had only just scratched the surface. All my fitness, strength and power, hours in the gym and on the lake counted for very little when a chubby 14year old girl effortlessly moved passed me, while I thrashed and fought my way through the race. She was technically sound and that is what is required in the first instance to move a sprint boat fast.
It is evident now that we have taken a slow track in the way we have progressed in the sport; not in time but in relation to the number of sessions we have done. We haven’t started canoeing like most with one session a week; we have thrown ourselves into it with complete commitment and enthusiasm. Typically training on the water five times a week and land training including specific weight training, running, swimming and cycling seven times a week from the start. This is where we have gained momentum and improvement at a greater rate than the typical canoeist and also why I feel like my input hasn’t yielded the results that I set myself a year ago. My targets were inline with the athlete being coached on the fast track programme and even with the quantity of training in place, without the quality of coaching and expert knowledge we have not been able to attain the results we were aiming for. However in this year I have markedly improved my paddling, strength and fitness and by taking the route with a big detour we managed to gain a strength in character, confidence and self belief that cannot be given to you by a coach. However it is now time to go to London to get some decent coaching and combine strength and fitness with technique to see if I have what it takes to make a boat go faster than anyone else.
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Friday 5 September 2008
5 x falling in champion!
This weekend is the last Sprint Regatta of the season. I have no idea how much we have improved but the last two weeks it has seemed the odds have been against us.
Firstly we have a serious transport problem. The head gasket went on our car then our mothers car then yesterday on the way to our last paddle session the exhaust decided to fall off my borrowed Grannies car! So it seemed doubtful that we were even going to get to Nottingham but luckily living on a farm it was fixed or temporarily welded back on . . . it could still fall off on the way to Nottingham!!! (please no)
This last month we have had the honor of training with Elmbridge Canoe Club. One of the foremost canoe clubs in the country. At one of the regattas someone pointed out the Kayak legend Ivan Lawler, 6 times world champion. If you want to be the best you have to surround your self in the best so we approached Ivan to ask if we could train with them. We told him our back ground and he said if we had been on the fast track programme we must have some bite about us and agreed to see us.
Elmbridge Canoe Club is based is Weybridge so we trecked up there to meet Ivan and his group of youngsters he coaches. We went through loads of skills that we had never been taught to help our stability issues. It was very refreshing to have his input, he truly is a gifted coach and his methods were similar to the rowing coaching we used to get. A no messing around attitude and if you show willing, he has a lot of time for you.
The next morning Rowland Lawler Chief Coach of Elmbridge and yes Ivan’s Dad who coached him to victory was taking the session in the morning. We had already done a session with Ivan first thing and we were asked if we would like to join the group where about 40 paddlers get on the water and are split into 3 groups. One of our main issues is we find it very hard to paddle in wash as so we thought we should just go for it. Whats the worse that can happen, we fall in!
So we got on the water and were circling in our boats while everyone came on. We recognised a few paddlers from the GB squad and I suddenly thought what the hell are we doing here?? We were put in the third group and Roland set the first 2 groups off. Well the whole river turned into the sea and then he set our group off, after 500m I fell in! I couldn’t believe it! Antonia bless her was worried and waited for me. I quickly got back in and we managed to catch up with them again in time for the 2nd effort. But yes I fell in again! The groups just seemed to paddle off into the distance and as I had a bit more of a swim I wasn’t sure I would catch up with them so headed in that direction anyway. I eventually saw them and realised they were actually charging towards me so quickly spun the boat and joined in a head of the wash, I managed to stay in for this one! Amazing! They started setting people off with the slower ones first. Roland shouted out “what’s your name” at Antonia, she answered “Antonia” he replied, “can’t say that your name is Tony!” Then said to me, “your Tony’s friend”! Charming! So he set Tony’s friend off first, yes me, then Tony. This worked a lot better not being in the wash, but I managed to fall in another 2 times!! The choppy water is my biggest enemy, the Hunstpil is so flat and if there is wind it’s coming from one direction so can get use to it. We found to improve we just have to paddle more often with a group it’s the only way forward.
Our biggest problem is living 40mins from our nearest river and 2 hours from our nearest decent club. We spend so much time traveling around the country and it really takes it out of you. We will be into winter training after this regatta and need a solid season if we are going to make the improvements we need by next Summer. Hopefully this winter wont be too bitter or we might just find our selves in Australia again!
Firstly we have a serious transport problem. The head gasket went on our car then our mothers car then yesterday on the way to our last paddle session the exhaust decided to fall off my borrowed Grannies car! So it seemed doubtful that we were even going to get to Nottingham but luckily living on a farm it was fixed or temporarily welded back on . . . it could still fall off on the way to Nottingham!!! (please no)
This last month we have had the honor of training with Elmbridge Canoe Club. One of the foremost canoe clubs in the country. At one of the regattas someone pointed out the Kayak legend Ivan Lawler, 6 times world champion. If you want to be the best you have to surround your self in the best so we approached Ivan to ask if we could train with them. We told him our back ground and he said if we had been on the fast track programme we must have some bite about us and agreed to see us.
Elmbridge Canoe Club is based is Weybridge so we trecked up there to meet Ivan and his group of youngsters he coaches. We went through loads of skills that we had never been taught to help our stability issues. It was very refreshing to have his input, he truly is a gifted coach and his methods were similar to the rowing coaching we used to get. A no messing around attitude and if you show willing, he has a lot of time for you.
The next morning Rowland Lawler Chief Coach of Elmbridge and yes Ivan’s Dad who coached him to victory was taking the session in the morning. We had already done a session with Ivan first thing and we were asked if we would like to join the group where about 40 paddlers get on the water and are split into 3 groups. One of our main issues is we find it very hard to paddle in wash as so we thought we should just go for it. Whats the worse that can happen, we fall in!
So we got on the water and were circling in our boats while everyone came on. We recognised a few paddlers from the GB squad and I suddenly thought what the hell are we doing here?? We were put in the third group and Roland set the first 2 groups off. Well the whole river turned into the sea and then he set our group off, after 500m I fell in! I couldn’t believe it! Antonia bless her was worried and waited for me. I quickly got back in and we managed to catch up with them again in time for the 2nd effort. But yes I fell in again! The groups just seemed to paddle off into the distance and as I had a bit more of a swim I wasn’t sure I would catch up with them so headed in that direction anyway. I eventually saw them and realised they were actually charging towards me so quickly spun the boat and joined in a head of the wash, I managed to stay in for this one! Amazing! They started setting people off with the slower ones first. Roland shouted out “what’s your name” at Antonia, she answered “Antonia” he replied, “can’t say that your name is Tony!” Then said to me, “your Tony’s friend”! Charming! So he set Tony’s friend off first, yes me, then Tony. This worked a lot better not being in the wash, but I managed to fall in another 2 times!! The choppy water is my biggest enemy, the Hunstpil is so flat and if there is wind it’s coming from one direction so can get use to it. We found to improve we just have to paddle more often with a group it’s the only way forward.
Our biggest problem is living 40mins from our nearest river and 2 hours from our nearest decent club. We spend so much time traveling around the country and it really takes it out of you. We will be into winter training after this regatta and need a solid season if we are going to make the improvements we need by next Summer. Hopefully this winter wont be too bitter or we might just find our selves in Australia again!
Sunday 3 August 2008
No rest for the wicked!!!!!
Recently I went on a family holiday in St. Ives. Even though I was slightly apprehensive about sharing a house with extended family with 3 teenage boys (my cousins and brother) I was quite looking forward to a break from training and working day in and day out. I find it very hard to just stop. A lot of the time I don’t feel like I deserve a break. I train more than the average person so I spend working in my spare time to make up for it.
From when I get up at 6am till I go to bed I am either training or working which doesn't leave any time for socialising and relaxation.
A few days before this much looked forward to relaxing holiday a letter came through the post from Sport England inviting Antonia and I to testing for the Girls for Gold Scheme. Great Britain are doing another scout for talented athletes in Cycling, Modern Pentathlon, Windsurfing, Bob Skeleton and Rowing. I don’t know if we are insane but somehow we couldn't resist doing the testing. It would have been like closing a door on opportunity. With this testing due, only a week after the holiday we had to get in some quality sessions. So we took our road bikes and loads of training kit and off we went.
No it's not a big seal it's my Dad. The sea really is that colour - Beautiful!
The day we arrived our cousins got us in the sea and we swam a mile across the harbour. Ok it wasn’t that intense but I did have my little?? 21 yr. old sister Suzanna on my back for half the way as she didn’t think she would make it.
Day 2 was Antonia’s birthday. We were going to take it a easy so we got the bikes out to go for a discovery peddle around. We saw a sign to Land’s End and thought how exciting lets cycle there and get the train back!. OH MY GOSH it was soooooo hilly. Up a hill half an hour....., down a hill ......2 seconds, up a hill...., down..., there was no flat the whole way!! As we hadn’t prepared for it, by the time we got there we were staving and in shock. There was no train station, in fact there was nothing apart from a touristy shopping complex. I had such a sugar low I could barely walk, but we found the pasty shop and had the most AMAZING pasty I have ever tasted. We then rang Suz and got her to pick us up. She wasn’t amused and granny had told her not to come and that we should cycle back!!! Perhaps she was right but we wouldn’t have made it before dark and Ant’s birthday BBQ would have been over!
Another ridiculous idea was going for a run first thing before breakfast, along a the coastal path to Zenner, it was 7 miles. We thought, 'that will be a good run there and back.' It started off fine then turned into extremely rocky terrain so we had to run where we could and climb the parts we couldn’t. Antonia described me as a mountain goat to some passers by!! After an hour it turned very misty and there was nothing but cliff edges, rocks, sea and gorse. There was no escaping and there was no way we were turning back so we carried on. Luckily we found a stream half way and had a drink out of it - I couldn’t taste dead sheep so think it was all right. We got to our destination after 2.5hrs (I'm sure it was more than 7 miles!) and were so pleased to see a cafe in the tiny Cornish village we ordered a huge lunch at 11am plus it had a bus stop. We weren’t running back!
Amongst pier jumping and swimming with seals, we also went mackerel fishing which was a big mistake. Five minuets into it I felt so sick I had my head over the side - Dad thought I was just taking the fishing very seriously until he himself was sick, followed by my Auntie, then my little cousin then my sisters. At that point the fisherman said he better take the hospital boat back to shore. I am never doing that ever again!
The last adventure we went on was a trip to Portrieth, to go Surfski kayaking with Holly, who we had met on the fast track programme. The Surf was huge and we were using these kayaks you sit on instead of sitting in. We paddled through the surf to get 'out back' which was great fun.We fell off and had to quickly get back on before the next wave crashed over us, then paddle as hard as possible to make it over the next wave. Once we were through the breaking waves, there were yet more huge rolling waves. It was awesome fun. Holly is into Quadrathlon which is swimming, kayaking, cycling and running - I have to do that one day, I may as well put all these skills to use.
So, not very relaxing holiday! Although it was a break and I don’t do sunbathing anyway. Plus the boys made it much more fun and they learnt the valuable skills of washing up!
We had testing last weekend for the Girls for Gold. I don’t want to say too much about it. I was really glad I went and again they sell you the dream of competing at a home Olympics. What they don’t say is there are no guarantees, you can give up everything and give it your all and then that isn’t enough either. But for me it’s worth that risk, it’s not a risk it’s a choice to take the opportunity.
From when I get up at 6am till I go to bed I am either training or working which doesn't leave any time for socialising and relaxation.
A few days before this much looked forward to relaxing holiday a letter came through the post from Sport England inviting Antonia and I to testing for the Girls for Gold Scheme. Great Britain are doing another scout for talented athletes in Cycling, Modern Pentathlon, Windsurfing, Bob Skeleton and Rowing. I don’t know if we are insane but somehow we couldn't resist doing the testing. It would have been like closing a door on opportunity. With this testing due, only a week after the holiday we had to get in some quality sessions. So we took our road bikes and loads of training kit and off we went.
No it's not a big seal it's my Dad. The sea really is that colour - Beautiful!
The day we arrived our cousins got us in the sea and we swam a mile across the harbour. Ok it wasn’t that intense but I did have my little?? 21 yr. old sister Suzanna on my back for half the way as she didn’t think she would make it.
Day 2 was Antonia’s birthday. We were going to take it a easy so we got the bikes out to go for a discovery peddle around. We saw a sign to Land’s End and thought how exciting lets cycle there and get the train back!. OH MY GOSH it was soooooo hilly. Up a hill half an hour....., down a hill ......2 seconds, up a hill...., down..., there was no flat the whole way!! As we hadn’t prepared for it, by the time we got there we were staving and in shock. There was no train station, in fact there was nothing apart from a touristy shopping complex. I had such a sugar low I could barely walk, but we found the pasty shop and had the most AMAZING pasty I have ever tasted. We then rang Suz and got her to pick us up. She wasn’t amused and granny had told her not to come and that we should cycle back!!! Perhaps she was right but we wouldn’t have made it before dark and Ant’s birthday BBQ would have been over!
Another ridiculous idea was going for a run first thing before breakfast, along a the coastal path to Zenner, it was 7 miles. We thought, 'that will be a good run there and back.' It started off fine then turned into extremely rocky terrain so we had to run where we could and climb the parts we couldn’t. Antonia described me as a mountain goat to some passers by!! After an hour it turned very misty and there was nothing but cliff edges, rocks, sea and gorse. There was no escaping and there was no way we were turning back so we carried on. Luckily we found a stream half way and had a drink out of it - I couldn’t taste dead sheep so think it was all right. We got to our destination after 2.5hrs (I'm sure it was more than 7 miles!) and were so pleased to see a cafe in the tiny Cornish village we ordered a huge lunch at 11am plus it had a bus stop. We weren’t running back!
Amongst pier jumping and swimming with seals, we also went mackerel fishing which was a big mistake. Five minuets into it I felt so sick I had my head over the side - Dad thought I was just taking the fishing very seriously until he himself was sick, followed by my Auntie, then my little cousin then my sisters. At that point the fisherman said he better take the hospital boat back to shore. I am never doing that ever again!
The last adventure we went on was a trip to Portrieth, to go Surfski kayaking with Holly, who we had met on the fast track programme. The Surf was huge and we were using these kayaks you sit on instead of sitting in. We paddled through the surf to get 'out back' which was great fun.We fell off and had to quickly get back on before the next wave crashed over us, then paddle as hard as possible to make it over the next wave. Once we were through the breaking waves, there were yet more huge rolling waves. It was awesome fun. Holly is into Quadrathlon which is swimming, kayaking, cycling and running - I have to do that one day, I may as well put all these skills to use.
So, not very relaxing holiday! Although it was a break and I don’t do sunbathing anyway. Plus the boys made it much more fun and they learnt the valuable skills of washing up!
We had testing last weekend for the Girls for Gold. I don’t want to say too much about it. I was really glad I went and again they sell you the dream of competing at a home Olympics. What they don’t say is there are no guarantees, you can give up everything and give it your all and then that isn’t enough either. But for me it’s worth that risk, it’s not a risk it’s a choice to take the opportunity.
Nat Champs Review
I have finely found time to write on here. The Nationals had it’s highs and lows. In kayaking you are promoted on your 500m and 1000m time so it’s important these races both go well. The 500m are always first, we had a heat I was in the first one and Antonia in the second. We both came 3rd in our heats and got exactly the same time! In my final there was a lot of pressure building up I felt a lot better in the Plastex and we have trained everyday in the boats bar 4 so I was expecting massive improvements. Got off the start and was going OK until with 200m to go I fell in. Distraught! I was in the frame of mind, why the hell do I do this? All the time spent put into it and I can’t even show that in a race. After a bar of chocolate I felt better. Ant got a 3rd which was really good. My other k1 races went OK but had blown my chances of a promotion.
Our k2 however was a different story. We had a tub of a boat but was pretty stable and we felt confident. We both wanted the same thing, to destroy the opposition and we had that faith in each other that we were going to go all out. The categories had been merged together so we were now racing a higher division. We were really looking forward to the races as this was our first time competing in a k2 since Australia where we got so annoyed with each other we nearly through ourselves out of the boat mid race.
500m I had steering issues and we came 4th, very annoying but we came back for the 200m and blasted it down the course and came 2nd. The best race of the weekend and made my training pay off at last. The race takes a minute, it’s just full power the whole way. Then the 1000m the next day we got a Bronze.
Ant got a bronze for her 1000m K1 as well. There was a harsh cross wind and I was on the far side where it was a lot worse OK!!. . .
Our k2 however was a different story. We had a tub of a boat but was pretty stable and we felt confident. We both wanted the same thing, to destroy the opposition and we had that faith in each other that we were going to go all out. The categories had been merged together so we were now racing a higher division. We were really looking forward to the races as this was our first time competing in a k2 since Australia where we got so annoyed with each other we nearly through ourselves out of the boat mid race.
500m I had steering issues and we came 4th, very annoying but we came back for the 200m and blasted it down the course and came 2nd. The best race of the weekend and made my training pay off at last. The race takes a minute, it’s just full power the whole way. Then the 1000m the next day we got a Bronze.
Ant got a bronze for her 1000m K1 as well. There was a harsh cross wind and I was on the far side where it was a lot worse OK!!. . .
Tuesday 8 July 2008
Wednesday 2 July 2008
The National Champoinships
On the 3rd of July Antonia and I have been kayaking for a year. It's been the quickest year of my life . . . I say that every year but this one was ridiculously quick.
This weekend we are competing in the National Championships in Nottingham yes the lovely Holme Pierrepont where it all began, the same regatta in fact we watched last year with the chosen 12 who started the fast track programme. I remember watching all the kayak races thinking . . . yeah a couple of months and I will be able to do that!!! I can safely say this project Antonia and I took on has been harder than I ever imagined.
The hardest thing has to be, to enjoy a sport I have never done before. The normal way to get into a sport is either as a child where you naturally have more fun what ever it is you do or you have a go at something new and if you like it, build up gradually. We were thrown into the sport to which we were thrown out of every day for most of the year in my case, and then asked constantly if I am having fun??? Well no not really but I can’t give up till I have cracked it! The point is without out the deep foundations of canoe and kayaking usually built over years, the love of it is a bit false. I love water sports, training hard and competing but the actual love of Sprint Kayking has to come through over time. It's hard to do when there is so much pressure on us to get good quickly. A whole year later and I am only just starting to feel the love and that has come through meeting inspiring people, experiencing different disciplines of kayaking, actually racing and for not being rejected by my kayak for 3 weeks now! A year on I realize I have only just scratched the surface of an amazing sport, I couldn’t possibly give up now, I will see how things are looking in another year.
As for the Nationals, yes I am nervous but I am going to race for the love of racing. We have nothing to loose and everything to gain.
p.s. I missed rowing enormously over the weekend of Henley. The Bristol girls (and guy coxes) did the best the club has ever done and I am very proud of them.
This weekend we are competing in the National Championships in Nottingham yes the lovely Holme Pierrepont where it all began, the same regatta in fact we watched last year with the chosen 12 who started the fast track programme. I remember watching all the kayak races thinking . . . yeah a couple of months and I will be able to do that!!! I can safely say this project Antonia and I took on has been harder than I ever imagined.
The hardest thing has to be, to enjoy a sport I have never done before. The normal way to get into a sport is either as a child where you naturally have more fun what ever it is you do or you have a go at something new and if you like it, build up gradually. We were thrown into the sport to which we were thrown out of every day for most of the year in my case, and then asked constantly if I am having fun??? Well no not really but I can’t give up till I have cracked it! The point is without out the deep foundations of canoe and kayaking usually built over years, the love of it is a bit false. I love water sports, training hard and competing but the actual love of Sprint Kayking has to come through over time. It's hard to do when there is so much pressure on us to get good quickly. A whole year later and I am only just starting to feel the love and that has come through meeting inspiring people, experiencing different disciplines of kayaking, actually racing and for not being rejected by my kayak for 3 weeks now! A year on I realize I have only just scratched the surface of an amazing sport, I couldn’t possibly give up now, I will see how things are looking in another year.
As for the Nationals, yes I am nervous but I am going to race for the love of racing. We have nothing to loose and everything to gain.
p.s. I missed rowing enormously over the weekend of Henley. The Bristol girls (and guy coxes) did the best the club has ever done and I am very proud of them.
A Kayaking Adventure!
Over my Birthday Antonia and I were invited to go Sea and Surf Kayaking in beautiful St. Davids in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Matt Brown thought it would be great for us to broaden our kayaking knowledge and most importantly to ‘have fun’ - something I find hard to do when my life consists of training, working, training, working, training, bed.
We met Olivia ex British junior Wild water racer and Matt at lunchtime, got kitted up and headed down with the play boats. We had to paddle over to the next bay to get to the good surf. Now these boats don’t go in a straight line as they have to be able to maneuver easily in waves, so this was very hard work and as the sea was very choppy I started to feel very sea sick. My goal became to paddle as quickly as possible to the other bay and get out onto lovely flat none-moving land. I got half way across and turned to check where the others were, to my surprise they were further away than I expected. I waited for Olivia to paddle over and she informed me Antonia was also feeling sea sick and finding the paddle over almost impossible. I waited for a bit but really need to get to land. I got to the surf and a big wave came . . . ok 2ft but I was side ways on and capsized. I was in shock, Matt had told us what to do in the event but after all the talk of them being so stable I seriously hadn’t thought it was going to happen. While under water with the tight neoprene deck around my waist which firmly attached to the cockpit I actually thought, ‘oh my god I am going to die on my birthday’! Then I found the pull thing at the front of the deck, pulled it and tumble-turned out of the boat. I had an emotional few seconds and walked to the shore with my boat. Antonia padded over to join me with an anxious look on her face after seeing me under water for what felt like a long time. Olivia came to the rescue with some Brioch - chocolate bread. The three of us sat on the beach eating, Antonia and I wondering if this was a weekend of torture!
We got back in the boats with the sea sickness and shockness subsided and actually had brilliant fun. As I find with surfing there is nothing better than being out with the raw elements. Matt came to join us as he had gone back to let his dog the soppy rockwieller Boffy out. We fell out loads of times but it really didn’t matter.
For our second session we went sea kayaking. These are different types of boats again. Long, like our sprint kayaks but very stable and able to carry enough equipment if you became stranded for at least a week. Antonia and I were actually amazed at how much safety equipment we had to take. A spare tent, a flair each, a gas cooker, spare paddles are just an example of what measures we had to take. This made me slightly worried about how dangerous sea kayaking was.
So we set off, the sea was so clear, we paddled round the cliff edges and saw lots of different bird life. We then paddled across to Ramsey Island. It was a bit choppy and Matt was explaining about the tides and eddies but nothing too threatening had made me think we might be firing up the gas stove in the luminous orange tent while firing off flares!
Out of no where a huge school of Porpoise were jumping in and out of the water just in front of the boats. They are a part of the whale/dolphin family. It was so amazing to see in such a natural environment. Going from being in heaven I was suddenly in my worse nightmare. The sea turned into conditions I have never witnessed in person. Huge un-breaking waves with eddies that took my small boat away at least 100m in the space of a few seconds. Matt was very calm and told me direct instructions to follow. I managed to get back to them but the whole time thought a huge wave would tip me up and I would be carried to a cliff side and thrown against it. Antonia however was very calm and took it all in her stride I was very impressed. We got through it and paddled back, it was dimpsy dark and I was still getting visions of being on the show 999 as we had been gone for a good 2,5 hours and felt very tired plus Antonia was singing the theme tune out load! But that night as we tucked into a huge well deserved dinner I felt we had just had the most incredible adventurous day. Also we now know we would NEVER attempt an Atlantic crossing in a rowing boat or kayak.
We met Olivia ex British junior Wild water racer and Matt at lunchtime, got kitted up and headed down with the play boats. We had to paddle over to the next bay to get to the good surf. Now these boats don’t go in a straight line as they have to be able to maneuver easily in waves, so this was very hard work and as the sea was very choppy I started to feel very sea sick. My goal became to paddle as quickly as possible to the other bay and get out onto lovely flat none-moving land. I got half way across and turned to check where the others were, to my surprise they were further away than I expected. I waited for Olivia to paddle over and she informed me Antonia was also feeling sea sick and finding the paddle over almost impossible. I waited for a bit but really need to get to land. I got to the surf and a big wave came . . . ok 2ft but I was side ways on and capsized. I was in shock, Matt had told us what to do in the event but after all the talk of them being so stable I seriously hadn’t thought it was going to happen. While under water with the tight neoprene deck around my waist which firmly attached to the cockpit I actually thought, ‘oh my god I am going to die on my birthday’! Then I found the pull thing at the front of the deck, pulled it and tumble-turned out of the boat. I had an emotional few seconds and walked to the shore with my boat. Antonia padded over to join me with an anxious look on her face after seeing me under water for what felt like a long time. Olivia came to the rescue with some Brioch - chocolate bread. The three of us sat on the beach eating, Antonia and I wondering if this was a weekend of torture!
We got back in the boats with the sea sickness and shockness subsided and actually had brilliant fun. As I find with surfing there is nothing better than being out with the raw elements. Matt came to join us as he had gone back to let his dog the soppy rockwieller Boffy out. We fell out loads of times but it really didn’t matter.
For our second session we went sea kayaking. These are different types of boats again. Long, like our sprint kayaks but very stable and able to carry enough equipment if you became stranded for at least a week. Antonia and I were actually amazed at how much safety equipment we had to take. A spare tent, a flair each, a gas cooker, spare paddles are just an example of what measures we had to take. This made me slightly worried about how dangerous sea kayaking was.
So we set off, the sea was so clear, we paddled round the cliff edges and saw lots of different bird life. We then paddled across to Ramsey Island. It was a bit choppy and Matt was explaining about the tides and eddies but nothing too threatening had made me think we might be firing up the gas stove in the luminous orange tent while firing off flares!
Out of no where a huge school of Porpoise were jumping in and out of the water just in front of the boats. They are a part of the whale/dolphin family. It was so amazing to see in such a natural environment. Going from being in heaven I was suddenly in my worse nightmare. The sea turned into conditions I have never witnessed in person. Huge un-breaking waves with eddies that took my small boat away at least 100m in the space of a few seconds. Matt was very calm and told me direct instructions to follow. I managed to get back to them but the whole time thought a huge wave would tip me up and I would be carried to a cliff side and thrown against it. Antonia however was very calm and took it all in her stride I was very impressed. We got through it and paddled back, it was dimpsy dark and I was still getting visions of being on the show 999 as we had been gone for a good 2,5 hours and felt very tired plus Antonia was singing the theme tune out load! But that night as we tucked into a huge well deserved dinner I felt we had just had the most incredible adventurous day. Also we now know we would NEVER attempt an Atlantic crossing in a rowing boat or kayak.
Monday 26 May 2008
Wednesday 30 April 2008
WINNERS TAKE CHANCES
Winners take chances.
Like everyone else they fear falling,
but they refuse to let fear control them.
Winners don't give up.
When life gets tough they hang in
until the going gets better
Winners are flexible.
They realise there is more than one way
and are willing to try others
Winners know they are not perfect,
They respect their weaknesses
while making the most of their strengths.
Winners fall, but they don't stay down.
They stubbornly refuse to let a fall
keep them from climbing.
Winners don't blame fate for their failures,
nor luck for their successes.
Winners accept responsibility for their lives.
Winners are positive thinkers
who see good in all things
From ordinary, they make the extraordinary.
Winners believe in the path they have chosen
even when it's hard
even when others can't see
where they are going.
Winners are patient.
They know a goal is only worthy as the
effort that's required to achieve it
Winners are people like you.
They make this world a better place
Nancye Sims
Like everyone else they fear falling,
but they refuse to let fear control them.
Winners don't give up.
When life gets tough they hang in
until the going gets better
Winners are flexible.
They realise there is more than one way
and are willing to try others
Winners know they are not perfect,
They respect their weaknesses
while making the most of their strengths.
Winners fall, but they don't stay down.
They stubbornly refuse to let a fall
keep them from climbing.
Winners don't blame fate for their failures,
nor luck for their successes.
Winners accept responsibility for their lives.
Winners are positive thinkers
who see good in all things
From ordinary, they make the extraordinary.
Winners believe in the path they have chosen
even when it's hard
even when others can't see
where they are going.
Winners are patient.
They know a goal is only worthy as the
effort that's required to achieve it
Winners are people like you.
They make this world a better place
Nancye Sims
Thursday 17 April 2008
First race of the season!
Our first week back in the UK was awful, it was freezing and it was so windy we could only get out in our boats twice before the race at Nottingham. We were both thinking the same, why did we come back? But luckily we found this amazing coach in Worcester, Matt Brown. If it wasn’t for him I’m really not sure I could have carried on kayaking. Before Ant and I went to Australia we were actually at a very low point. Matt entered us in all the K1 races and all the K4 races too. I was so worried about racing in front of the British Canoe Union lot I really wasn’t sure I could compete yet. But you know you just have to think, no one cares about these races as much as you, so the only person you are really letting down is yourself. So basically just get out there and do it, as there will be just as much pressure built on the next race and it will be just as mentally hard!
So we did the first 500m and came middle of the pack but once that was over I felt ecstatic and enjoyed all the following races because I realised that it didn’t matter what my times were because as long as I put in 100% I know there is only room for improvement. Plus I did all my races in a much more stable boat which meant I could put on full pressure without the worry of falling in. Ant is doing really well in a sprint boat so yes she is still faster than me, but when I eventually do get in a fast boat we will see who REALLY is quicker!
Matt Brown has been an amazing support and I feel we are actually getting somewhere for the first time in a long time. Since then training has been the best we have had it since we left Nottingham! Now I feel like we can finally make a real difference and ever since competing I am highly motivated to train hard and get chunks of seconds off for the following regattas.
One thing I have learnt recently is every athlete is very complex and must be treated individually, it is easy to underestimate someone because they aren’t improving the text book way. If you look at the bigger picture there are always areas of improvement but each area progresses at different rates for each individual and it takes a good coach to recognise these and develop them with skill and enthusiasm - Matt does this.
So we did the first 500m and came middle of the pack but once that was over I felt ecstatic and enjoyed all the following races because I realised that it didn’t matter what my times were because as long as I put in 100% I know there is only room for improvement. Plus I did all my races in a much more stable boat which meant I could put on full pressure without the worry of falling in. Ant is doing really well in a sprint boat so yes she is still faster than me, but when I eventually do get in a fast boat we will see who REALLY is quicker!
Matt Brown has been an amazing support and I feel we are actually getting somewhere for the first time in a long time. Since then training has been the best we have had it since we left Nottingham! Now I feel like we can finally make a real difference and ever since competing I am highly motivated to train hard and get chunks of seconds off for the following regattas.
One thing I have learnt recently is every athlete is very complex and must be treated individually, it is easy to underestimate someone because they aren’t improving the text book way. If you look at the bigger picture there are always areas of improvement but each area progresses at different rates for each individual and it takes a good coach to recognise these and develop them with skill and enthusiasm - Matt does this.
Don’t read if your vegetarian!
I haven’t written for a while now mainly because the sprint season has started and fitting work around training can be a struggle. Luckily I like my design work unlike my sister who has endless delivering all over the country side and then there is dealing with the meat for the farm shop. Actually not long a go a customer asked my sister for some ribs, Dad was out and as there were wasn't any prepared by the in-house butcher, so Antonia thought she would use her initiative and cut the ribs from the cow she knew was hanging in the chiller.
From all our weight training squatting a large amount isn’t usually a problem but when it’s a full grown cow on your shoulder it’s another story (btw I would never do something like this!) So Antonia using all her will power gets this cow into the cutting room and attempts to saw the ribs out. If you can imagine sawing through bone then you will realise how hard it is. So after half an hour of sweating and sawing away decided this just wasn’t going to happen and went out to tell the customer in fact there were no ribs available and would she prefer a chicken? The woman just looked at her stunned and left. Then Ant looked down at her apron to see that she looked like she had just massacred something!
Ant managed to put the cow back but it looked as though a couple of alsations had been at it. She was so worried what dad would say that she didn’t tell him and that was the day before we left for Australia. Dad still hasn’t said anything to her and actually he offered her the business yesterday, so I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know she had anything to do with it!
From all our weight training squatting a large amount isn’t usually a problem but when it’s a full grown cow on your shoulder it’s another story (btw I would never do something like this!) So Antonia using all her will power gets this cow into the cutting room and attempts to saw the ribs out. If you can imagine sawing through bone then you will realise how hard it is. So after half an hour of sweating and sawing away decided this just wasn’t going to happen and went out to tell the customer in fact there were no ribs available and would she prefer a chicken? The woman just looked at her stunned and left. Then Ant looked down at her apron to see that she looked like she had just massacred something!
Ant managed to put the cow back but it looked as though a couple of alsations had been at it. She was so worried what dad would say that she didn’t tell him and that was the day before we left for Australia. Dad still hasn’t said anything to her and actually he offered her the business yesterday, so I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know she had anything to do with it!
Tuesday 18 March 2008
A few things I have to mention . . .
Well done to Phil who also did the Sydney Harbour Swim! I know Liz forced you to do it in a hope that you would win another holiday but it was worth it and you achieved your goal of surviving!
Thank you Liz for showing us the beautiful Royal National Park despite only just being able to walk after a serious back operation! . . . you better get training asap as I'm coming back to challenge you to another Ocean Swim! (you've got 6 months!)
Antonia you must start using your own camera, I can't have these kind of photos blocking up my memory card!
and last but not least . . . THANK YOU Lucy for letting us stay with you and being the most wonderful second mother and fantastic friend, you are one in a million!
Goodbye my beautiful Australia
Fridays racing of the 200m were still nerve wracking but not half as much as the first one plus we had a chat to a couple of the aussie Olympians who were really friendly. We both felt we were able to get a good start and we both got through to the semi finals which we didn't realise until a club member came running up to us saying we were racing again in half an hour. We were shocked but glad to get the chance to put in a better time. Ant's heat was before mine and there were 4 false starts by various people, I felt very sorry for her. Then in my race the same thing happened but lane 6 a NZ girl made two false starts which isn't aloud and was disqualified. She slowly paddled past us with tears rolling down her face. After all that I didn't do a PB!
The K2 200m were moved to the Sunday and by this time with all the advice we had been getting and being told not to care about anyone around you, just do it for yourself, this is your first year racing just enjoy it spiel I really felt relaxed, so relaxed I nearly made myself worry about being overly relaxed so managed to control that feeling and the K2 was far more in time and actually felt some run on the boat so it just proves the more racing experience you have the better you can perform under pressure.
I heard there were storms in England last week!!!! I was wearing factor 50 on Manley Beach today so I am really not feeling the urge to come home. But we have our first Sprint regatta in Nottingham on the 5th and 6th of April which will be another interesting experience as this time it wont be the Aussie Olympians we are racing but all the girls we started this kayaking lark with in the first place!
Tuesday 11 March 2008
Sport doesn't build character it reveals it!
In my head I already knew I was going to come last in my heat at the Nationals when I was up against girls qualifying for Beijing not just from Australia but from countries such as New Zealand and Itally so I had set my own goals. 1. was not to fall in 2. to beat my last PB for 500m and 3. to beat Antonia! (she doesn't know the last one but she will now)
Before the race I was a nervous wreak which I think i had every right to be, imagine warming up with girls who where wearing their country's lycra and Ant and I in our Bristol all-in-ones! Plus being that nervous made me even more unstable than usual. When I came round to the start we had to back the K1's onto the start where a kid holds your boat until the starter beeper goes off. I was just thinking please give me a bloody rowing boat this is a stupid sport, why would anyone in their right mind want to do this. Actually why am I here? Then they called . . . starting in 10 seconds beeeeep. . . and I basically crawled off the start line while the Olympians raced ahead. I was so nervous my whole body was shaking. When I eventually finished, miles behind the others I nearly cried because I was so glad it was over. The pure humiliation of it all there was no way I had a PB and what was worse Antonia had beaten me ahhhhhhh.
We then did a K2 together where we fought all the way to the start line (very stressed at the thought of racing Olympians again) as we have rating issues then the race went better than my K1 but felt rushed and out of time. Anyway it's over and we don't have to do it again until Friday when we have the 200m. The say sport doesn't build character it reveals it. I certainly felt ripped raw to the core with that experience. I am so glad we have got tomorrow off, we are going surfing at Bondi where I can fall in as much as I like! Oh yes I didn't fall in!!!! (but think I held back for fear of falling in)
Also we got talking to a few of the officials and one of the old guys works in a School with my Grandma and the other invited us to Kayak at Windsor (Sydney) Canoe club who train at Penrith where we raced today so if nothing else comes of it apart from the great?? experience we might have opened a door of opportunity as we are thinking of coming back in September for a bit longer. Australia is the place for kayaking that's for sure!
This post sounds quite negative but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Things can only get better!
Before the race I was a nervous wreak which I think i had every right to be, imagine warming up with girls who where wearing their country's lycra and Ant and I in our Bristol all-in-ones! Plus being that nervous made me even more unstable than usual. When I came round to the start we had to back the K1's onto the start where a kid holds your boat until the starter beeper goes off. I was just thinking please give me a bloody rowing boat this is a stupid sport, why would anyone in their right mind want to do this. Actually why am I here? Then they called . . . starting in 10 seconds beeeeep. . . and I basically crawled off the start line while the Olympians raced ahead. I was so nervous my whole body was shaking. When I eventually finished, miles behind the others I nearly cried because I was so glad it was over. The pure humiliation of it all there was no way I had a PB and what was worse Antonia had beaten me ahhhhhhh.
We then did a K2 together where we fought all the way to the start line (very stressed at the thought of racing Olympians again) as we have rating issues then the race went better than my K1 but felt rushed and out of time. Anyway it's over and we don't have to do it again until Friday when we have the 200m. The say sport doesn't build character it reveals it. I certainly felt ripped raw to the core with that experience. I am so glad we have got tomorrow off, we are going surfing at Bondi where I can fall in as much as I like! Oh yes I didn't fall in!!!! (but think I held back for fear of falling in)
Also we got talking to a few of the officials and one of the old guys works in a School with my Grandma and the other invited us to Kayak at Windsor (Sydney) Canoe club who train at Penrith where we raced today so if nothing else comes of it apart from the great?? experience we might have opened a door of opportunity as we are thinking of coming back in September for a bit longer. Australia is the place for kayaking that's for sure!
This post sounds quite negative but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Things can only get better!
Tuesday 4 March 2008
Sydney Harbour Swim (on a not so sunny day)
2k swimming race in Sydney Harbour sounds quite easy but when your amongst hundreds of other swimmers as well as the natural swell of the sea and wash from other boats it turns the swim into a whole new skill. The hardest bit was to control my breathing but after the swimmers have broken out a bit and found space it became easier. Antonia's age category started before me but the funny thing was after about 3/4 of the way through I knocked someone swimming by and looked up and it was Antonia, out of all the people we were in there amongst, we just laughed at each other and swam on then I thought I can't believe I wasted energy laughing! I finished the swim in 26.59 which I didn't think was so bad for my first ocean swim plus I have had no practice. . . . apart from back in the Summer in Nottingham oh and few few endurance swims here on the lake (with a kayak full of water) so that is a small lie but it's nothing like the sea!
Here is a non attractive photo of Ant and I in our lovely swimming hats we had to wear!
Saturday 1 March 2008
The NATIONALS!!!!
Last week at the club there was a lot of talk about the ultimate race in Sprint Kayaking which is the Australian National Championships. As well as being the last race in their sprint season this is also where the top athletes in the country will be fighting it out for a place in the Beijing Olympics.
All the guys at the club have been entered and were asking if Ant and I were going to compete. As always we are up for anything so entered on-line as soon as we got home. It felt great to be entering as 'international' representing GB but apart from age category there wasn't anywhere to state what level we were, like in rowing you start novice and work your way up through the categories and this being our first sprint race ever wanted to make sure we were going to be racing people of a similar level.
So I rang up the regatta organisers and told the nice woman, although we have entered as international we have only been paddling since July so want to make sure we will be racing at the right level and she promptly informed me that England had a good system going and Australia were thinking about implementing it but the only categories they have is age so you could be racing against Olympians!!!!! I said wow that will be an experience but I really am very novice and might fall in off the start line! She said just practice some starts you will be fine! So then for a minuet I was very excited and then realisation hit me and the pressure of what we have let our selves in for.
So yes next week I don't think we will be doing many other forms of training other than paddling and Duffy has even given us a key to the club so we can get extra sessions in.
The nationals start on the 12th March. Ant and I are competing in a K2 and k1 500m and 200m on the 13th and 14th March.
I'm reading Lance Armstrong's autobiography and he said that all great athletes aren't scared of putting them selves in positions where they could make a fool of them selves through lack of experience because that's the only way you will learn fast! hummmm . . . he also says " make every obstacle an opportunity" which I think is a better way of looking at it.
All the guys at the club have been entered and were asking if Ant and I were going to compete. As always we are up for anything so entered on-line as soon as we got home. It felt great to be entering as 'international' representing GB but apart from age category there wasn't anywhere to state what level we were, like in rowing you start novice and work your way up through the categories and this being our first sprint race ever wanted to make sure we were going to be racing people of a similar level.
So I rang up the regatta organisers and told the nice woman, although we have entered as international we have only been paddling since July so want to make sure we will be racing at the right level and she promptly informed me that England had a good system going and Australia were thinking about implementing it but the only categories they have is age so you could be racing against Olympians!!!!! I said wow that will be an experience but I really am very novice and might fall in off the start line! She said just practice some starts you will be fine! So then for a minuet I was very excited and then realisation hit me and the pressure of what we have let our selves in for.
So yes next week I don't think we will be doing many other forms of training other than paddling and Duffy has even given us a key to the club so we can get extra sessions in.
The nationals start on the 12th March. Ant and I are competing in a K2 and k1 500m and 200m on the 13th and 14th March.
I'm reading Lance Armstrong's autobiography and he said that all great athletes aren't scared of putting them selves in positions where they could make a fool of them selves through lack of experience because that's the only way you will learn fast! hummmm . . . he also says " make every obstacle an opportunity" which I think is a better way of looking at it.
Sunday 24 February 2008
18 sessions in 6 days!
Our first week here was pretty full on training wise which of course is a good thing but when we planned to have Saturday off as we were meeting Liz and Phil on Friday night we had already done 18 sessions in 6 days! Then on Friday we had a paddle first thing in the morning then felt like zombies plus we had promised our selves we had to do a 30 min interval run 2 mins hard 2 mins less hard! Then we went straight from that to a body balance class which is just loads of stretching and we barely had the energy to to do that. So we crawled back home ate lunch and went to bed! We then met up with Liz and Phil in the awesome Pizza restaurant called The Oaks. Not long after we had Sat down this guy came over to me and asked if I was a rower because of the size of my arms!!!! I said I use to be but I used my arms too much instead of my legs so I had to change sports. Then Liz jumped in and said feel my arms i'm a rower!! Very amusing even though reality struck that I am turning into a hulk! See hulkism below with little lovely Lucy with whom we are staying with and is like a second mum to us. We love you Lucy! (sorry if I'm a bit scary!)
At the weekend we went to watch Northern Beaches Canoe Club in a regatta in Penrith where they held the Sydney Olympics rowing and kayaking events. When we turned up Duffy the coach told us GB were there and sure enough they had entered six of their top women who we had met during our stay at Nottingham. We watch their K4 race seen here below:
At the weekend we went to watch Northern Beaches Canoe Club in a regatta in Penrith where they held the Sydney Olympics rowing and kayaking events. When we turned up Duffy the coach told us GB were there and sure enough they had entered six of their top women who we had met during our stay at Nottingham. We watch their K4 race seen here below:
Here they weren't doing too well and came last but their K2 did really well although we missed
that race. Northern Beaches also did great although in training this morning the coach had a go at them and said she noticed after most of their races they were able to talk way too soon which of course meant they weren't trying hard enough which has to change in time for the biggest race of the season, The Australian National Championships which are in 3 weeks time!
"You need to learn pain" in Duffys words!
Below two of the boys from Northern Beaches Kayak club after their k2 race.
This weekend we also visited Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains which was absolutely stunning.
We trained some more on the beautiful lake and visited our very cute, cheeky cousins! Antonia loved having that overly large stick insect in her hair!!!
Monday 18 February 2008
I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!!!
Our awesome gym, I just did a spin class for the first time and it was AMAZING!!!! Recomended for anyone who likes to burn baby burn!
When we first talked about having a training camp here I was thinking it seams quite extreme to do it on the other side of the world but it is totally worth it. It's so motivational being in a warm climate and being constantly surrounded by a healthy fit nation who always seem positive and happy.
The kayak club are a 25 min drive away so to be on the water for 6am it does mean waking up at 4.45am but we have done it just about every morning so just feels normal at the moment.
Northern Beaches Kayak club are based on the beautiful Narrowbean Lake which is huge. The club train 9 times a week and is mainly kids between 8 and 18 which is really perfect for us as the coach is the best technical coach in NSW and technique is what we seem to be lacking! But this coach Christine or Duffy as the kids call her is a no nonsense woman. If your a minute late, the squad are gone, if you miss a training session, your out of a crew boat, if you fall in you have to swim to the bank and yesterday I fell in . . . in the middle of the lake! The shore looked miles away and slowly the other paddlers and Duffy in her wash making speed boat were out of sight.
I was left stranded thinking there was no need to find that 50m pool today. Antonia kindly came back for me and at first I told her she shouldn't have as it looks bad if we both don't stick with the group, but she pointed out it was our first time in the speedy K1's they had lent us and she was also worried about how far I had to swim. So she suggested she toe me and my water filled kayak but that didn't work, I tried straddling it like on a surf board but it was too full of water so I swam and swam, I could see the shore in the distance but it didn't seem to get any closer then I had a panic attack and suddenly thought I would get leaches all over me then Cockodile Dundee crept into my head, Antonia realised I was being completely irrational and reminded me leaches don't like salt water (as the lake runs into the sea) and Crocodiles are only way up the North coast so I got a grip and carried on swimming. Then I spotted this beautiful Pelican that was standing in the middle of the lake! No it wasn't Jesus reincarnated it was a very shallow part, so I swam there and thanked nice Mr Pelican and he said "any time mate" and flew off! Ok Ant paddled over first and he fled! So I got back into my boat and paddled back to the club.
Wednesday 13 February 2008
Sunny Sydney
We arrived in a hot sunny Sydney about 5 hours ago and despite feeling like I am on deaths door through lack of sleep we have already found a huge free-weights gym and have our first paddle with Northern Beaches Canoe Club at 6am tomorrow morning! I am sooooooooo happy. It is gloriously hot and everyone one we speak to sounds pleased to see us, maybe that's just the accent. Off for a nap now, Antonia is insisting we go to the gym tonight, the hour of core we did in Tokyo airport wasn't really sufficient!
Monday 11 February 2008
Warm weather training!
OFF TO
Around Christmas time Antonia and I were talking about having a training camp in Oz to give us extra inspiration to continue training hard up until sprint season. As many know half our family live out there so we were hoping accommodation wouldn't be a problem! At first it was just a 'far out' idea but then after an especially windy, wet and freezing outing on Bristol Docs we thought we just have to make this trip happen. So we made all the necessary arrangements and tomorrow we are off to Sunny Sydney (apparently it's a bit wet at the moment but at least it's not cold!!) We have found a canoe club who train every day, a free weights gym and the superb accommodation we are staying at has a 50m pool at the end of the road!
I will be writing again as soon as we have sussed the place out but for now I have to track down where our lovely new Bracca IV paddles have got to!
p.s. We went to watch Debra Searle do a talk at
Opportunities happen when you put your self out side your comfort zone. I love that because now when ever I don't want to do something I will change that feeling instantly by realising what great things will come from it!
Monday 28 January 2008
Rowing is so last year darling! Our first kayak race!
Antonia and I had our first marathon experience this Sunday. It was the first of the waterside series Great Bedwyn to Newbury 13 1⁄2 miles including 21 portages. We weren’t sure what to expect apart from a lot of pain but as soon as my coach Andy said we ought to do it I was very up for it actually more up for it than I thought I ever would be, it was the thought of finally competing again thrilled me. Apart from the trials in Notts and the friendly Endeavour race both our last proper races with lots of other crews was Henley Royal Regatta in a much loved rowing boat!
We got to the start on time, the atmosphere was so much more relaxed than a rowing head race, which was nice in a way as it took the pressure off what we were about to do. It didn’t help that we boated the wrong way around and the marshal said it would be a long race if we were to do it back wards! We just made out we were going for a long warm up paddle in the other direction!!! Which he didn’t buy!
We started with 3 other crews and went off hard then settled into a good rhythm but 2 mins into the race we had the first portage. This is a skill in it’s self as you can loose a lot of time hauling your self out and in of the boat. To get the fastest portage you have to do everything in sink, from grabbing hold of the side, getting out the same way and running as fast as your partner to the other side of the lock gates and putting the same foot in the boat before your bums hit the seat and then pushing off the side. We were very bad at this having no experience but got better even though in the last hour I questioned whether my arms would lift my body weight out of the boat any more.
It was such a good experience and to race with all those people around was a huge buzz plus we over took loads of crews. This sport is mainly dominated my men so a lot of the crews we overtook were men and judging by the subtle remarks they made to one another found it demoralizing.
We finished the course in 2hrs22mins coming 9th out of 28 other women’s K2’s and also beat 29 other senior K2 men which we were very pleased with as we have only been paddling now for 7 months.
We also were spotted by Worcester Canoe club coach who has asked us to train with them at the weekends to make a k4 to race in the Summer which will be fantastic!
The canoe community is pretty small so it was good to finally meet a few of them. I can’t wait until the Summer now bring on the racing!
New coach, new gym, new fantastic year!
I was in a Glastonbury café last week and on the back of the menu were my stars for the year, (not that I believe in any of that stuff) but it said Gemini’s are about to have an incredible year and so far they have proved right!
Antonia and I have a new weights and conditioning coach who has been such an inspiration to us. Pip the former England woman’s rugby player as taken us under her wing and has set us a pure power and sprints focused programme. We have already undergone 2 bleep tests and cleans are becoming second nature.
We also have to say a MASSIVE thank you to the TRAIN STATION GYM in Glastonbury who have kindly given us free access to their superb free weights and cardio equipment. The staff are extremely helpful, friendly and knowledgeable and I would recommend it to anyone. We haven’t been to any of the classes yet but they sound very motivational!
Although we had set up a good gym in the cider cellar it was starting to get slightly monotonous. We have to do a lot of our training with just each other so to have a gym and train with other people has given a massive boost to our moral.
Antonia and I have a new weights and conditioning coach who has been such an inspiration to us. Pip the former England woman’s rugby player as taken us under her wing and has set us a pure power and sprints focused programme. We have already undergone 2 bleep tests and cleans are becoming second nature.
We also have to say a MASSIVE thank you to the TRAIN STATION GYM in Glastonbury who have kindly given us free access to their superb free weights and cardio equipment. The staff are extremely helpful, friendly and knowledgeable and I would recommend it to anyone. We haven’t been to any of the classes yet but they sound very motivational!
Although we had set up a good gym in the cider cellar it was starting to get slightly monotonous. We have to do a lot of our training with just each other so to have a gym and train with other people has given a massive boost to our moral.
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