New Tricks

I was buoyed up a bit by last week’s outing which, considering everything, went rather well after a three week lay-off. A few days later my son offered a trip in a K2. The outing, although short, went quite well and we covered my two mile course on the Wey in the fastest time I’ve ever done it in, some four minutes faster than my usual time for the mile each way. We had our moments, but for the most part it felt as if we were getting the paddling together and we were cracking along far faster than I could ever manage by myself and really quite encouraging to find out what it’s like to be going as fast as a proper racer. It was a great experience and I was really pleased with myself that it had gone so well.

After another week I was ready to have a go at a longer trip and the conveniently measured five miles return trip to Pyrford and back seemed to fill the bill quite well. It may have been that something rubbed off from that K2 trip because this time I found the going quite easy and I was able to keep up a sustained paddling rhythm, all the way there and back and no rest at the turn-around.

The day after however, was a different kettle of fish altogether when we went out again in the K2, only this time doing intervals along the two mile course. On the return leg everything fell apart and the old core muscles let me down again, which was something I haven’t experienced for some time. Once again cramp in the thigh and hip muscles had me sagging towards the back of the cockpit, unable to keep up a sustained paddling rate and it was all I could do to limp home. This time it felt about as bad as the previous time had felt good.

I put that one down to lack of recovery time and stayed away from the water for a few days, then went back for another solo try over the five miles. Once again it all clicked into place and I put in a PB for the trip with an overall average time of 3.8 mph and an average paddle speed of 4.5 mph.

Part of the reason for this minor improvement is probably to do with my weight loss which still hovers just above the 13 stone mark, although it has twice dropped under to record the magical 12 stone something number although it soon popped back over that mark. That must have been due to the chocolate covered peanut.

I need to do something more about the core muscle strength and durability. With that in mind I’ve pulled the old bike out of the garage, washed it and oiled it and tried it out for a couple of short hops. Thanks to the multitude of gears the hills are OK going downhill, but after an epic uphill struggle the legs are in need of a bit of R&R.