Brooklyn Bridge

Finally get a change to do what I always wanted to do when I started long distance running.   Yesterday I ran from my house over NYC iconic Brooklyn Bridge and back onto the Brooklyn side.   I did not do any preparation when I started out late in the morning.  I did not know how far it is from my house to the bridge.  I thought it would be 7-8 miles, and that it would be simple to find the bridge.  I was wrong on both count. 

I started out later then I planned, at 11AM.  The first 3 miles were painful.  It take me a while to get into my running stride.  Once I get through my first 3 miles and get onto 4 Avenue, I feel much better and manage to ran effortlessly.   I ran up 4th Avenue for a good 7 miles, looking to my left as I get to miles 6 and 7  hoping I can see the Brooklyn Bridge.  I did not realized that up in Midtown Brooklyn, the bridge is couple of miles to my west, because 4 Avenue no long run along the shore like down in Bayridge.  I run back a couple of time thinking I had already ran pass the bridge but realize that the bridge much be further north each time when I see the shore.  I worked my way further West hoping I can see the bridge, but this meant I have to go back East to get to the entrance.   I make a couple of turn as I reach President Streets, and Pacific Street.  I know the general area but have no idea where the bridge is.  I finally meet up with the bridge but was no able to find the pedestrian entrance.  I ran a couple miles around before I finally stumble onto it.  

The approach to the bridge on the Brooklyn side s about a three quart of a miles.  I was a nice shallow grade so it was not as bad as I fear.  The pedestrians path did not get crowd till I get to the top.  I brushed a couple of tourists and ran into a couple of pictures on my way over the bridge and back.  When I get back over the bridge back to Brooklyn it was 14 miles. 

I was tempted to ran the rest of the way home but decided against it as I reach my 18 miles goal.  Properly not a good idea to push for 32 miles 2 weeks away from the big event.  Still can't wrap my mind around the fact that it almost November already.

Mini Vacation

Light rains drops are hitting the roof of the cabin as I sit here typing. It is an improvement to the heavy rain and wind that sweep through the camp at about three pm today. What the storm left behind is cooler air. If I was in the city I would be happy for the cooler air, but up here in ACA cabin, cooler air meant no swimming. I am surprise the children would let a little thing like cool air stop them. Actually, the cool air probably did not stop them, the life guard call it quit for the day when the storm come by, and do not look like he will be returning to duty today.

Bob and Jerry(?) from Yonker are the only other kayakers here today. Jerry went back so it just Bob. Bob is still on the water. I get all dress up in my swim trunk and rash guard then decided it was too cool to go paddling. Have to decide if I want to go running before dinner - all depending if the light drizzle became a heavy down pour or not. I don't want to climb some of these steep hills in the rain.

Nothing much plan for Saturday. Jerry's (Sebago's Jerry) weight lifter friends are having a competition at the camp tomorrow, and there are big sailing races at the same time so it is going to be crazy with people. I have the long run tomorrow - 18 miles. Can't put this off to Sunday like last week, I get a long distance kayak trip with Stevie to Breezy Point from Blum Beach.

I put some consecutive run in this weeks.

Tuesday 6 miles
Wednesday 6 miles (Marathon running class)
Thursday 1.55 x 3 including cool down run about 4 miles.
Friday 0
Saturday 18 Miles.

Jus come back from dinner with Linda and Pete - and one of their son,Chris. Linda cook a very good meal. Tiffany did not come to dinner, she did showed up with her friend after we finish dinner. She come in to change into her bath suit, to go swimming at 8PM - in the dark, and chilly air. I seat around and talk with Pete. He is a bit talkative today. I excuse myself after Pete say he have to go take a shower and went down to the swimming dock to watch Tiffany and her new friend swam. They asked me to join them I said hell no. I only swim when there is a blazing sun to dry me off and keep me warm.

Get back and start reading Bob Glover's The Competitive Runner's Handbook. I don't like reading book on my hobbies. It just make it so serious. I am never much of a kayak book reader neither.

I am hoping to stay up till 1oPM. Everything stop at the lake pass sun down so usually bed time is quite early up here.

Sat:
It was a stormy night up at the camp. Loud rambling thunder wake me up a couple of time during the night. I was still raining, but no thunder this morning when I wake up at 6AM. Pete did not stop by to wake me up for our 6AM morning paddle. I am glad because my side muscles still hurt from that two laps around the lake yesterday in strong wind. We were supposed to go to breakfast at 8AM but I still have not see any sign of Pete or his family.

I am trying to read "Food and Running" part of the Running Book. Eating and good diet are the most difficult area of marathon training that I have to adjust to. I don't like food, I don't like to discuss food - even conversational much less as a serious object. My eating philophy is if I get hungry enough to faint, I eat. I would prefer sleeping to to eating everytime, hence I rarely eat breakfast. I have to get better at eating for fuel rather then just barely surviving.

Get back from breakfast. Still raining. No thunder so I think it is safe to go out on the water. I may let my breakfast settle first. No much activities yet for a late Saturday morning.

It is becaming apparent that I may not be able to do my 18 miles today. Forecast call for drizzling to downpour to thunderstorm all day.

Went out for a paddle. Paddle from Sebago Dock to Sebago Beach without stopping to rest. I like these kind of paddle, work on proper forward stroke. Get back to watch the canoe sailing race start. It was 12AM by the time I get lunch started and 1PM by the time I am eating. I am eating now actually. I am not eating real fast because I am also trying find the adminstrative password for this fucking computer. I don't remember setting it. Apparently when you set a password for on of the user you also set a password for the administrator. I typed in every possible password I may have use to no avail. I hate it when this happen.

After a couple dozen attempt, I manage to get Administrator access to my computer. It is the password I thought it was. Don't understand why it did not work the first dozen time. My camera is still not recognized by the computer, which is the whole reason why I need administrator access in the first place. I give up and went to watch the weight lifter do their stuff. It was impressive.

Went out kayaking again. This time I did a couple of rolls now that I have Cody's diving mask. I hate fresh water in my nose, it sting. I get one of those expensive nose clip, but it keep on slipping off my nose, too greasy.

No going to get my long run in today. I am back indoor because it start to rain again. Have to figure what to have for dinner or where to go for dinner.

Yellow Submarine

I wake up too late to help out on the Saturday paddle. Did manage to get myself together enough to be there by 11AM. I take out my peeling yellow Skin on Frame (SonF) kayak out. Meet up with the open paddle as they were coming back. I witness a sight I haven't seen in a while, Jennifer kayaking! I did believe my eye so I sneak up behind her to get a closer look. I escorted her and Walter back to the dock.

After a short conversation with Walter about his new kayak, I take off. I did not have a plan, just go out and see how I feel. I end up grossing the channel to Canasie Pol, and decided a trip around the pol would be in order. I have a relaxing paddle around the pol, and did not feel the need rush till I was back on the other side. I capsized once while trying to edge my turn. The SonF do not have much freeboard, the deck cut into the water and I was not expecting that. It had been awhile since I used this boat. This may be the longest trip I take in the boat since the ill fate 14 mile race I did two summers ago. I end up with a couple of gallons of water in my boat when I get back. The water is seeping through the canvas.

Get back by 1PM.

The Sea in Sea Kayaking

I have been spending way too much time at the lake upstate and not enough time in actual open water. I have to remedy this stat.

We Need to Rehearse

Chorograph rolling for Blessing of the Fleet in Jamaica Bay.


On Phil whistle Bonnie capsize her boat- displace the word "Club" for by black electric tape on bottom of her kayak.


On, two three and I rolled displayig my "Canoe" written in black electric tape under my boat.



I have no idea what my timing was when I come up. I assume that Phil and Bonnie roll at the same time since the order was supposed to be Phil with "Sebago" would roll first on his signal - the whistle, then me - with Canoe, and then Bonnie with Club - to spell out "Sebago" "Canoe" "Club." Turn out it was a false start anyway since the official on Canarsie Pier were not ready.



The Coast Guard Aux boat that was supervising the Jamaica Bay Blessing of the Fleet was not expecting us to do the roll as we pass by the official on Canarsie Pier. Phil manage to calm their nerve and we get to try it again.


On Phil whistle signal I count to three, roll and then spend a good half minutes trying to get water out of my eye so did not see Bonnie roll. I wasn't even sure where I was. We don't have anyone on the pier to document our little stunt. Next time get a cameraman on the pier - and a lot more practice with the time, and the formation.


We paddle to the side of Canarsie pier to clear the way for the actual motor boats to come down in single line formation. We want documentation of our rolls so we have Andy take a movie of us rolling. The first time we did it he did not have the camera on. The second time he catched Phil, and me but was not able to keep Bonnie in frame.


We paddled to Mill Basin, the back to the club just to make it a official paddle

Pictures soon if I even get around to downloading them from my camera.

Less Politic and More Paddling...plz.

I am coming into the paddling season with a bad mindset. I am getting too much exposure to club politic both at Sebago and at the ACA Camp. I just want to paddle, lounge around in between, go swimming and have a nice fire side dinner with friends. Is that too much to asked for?

IDW & ICE

I just went through a 6 days workshop and certification courses to be a American Canoe Association (ACA) coastal water kayaking instructo. I did not come into it with high expectation. Actually I did not planned getting myself certify to be a kayaking instructor at all. My plan all winter was to not go down that route. But a last minute cancellation by someone planning to attend the workshop, my absent mindedness in casual conversation about weekend plan, I committed myself into it without think through what is required.

I did not know that it require three days, the weekend plus Monday for the workshop, and another weekend plus Monday two weeks from the workshop to actually get certified. I sure did not know how much it would cost - the initial estimated given to me by Jerry was $200 for the workshop, and about the same for the certification, for a total of around $500. I did not know any detail of the class or the logistic involves. It turn out after the fact that we get a grant to cover all of the cost, certify instructors just have to do instruction for the club. I think I would prefer to pay the full amount, because the pressure is now on to actually start instructing.

There were 8 of us in the workshop. Stevie, Jerry, Peter, Tony, Elizabeth G., Tom, Walter, and myself. The workshop is being taught by Elizabeth O'Connar, and Gordan from a local ACA instruction outfit.

I struggled through the workshop a bit but find myself much more comfortable then I thought I would be. I did all my teaching with minimum of difficulties. Once I get to the on water teaching part I feel much more comfortable and relax. I find myself enjoying the challenge and the teaching. I get towed all the way back to the bridge on the last day (a towing excercise) - it was fun for me, not so much for Stevie and Walter who have to do the towing. It was a grueling 3 days, and it take me a now weeks of no running and no gym to recover.

The weekend after the workshop, and before the certification weekend Stevie, Peter, and I went up the the lake to work on refining our skills. Pete was already in the Camp when I arrived at 10 AM. Pete waited for Stevie to arrive so I went paddling by myself, do a couple of rolls, and work on my level 1 and Level 2 skills. I come back and dry off before Stevie arrived. Stevie and Adele were not planning on getting to the camp till 1PM. They have to stop by and help Adele's mother move. I was having lunch Stevie and Adele arrive at the camp. It was not till 2PM that Stevie and Pete was ready to get in the water. I let them go out first and join them a bit later after I finish my lunch and relax a bit.

When I did get back on the water, we meet up in front of Scotty's dock and practice rescue. The problem with practicing rescue in a lake is that it is too easy, and does not replicate condition that would cause a capsize in the first place. We should take turn teaching a basic paddling stroke because it is so much harder to slow down and break down the basic then to do the more high level stuff since that where our teaching skill will be tested but we end up doing lot of various rescues, testing different ways to get someone back on their boats etc.

Sunday was a bust as usually. I get everyone up at 7AM to go to breakfast so we can have a full day on the water but we end up wasting much of the Morning waiting. I went out by myself and do a bit of straight paddling, trying to keep my arm straight. I came back for lunch when Walter arrived at 1PM, and everyone get ready to get in the water. Don't remember what we practices but by 4PM we head back so some people can have a late lunch. The plan was to go back out again but I though that it was unlikely. I for one am done for the day. When everyone have their lunch it was decided that there will not be another session - as I expected.


We get our Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) the following week. We were email the outline of what to prepare for at the begin of the week but did not remember to print it out for the practice session. I did not write out my assign lesson plan till late on Friday night.


It was decided to have the ICE close to where the IT live rather then having them commuted to Sebago. It is a good hour away from my apartment. On Saturday and Sunday we were to meet at Timber Points, and Monday at Oak Park. I was tempted to stay at a hotel but end up deciding to commute instead.


I get lost on Saturday morning. I get there 30 minutes early but was not able to find the turn off to get to the put out place at Timber Point. The instruction I was given had the wrong street name on the driving instruction. I end up just making a guess and end up in the right place. It was foggy and cold that morning as we sit around the only picnic table discussing the coming days. I give my presentation on signaling devices and emergency equipment. I actually stick pretty close to my lesson plan. The fog lift after lunch when went out on the water for the video tape skill session. I end up being the last one to perform in front of the camera. The instruction was to paddle forward, reverse, stop, draw to the hip both side, spin the boat around till facing the camera again, sculling draw and then low brace and high brace on both side. It went by so fast that I did not realized till after I am done that I forget the sculling draw (my favorite paddling stroke) - Elizabeth O' don't seem to care that I forget that one stroke.


After the stroke video taping, we went out to more open water to do rescue, and on water lesson. Before the rescue lesson everyone that want to get certify for Level 3 and Level 4 have to demonstrate ability to do a roll, three difference rolls, including roll that is not set up. I went first. I did a storm roll, a reverse roll and for my none set up roll, I attempts a couple of high braces but did not capsized so I faked a capsized so I can do my non set up roll.


My on water lesson is to teach paddle float rescue. I had Elizabeth G. do the actually demonstration while I talk her through it. I thought the lesson went well. After each rescue lesson, everyone have to perform the rescue so we get in the water a lot. i am so glad I find a solution to my semi dry dry suite problem because I would not be able to spend that much time in the water otherwise.


I actually started to have fun as the day progress.


Saturday Evening we went to have dinner at the hotel where Tom P. is staying. Nice place for the middle of nowhere. While we wait for our dinner, each of us of to self critics our paddling on the video. Its is definitely painful to see bad habits that one just taken as normal after a long period of paddling. After dinner I end up driving Elizabeth G. back to Brooklyn. Stevie and Pete who originally also plan to drive back to Brooklyn decided to stay at the hotel. I get back home by 11PM so it was not a bad commute.


Even with picking up Elizabeth G. in the morning, I end up getting to Timber Point at 7:30AM (everyone was to meet there by 8:30AM). We drive around looking for a drug store that sell medicine for my upset stomach. We find a supermarket that open early, get my medicine, stop by for bagel and still get back before everyone arrive.

Wind was predicted to be 15 to 35 knot an hour so we know it will be an exciting day. We have a couple of on land lesson, then we get in the water. The paddle to our calm spot for the on water lesson was challenging due to the wind. The whole day was about managing a couple in adverse condition. I did my lesson on reverse sweep and 360 degree turn in place. I did not have it clear in my mind what I want to do so much of it was off the cuff. I did not lost control of the group so that a plus.


We went back to the put out spot for lunch and to take the written test. I forget all about the written test. I know right off that I bombed on the navigation part of it. I send a good 10 minutes trying to find the lighthouse on the map. Since I am coming back for the Level 3 and 4 drills on Monday I will not know how badly did till Monday. Since Sunday was also Mother Day, we get to go home early, 3PM. I drive Elizabeth G. back to Sebago Brooklyn Clubhouse to pick up her car and drop some stuff off at the club. I stop by my parents' to visit my mother and wish her Happy Mother's Day.

I get up early on Monday morning and drive over to Oak Beach, right off Jone Beach. It was wonderful drive. Stevie and Pete were already there when i drive in. The instructors had not arrive yet so we take the time to get out boats down to the beach, and all our equipment together.

The wind die down by Monday, which good and bad. I did not have a chance to see the surf but it also mean we don't have to fight it and the current all the way to the inlet. Before we get on the water, I have to retake part of the test that was missing. After everyone retake the missing parts, we went over the navigation sections. I get 2 or 3 questions rights. I know from the total score for the other section, that even if i total bombed the Navigation section I would still not fail the written.


The day on the water comprise of many surprise accidents that required actions from the whole group but especially for the trip leader assign at that particular time. It was a mess but we learn a lot by our failures. I did not lead till the return trip, and there was no "heart attack" on my watch. (I may go over each of these incident separately because it is interesting in how each of us handle the situation and the lesson lead. )


After lunch on the inside part of the peninsular we paddle out to the Atlantic side. The water at the mouth of the inlet was choppy but it could be much worse of the wind was like the previous day. There were not much surf, I did not even get to use my brand new helmet. I did manage to ride a couple of small surf but nothing major. After playing in the surf for a good hour it was time to paddle back. Elizabeth paddle alone side me before we head back and asked me how I feel about capsize and waiting for an Eskimo rescue in the choppy water of the mouth of the inlet. I indicated I am OK with it. The water was much more choppy on the way back then when we went out. I try to be at the center of the group when I capsized. It is surprising calm when you are upside down in heaving water. I count to 15 (probably to fast) wave my arms, feel nothing was about to roll when I feel something on my boat and wave my arm again hoping to catch the rescuing boat, I feel a boat on the back of my hand but was unable to hold it before it slip away. I finally have to bail out of my boat and and have a t/x rescue performed. Lost my paddle in the process - I should remember to hold on to it. I end up using someone else spare paddle once I get back into my own boat. Its a good thing that Pete manage to get almost all of the water out of my boat because even without the water I was having problem keeping from capsizing from all the wave come up from behind my boat. Pete was paddle too far to my left and i was trying to catch up with him when he capsize. I was not in position to rescue him so I just observe from a distance, notice my paddle floating away so end up fighting the wave to get my spare paddle. It was a grueling 15 minutes of paddle to get to it. Elizabeth paddle by and asked me if I need help with my spare paddle because it was haphazardly store in my front deck - and advice me to get better handle on my paddle management.


After Pete was recovered and on his way again, we paddled across to the North side of the inlet. Once we get out of the rough water of the inlet mouth, and out of boat traffic i get a chance to empty out my boat on the shore. Pete did a good job when he dumped out my boat but there is still a good gallan of water in it. After everyone get back on the water, Elizabeth to me to lead the group aroun the point into the other side so we would have some protection from the wind. I picked Stevie as my point man, and Tom as my sweep. I asked Stevie to bear wide of the rock on the point but apparently my idea of wide clearance is difference from his because he did not go as far out as i though he should before turning. Everyone get around the point without running into any of the rocks so everything was ok. On the other side, we gather up and go over the prevous rescue. The lesson is rescue on rough water is completely difference from rescue on flat water. We definitely need to find more rough water to practice in the future.



After the wrap up, Elizabeth as me to lead the group back to our put in. The wind was from the South so we were push toward the shores, everyone was trying to prevent their boat from weathercocking. I try to stay as far away from the shore as posible. Elizabeth head out into the wind and zig back into to shore and zag out again, covering more distance then the rest of us. Elizabeth come back and asked me if I see what she is doing. I say "yes, you using the wind and current to your advantages" which would be what I would be doing if i wasn't tie to the group, and try to keep everyone together. I asked Stevie to lead the group the rest of the way by zig, zaggining instead of straight alone the shore, sure enough, the group start to break up. Stevie was off on his own somewhere.

We get back to the take out site sometime after 3PM. After everyone get into dry street cloth and load their boats, each of us would get a individual evaluation. I was the first one to turn in my Instructor evaluation so I was call first. First thing elizabth asked me was what I think my strong point was. My answer was I try to make it fun. And my weakness; I rush through thing when i am nervous. Her suggestion were to slow down, and break stroke into parts so i can time myself. All if which I know I must do. I do much better when I know what I am taking about, and know the logical layout of a subject. I was supprised when she told me that she think I can be a Level 3 coach, borderliningon Level 4 if I have just a bit more teaching skills. Off the coff, I told her " I hope not, I don't know what to do with Level 4." Hell I don't even know what to do with Level 3 Instructor certification. Level 3 Instructor is a lot of responsibilities, one which I am not fully prepare for.

After I foolishly commited myself to this whole thing, my reasoning for going throught it was that I would a be helping out anyway so I might as well go through it to see the process so that I won't get in the way. I am hoping for at most a Level 2 Instructor certification, enough for assisting but not enought for all the responsibility. I might had overshot my goal.

ACA Coaching Classes

I signed myself up for ACA Instructor training and certification next weekend. I am getting a bit of an anxiety attach looking through the course outline and ACA coaching requirement.

Destination Paddle

Paddle to the Walf's with Bonnie and Kevin ( a new Sebago member who i meet from ACA camp). Nice paddle, especially with a good destination to look forward to. Meet up with Adele and Stevie who were hiking near by. Discuss lot of paddling, and maybe doing something difference in the coming summer, maybe organizing a white water trip.

Nice way to spend a sunday.

Getting Back in the Water.

I had the first pool session of the season.

I did not do much instruction. Just doing some rolls, and getting comfortable again. My head snap timing is off on my off side. I actually fail a couple of high braces on my left side and was not able to get back up.

I was done by 1:15PM a good 45 minutes before our time at the pool are up.