Racing a race

Sub 30 minute 5 mile mean a sub 6 minutes mile.  Sound easy enough.    That mean 4 mile after the first may have to be sub 6minute mile for me to come in at 30 minutes.  I finished at 30 minutes 23 second, my personal best for a 3 miler.  I have a chance to see if I can do it on my second club point race, the NYRR Portugal Day 5miler (aka Father Day 5milers) Harder in practice because it take me at least 1 miles before I can settle into my race pace.   It help that I started out stronger then I expected, a 6.3 pace on the first mile and manage to get to 6 minutes miles by the second mile.  I was able to get 5.40  for a couple of downhill stretch without losing any speed on the uphill.  The last 1 mile was hard going.   It take all my mental tricks to pickup speed for the last 600 meters to the finish line.   It was perfect morning for a quick 5 milers, temperature in the low 60's with a slight breeze.  

Over Schedules Saturday.

Posted on 06/28 Backdate to event date.

I signed up to lead an open paddle, and do a kayak quickstart class at Sebago's Brooklyn clubhouse.  In my mine, both item on the agenda for the day should be easy enough.  I forget I have not lead a trip since early last summer, and have not teach kayaking class since last Summer, and never did quickstart before.   But how hard can it be right.   Wrong on both count.  

I forget how chaotic it is at an public open paddle.  The last open paddle I lead was the beginning of last summer, and on that one there were only one or two off the street public guests.   I forget how much confusion there is when trying to get more then 15 never been on the water people on the water.   I did not have control of the situation from the get go.   Dot and Walter was there so I have to compete with their leadership of the group.   I get so confuse that I forget to get everyone set up in the boat, adjust foot braces, get them fitted in their kayaks etc.   So most of the people are new no one complain until we started to launch.   After a couple of minutes of confusion we get everything sorted out and one our way.    The usually larcenies of new paddlers complains on the paddle but no one capsized.   I have everyone gather up and rested a couple of time on the paddle.   It is frustrating for those who learn faster and want to go further but  I want everyone together.   I teach the more able paddlers refine strokes techniques while we wait for the slower paddlers to catch up and rest.  Elly my assistant for the trip was very helpful in keeping the slow paddlers from falling too far behind.  

I turned us back a bit earlier then I could have just to give everyone enough time to leisurely paddle back to the dock before 12PM.   We end up getting back a bit before noon.  The kayaks were all washed and return to their storage racks, and other equipment hang out to dry before in short order.    Now I have 2 hours to wait the Quickstart class I am teaching at 2PM.

After eating my lunch of take out Jamaican Ox tail stew I take the time to talk to Walter.  Walter is our Sea Kayak Chair and the wizard of Kayak Quickstart class.  He and Tony must have teach dozen of Quickstart classes last summer.   We discuss what the class material, material to cover and the timing of each part of the class.   I have a general idea of what I want to cover and how much time is need for each but finding a nature progression from one subject or skills to another.   Since this is a Quickstart class, a 3 hours class according to the ACA course description, it is hard to cut back on material to fit in the time.   I can teach each of the stroke for an hours but I get least 7 odd skills to introduce.  One of that hour is take up by on land lecture. 

I hate on land lecture.  I am the worst at speaking to a group of people. Luckily for me there were only 3 students so I can forgo a formal lecture instead go for discussion format.   EG  is my assistant for the class. She was great at give me hint as to the subject to be cover, fill in the material I forget to discuss, and lead in new subjects.   I started off with kayaks and paddles term and terminology with flash card. I have to learn how to properly us flash card as a teaching aid. We were slightly late in getting onto the water but not by much.  Walter and Dotty with two Sebago members that want to be certify to use club's boats and equipment accompany us out on the water but split up to do their things while we stay on the other side of the bridge and go over the basic stroke.

It was very windy when we get on the water.  I have to be mindful of where we were paying blow as I demonstrate and as the students practice the skills.   We went over the forward sweep strokes and practice it for a bit before going under the bridge and out into the bay.   The water is a bit choppy but manageable.  I would rate the condition a level 3 class condition, 1/2 to 1 foot wave, 15-20 mph wind.  Perfect kayaking condition but not so much for teaching preview of basic kayaking stroke.   Our three students were not intimidated by the condition thought.  They head into the waves like a pro.

The biggest problem with teaching in Jamaica Bay is trying to speak over the plane flying overhead.  I keep on having to stop speaking and wait till the airplane over head pass by.  

A couple of more skills were demonstrated and practice on.  The class end up being 5 hours instead of the schedule 3 hours but I have blast teaching it, and my three students seem to enjoy learning and playing on the water. I did a rescue demonstration, EG was rescuer and i was the rescuee in a t/x rescue.  We paddled back with Walter and his little group.  Tony have a small BBQ of burger and hot dogs for us when we get back.   I end up only getting hot dog since I was busy making sure everything is square away.   I did not leave the club till 6 PM.   It as a 8AM to 6PM day at the club.  I have not put this kind of time in at the Brooklyn clubhouse in awhile. I should find time to do it more often. 

 

Getting Back on the Water.

The tent platform project is getting expensive and frustrating.   It is not turning out the way I want it, and I am no making progress.  Actually this weekend the project take a step backward when I destroy my new refrigerator.  I arrived on Saturday night to a open refrigerator and food missing.  A raccoon have getting into my food stash.  I decided as I stay up way pass my bed time listening to the neighbor loud talking and laughter anyway to instead a latch on the fridge.  I savaged a locking latch from another fridge that I can use.  I know I was in trouble when I hear hissing sound of gas escaping and loud grunching sound of ice breaking.  I try to think fast, unplugging the frige and  plug the hole cause by the screws but it was too late.  The next morning I open to fridge to see everything melting.  I am back to square one, finding a new fridge.  My asked Beth who offer my an old fridge previously if her offer is still good. I am going over to have a look at her fridge on Wednesday.  I can't afford another fridge even at a low price of another $150 if I can find it.  I just need a fucking fridge.

I decided to put aside the tent platform head ache and just enjoy being around the camp.  Since Stevie is not the center of the day social activities anymore I am a bit at lost.  I manage to get breakfast and lunch from my take home dinner on Saturday night, and grill some chicken and collar green with bacons for dinner on Sunday. I don't have anything for breakfast on Monday.  I wake up too late to catch breakfast with Stevie or Pete. Just as well, I am out of money.

I went out on the water, enjoy hanging out with the kids, and actually start a fire at my fire pit, a fire pit that need extensive reworking.

NYRR Brooklyn Half Summary

In two words-  scrotum chaffing.  Do I really need to explain it? Needless to say don't try out new sport under-pant (actually its not new, I only wear it a couple of times kayaking because I don't like it and forget why I don't use it anymore - I remembered two mile into the race when it start to drop and the crotch area start to rub where you never want to be rub against by anything) in a race.  So lesson learn, 1 - never try something different from your normal long run clothing on a race, 2 - if clothing is uncomfortable/painful on  a run throw it away.  On the bright side of this - my first running rash - I am a real runner now. 

So on to the race itself.  The start was chaotic, the race itself was fast, the finish is anticlimatic and they really want you to go away.  They don't have a finish area, no place to wait and meet your running friends.  The start and finish was disappointing.  The race itself - I am still undecided on the new course.  I think it is faster.  The 5 miles of Ocean Avenue wasn't the endless hell it was the last couple of time I run it.   Maybe I am just more prepare.  I get a couple of 20 plus miles long run in before this race.

Over all, I think  party atmosphere that make this race fun is dead.

2012 Season Openner at Sebago Canoe Club.

To be honest, I completely forget about that last Saturday was Sebago season opener.    I only find realized it when Pat and Ginger of the Aux. Coast Guard email to remind me that they are stopping by to do safety inspection of Sebago club's kayaks.   The last time I was at the club was on January, so I have not idea of the state of the kayaks.

This year I actually guess right which one of the ladies is Ginger and which on is Pat.   I reversed my assumption.    This year Ginger and Pat get the procedure down the a science.  I just have to open the club container where the kayaks are store and show them which outdoor racks hold club's boats and they do the rest.   They filled out all the paperwork and sticks the inspection stickers on each boats without my help.  Some of the kayaks in the container were orients the wrong way so I have to have these pulled out so they can see where the old stickers were.  Luckily for me I get two tall helpers, Stevie and Dereck, who were waiting for me to compete the inspect and come out paddling with them.   I signed the paperwork for the inspections and the water by 11AM.  There was few other members the club even at that late a time.  Beside, Stevie, Dereck and myself, we have two other paddlers with us.   We decided to heard for Mill Basin and see all the expense houses on the shores.

After a long absence from any type of real paddle I was apprehensive the night before that I may not be in shape for a long paddle.  I have not done any distance paddling since November of last year.   Turn out I worry for nothing. By the time I was under the bridge and in Jamaica Bay I get into my strokes.   I was in the lead most of the trip without really thinking about it.  I forget after a long absence who much I love the motion of paddling.   

The winds which was blowing strongly in the morning calm down a bit by the time we start our paddles and was not  a facts on the paddle.   We turn around and returned to the club by 1 O'clock. 

I planned to skip the club general meeting at 4 PM but somehow end up still around when 4 O' Clock roll around so I stick around, if for nothing else but to vote Kari in as Senior member.   Great addition to our Senior membership.

The season opener is usually a bit party. This year everything some to be a bit of an afterthought (say the guy that forget all about it till the day before).   Our entire leadership, except for John Wright were away.  The normal group that usually show up did not show up this year.   We do not have Sea Kayak meeting because our chair is in South Carolina with the Commodore.   The Season Opener officially started at 10:30 in the morning but the General Meeting is at 4PM.  Everyone decided to come as close to 4 PM as possible so we don't have a large group of paddlers going out.  There were group of 2 or 3 paddles come out as we returned to the dock at 1:30 PM.  Other members did not show up till 4 PM for the general meeting.  

Editor Note:  My last draft post was the 2011 Season Opener.   That mean I have not post any to this blog in almost a year. 

Snaking Around Brooklyn

Brooklyn Half Marathon Map 3-22-12

We are spending some time out on the mean street of Brooklyn.   I don't know this was going to be the changes when I ran my 21 miles long run last Sunday.  I just happen to get lost and end up on East Parkway after getting out on Grand Army Plaza.

Kayaks Destruction by Racoons

 I finally get around to having a proper kayak maintenance and repair workday.  Only four people (not counting the usual suspects - Phil, John, and Stevie) show to help but if is still an official workday I organize so I will take it.  We actually get a lot done.  Stevie help me with most of the repair.

We reattached the forward bulkhead on Pete's plastic Romany. Technically its a private boat, but it was damage while on loan to the club.

Nesting Materials

The the bulkhead behind the cockpit on the Avolet is re-sealed, won't know for sure if it work until I can water test it.  The seat totally destroy by raccoon is clean out and replace by another seat also partially destroy maybe by the same racoon (or sqirrel)
We repair two Chatham 16, replace bungees, velcro seat into position for one, replace the back band adjustment for another. We also fix the skeg on one of the Chatham which get knock off while we were moving it in the storage rack.  It was a pain to re-attached - take 3 people to do it.  We can't adjust the toggle to give it enough slack to put it back in the slot - take a plier and another guy to man handle the cable back in to skeg.

Velcro back seat on on Necky Soar.  All the Necky boat seats need new velcro to stay secure to the boat. Another work day and more supplies are need for that.

Put new neoprene pad for the yellow Lincoln.  Stevie handy work.   The foam seat on this boat also badly damage by animal and must be replace at a later date.  I counted 3 new seats needing replacement so far at cost of at least $200 total.

Kevin and other guy find some seat metal and cover that hole where the raccoons enter the storage container.  Hopefully it is now secure from the destructive animal. 

Kevin find my pricey sunglass while moving the boats in Container 15 which I give up at lost.

Stevie, other member and I have Jamaican food for lunch while waiting for the glue to set.

All in all it was a good day of work.

 Next up:

1. Wash all the boats, 
2. Replace bad velcro attaching seats to boat on some of the Necky Soar.
3. praying UV protectant on all PFD, Boats and plastic seals.  
4. Finish refitting the huntsman
5. Better waterproofing for the Montauk hatches.  Attach hatch to boat to prevent accidental lost.
6. Mark all Sebago boat with Sebago name and number.
7.  Replace skeg cable on Montauk, Saurios, Avocets 

Also have to find time to fix my own boat. 

Any Kayak season.

Getting ready for another kayaking season. Hope to do more long distance open water kayaking.  I should really write more on this blog or delete it.   Don't have anything to write about.   I can't even write something decent even when I get thing to say.  I don't think anyone read this anyway.

Phoenix raising.

I am getting on a early morning flight to Phoenix tomorrow.    This will be my first destination race of any kind and also my very first away marathon.  I am complete unprepare.    My goal is to have fun, take my time and enjoy the scenery.

See you in Phoenix.

Busy Kayaking weekend.

We had our Frostbite Party/General meeting on Saturday.  Before the party some of us crazy people went out paddling.   I wake up late and almost don't make the paddle.    It was high tide so we have a chance to went into a couple of marsh and plan in the ice sheet.  I ran up a sheet of ice and drag myself by my knucle back into the water.   We then went to Raffle Bar and explore the salt marsh in the back.  Definitely no short cut that way. 

Get back in time to have  a hearty party then the meeting.   I left as soon as the meet wind down.

Sunday was spend at the pool.  I am still getting back into the hang of it. 

Get a bad migraine after the pool session, feel like my head is splitting open and my eyes are popping out.

2011 Paddling Goals

1.  More long distance paddles.
2. Expand my comfort zone.  More open water paddle.
3. Get more more articulate and accurate in my instruction.
4. Paddle with wider group of people.
5. Take initiative.

2011 May it be better then the last one.

One day of the year away and 364 days to go.   For the first time since I been member of Sebago Canoe Club, we cancel our Frost Bite Regatta.   I am very disappointed.   I thought we could have make it work. 

Anyway,  New Year did not started the way I planned.   This year I was to finally do the Emerald Nut New Year run.   I walked part of the course and stop by NYRR headquarter to pick up my goodies.    The course was wet and some part very narry due to snow.   Road Runner decided to make it a fun race instead of a time race so I don't see any reason th wait till four just to walk the course and went home.  Watch Doc Who marathon till it pass midnight.  Burn some garlic and  make my apartment and the rest of the building smell like roasted garlic all night. 

I am not making any resolution this year. Epically fail on last year resolutions and worst yet think I am regressing in the social department.   I keep in missing so many opportunity to make my self notice.

Well like I say 364 days to go.

Hello, Anyone out there?

Been neglecting this here blog. Unfortunately I have been neglecting a lot of thing the last couple of months.

Kayaking have been lacking lately.    I did manage to do one solo paddle and a group paddle on my two days off last week.   On Friday I paddle by myself to Mill Basin.  It was a breeze getting there, but a bit more work to paddle against 10-15 mph wind.   It was a good cardio exercise.  Went out last Saturday with Steve H, Bonnie, and her boyfriend to Gerrison Beach. It was a wonderful trip. The sun was out and it is just cold enough that I do not sweat like a pig in my drysuit. We have lunch at the beach, then paddle back to Sebago.  Nice group of people to paddle with. We paddle none stop there and non stop back.

I have not been doing as much running as I would like.   I have a marathon on Jan 16 next year in Phoenix, AZ.  Don't think I will try to break any PR.

Finally get up the courage to go winter hiking by myself today.  I was a bit late.   Don't get there to 1PM, and end up at the wrong parking lot.   I have 28 lb backpack on my back so it was an exercise even thought  I did not go far.  Just up two hill to an outlook, then back to the shelter where I plan to spend the night.  Wind as gusting at 20-30 mph hours.  I end up having to bushwhack it when I walked up to the top of a hill and can't fine my trail markers to get back down.  Turn back after the overlook to find the shelter that was supposed to be right off the trail and relatively close to where I park my car.   The sheet metal cover settle was very hard to get to from the trail, I end up having to climb down a side of the hill to get to it.   I decided to set up my tent first then cook dinner.   There is a wooden platform in the shelter so there is no place to stakes the tent to.   The tent keep on flying away as I set it up. End up tie three corner to the metal posts.  After that is secure I try to boil two eggs. 

It take forever to get the stove going.   Wind keep on blowing it.  Finally get it going long enough to boil the two eggs and pouring a bit of it into my freeze dry rice and chicken.  I retreated into my tent after the food are cook. My hands were freezing.  I used the hard boil eggs to warm my hands up.  The rice and chicken weren't bad. It eatable.  I was half way through my dinner when I realize that I have 5 minutes to decide if I really want to risk the outdoor or hike it the rest of the way to the other side of the hill and down to my waiting car.   I was not too cold in the tent, but at night the temperature probably goes in the low 20's, and with the wind it is not going to be a comfortable night.   I have 30 minutes of sunlight to back everything up and marched up the hill again to the trail and then around the hill to my car.   I decided that it is dangerous and foolish to attempt my overnight camping trip alone and in very gusty wind.

Get up, stuff my sleeping pad, sleeping bag back into it bags, throw everything outside, untie and dismantle the tent and repack my backpack in less then 15 minutes.   I decided not to climb back up to the top of the hill to get back to the trail, instead I pushwack it.   Get back to my car as the last bite of light die.

Relaxing Hike..

is something I should learn how to do.  Every hike I went on seem to be a race against time or the element.   Today promised to be a nice relaxing hike with company who do know the concept of take it slow and enjoy the view unfortunately I have to part company with my hiking partners less then an hours into my hike and rush the rest of the 6 miles to me car before the sun set.

There She Blow.

30-40 mph hours wind couple with incoming high tide, and this what you get:

And this is why you should always tie down you kayak if you have it outside.  Anyone want to bet some of these kayak will not be there in the morning?

More pictures of the snow.

It been snowing a lot in February

...and we find other use for our kayaks.

These pictures were taken outside the club front gate after a double pool sessions.  There were at lest 3 feet of snow so the path to the club was not drivable.   We stuffs all the equipment on the kayaks and dragged it into the club.

I am Still Paddling

I am still paddling.  Did not do as much long distance paddle as last year.  Spend much more time teaching then kayaking.  I will warm up with some photo.

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.