The great north swim was on channel 4 this weekend and for about 5 seconds I was on telly faffing around with my hat while someone in front of me was getting interviewed. I don’t know why he was getting interviewed, I was too excited about being on telly. Watching the swim over makes me want to sign up for it all over again though.
This Friday, me and my dad played squash for the last time in 2009. This Friday I have friends over and then it is Christmas and new year. I am finally able to play a game with a degree of ability. The ball now goes where I want it to go. I know my dad is holding back a lot of game winning shots because he pulls them out every now and again when I start getting cocky but I am starting to ask questions of his game. I think at some point in 2010 I will be good enough to give him a run for his money.
Saturday swimming was good. I put in 50 minutes or so, and about half of the lengths I swam freestyle. I am adopting total immersion teachings into my technique and I do think it is making improvements to my skill. I do still tire but I think it also has something to do with my breathing timing. Taking a breath every second stroke seems a bit too much and I sort of hyperventilate, taking one every fourth stroke sees me gasping for air and struggling, and I can’t do every third stroke as I find it off putting turning my head to the right for air. I am toying with a four, two, four breathing rhythm which might be working out for me. I’m off to some swimming forums later this week to find out if there is anything else I can try to improve my freestyle technique. I want to do the mile in 30 minutes next time out.
Sunday big run was out in the frost and was pretty chilly but it didn’t matter as I had my winter running clobber on. I wanted to run at a fast pace so pushed hard, every five minutes or so I noticed that I had settled back into a steady pace again and would then surge on, only for my high cadence to slow back to steady, which I would notice and on I went. It might have been cold but I was working hard enough for my sweat to steam off my thighs. A little over 7 miles in a little under an hour. Certainly the furthest I have run at that sort of pace, and although I was stuffed when I was done I think I can increase the distance at that speed over the coming couple of months. I did hurt my paws a bit with a couple of cracking blisters in the arch of each foot, and those rather than exhaustion is what made me glad to finally stop. Might need to research advanced blister protection too.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
K2 Racing boat.
Paddles
Long sleeve thermal top
Short sleeve thermal top
Short sleeve lightweight cag
Long sleeve lightweight cag.
Long sleeve heavy cag
Full length lycra or thermal trousers
Lightweight rainsuit trousers
Buoyancy aid
Warm hat
Cross country or wet suit type shoes
Zipped spray deck
Normal spray deck
Paddling gloves
Poggies
Training, Planning and Running the Devizes to Westminster Race
Welcome to my blog where I am documenting all of the training and planning toward competing in the Devizes to Westminster kayak marathon in 2010.
When I started this my one and only goal was to be ready to take part in the DW race but once I begun my training in earnest I started to look around at other endurance events with a desire to take part in those as well.
On the 22nd of March I took part in the Ironbridge half marathon finishing the race in 2h 01m 32s.
The 12th September I will compete in the Great North Swim.
8 days later I will take on the Great North half Marathon.
And then in April 2010 is the reason for all of this, the Devizes to Westminster kayak ultra marathon.
Thank you for your support.
When I started this my one and only goal was to be ready to take part in the DW race but once I begun my training in earnest I started to look around at other endurance events with a desire to take part in those as well.
On the 22nd of March I took part in the Ironbridge half marathon finishing the race in 2h 01m 32s.
The 12th September I will compete in the Great North Swim.
8 days later I will take on the Great North half Marathon.
And then in April 2010 is the reason for all of this, the Devizes to Westminster kayak ultra marathon.
Thank you for your support.
Twitter Updates
Kit needed
Short sleeve thermal top
Short sleeve lightweight cag
Long sleeve heavy cag
Full length lycra or thermal trousers
Zipped spray deck
Normal spray deck
Paddling gloves
Poggies
Links
Labels
The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race is the longest non-stop canoe race in the world. It starts in the quiet market town of Devizes in Wiltshire and finishes 125 miles later at Westminster Bridge, directly opposite the Houses of Parliament in the heart of London.
It is held over the Easter weekend each year and has been a fixture in the British sporting calendar since 1950. But DW is much more than just a canoe race - it’s an adventure! It forces competitors to dig long and deep into their reserves of physical and mental stamina which is why the race is often called “the canoeists’ Everest”.
Having the technical skill to paddle a kayak or canoe is essential but the most important quality needed to complete DW is raw determination. And the reward for making the mighty effort needed to cross the finish line is a sense of satisfaction so profound that many paddlers can’t resist coming back year after year.
It is held over the Easter weekend each year and has been a fixture in the British sporting calendar since 1950. But DW is much more than just a canoe race - it’s an adventure! It forces competitors to dig long and deep into their reserves of physical and mental stamina which is why the race is often called “the canoeists’ Everest”.
Having the technical skill to paddle a kayak or canoe is essential but the most important quality needed to complete DW is raw determination. And the reward for making the mighty effort needed to cross the finish line is a sense of satisfaction so profound that many paddlers can’t resist coming back year after year.
No comments:
Post a Comment