The outrigger canoe racing season is coming to a close - about 1 more month of racing for me with 2 big long distance races with change-outs and *maybe* 1 more long distance (no change-out). While I loved the recent wave of hot weather (when I was out on the water), it kicked my ass and I suffered a bit of heat exhaustion after SOCC's "Da Grind" earlier this month. But, after a couple of "mellow" weeks (i.e., I was still working out, playing hockey, and paddling - but at a lower intensity), I feel like I've got my energy back. And, the cooler weather is helping me catch up on my ZZZZ's.Yesterday, we headed out of Waterway 18 on Lake Union on a very cool and cloudy morning and paddled out to I-90, crossed to Mercer Island, and then paddled up to 520 and back to Lake Union. Total mileage was probably 18 miles and while we were out, we practiced our change-outs in a race scenario. I am sooooo happy to report that I've broken through my mental block. I've been so apprehensive about practicing change-outs while the boat is in motion. Doing it while the boat is sitting still is one thing, but grabbing on to the canoe as it's moving was another and I haven't felt this type of apprehension in a long time. Seriously, there were times I thought I was going to puke. On top of that, I added more stress to myself because I had agreed to be part of the Catalina Crew. So, I had to break through this mental block and not let my teammates down. But, I did it yesterday!!! Double-Woot!! I was part of the first group to jump out and I had no choice by that point (there was no copping out that morning - Sabine made that clear) and just jumped out. Then, I surfaced and waited for the other boat to come. All I remember about my first change-out were the akus going over my head, and focusing my eyes on the bright yellow tape that spotted the area for me to grab. Then, I literally hauled my ass up on the boat. I couldn't do the "superman" and did a leg hook (ouch) but I got up on my own and was paddling shortly thereafter. OMG.....what a relief to get that first one out of the way....then, we got to do it 3 more times. I was exhausted by the end of practice. Thank you Sabine, Melissa, and Rob (Mango!) for believing in me and calming my nerves. You don't even know how much it meant to me to be able to break through this mental block. Now I'm ready - bring on the next 2 races!
First, Sail Sand Point's Pacific Northwest Outrigger Challenge - a ~26 mile race from Magnuson park, across Lake Washington, down to and around Mercer Island, then back up to Magnuson. This will be a change-out race with a couple of escort boats following us to drop-off and pick up paddlers. Date: August 29 starting at 10:00 am and we hope to finish by 3:00 pm?
Second, Catalina Challenge - U.S. Championships which I wrote up previously. After that race, I will see how I feel about squeezing in one more race.
(In the heat of the competive moment. Photo credit: Scott Moody, Kikaha Outrigger Club - click on the image for a larger version.)
We're already thinking about next year and I think we're going to aim for the Na Pali Challenge on the island of Kauai. What's interesting about this distance change-out race is that you need 6 wahine (women) and 6 kane (men) and every 30 minutes, you change out all 6 six seats (6 wahine out, 6 kane in, etc.) It's a 38 mile race but, with all the change-outs, one will likely only paddle a total of 3 hours. I can't wait to sit in the escort boat and take in the Na Pali coast - it's going to be breathtaking and an amazing experience! OK - back to the now....a week of warmer weather and time to perfect my change-outs. Aloha! Imua Seattle Outrigger!
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