My Race

Monday, 5 March 2012

This is how I saw the race yesterday.. Apologies as it's rather long winded. If you'd rather go and update your Friendface status or surf the web for pictures of kittens instead I totally understand....

Despite having to work all the weekend I thought I’d have a crack at the Ocean Paddling State Titles on Saturday afternoon.   The course length was really set for the big boys who are in a different league to me, but I just had to suck it up and think of it  like a marathon, if you are slower, you just have to run for longer, you don’t get to run your own ‘ladies’ marathon length.  Of course I think this is possibly the sort of thing that puts off other women from paddling but that’s another story.   Anyway – I dragged myself from work and out to the orienteering heartland of five mile beach where we started from.  

Immediately it was clear that whilst the division one paddlers had shown up,  the race description had in fact put off all but the hardiest of division 2 paddlers – i.e. there was me and two others.  On the plus side  I had the women’s class sewn up.  Sweet.   As I’d already won my division and my race preparation was  rather half baked I decided to think of it as just a ‘paddle’ not a race but as soon as the starting hooter went off I paddled as fast as I could just like everyone else.    

Now of these other 2 division two racers, one, let’s call him 'Dilbert Pickles'… No.. Let's call him 'Dr Evil' instead..  Oh ok then.. we'll just call him 'J'..   had previously declared that he would like to beat me in at least one race this year.   So far though I’d kept my head-to-head racing slate clean (mostly by avoiding racing) and I had recently beaten him by a minute or so in a short race recently although in the longer slogs I wasn’t so sure I had such an advantage – although I did have my recent Bruny Island experiences to draw from training wise. 

Anyway – 10 or so  minutes into the race I had ‘B’, (the other div 2 guy who generally beats me in the twilight races) out next to me on my left and ‘J’ somewhere behind me. Perfect. Although I was dissapointed that I hadn’t managed  to catch the wash of anyone in front of me (there’s an advantage in sitting right behind someone like drafting in cycling) so I was slogging it out by myself.   Or so I thought.  Suddenly I heard a splash behind me.  I looked back and annoyingly Dr Evil  'J'  had tacked on to my wash.  Sheesh – lucky for some!    Still I was comforted by the fact that I wasn’t out there in the grey old sea paddling completely by myself although  I really wanted to lose  him before the course turned around an island and went from upwind to downwind as it becomes a different game and the one thing I did know was that his boat was going to be more stable in the long downwind section.  Anyway – after a strange wind affected conversation where I was asking him which way we should be going (as the field had split up a bit ahead of us) and he replied by babbling something about boat lengths or bunny rabbits I settled on a course for the island.

So –  how to lose him?   I remembered that at Bruny Island the only other div 2 paddler there was faster than me but I could hang onto his wash for a while at the start of each race.  His tactic was to look back, see me there, surge, and if I couldn’t go with the surge (which eventually happened),  I’d be dropped off the back and very rapidly lose contact.   The thing was I always knew he was about to surge as he’d look back first to see if I was still there, then go, so I had a chance to get ready for it.     I didn’t want to do that with ‘J’, I figured I might be able to catch him napping instead..  So every time I felt that I could, I put in 30 or 50 hard strokes then try to recover as hopefully  the ‘elastic’ between our boats had snapped and he’d be on his own by then.    But clearly my strategy was failing as what felt like moments after each surge I could still hear him splashing along behind me which was really heartbreaking.  I tried to avoid looking back but I think now that if I had looked back at the END of each surge, I might have found the energy to keep it up for a few more minutes to make sure the connection really was lost.    I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me look back and see him though – so I kept my peeks to the minimum, and I could generally hear him anyway.

So this pattern (me surging, him hanging on) continued until the island and we turned around it together   Oh well.  Plenty of time to surf ahead of him in the downwind I decided and it was certainly going to be every paddler for themselves as wash–riding wasn’t an option.      

After a few ks this plan seemed to be going fine – I could just see him out of the corner of my eye a tad behind me but it was hard to look anywhere but straight in front of the boat as it was really lumpy.   I had a few close calls falling in wise, then the safety boat came up to me to take some photos. The driver yelled out some positive comments about my surfing ability and some advice about picking up my tempo even more when a wave surged underneath me which gave me extra confidence and some really fast rides but unfortunately I got hit by some side swell soon after as I was zooming down the front of a wave and I was suddenly in the drink.   I haven't practised my remounting for a few months so it took me 4 or 5 tries to get back in and I recon I easily lost 4 minutes. By this time the safety boat was back with me to make sure I got on ok.  It took ages for me to get my surfing mojo back once I got going again especially as I knew how much time I'd lose if I came out again. (I must add that I've seen Dilbert Pickles 'J' come out in very big swell and get back in the boat in a flash) . Also by the time I was back in the boat my leg leash was wrapped around my ankle awkwardly making it difficult to steer.  There was no way I was going to flap my leg around and fix it without falling in again so I just had a go with it. By then 'J' was way ahead of me but I just kept on going although more conservatively than before the spill.  

I'm sure I got a little ground back on 'J' before the finish but as I mentioned to Jon afterwards, I would have needed another 5 k or so to actually catch him.  Ultimately he finished a couple of minutes ahead in a well deserved win. He claims that this race victory doesn't count as I capsized but I recon it totally does – part of the skill of a ski is getting back in quickly – it's as important as being able to paddle effectively, and I didn't have it.  But anyway it was a good race,  I was really pleased to have survived,  I still won the women's  (or should I say woman's division) and the big boys still slaughtered us both by more than 25 minutes.  So until next time Dr Evil….   Sorry I meant  'J'.

2012summary
Kingston Beach Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Other Christmas Craft Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Gingerbread House Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Christmas Couch Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Christmas Cupcakes Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Girl's (on her) Own Adventure..Part 2 Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Definitely Nice Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Girl's (on her) Own Adventure.. Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Lolly House Party Tuesday, 18 December 2012
What Next? Monday, 10 December 2012
Busy Busy Busy.. Monday, 10 December 2012
Bruny Island Escape Friday, 7 December 2012
Bruny Island Ultra Part III Saturday, 1 December 2012
Bruny Island Ultra Part II Saturday, 1 December 2012
Bruny Island Ultramarathon - Part I Saturday, 1 December 2012
Mark Webber Challenge Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Clare's back yard Friday, 23 November 2012
Binalong Bay Thursday, 22 November 2012
Not quite the Blue Tier Thursday, 22 November 2012
The number of the day.. Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Mt Roland Run III Monday, 19 November 2012
Missmas Monday, 19 November 2012
Flying with a bike. Monday, 19 November 2012
2012 Tullah Challenge Saturday, 10 November 2012
Marooned! Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Hmm... what next? Monday, 5 November 2012
Family Victory! Sunday, 4 November 2012
Problem & Solution Friday, 2 November 2012
Yallingup Beach Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Back to the Pines Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Face Race Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Busselton Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Cape to Cape Wrap-Up Monday, 29 October 2012
Cape to Cape Day 4 Monday, 29 October 2012
Cape to Cape R & R Saturday, 27 October 2012
Stats.. Saturday, 27 October 2012
Cape to Cape Day 3 Saturday, 27 October 2012
Cape to Cape Day 2 Friday, 26 October 2012
Cape to Cape Day 1 Thursday, 25 October 2012
Cape to Cape Day 0 Thursday, 25 October 2012
Let's not count the cost! Saturday, 20 October 2012
Ice Science Saturday, 20 October 2012
Stats Saturday, 20 October 2012
Champion Team.. Monday, 15 October 2012
Jon vs The Elements Monday, 15 October 2012
been busy.. Monday, 15 October 2012
Sydney from the train window.. Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Freycinet Challenge Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Spring Tuesday, 2 October 2012
We made it! Sunday, 30 September 2012
No Fish For Us.. Thursday, 27 September 2012
Success Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Long Days.. Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Can-Can Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Slave Labour Sunday, 16 September 2012
You only need a box.. Sunday, 16 September 2012
Dinner anyone? Sunday, 16 September 2012
Gross Ponderings Sunday, 16 September 2012
Back to the Nut Sunday, 9 September 2012
Dismal Swamp Sunday, 9 September 2012
Highfield House Saturday, 8 September 2012
Rainbows Saturday, 8 September 2012
Windy Fishing Saturday, 8 September 2012
Windy September Holidays Saturday, 8 September 2012
Fifty Days Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Donna Hay Robot Cake Reproduction Friday, 31 August 2012
Lunch Box Fail Friday, 31 August 2012
Re-post of Gross Thursday, 30 August 2012
Teaching Tuesday, 28 August 2012
before & after #26 - Hipster to Geekster Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Forrest Training Anniversary Weekend Saturday, 25 August 2012
Speaking of favourites.. Thursday, 23 August 2012
Croquet Colour Thursday, 23 August 2012
Oat Art Monday, 20 August 2012
Tomorrow a cyclist.. (well maybe) Monday, 20 August 2012
Today a paddler.. Sunday, 19 August 2012
Dietary Supplements Sunday, 19 August 2012
Monkeys with typewriters? Sunday, 19 August 2012
Mixed Fortunes Sunday, 12 August 2012
Experience Counts Thursday, 9 August 2012
New Horizons Thursday, 9 August 2012
Sparklng Sydney Monday, 6 August 2012
Olympic Performances.. Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Trophy cake Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Blurry Paddles Friday, 27 July 2012
My incredibly very hilly ride. Friday, 27 July 2012
Sunday Paddle Sunday, 22 July 2012
Owl Eyes Saturday, 21 July 2012
before & after #25 Saturday, 21 July 2012
Happy Birthday to Me! Sunday, 15 July 2012
Chiller Bags Wednesday, 11 July 2012
That's how it starts... Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Fun Sunday Sunday, 8 July 2012
Soccer Saturday Sunday, 8 July 2012
Challenge Failed Thursday, 5 July 2012
Wednesday Morning Routine Wednesday, 4 July 2012
Afternoon Paddle Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Clunk.. Tuesday, 3 July 2012
before & after #24 Monday, 2 July 2012
So THAT's why! Sunday, 1 July 2012
before & after #23 -Kellevie 3hr MTB race Sunday, 1 July 2012
The backup boat.. Sunday, 24 June 2012
Sunday Baking Sunday, 17 June 2012
Best. Bread. Ever. Sunday, 17 June 2012
Reverse Angles Saturday, 16 June 2012
Jamie's Cake from wo to go.. Friday, 15 June 2012
Boxes Friday, 15 June 2012
Winter Solstice Blues (and greys).. Friday, 15 June 2012
Cateract Gorge Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Sprint Orienteering Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Small Doses Saturday, 9 June 2012
Industrial Launceston Saturday, 9 June 2012
Kate Reed Reserve Saturday, 9 June 2012
Breakfast.. Saturday, 9 June 2012
Brrrr... Wednesday, 6 June 2012
100 Miles of Nowhere. Monday, 4 June 2012
Mini Golf Saturday, 2 June 2012
Picket Hill Saturday, 2 June 2012
Book Group Saturday, 2 June 2012
Life Skills Friday, 1 June 2012
Zali's Mystery Cake.. Saturday, 26 May 2012
I wish I could draw.. Friday, 25 May 2012
Sometimes you need an explanation.. Friday, 25 May 2012
Sunday Afternoon Snapshot Sunday, 20 May 2012
Modern life bites back.. Saturday, 19 May 2012
Jetstar gets one back. Friday, 18 May 2012
You Yangs Friday, 18 May 2012
Fude Cultcha Friday, 18 May 2012
Riding with my homies Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Trouble. Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Melbourne Bike Paths Wednesday, 16 May 2012
More industrial paddling Monday, 14 May 2012
Ultimate Challenge Monday, 14 May 2012
Making do.. Sunday, 13 May 2012
Modern Moment Sunday, 13 May 2012
ahh... NZ Saturday, 12 May 2012
Cake Workshop Saturday, 12 May 2012
Cross Country Saturday, 12 May 2012
Autumn Evenings Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Changing Times... Monday, 7 May 2012
Bream Creek Show Friday, 4 May 2012
Petrol Anyone? Friday, 4 May 2012
Thanks chickens Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Indoor Training Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Brrrrrr... Monday, 30 April 2012
Garden Work Thursday, 26 April 2012
In the olden days.... Thursday, 26 April 2012
Anzac Day Paddle Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Windfall Tuesday, 24 April 2012
What I can do with doors.. Tuesday, 24 April 2012
What Dad can do with doors.. Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Ready to rumble.. Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Really? Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Exotic Paddling Monday, 16 April 2012
And.. Sunday, 15 April 2012
And the award for... Sunday, 15 April 2012
Alibi Thursday, 12 April 2012
Holiday Activities Thursday, 12 April 2012
Old Grudges Sunday, 8 April 2012
Bribery Sunday, 8 April 2012
New and Exotic Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Macaron Shmaceron Monday, 2 April 2012
Friday Night Pizza Monday, 2 April 2012
Friendless Socks Monday, 2 April 2012
Sparkling Weather Friday, 30 March 2012
North South Track Friday, 30 March 2012
New places.. Thursday, 29 March 2012
Peter Murrell Reserve Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Shhhh... Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Diversions Tuesday, 27 March 2012
A very Hobart day. Monday, 26 March 2012
Kellevie 6 hour Sunday, 25 March 2012
Stuff around the house.. Saturday, 24 March 2012
Happy Birthday Jonno Saturday, 24 March 2012
Soggy Sydney Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Bream Creek Show Saturday, 17 March 2012
Alum Cliffs v3.0 Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Crazy Hair Wednesday, 14 March 2012
New Toys Sunday, 11 March 2012
Shark Tails Sunday, 11 March 2012
Stupid Stankle Sunday, 11 March 2012
My Race Monday, 5 March 2012
The other side of the fence Sunday, 4 March 2012
Minature Produce Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Mona Monday, 27 February 2012
Summer Survivors Monday, 27 February 2012
Sailing Monday, 27 February 2012
Bruny Island Sunday, 19 February 2012
Busy night on the river.. Thursday, 16 February 2012
Pounding the Pavement Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Sunrise Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Responsible Water Usage Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Blue Dragon Tuesday, 14 February 2012
What?? Friday, 10 February 2012
Marinated Mobile Monday, 6 February 2012
Sensational Saturday Sunday, 5 February 2012
Opening the floodgates Sunday, 5 February 2012
Strahan Thursday, 2 February 2012
Wildside Day 4 Thursday, 2 February 2012
Aiming for 2nd best.. Monday, 30 January 2012
Wildside Day 3 Monday, 30 January 2012
Wildside Days 1 & 2 Monday, 30 January 2012
Wildside Friday, 27 January 2012
Fresh perspective Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Apologies Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Mud Pools Tuesday, 24 January 2012
MTB in Rotorua.. Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Zorbing Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Lake Okareka, Sweden Part II Tuesday, 24 January 2012
At least there is free wi-fi Friday, 20 January 2012
The Luge Friday, 20 January 2012
Coverage Thursday, 19 January 2012
Rotorua MTB Thursday, 19 January 2012
Lake Okareka, Sweden Thursday, 19 January 2012
Family Thursday, 19 January 2012
Land Sailing Thursday, 19 January 2012
Mt Maunganui Thursday, 19 January 2012
Injuries.. Tuesday, 17 January 2012
We love NZ Adventure Parks! Tuesday, 17 January 2012
River Paddling! Tuesday, 17 January 2012
(re)-Extreme Granny Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Lemon and Paeroa Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Our own kind.. Tuesday, 17 January 2012
NZ. Monday, 16 January 2012
Hot Water Beach Sunday, 15 January 2012
Sea Caves Sunday, 15 January 2012
NZ Tides Sunday, 15 January 2012
Moehau Multisport Saturday, 14 January 2012
Coromandel Peninsula Saturday, 14 January 2012
Soft Landings.. Saturday, 14 January 2012
Following On Thursday, 12 January 2012
Waitangi Treaty and other Cultural Learning Thursday, 12 January 2012
Wet Day Thursday, 12 January 2012
more more more.. Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Adventure Forest Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Slow Progress.. Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Scenery Monday, 9 January 2012
Dreams do come true! Monday, 9 January 2012
Slumber Party! Friday, 6 January 2012
North South Track Thursday, 5 January 2012
Ageing well Thursday, 5 January 2012
Zali and her homies Sunday, 1 January 2012
Finish Line Saturday, 31 December 2011
Warrior Tips Saturday, 31 December 2011
Back on the water Saturday, 31 December 2011
Boarding Passes Saturday, 31 December 2011