Ok, here's my wrap up of the Red Cross Murray Marathon.
To pick up where i left off, day 3 was where i started to get my head around this race and the body finally
accepted that it was going to hit walls at about the 3 and a half hour mark each day. These walls were pain, boredom, inability to drink warm water, wandering focus and the realisation that we were not going to break 30 hours.
What was encouraging though, was the fact that for the first hour of each day, we were able to pace with the surf skis and faster TK1's. We would stay with them till they faded and then they either rode our bow wave on either side of the OC2, or sat on our wake. Other than this we had very little opportunity to wash ride. This is really frustrating because we had the speed to break away from the opposition within minutes of the start each day, and we did, but knowing at any time, faster relay TK2's could drag the opposition up on their wash, so you had to be on the pace all the time.
Middle of day 3, i started to feel really strong and picked up the pace and rating, but a swearing and cursing Clarkie is not a pleasant companion and after a couple of hours, i had to drop the rate or risk a mutiny, or worst, a bruised shoulder from a Mrs Clarkie right cross.
What was happening was, i was getting the hang of this long distance thing and Clarkie who had two good previous days (while i suffered), was starting to feel the pinch. In a way, we complemented each other, covering each others weaknesses, but both still prepared to hurt when opportunity to gain time presented itself.
Day 4 and i finally ditched my two camelbak bladders, unable to stomach drinking warm water in the 45 degree heat. I bought a 5Lt insulated jug and attached the drinking tubes to this and filled with cold pure water and ice. Heaven, now we could really up the pace and we did. Funny how when passing through a check point with hundreds cheering you on, the canoe finds an extra 3 kph as you pose for the crowd. Then you round the next bend out of sight the pace drops again as if by magic. Haahaaa, yep it's a mind game this paddling caper.
Day 5, i thought was our best day as a team. We both felt strong and paddled in perfect time and technique, people were saying we looked really good and the canoe ran faster than any other day and our time confirmed it. This day went very close to our 30 hour pace, we were on fire, which is amazing when you think we had just paddled 326kms in the last 4 days. Some how, i think the body (or mind) had finally stopped putting up walls and was ready to accept the punishment.
I learnt heaps about pain and mind control and what you can push through if you really want too. There is a cost though, i just did a time trial on Monday nite on the Peggie and my boat speed is shot to pieces. I cannot lift to my usual rating and feel really flat. Time trial time is down at least 2 mins. I had a huge aerobic base to play with this year having done 100kms a week all year, but there is only so many peaks you can launch from any base, and when you have used them up, you're spent for the year. That's where i'm at now, so back to the building phase again.
Note: (i follow the Arthur Lydiard Training Principles which i will post later in another thread)
I've got the bug, want to do it in a one man next year and try and set a new record for OC1. I think Phil would have gone close if not for his broken rudder cable. Sadly we were unable to pass on info that would have got him going in 5 mins ( you can rig the canoe to steer with one rudder cable and peddle if you have 2 short lengths of bungee cord - I'll post the details later, you can actually permanently rig this for safety at sea if you break a cable)
IN order of importance these are the things to consider if you want to do this race.1. Spend time on preparing a seat system that will see you painless for the entire 5 days. It can be done,
2. Ensure a cool tasteless water supply system and pure water only as main hydration. Taste buds amplify 5 x after 4 hours.
3. Carbo shot at least every hour, preferably a no or low flavor brand.
4. Start recovery as soon as each day is over - not a lot of time. Massage a must.
5. Gloves and good head and neck covering, you will get pressure pimples and blisters.
6. Adjust you outrigger stroke to a moderate reach and minimize unnecessary body movement. Paddle relaxed.
7. Trust your support crew and be nice to them, hard to paddle with bruised shoulders from boney knuckles.
You have to do this, it's a real learning experience and will give you confidence when tackling long OC races in the future.
Not a good look after 5 daysCheers Rambo
Not a big fan of the HelmetCam as it gives jerky footage, but it can be useful.
And RalphCam of Course
). Both Sponsors will also receive a framed photo of the finish line on day 5. Once again thank you Marcus, Gay and Ian.
but our goal is to break 30 hours over the full distance in 5 days.
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