Clarkie and I are proud to be doing our bit to support the Red X (we get to do the paddling part) and our generous sponsors Marcus (H) and Gay Forbes from the Property Group Tinpike P/L and Ian Richie from Berrich P/L suppliers of Panel + PLUS products have donated a considerable amount to the Red cross to enable our participation. We thank both companies for their support and will promote them in return with signage on the OC2 and media plugs when ever we can (Rambo has a few plans/schemes to ensure we attract media attention ????? 
). Both Sponsors will also receive a framed photo of the finish line on day 5. Once again thank you Marcus, Gay and Ian.
http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/murraymarathon.htm
Tinpike P/L
Panel + PLUS http://www.berrich.com.au
Just a couple of facts about the Red Cross Murray Marathon for those that aren't familiar with it.
1. One of world's longest annual canoe races - 404km in five days.
2. Funds raised during the Marathon are channelled back into the Australian Red Cross
3. Attracts more than 700 participants, 300 volunteers and up to 3000 support crew.
What we are trying to achieve - Time wise
Clarkie doesn't know it yet
but our goal is to break 30 hours over the full distance in 5 days.To do this we will need to average 13.466 kph (remembering this is down river) and finish the 5 individual days in the times below.
This is the Plan
Day 1 - 6:58:49
Day 2 - 7:07:44
Day 3 - 5:38:37
Day 4 - 4:40:42
Day 5 - 5:34:10
Total - 30:00:00
Of course if we better the planned times on any day , we setup a buffer for any bad days, and vise verse.
I believe this is very achievable, and will break the record for any OC2 Division by 2hrs 30secs, which was set by Clarkie and Tony Bond in 2006. Their average speed was 12.429 kph, so we need to average just over 1kph more to reach our goal.
The fastest OC1 time for the full distance is 33:23:09, set by a 53 year old paddler Willie Morris in 2005
The fastest time for a TK2 open class is 26:17:32 in 1992
The fastest time for a TK2 40+ is 28:53:10 in 1994 (which is our equivalent division in TK2)
Obviously river flow rate will effect the times from year to year, but we're hoping for good assistance.
To do this time we will need everything to go as planned with our food, supplementation, hydration, stroke economy/timing, mental focus, race tactics and recovery. And of course our lovely support crew Mrs Clarkie and daughter/s.
We have both done plenty of training for this event, i have exceeded 100kms a week for most of the year as a base and i know Clarkie has put in the K's as well.
My Report after Day 2
Labels:
OC2,
ultra marathon
I'm coherent at last, spent 3 hours on a lylo dangling my legs and arms in Clarkies pool trying to cool my core temperature. Went into the 2nd day slightly dehydrated and finished the day totally dehydrated. It's almost impossible to drink warm water for 7 hours when any taste in it is multiplied 10 fold. Even 1 cup of powerade in 3 litres is so strong and yucky warm, you nearly puke.
You just can't do this race for the first time (full distance) and get everything right, even advice from old timers is of limited value because it effects everyone differently.
One of the most difficult things for me is the boredom, no instant gratification from riding a bump etc. You just have to paddle hard and stare at things and focus on deep breathing to block out any pain or discomfort. You definitely have to have a goal that you want to meet at the end of the 5 days, as well as daily, that was why i set up the 30 hour goal. What i didn't factor in at the time, was the effect of having to carry 12kg of provisions, almost three quarters of the weight of the OC2 again, sure can feel it in the first 2 hours when the pace is on.
Times and results we will post later, but as Clarkie said, we're on track to set a new open record.
Have no fear this is one tuff race, unbelievably i have had no ass problems, but cramping upper back limiting stroke range some what. The trick is to recover each nite ready for the next day, not easy with the limited time.
Off to bed, big day tomorrow.
Check out the race news and photos at http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/murrayma ... ws2007.htm
Of course Rambo managed to get his photo on the front page of the Red X web site, except they called me Mad Mick for some reason and a good photo of us both on the OC2. See above link.
You just can't do this race for the first time (full distance) and get everything right, even advice from old timers is of limited value because it effects everyone differently.
One of the most difficult things for me is the boredom, no instant gratification from riding a bump etc. You just have to paddle hard and stare at things and focus on deep breathing to block out any pain or discomfort. You definitely have to have a goal that you want to meet at the end of the 5 days, as well as daily, that was why i set up the 30 hour goal. What i didn't factor in at the time, was the effect of having to carry 12kg of provisions, almost three quarters of the weight of the OC2 again, sure can feel it in the first 2 hours when the pace is on.
Times and results we will post later, but as Clarkie said, we're on track to set a new open record.
Have no fear this is one tuff race, unbelievably i have had no ass problems, but cramping upper back limiting stroke range some what. The trick is to recover each nite ready for the next day, not easy with the limited time.
Off to bed, big day tomorrow.
Check out the race news and photos at http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/murrayma ... ws2007.htm
Of course Rambo managed to get his photo on the front page of the Red X web site, except they called me Mad Mick for some reason and a good photo of us both on the OC2. See above link.
Wrap Up of the Race
We came 2nd overall but missed our target time.
We came 2nd overall but missed our target time.
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 days
Cheers Rambo
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
