The Medway marathon starts at Maidstone (Kent) and Finishes at the Tonbridge canoe club, just over 18 miles and 9 portages.
For me this was a hard race, I knew it wouldn't be an easy one for me as this was the first race in the really wobbly boat, although I'm really comfy in the boat when I'm in calm waters out on my own, add a few boats and a bit of chop I'm not quite as comfy, although it is rare that she kicks me out, the first race in it hasnt been something to look forward too.
Leading up to this race I had got one of the summer colds which knocked me out of training for a while, then I made the classic mistake of over training to near the event, I got on the start line with aching arms and a back that was sore, lesson learnt on that one and if I had been wise I should have cross trained that week.
This race for me had the personnel goal of completing this race in the Supersonic and staying in it and a reasonable finish/time would be good enough.
My first dread was waiting for the start, I still don't like sitting stationary for too long a period, falling out on the start was defiantly a no no, out of sight would be better further up the river, a bit jittery on the nerves but managed to stay up for the off, option was to take it a little easier of the line and keep in the boat, the river was quite wide here so plenty of room, but didn't take long before the wash started to hit,
it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be, still managed forward speed but the occasional support stroke was needed, speed was well below what I can do in that boat, the faster guys had got a few yards ahead and a smaller group was near to me, keeping with them wasn't too hard and was quite happy to set my sights to stay with them.
That worked for a while until I got to close to guy next to me and the front of my boat decided to veer towards him in the wash which nearly caught me out and had to put the brake on sharpish to avoid colliding, didn't help with the struggling of the wash from all the boats in front and a couple of large size motor home boats coming down the river,
I had been knocked another 20 yards off the small group, the support strokes were having to be more often, my back was screaming from over training and only about a mile covered, nerves and too much adrenalin wernt helping, took me at least another mile before I started to settle down, I was still able to keep pace with the smaller group and the main group about 60 mtr's ahead, guess it wasn't too bad as support strokes were about every 5 strokes.
hadn't bargained for how busy the river was with motor boats, nor the wash they created, was pleased I was coping with them reasonably well but the mind over matter bit wasn't working which kept me on edge a little too much,
Then to cap it a big paddle steamer type boat was approaching, oh gollocks, the bow wave was huge then I could see the wash ripples behind the boat, they looked more like tsunami's approaching one after the other, they hit the boat sideways which was uncomfortable, but I stayed in phew, was wishing Id stayed in bed I really had.
The worst part of this race was being uncomfortable in my back from the start and not having the best mind set and having never been on this part of the river I never knew what to expect around each corner or no real judgement as to how far away from the next portage, must admit on the mental side Id let it slip.
The run to the first portage was really dragging and just so uncomfortable with the wash from the bigger craft.
Rounding one corner fairly tight to the bank I hadn't spotted someone tucked behind the bushes fishing, at the last second I spotted the line going in the water, I shouted out but it was too late and the line went over my bow and got caught on my Garmin satalite watch taped to the cockpit rim, normally I cant even press the button on the watch without falling in, but manage to try and get the line off, didn't help the fisherman was keeping a tight line, the line cut clean through the strap, manage to free the line of the watch and pulled the line over, couldn't move off until Id come to the hook end, didn't want that in me, finally it came up and I threw it off to one side in discuss but in doing so it tipped me out, was surprised Id lasted that long, gollocks that water was cold, there wasn't much of a choice where to get the boat sorted, found a concrete wall with a big metal ring that looked the best choice, could just about stand on tip toe to get the boat emptied, but was a trapeze act to get back in the boat which put another couple of gallons back in the boat, but I was in and would have to carry the water to the next portage, I relaxed a little bit after that, by now I was totally on my own, but luckily I was'nt being caught by the group behind.
It was a long stint to that first portage, wet, cold and aching like hell, I felt like giving up, but my car was at the finish line so that wasn't an option.
All the first group of portages were quite spaced out, got to the 3rd portage and greatfull for the drink station to get a drink and 3 jelly babies, wished I hadn't eaten them as they were to repeat on me for the rest of the race, this was the portage where people can go the wrong way, there was only a small space to get back in after this lock, I was so hoping this was the right way, got round a tight corner and could see a boom stretching across the river and presumed this was another portage, mmmm no decent portage stage, wasnt sure, I did get out and saw the river some feet below with no easy route down, nope this didn't seem right, thankfully a women said "they went that way" which was back where I had got out, the river winds back on its self and feels like youre doubling back on your self, getting back in the water 2 boats went past, at least I could do follow the leader, caught the first one fairly quickly and was gaining ground on the next one, the river had narrowed a little more and everything was a little more stable and I had settled myself and felt a little more drive in me, al be it I could not get that damm boat above 9.4kph, on the river back at home I constantly hit 11/12 kph cruising, a head wind didnt help and wasnt sure how much flow there was on the river as we were going up stream.
I got to a point where I had lost count of how many locks I had done, getting nearer to the paddler in front but lost a load of ground at a portage as my arms were like lead and a little confusing as to what set of steps to take to get the other side, real down side of never having seen the portage before, got round the first corner after that and 2 large motor homes had just set off in between me and the paddler in from, I really didnt want this, the wash from both boats was a pain but I was pleased that I was coping with it far better than the beginning, wash hanging motor boats was defiantly a bit trickier than another canoe, I was defiantly faster than them but the river had narrowed and to try and squeeze past was gona be suicidal especially as they hadn't seen me, wasnt prepared to play chicken lol.
I pulled right behind the first one in the prop wash which was more comfatable than in the main wash, once the river opened up it was fairly easy to pull past them, the next portage over and back in the water something wasnt right with the steering and, the tiller bar was like pushing a bag of cement either side, I must have knocked it on the portage, didnt help as it was now the windiest part of the river, just my luck.
A quick twist on the rudder to stop it catching and with the news there was only 3 more locks left I had a bit more energy, a young lady said at least youre still smiling.
Come across a stretch with a load more fishing rods poking over the bank, this time the middle of the river after the last time, finally the last lock and a stretch of the river I recognised from years ago in Tonbridge, round the last corner and a big sign that said "FINISH" what a welcome sight, thank god.
That was defiantly an eventful race personally for me but on reflection Ive got the first race out of the way in the wobbly boat and had coped with everything except the fishing line, managed a 7th and wasnt last, lessons learnt about over training at the last second, and a clearer picture as to what Ive got to work on in the future, achievements can come in big steps as I have managed in getting into the wobblier boat but most come at small steps, Ill look forward to doing this one again next year.
Next race is the Hasler finals on 2nd October in the K2
For me this was a hard race, I knew it wouldn't be an easy one for me as this was the first race in the really wobbly boat, although I'm really comfy in the boat when I'm in calm waters out on my own, add a few boats and a bit of chop I'm not quite as comfy, although it is rare that she kicks me out, the first race in it hasnt been something to look forward too.
Leading up to this race I had got one of the summer colds which knocked me out of training for a while, then I made the classic mistake of over training to near the event, I got on the start line with aching arms and a back that was sore, lesson learnt on that one and if I had been wise I should have cross trained that week.
This race for me had the personnel goal of completing this race in the Supersonic and staying in it and a reasonable finish/time would be good enough.
My first dread was waiting for the start, I still don't like sitting stationary for too long a period, falling out on the start was defiantly a no no, out of sight would be better further up the river, a bit jittery on the nerves but managed to stay up for the off, option was to take it a little easier of the line and keep in the boat, the river was quite wide here so plenty of room, but didn't take long before the wash started to hit,
it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be, still managed forward speed but the occasional support stroke was needed, speed was well below what I can do in that boat, the faster guys had got a few yards ahead and a smaller group was near to me, keeping with them wasn't too hard and was quite happy to set my sights to stay with them.
That worked for a while until I got to close to guy next to me and the front of my boat decided to veer towards him in the wash which nearly caught me out and had to put the brake on sharpish to avoid colliding, didn't help with the struggling of the wash from all the boats in front and a couple of large size motor home boats coming down the river,
I had been knocked another 20 yards off the small group, the support strokes were having to be more often, my back was screaming from over training and only about a mile covered, nerves and too much adrenalin wernt helping, took me at least another mile before I started to settle down, I was still able to keep pace with the smaller group and the main group about 60 mtr's ahead, guess it wasn't too bad as support strokes were about every 5 strokes.
hadn't bargained for how busy the river was with motor boats, nor the wash they created, was pleased I was coping with them reasonably well but the mind over matter bit wasn't working which kept me on edge a little too much,
Then to cap it a big paddle steamer type boat was approaching, oh gollocks, the bow wave was huge then I could see the wash ripples behind the boat, they looked more like tsunami's approaching one after the other, they hit the boat sideways which was uncomfortable, but I stayed in phew, was wishing Id stayed in bed I really had.
The worst part of this race was being uncomfortable in my back from the start and not having the best mind set and having never been on this part of the river I never knew what to expect around each corner or no real judgement as to how far away from the next portage, must admit on the mental side Id let it slip.
The run to the first portage was really dragging and just so uncomfortable with the wash from the bigger craft.
Rounding one corner fairly tight to the bank I hadn't spotted someone tucked behind the bushes fishing, at the last second I spotted the line going in the water, I shouted out but it was too late and the line went over my bow and got caught on my Garmin satalite watch taped to the cockpit rim, normally I cant even press the button on the watch without falling in, but manage to try and get the line off, didn't help the fisherman was keeping a tight line, the line cut clean through the strap, manage to free the line of the watch and pulled the line over, couldn't move off until Id come to the hook end, didn't want that in me, finally it came up and I threw it off to one side in discuss but in doing so it tipped me out, was surprised Id lasted that long, gollocks that water was cold, there wasn't much of a choice where to get the boat sorted, found a concrete wall with a big metal ring that looked the best choice, could just about stand on tip toe to get the boat emptied, but was a trapeze act to get back in the boat which put another couple of gallons back in the boat, but I was in and would have to carry the water to the next portage, I relaxed a little bit after that, by now I was totally on my own, but luckily I was'nt being caught by the group behind.
It was a long stint to that first portage, wet, cold and aching like hell, I felt like giving up, but my car was at the finish line so that wasn't an option.
All the first group of portages were quite spaced out, got to the 3rd portage and greatfull for the drink station to get a drink and 3 jelly babies, wished I hadn't eaten them as they were to repeat on me for the rest of the race, this was the portage where people can go the wrong way, there was only a small space to get back in after this lock, I was so hoping this was the right way, got round a tight corner and could see a boom stretching across the river and presumed this was another portage, mmmm no decent portage stage, wasnt sure, I did get out and saw the river some feet below with no easy route down, nope this didn't seem right, thankfully a women said "they went that way" which was back where I had got out, the river winds back on its self and feels like youre doubling back on your self, getting back in the water 2 boats went past, at least I could do follow the leader, caught the first one fairly quickly and was gaining ground on the next one, the river had narrowed a little more and everything was a little more stable and I had settled myself and felt a little more drive in me, al be it I could not get that damm boat above 9.4kph, on the river back at home I constantly hit 11/12 kph cruising, a head wind didnt help and wasnt sure how much flow there was on the river as we were going up stream.
I got to a point where I had lost count of how many locks I had done, getting nearer to the paddler in front but lost a load of ground at a portage as my arms were like lead and a little confusing as to what set of steps to take to get the other side, real down side of never having seen the portage before, got round the first corner after that and 2 large motor homes had just set off in between me and the paddler in from, I really didnt want this, the wash from both boats was a pain but I was pleased that I was coping with it far better than the beginning, wash hanging motor boats was defiantly a bit trickier than another canoe, I was defiantly faster than them but the river had narrowed and to try and squeeze past was gona be suicidal especially as they hadn't seen me, wasnt prepared to play chicken lol.
I pulled right behind the first one in the prop wash which was more comfatable than in the main wash, once the river opened up it was fairly easy to pull past them, the next portage over and back in the water something wasnt right with the steering and, the tiller bar was like pushing a bag of cement either side, I must have knocked it on the portage, didnt help as it was now the windiest part of the river, just my luck.
A quick twist on the rudder to stop it catching and with the news there was only 3 more locks left I had a bit more energy, a young lady said at least youre still smiling.
Come across a stretch with a load more fishing rods poking over the bank, this time the middle of the river after the last time, finally the last lock and a stretch of the river I recognised from years ago in Tonbridge, round the last corner and a big sign that said "FINISH" what a welcome sight, thank god.
That was defiantly an eventful race personally for me but on reflection Ive got the first race out of the way in the wobbly boat and had coped with everything except the fishing line, managed a 7th and wasnt last, lessons learnt about over training at the last second, and a clearer picture as to what Ive got to work on in the future, achievements can come in big steps as I have managed in getting into the wobblier boat but most come at small steps, Ill look forward to doing this one again next year.
Next race is the Hasler finals on 2nd October in the K2
