Training Log Archive: FrankTheTank

Ride downtown for the rowing class. I had to ride the MTB since I was too lazy to change my flat from the day before.

I signed up for a learn to row class through our local rowing club. It's been something I've had an eye on since my knee is shot and I can't run or orienteer anymore. There were five newbies in the class and they paired us with three veterans in an eight. I was put in the #6 seat on port for my first outing. It's a lot of fun but I have a lot to work on my technique. Watching my film afterwards is a bit embarrassing, but that's how you learn. I was trying to think of similarities of rowing and orienteering and I don't think there is all that much in common:

1) Rowing is a team sport and orienteering is individual. I'm really looking forward to this team aspect because my whole life has really been dedicated to individual sports for the most part.

2) Orienteering really requires the mental focus almost all the time where as rowing lets you zone out similar to distance running. There are things to think about in rowing, primarily technique/form and synchronization, but I get the feeling that it becomes more of a muscle memory thing as you gain experience. Once that is learned you can just zone out and row.

3) Rowing is about listening to and following the cox. Orienteering is about listening to your mind and following where it tells you to go.

4) The only similarity I can think of is that there is a lifetime learning curve to orienteering and likewise with rowing people spend a lifetime perfecting the technique and synchronization.

Not a great commute this morning. It seemed like there was a lot of traffic this morning. I also overdressed and had to stop to shed a layer while tons of cars were going by. Also put on new (used) tires and I must need to re-seat the bead because there is a big bump during each revolution that is super annoying. Roads were wet but the fenders are back on doing their job.

Even worse commute home than the morning. I threw my chain twice shifting to the front big ring so I need to take a look at that derailer. I also tried to mess with re-seating the bead of the tires before I took off from work (deflated them a bit and pumped them up again with the mini pump). I ended up getting a rear flat about 3/4 of the way home. It seemed like a slow leak so I tried pumping it up, but I had to stop and pump a total of 3 times to make it all the way home. Just a bad equipment day.

Pump track session with all the neighborhood kids. The mayor showed up for a bit to check on things so it was great we had a big crew of kids there.

Paddle in Liberty Bay. I paddled across the bay and then down the west side.