Training Log Archive: Dolf

I took on the very ambitious task of mapping some of the rocks in the rapids of the valley today.
Unfortunately the map can only be read by looking at the bruises on my ass.
I will make a photocopy for everyone attach to their ski/kayak to show what rocks to avoid (all of them).

C • Syds 5

Watch this space.......




Day 2 start to Bells with Stevej, Dangerman, Wally80 and Scott.
Walyunga level just over 0.8, changes things from last valley run but mostly for the better.
I really enjoyed it today, which would be hard to believe if you had seen me as I had more than my fair share of swims. I just had to accept that it was not my day and keep going. I don't think it was the higher levels as that made some rapids easier and some harder.
I wasn't assertive enough when paddling away from danger and most of my falls occurred when trying too late to avoid hitting rocks. I got some good advice from Wally80 who called me a "pansy assed paddler" when going through rapids (one of my bruises looks like a pansy). This probably comes from cruising through rapids without paddling on my first valley run and just going with the flow. I found out today the flow likes to jam you into trees, smash you into rocks and throw you over big drops.
I got 90% of the way down Championships today before I fell in, probably after relaxing a bit too early. Went too wide on the Super chute and knocked off by a tree just before the drop. I took the left channel at the washing machine when everyone else took the right (plus about 8 others before us) as I was too far down on the left bank and didn't want to turn and get the correct line for the right channel. It was bumpy and my ski slammed into the big rock on the left but I made it.
I had a couple of really good saves today that considering all my other swims probably shocked those watching.
Best part of the day was being turned around on Syds and going down backwards (I think I even made it look easy), plenty of witnesses, although I really should have saved that for the race as I'm not sure if I can repeat it.

Thanks to Stevej, Dangerman, Wally80 and Scott for a wet but enjoyable day.

Big thanks to Juffy for driving.

Second physio session with more dry needling today.
My shoulder and neck/back are improving so I don't mind putting up with the pain if it helps.
Should feel much better for saturdays paddle now.

Easy run as right calf was a little tight but not sore.

Run in the rain after work.
Some discomfort in right calf when I tried to speed up at half way point, so I settled into a steady pace and it went away.

C • Take it easy Dolf! 2

Physio for sore shoulder/neck.
As with everything else my shoulder/neck muscles were super tight.
Had some dry needling done which hurt like hell. The physio said it will be sore for 24/48 hours before getting better. (fingers crossed)
I will rest from paddling until saturday, hopefully it will be feeling much better by then.