2 Kayak Events on Saturday

Promotion of kayak trails on the Mississippi Gulf Coast:
http://www.sunherald.com/local/story/1614431.html
This is good news, and I am glad to see South Coast Paddling Company doing business and getting promoted.


Also the Gulf Coast Running Club's Yak-A-Du in Long Beach, MS:

This was a 2m run, 2m kayak, and another 2m run. My run time was OK though I haven't been running much lately. Paddle was easy -- I was taking pictures and cruising along. So many people struggle with the tiny boats, it didn't feel fair to glide by them so fast in the Riot Regency! Took second place in the women's. This event was a warm-up for the Paddle, Pant, Pedal triathlon coming up on Oct 31st. In 2006 I did it in 3 hours; 2007 2:48. Missed it in 2008. Goal for this year? I'm going to say 2:35. Paddle time will be same or a little slower. Run time faster, especially if I run between now and then. Bike time -- way faster!!!

I thought about something while running this event. I used to be disciplined in my breathing while running, always breathing with the running cadence. In 4 steps, out 4 steps in an easy jog. Brisk run - in two, out three. Fast run - in two, out two. And I would stick to it. Need more oxygen? Breathe deeper. Not enough? Slow down. Then at some point recently I broke out of that and realized, why not just breathe what your body wants. It's free, right? Going up a hill, breathe harder. Get what you need. Legs go how fast they can go, aerobic system listen to the body and fuel the effort. One or the other will start to get maxed out and you have to back down, but there's no sense in forcing a limit on yourself. So maybe it was the bike, where you don't pay as much attention to the breath relative to cadence. Or maybe it's the yoga I've been doing lately where you DO pay attention to the breath and you make sure to give the body the air it needs. In any case, being freed up to BREATHE has helped my running efforts.

3 shortcuts

This past Sunday, the tide was high so we took some of the smaller marsh grass short-cuts through the bayou. The first one on the south side of the bay I have done many times. The one on the right was completely new. I didn't even realize there was a connection through there. I like sneaking through when you hear the boats whizzing by in the main bayou and they have no idea anyone is out in the marsh grass near them. The third one on the northeast side I've done a few times. There are quite a few places to get lost in there, and several places where you wonder, could I possibly be going the right way? It's like a corn maze.

Mom tried one way and I tried another. I could hear her calling me, and right then an osprey was flying overhead (bottom picture) so I yelled "I'm right under the osprey!" Soon enough we found each other and found the way out.

Heading back across the bay was an adventure. Very windy and the waves were about a foot and a half. We dashed back to the house and put the kayaks up in their new rack.

Kayak Rack

The Fleet now has a custom-made rack designed and built by Dale. Each boat has its own slot with supports individualized for each boat. There are wheels on the bottom of the rack for easy moving and storing. All 6 boats now fit in the amound of space previously taken by 2!

Sunday was beautiful weather. We took the boats out in the bay and I discovered that the Enduro makes a fantastic lounge chair. Paddle out to the middle of the water, kick your feet out the sides, and lean back, lying all the way back on the back of the boat. Verrrry peaceful and relaxing.

Oldfield

The mission for this trip, other than a re-conditioning of an 8+ mile paddle, was to go out to the gulf and then go a little farther along the shore in Gautier to see Oldfield, which is a house that Walter Anderson lived in for many years. We found the house and pulled up on the little beach out front, then stepped into the yard far enough to look towards Horn Island and think of how he must have seen it, looking out there and longing to be there. It's a long way to row a boat, but a day like yesterday would be a fine day to do it. I don't know what the plans are for the house. It's in disrepair, but I'm sure it would be a huge project to restore it. Next to it (visible in the 4th picture) is a huge house with columns out front that was stopped in mid-construction. Both properties are in a nice place to enjoy the water, the pelicans, the view of the gulf and the islands. Maybe someday someone will again.


The water feels great. Had to paddle a while with my feet in the water. Kind of like water skiiing barefoot, with your own propulsion.

I finally got the kayak adjusted yesterday. Moved the thigh braces forward, pulled the foot pedals back, re-adjusted the seat, and found a power position that will definitely help me go faster, levaraging the whole body to accomplish the pedal strokes. Now in training for the PPP!

Editing note..... Blogger's capabilities are not impressing me these days. Haven't changed in quite some time. Still some awkward aspects to uploading pictures and rearranging text on the page. Usually, if I try to move the text, the pictures delete themselves and I have to upload them again. Now that Google owns Blogger, wish they would put some of that great development brainpower on improving the site.

Take it when you can

The sun goes down every day. How many days do you watch it? I can say, it wouldn't be a waste of time to watch it EVERY TIME.

Sometimes just the lines and angles of the water, grass, clouds is art in itself.

The water is warm, soft, and pleasant, and the air is benign.

Even if you just have an hour after a long day's work, enjoy it!

Cadence

I discovered a few things tonight that carry over from the bike to the kayak.

One is core stability. I've been focusing on that with Pilates, and presumably benefiting on the bike although I'm not exactly aware of it. While paddling the kayak if you really focus, you can find that power in the core muscles.

Another is form. There are times I focus on form on the bike -- when I'm working hard and trying to distract myself; when I'm doing a light effort and can spend extra energy on perfect form; when I'm going up a hill and need to use the muscles in concert and entirety. Focus on paddling form, and you get the same benefits.

The third is cadence. All my paddling has been light lately - recreational - just out enjoying the water. I've been expending my aerobic energy running and cycling. Tonight I had a little to spare, and somehow I found my rhythm. The cadence that's in my head threads from bike to run to paddle, and when I get on it, I hit a zone that smoothes all irregularities and just feels right. I heard it and felt it, and the wind and water gave me no resistance as I built that momentum gliding on the water.

Pictures of the sunset with kayak, and Graveline boat ramp after sunset.

Longleaf Trace - 81 miles

Last Saturday I rode the entire Longleaf Trace, just over 40 miles out and 40 miles back, all the way from USM gateway to Prentiss. That was an all-time mileage record for me. The miles were not hard - I could have done another 20 pretty easily, so I'm confident I'll do a few centuries this year. The rain was a bit of a challenge. We got soaked several times. This was a club ride so I was one of many in a pack of red jerseys. We made pretty good time but stopped many times for breaks, flats, etc. I really enjoyed the ride and intend to go back again next month. It's a very pleasant and painless way to get 80 miles in, and the scenery is great.