Lake Alfred

November 19-25, 2006

11/19 - 6 miles - 57:31 - splits: 9:46, 9:39, 9:17, 9:53, 9:38, 9:15 pace: 6.3 mph
11/20 - 3 miles - 29:28 - splits: 10:28, 9:51, 9:08 pace: 6.1 mph
11/21 - 3 miles - 28:11 - splits: 9:35, 9:28, 9:06 pace: 6.4 mph
11/22 - 3 miles - 29:11 - splits: 10:28, 9:37, 9:04 pace: 6.2 mph
11/23 - 6 miles - 57:43 - splits: 9:39, 9:33, 9:26, 10:08, 9:43, 9:11 pace: 6.2 mph
11/24 - 6 miles - 56:33 - splits: 9:33, 9:26, 9:15, 9:27, 9:30, 9:18 pace: 6.4 mph
11/25 - 6 miles - 6-man outrigger canoe workout on Tampa Bay

Lake Alfred

November 12 - 18, 2006

11/12 - 3 miles - 27:56 - splits were 9:24, 9:15, 9:17 overall pace was 6.4 mph
11/13 - 3 miles - 28:03 - splits were 9:25, 9:22, 9:16 overall pace was 6.4 mph
11/14 - 3 miles - 27:32 - splits were 9:06, 9:11, 9:15 overall pace was 6.5 mph
11/15 - 3 miles - 27:56 - splits were 9:16, 9:20, 9:20 overall pace was 6.4 mph
11/17 - 3 miles - 28:29 - splits were 9:53, 9:29, 9:07 overall pace was 6.3 mph
11/18 - 6 miles - 57:21 - splits were 9:42, 9:39, 9:23, 9:42, 9:41, 9:11 overall pace was 6.3 mph

Alafia Challenge

Lithia, FL
Saturday, November 11, 2006

On a beautiful, cool and sunny morning, 204 boats with 316 participants started paddling from the Lithia Springs county park and continued 9.1 miles downriver to the Riverview Civic Center. The first three canoes started at 9:11 AM, followed every minute by another group of three boats. A total of 84 canoes and 120 kayaks took their turn in threes at the starting line beginning their journey down the narrow, shallow Alafia River.

Within the first mile, we came across several sets of rapids over rock formations right at the surface. Fortunately, we did not have to get out and portage, as we slid over and down the rapids. It did not take long before I started passing most of the boats in my category and many in the categories starting ahead of me. We paddled around many sharp tight turns, sometimes around downed trees, trying to stay in the current, to help propel us downriver most efficiently.

On the last three to four miles, the river widened out, so it was even more important to find the fastest current, not necessarily the shortest tangent. Finally, the finish chute came into view where we tried to put on a spirited sprint. The water shallowed out considerably, so it was like paddling in molasses.

The race was extremely well run with an abundance of volunteers helping racers with their boats at the start and finish areas. The food was great, with a live band playing and they even had very nice, one-of-a-kind awards. A dragon boat club showed up and did demonstrations and let racers and spectators join them for a taste of what it is like to paddle a dragon boat. Linda decided she wanted to try it, so we jumped in along with 20 others, about half members and half newbies. I thought it was great, but Linda will probably not want to join in and go to workouts, etc.

As for finish times and awards, I ended up 8th overall out of 204 and third out of 22 in my race category, which was masters men rec single kayaks. The two boats which beat me were kevlar Epics, which should have been in the elite category, so I felt pretty good, feeling I really finished first in a true rec boat. Next year, if the water is up some, I may try the elite boat category and see how it goes.

Lake Alfred

November 5, 7, 8, 9

11/5 - 10 miles - 1:38:20 - splits were 9:35, 9:48, 9:37, 9:46, 10:04, 9:49, 9:49, 10:23, 9:54, 9:29 overall pace was 6.1 mph
11/7 - 6 miles - 56:28 - splits were 9:18, 9:27, 9:32, 9:19, 9:26, 9:24 overall pace was 6.4 mph
11/8 - 3 miles - 29:00 - splits were 10:13, 9:22, 9:24 overall pace was 6.2 mph
11/9 - 3 miles - 27:59 - splits were 9:25, 9:15, 9:18 overall pace was 6.4 mph

Lake Alfred

November 1, 2 & 4

I had three workout paddles this week as follows:

11/1 - 3 miles - 28:46 - mile splits were 9:31, 9:50, 9:22 overall pace was 6.3 mph
11/2 - 3 miles - 28:02 - mile splits were 9:14, 9:28, 9:18 overall pace was 6.4 mph
11/4 - 6 miles - 58:38 - mile splits were 9:41, 9:56, 9:33, 9:47, 10:04, 9:34, overall pace was 6.1 mph