Lake Alfred

February 18, 2007

2/18 - 3 miles - 31:10 - splits: 11:07, 10:10, 9:52 - 25 mph winds, 52 degrees

Weeki Wachee River Race

February 17, 2007

Linda and I drove over to Weeki Wachee by way of Lakeland and Dade City this morning. It was about an 80 mile drive, taking 1:45. It was cool early, but by race time at 10:30 AM, the sun warmed up to 55 degrees. The 11-mile race started upriver on a very narrow stretch with probably 60 boats. There were way too many boats, so the start was very chaotic, with several flipping over right away. Among other groups, the Georgia Tech college team, Slovak Olympic team and some high schoolers all showed up in their K-1's. The river had a stiff current with some very tight turns, so there were plenty of mishaps on the way upriver.

The last mile upriver was wider and allowed you to get into a better rhythm without traffic and the tight turns. Once we made the turn at the 5.5 mile mark, the downriver segment was much more fun. The current helped me stay in the high 6's and low 7's mph and the turns were not as tough to negotiate heading down. Towards the end, I missed a turn and had to turn around for a short distance. Fortunately, the two guys closest behind me closed, but did not pass me, as I got back on course and up to speed. It was a difficult but fun course.

My time was 2:04:26 for the 11.21 mile course. Splits were: 12:17, 13:37, 12:47, 13:34, 13:14, 10:43, 9:24, 9:46, 9:09, 8:41, 9:15 and 1:52 for the last 0.21. The overall pace was 11:05 at 5.4 mph.

Afterwards, we had lunch at a restaurant across the river from the start line overlooking the water, where we also had the awards ceremony.

Lake Alfred

February 11-16, 2007

2/11 - 10 miles - 1:38:18 - splits: 9:52, 9:59, 9:37, 9:38, 9:58, 9:52, 9:35, 10:01, 10:03, 9:39
2/12 - 3 miles - 28:33 - splits: 9:12, 9:48, 9:33
2/13 - 3 miles - 28:36 - splits: 9:38, 9:24, 9:34
2/14 - 3 miles - 28:52 - splits: 10:00, 9:32, 9:19
2/15 - 3 miles - 27:57 - splits: 9:28, 9:17, 9:12

Hillsborough River - Trout Creek

February 11, 2007

Linda and I drove over to 1-75 north to the Fowler St exit, then left to the entrance to Trout Creek County Park. This a pretty spot for a picnic, which we took advantage of after getting off of the water. There is also plenty of trails for mountain biking or hiking around the area.

We put in around 11:00 AM on a beautiful, calm, 65 degree sunny morning. We turned up the Hillsborough and almost immediately found the mouth of Trout Creek on the left. It was a narrow passage with little current and tucked in under a full canopy of Cypress and Palm trees. In only 100 meters we came upon our first large gator, about 10 feet, sunning on the bank. There were not too many shore birds as the creek was very narrow. About another half mile in, we came across another big one, probably 12 feet this time, who reluctantly thrashed into the water as we passed by. We traveled in about 1.3 miles before we came to a blockage and the creek narrowed to about the length of our tandem kayak. After exiting Trout Creek, we turned up Hillsborough again and with a much wider river, began to see an abundance of shore birds. The highlight was following a group of four Roseate Spoonbills into a shallow spot, where Linda was able to get some good pictures. She also clicked on Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, White Ibis, Limpkins, Vultures, Anhingas, Cormorants and a couple more gators out sunning as well. It was a great paddle, one we will take visitors on when anyone comes down that wants to get out into a beautiful habitat.

Lake Alfred

February 4-10, 2007

2/4 - 3 miles - 31:40 - splits: 10:27, 11:19, 9:52
2/5 - 3 miles - 28:41 - splits: 9:35, 9:41, 9:23
2/6 - 3 miles - 28:08 - splits: 9:12, 9:30, 9:26
2/7 - 3 miles - 28:23 - splits: 9:38, 9:28, 9:17
2/9 - 3 miles - 27:53 - splits: 9:15, 9:17, 9:21
2/10 - 6 miles - 57:38 - splits: 9:35, 9:29, 9:29, 9:48, 9:50, 9:25

Lake Alfred

January 29 - February 2, 2007

1/30 - 3 miles - 27:55 - splits: 9:22, 9:14, 9:18
1/31 - 3 miles - 28:08 - splits: 9:12, 9:28, 9:28
2/1 - 3 miles - 29:29 - splits: 9:29, 9:36, 10:24