Training Log Archive: nmulder

1015 - Started in N batch again. Strong headwind over Inanda, so I tuck in behind as many K2s as possible. Didn't have to wait in que's down the portage to Tops Needles, putting in most of the way to the bottom. Shot well until Side Chute where I had a stupid swim right at the bottom. Rest went well, including the paddle around Burma, but was stuck behind slower boats for most rapids. Took another stupid swim in the confluence after Islands rapids, then had a close scare in Five Fingers. Rest went well, including the pull to the Blue Lagoon. Sat with a few K2s, not getting caught by any K1s. Felt much better at the end than in previous days.

Total position was 541st (322nd K1) and total time of 12:57:43. 160.9% of winners time.

0915 - Started in N batch (awful). At least I was able to beat everyone else in the sprint to Dusi Bridge and the Saddles portage (1st). Went nicely through the Confluence rapids, but swam again at Washing Machine. (Note: take the centre slide option in future) Took out at Ibis Point, but was stuck in que's due to the high water level and submergence of usual put-in spot. Bundu-bashed through the creek, passing quite a few people. Ngumeni portage (2h15) was longer and more horrible than before. Skipped Thombi (no-one was shooting due to water level) but shot Hippo. Swam at bottom of slide as K2 pushed me off best slide line. From there on was okay, but started feeling quite bad. Got to Inanda Bridge at 3h32. Struggled over first half of Inanda Dam, but improved at the end. Heavy headwind.

Improved position to 576th overall.

0740 - Started in K batch, a poor batching due to a lack of good seeding results coming into the race. Good sprint start, about 13th over Ernie, and a big wobble at the bottom. 9th at Commercial, but hit the rock in bottom right again, further flattening the nose. Hit another rock in Mussons (2 people 1/2 stuck ahead of me in middle channel) that allowed water to start seeping in. Had to empty out at Low-level and again just after the sewage works take out. Decided to opt for Braai place take-out for a change. Nice route, but I think the Sewage - Pines option is preferable. Taped the nose at Bishopstowe Hall (1h24) and it held on the water all the way through to the Guinea Fowl portage. Shot Tegwaan et al well. Was slow on the portages (lost interest) and lost a bit of time (Geoffs Rd at 2h54). Took the wrong line in Maze (left instead of right), but was quite fun nonetheless. At Mission I came upstuck (swam at top of big drop) and the boat semi-wrapped on the rock before it was kicked loose. Major rudder wheel damage that I was unable to fix their, nor at Finger neck portage. Paddled the last 7/8km home without a right rudder, slowing me down even more (but no swims!). At finish got Popes to fix me a new nose and spent some $$$ on new cable and rudder. Estimate I lost about 25 mins because of boat plus another 15-20 minutes because of despondency.

749th overall.

1730 - Pre-race Dusi tripping down the Umsunduzi in Pietermaritzburg. Went from Ernie Pierce down to Low-level Bridge. Hit the nose on rock #2 in Commercial Rd weir, the one on the right. Some damage. Ran out of water at Mussons, but scraped over through the middle channel. Also a nasty suprise rock under the N3 bridge (keep right!). Saw low-level bridge for the first time as the dam release was very late.

1800 - Trezona Park. Had a good warm up as I wanted to give the 4km a go. Quite happy, splits of 4:00, 4:05, 4:10 and then 4:17. No-one else in my area, or I might have been a bit faster. Temperature dropped significantly just before the start as a major storm approached, stayed dry however.

1800 - K1 Speed on Emmies. Final training for Dusi. 8 long laps.