But I had a great week on the water and today's only Friday so that may say something. My week started out with an immensely cool pool session Sunday morning at Lee District Pool. As we are signed up for March as well we checked in with the roll coach but chose to practice the skills we already have and save the roll-coaching for the less-packed March classes.
I have discussed rolling at length with Brian, watched videos, and listened to other paddlers who have rolls. I also watched the successful rollers at the pool paying quite a bit of close attention. I came to the conclusion that the extended paddle roll looks the easiest. Brian told me he would use that same roll as a default in conditions. And I have watched a video featuring that roll as well. So that's likely to be my target during March class.
Another thing successful rollers have said to me in several different ways is "relax." Darrick said Dub-side advised him that the first step in the lay-up is to "relax and let your pfd pull you towards the surface." As I watch my strong, athletic husband struggle to complete a c-to-c roll I realize that he is trying to "muscle" it. Not relaxing at all, which is understandable as hanging upside down from your cockpit just doesn't seem too natural.
A lot to think about and prepare for.
Monday found me a bit sore from the many wet exits and self-rescues I practiced on Sunday. My chiropractor would love the set of bruises I gave myself. He would always ask why I was so bruised up from "just paddling," but it seems last year I have spent a significant amount of energy learning and practicing good self and assisted rescue techniques. This will serve me well in the coming club season.
Tuesday I left work at lunch to join some of the "usual suspects" in a paddle out of Occoquan Regional Park. I was hoping to see some of the Tundra Swans that had been spotted by another the day before but alas, I was denied. However I did spot a multitude a large gray/tan sea birds, really really large with hooked beaks like a bird of prey. They floated singly or in small groups on the water in the larger mixed groups of birds. In the air they looked like birds of prey as well. Got to identify them. I think they must be migrants just stopping over on their way north.
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| A nice military fellow stopped to ask us about area paddling and we got him to kindly snap our photo before we launched |
Brian and Pete set a fast pace out of the launch and Becky, Dennis, and I were lagging just a bit. I had chosen my Sirocco as sometimes one can find big wakes at that locale where the Occoquan and the Potomac converge. I was hoping for some surf. Instead, I got served a big helping of "paddle-you-butt-off" as "Motorboat" and the "Faster Pastor" were in fit form. I don't think they were even trying hard. We did about 8.5 miles, and my gps said we only averaged a moving speed of 3.8 mph. Ok, that was a slow speed for a lot of work.
My left shoulder is becoming a problem. It is visibly swollen and hurts the worst it ever has. I am sure it's the same bursitis that has plagued me every winter for the last 20 years, but in a much more aggressive way. I really suffered Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and barely slept as every time I moved the arm I was jolted by grinding pain. In some kind of senseless sleepy state I wondered if I could tape the sucker down or wear some kind of body sling that would keep me from moving it overnight. Ugh.
Regardless, I left work again at noon of Thursday to paddle with the crew at Columbia Island. We headed out the Boundary Channel north to Fletchers for lunch and then returned via the big river past the monuments. It had turned dark and overcast, so even though I had the camera with me I knew it was pointless to try and shoot anything, on this one of my favorite parts of the Potomac.
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| courtesy Lisa |
This day I brought my Dragon Boat, as I call my Solstice. She is my "big gun," my "sword of the sea," as she slices the water like butter and working hard means breaking 6 mph, not 4 as in the Sirocco. Dennis, who paddles a lovely Gulfstream, asked me about her. He noted that he was struggling to try and maintain an opening distance between "Motorboat" and himself when he looked over just as I slid past him, seemingly not working hard at all. His perception was correct. The Solstice is a race horse. She's made to run, and I love her for it. She's my once-in-a-lifetime boat.
I am hoping Dennis posts a pic of us to facebook and I'll grab it for here.
Returning to the shoulder issue; here's the odd part: the first few minutes I am paddling it hurts like I am stretching scarred muscle tissue but then the joint warms up, loosens up, and I don't feel any pain until the night time. So last night I skipped my evening Celebrex dose and applied Voltaren gel directly to the joint. I also applied some Arnica gel. I slept on my back with my arms propped on pillows like I do when I am having neurological problems stemming from my spine. I didn't sleep much anyway but the shoulder didn't hurt as much as the previous nights. However, some nerve is definietly being affected as my pinky, ring, and middle fingers as well as the outside of my left arm from the shoulder down kept going completely numb and then I couldn't move the arm much.
Holy smokes!!
So now I am exhausted, haven't slept well since I left Florida. My left shoulder swells intermittently, and the rest of me feels healthy and ready to go, even in the face of not sleeping. Just this broken wing could be a problem. Hmm. Regardless, I am trying to arrange a lesson for myself and the Lorax for tomorrow, or a low-key paddle with Chuck's club, at the least.
Yeah. I guess I don't let my physical condition dictate my days. I refuse to be ruled by a busted shoulder.
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