Hello and greetings all,
Sorry for my lengthy absence in updating my journal, things have been busy for me in Nova Scotia, but the good kind of busy. In terms of training, I am very happy with how it has been going. I have been working at Banook Canoe Club (the club which I race for), and enjoying some hard practices with my teammates.
We are off the water now, as Banook Lake has been lowered a great deal to prepare for next summer's world championships. Things are appearing in the muck and uncovered lake bottom that have not seen the light of day in years. Yesterday's finds included an old skateboard, signs, and a salvageable resistor to name a few. Towards the 500m mark in the lake, there is now a small islands of rocks that have surfaced, that would probably be just off the outside of where the race course would normally be situated.
We have been doing lots of running and weight training, and are now swimming two mornings a week. I am feeling more and more the ability to handle the training with greater ease, and have found a noticeable increase in my overall power. I also have been trying to make a reinvigorated effort at improving my flexibility, something that should never be overlooked, especially in canoeing.
One of the questions we recently received in our "ask us anything" forum asked how we were able to stay motivated during the autumn months, so far removed from the racing season. I would like to take the opportunity to answer that one here, and link it to an experience I just had.
Recently I was able to meet the CEO for the Vancouver Olympics Mr. John Furlong, and watch him speak at two different venues, and was really moved by his words. This is a man who truly exhibits the type of passion for sport that every fan, coach, athlete etc. should try and embrace. He spoke of the need to find the challenge within yourself and hold on to it, to strive for greatness, and to be passionate about what you're doing.
These are all sentiments that I believe can help with the fall portion of training. Obviously, with canoeing our training schedules are cyclical, and the fall months include longer sessions aimed at building your base and improving technique. It is important to remember that the fall is a time when you have a real opportunity to improve upon things that will affect your whole season. As Mr. Furlong had said, you cannot simply turn on and off the passion switch, a true commitment must be made, because you may just find yourself after the big moment has passed wishing there was something else you could've done in advance. Don't make this mistake. Remember to enjoy it, work hard, and continue to re-invent goals on week to week basis that will better set you up to get the most out of your training. I hope this helps answer that question a bit, it has been something that has definitely helped me.
Lastly, moving on to my random thoughts:
-the Toronto Raptors need some help at the wing, but Gerald Wallace (mentioned in the sporting news rumour circle), while explosive is a huge risk
- San Diego Chargers officially have given me a major heart condition this season
- my attempts at becoming a cultured individual have been enjoyable, Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" has not disappointed so far
- Dartmouth is a beautiful city
Thanks for reading, and as always keep it real.
Andrew
Greetings all,
Quick apology for my writing apathy as of late, but the good news is I have a great experience to share. I just returned home from Hawaii after competing in the 2008 Molokai Hoe, an annual outrigger OC-6 race from the island of Molokai to the beaches of Waikiki, covering a whopping distance of 42 miles. Let me tell you, this was definitely not one of the easier things I've done in my life, quite the contrary.... However, one thing is for sure it was an experience.
First things first, the company I was able to share at this prestigious event was simply an honour. Amongst our team were Olympic champions Andreas Dittmer of Germany, Martin Doktor of the Czech Republic, Attila Vajda of Hungary, as well as Canadian national greats Tamas Buday Jr., Kyle Jeffery, Ian Mortimer, coach Peter Buday and yours truly. Lastly, we acquired steersman Paul McNamara to complete our crew.
Upon arriving in Hawaii the warmth and palm trees put an immediate smile on my face. However, I have to admit the proposition of racing 42 miles in a boat I had never once practiced in, as well as making open ocean switches was slightly daunting at first. However, the first morning when we got in the boat, I knew instantly this was the type of race I would enjoy. After jumping into the warm Pacific waters a few times I was in the swing of things, and despite my asymmetry from a lifetime of paddling on the left side I was managing alright with the periodic left and right side paddling switches.
After a few days of practice and discovering what the island of Hawaii had to offer (snorkeling and cliff jumping were atop this list), we took a short flight to the island of Molokai in easily the smallest plane I have ever flown in, and landed at an equally small airport. However, armed with our newly acquired "aloha spirit" we were ready to take on anything. The scenery on the island was breathtaking, and as we neared the race we all grew excited to get the show on the road. I had come to Hawaii with a small set of poker chips, and they got plenty of use. First time player Andreas Dittmer quickly picked up the game of no limit texas hold 'em and within a day was beating everyone on the team with an unreadable poker face.
The day of the race finally arrived and we were revved up to challenge the other 105 crews who started the race. With everyone arriving very early in the morning, and the sun rising as we started out, the setting was perfect. The mass start of 106 crews across a span of a km or so wide was full of adrenaline. Two called back starts by the officiating crew later, and we were off, frantically trying to pace with the leaders. Within an hour we could see very few crews, and the waves were extremely sloppy and tough to ride. In the end we managed 21st place in a grueling 5 hours and 28 minutes.
Would I do it again? Definitely. It was a great experience and despite some incredible bouts of pain during the race, including some pretty violent stomach sickness at the halfway point, it was really amazing, and the 21st placing left me hungry with a challenge to improve upon that finish. The highlight of the race was probably heading in to the finish about 30 minutes out, when Ian Mortimer and Martin Doktor curtailed a lack of energy by shouting with every stroke completely energizing the crew and simultaneously driving us forward. After 5 hours the feeling was amazing, and the power and drive that emerged from the team's exhausted bodies was a really cool reminder of some of the champion mentalities in our boat. All in all, awesome time, go to Hawaii tomorrow... do it.
Well thanks for reading, and as always keep it real.
Andrew
Hello and Greetings to all,
Wow this is long overdue... where to start is probably the best question. Well I guess the first thing worth saying is 2008 was quite the year, and that is a grand understatement. It is so hard to really capture how awesome the entire experience was, but I will certainly make an attempt a la blog.
Firstly, the Olympics were obviously tremendous, and hilariously cool to be a part of. It was so surreal to think of the company that we were sharing while in Beijing, and I think I can honestly say I made the very most of the experience. When it comes to the racing, I am happy to say I was 100% satisfied with how we performed. I spoke at Cavalier Jr. High School recently to 150 kids, and one of the things that came up was the idea of teamwork in the C-2 events. The honest answer is the C-2 epitomizes
the need for teamwork. The two partners work together to transfer all efforts into a synchronized rhythm that moves the boat, and I am fortunate to have one of the best partners in the world behind me. The cool thing is Gab is incredibly consistent to the point that I simply know each and every race that he'll step up to whatever possible level and stroke I am able to set. It's a pretty re-assuring feeling overall.
The 500m race stands out because I think it was a real stepping stone and breakthrough for Gab and I as a crew. I think racing at the highest level, this was the first time we really attacked a race, and we no longer simply tried to stay in the game. This will hopefully be the new and more confident approach we'll apply to future races. I have been given plenty of unfortunate visual reminders of that post-race pain, thanks to the keen eyes of the media. The hand over the heart "death shot" has earned me more jokes than I thought possible. I guess I was kind of asking for it, when I brought out my best thespian work in the biggest possible forum... joking, it took me hours before my head began to stop ringing.
This brings us to nationals, and where better to have such a prestigious event, than on the best natural course in the world. You know it baby... viva Dartmouth! With beautiful weather, and efficient start times, nationals was an awesome experience. Highlight for me had to be the Junior Men's War Canoe race, in which the ever dear to my heart Banook Canoe Club was victorious. In the end, Burloak ended with another overall burgee, and I think pretty much everyone had smiling faces. How's that for a cliche? Another really fun part of the nationals experience was having so many younger paddlers come up to say hi, and get a piece of paddling memorabilia signed. Made me feel pretty excited to think I was that kid many years back, thrusting a t-shirt up to Steve Giles and Larry Cain.
After nationals a little down time was had before heading to the big city for the growing annual Mazda Knockout. Great event. Richard "I'm getting my rest and eating right" Dalton came through with a big victory to remain the only ever C-1 victor in the Knockout. I had an amazing time start to finish, kudos to Mazda for another great close to the season. It was especially cool to race with Canadian Canoe Team friends Andreas Dittmer and Mathieu Goubel. I have to say though, the highlight was the re-union of C4C again on the water, pumping in the strokes to claim victory in the open men's C-4 race. Big ups to the engine room in that boat, Mark Oldershaw, Gabriel Beauchesne-Sevigny and Ian Mortimer. Special thanks to my dear friends Scott Brady et al who came to cheer borderline too loud for my 5th place finish in C-1 200m.
I guess that brings us to the popular "what's up for the future" question. Well, funny you should ask, or I should pose the question in hopes my imaginary fan club will materialize. Well, excitement is on horizon, I am slated to take part in the famous cross ocean race... Molokai in Hawaii. Can't wait, I kind of had to pinch myself on the offer... how can you turn down Hawaii... seriously, it's not possible.
Anyway, before I close this lengthy jumble of mismatched thoughts, I'd like to hone in on my inner sports fan. Being a way too knowledgeable fan of various pro sports, I am akin with a brain full of needless statistics. I also like to draw up unnecessary lists. Thus without further adieu, I give you the aruss 2007/08 lists. Please don't execute the messenger I merely offer my opinion on the greats of the 2007/08 season.
Top Ten Amusing Moments (I apologize for the predominance of the game of golf, but what can you do, it's a popular past time):
10) Coach Tamas Buday Sr. swinging off the Tarzan rope in Ottawa and yelling in traditional Tarzan fashion.
9) Gab eating nearly three full breakfasts at Cora's after a workout in Nova Scotia.
8) Pretty much every time C4C went out in C-4 during our Florida training camps.
7) Me drawing up an amazing NCAA final four bracket only to finish in an incredibly embarrassing fashion, while Emilie Fournel chose every team based on team mascot. Goes to show you my overuse of every sports website imaginable is perhaps unnecessary... I said perhaps.
6) Gab's Haircut.
5) Pellini maintaining the belief that he possesses enough ten trick skill to de-throne any member of C4C from their respective stranglehold on the top 4 world rankings.
4) Mark Oldershaw playing off my incredible fear of snakes, by jumping out of the bushes during a round of 18 when we had been warned of a giant rattle snake on the premises.
3) Gab gearing up to take a golf swing and almost accidentally stepping on an enormous alligator.
2) Yak for a Stack. Not a lot else needs to be said, but giant potato shooting tanks, and life sized giraffe costumes are hard to beat. Drag unfortunately overdone.
1) The impromptu golf over the pond challenge. For those familiar with the Pines resort and those not, there is a large field in the middle of the layout, that is home to a murky watered pond that houses small gators and God knows what else. One afternoon all of the canoe team members congregated on a Saturday to come up with a messy game called closest to the distant palm tree. Each person took a shot over said pond in hope of sticking it close to the palm, however, the catch was if you put it in the drink, you had to cross the pond. Needless to say, everybody took a turn in the smelly water. Good times.
Top 10 Meals/ Eats 10) Seafood Risotto (my staple meal to cook during Florida training camp)
9) Post Olympic Racing McDonald's
8) Canada House
7) POW (pick a day it was all bang on)
6) The Baron van Koeverden's pan seared tuna
5) Great Wall meal for 4 consumed by two in Halifax during training camp
4) Frank and Edith's annual gala in Florida
3) Csom's Hungarian feast (won't attempt spellings)
2) Pretty much any meal at the Montreal Hotel Marriot
1) Connie Lee's fried chicken and caesar salad- Ian Mortimer's bday feast. Top notch, and enough to feed everyone three times over.
Top Five Racing Moments 5) Mazda Knockout C4C victory
4) Junior Men's War Canoe victory at Nationals
3) Szeged World Cup, winning our entry into Beijing
2) Montreal Pan Am Qualifiers (this was so cool to race at because of the people there)
1) The Olympics (this was a pretty safe bet if you wagered before reading)
Why I insist on closing my eyes at the start of each stroke I have no idea. At least I get help from Jack Nicholson circa The Shining behind me looking seriously menacing.
Anyway, of note lately, I just dropped the puck at the Mooseheads game and had a grand time, and I also have been spoiled rotten playing some great golf. Enough though, I have been writing self-indulgent blabber way too long, thanks for reading, as always keep it real, and I am excited for the upcoming season.
All the best.
Andrew
ps. special thanks to my friends in NZ for the necklace, I have been wearing it all the time for good fortune and safe passage.
