Third Time Lucky?
Avon Descent, 2004
by Belinda Skinner
|
Yep, I tried it (again) this year. I have 'attempted' it twice before - and this was going to be third time lucky. The previous two years was in a spirit plastic recreation double surf ski (aka the bathtub). The first year I underestimated how fit and strong you needed to be and we were so far at the back - it was a tough year - that was the lowest water level year. Then our steering cables broke and lost the rudder - we were stuffed so we retired at Harts Farm. The next year (last year) I entered with a friend in the same bath tub and when I woke up on day 2 I had a lump the size of a golf ball on my wrist and it killed - I ended up with tendonitis and thought best not carry on and do permanent damage - so again retired! This year, was going to be my year - I gave up on the bath tub and used my husband's plastic spirit race ski (very tippy - especially compared to the bath tub!). I trained soooo hard this year - many mornings on the river, took lessons to improve my techniques, went on valley runs with Mainpeak, and spent hours in the gym including hiring a personal trainer (a very hard one to really get me strong!) and very strict with my diet - went on a big protein diet and then carbo (from advice from my trainer). Day 1 was fine, I felt good the whole way, a friend and myself entered together so we could paddle down the river together keeping each other motivated and sane! We called ourselves "chicks with sticks" our colours were bright pink and black - we had tshirts, windcheaters, our support crew had shirts and bright pink flags, carry bags, we did stickers for our boat - we were very 'corporate'. We had pink ribbons on our helmets and hair - and painted our paddles bright pink and white - everyone going down the river on day 1 knew us. My husband thought it was very funny (he was support crew and designer) whenever he pulled up at a stop people were saying 'have chicks with sticks come through?' - we played up to the crowd - we were enjoying ourselves!!! Anyway, my paddling partner aggravated an old elbow injury < through day 1 and by the end she was basically in tears with pain. I held back to paddle with her and keep her going. She didn't start day 2 - she went support crew for me. I battled on (at the back of the pack) - quite often by myself in the valley which was interesting! After 120kms and 14 hours later (of being battered, bruised and tortured) I was told (by a very rude Govt man) that my race was over and to get out of the river at Middle Swan! Can you imagine how devastated I was? The cut off time was 3.30pm and I got there at 3.45pm. I was shattered - I was crying, my paddling partner was crying for me, my Mum was there she was in tears and my poor husband was so upset for me. There were heaps and heaps of paddlers being pulled out - it was an interesting gender study - all the females were in tears and the males were angry! I was feeling so good, I could have gone on without a problem - apparently the race officials wanted to let us keep going but the Harbour and Lights man came along and enforced the cut offs! It is a very sad and hard way to finish. I cant see why that if you come through say between 3.30pm - 4.30pm you should be able to put an 'acceptable' light on your craft and keep going. Although people say to you that you really did finish, that you went through the hard slog, in your own mind you haven't - you need to cross that finish line. My friend was counting competitors being pulled out and got close to the 100 mark - that is a lot to go out! People forget that to most it is a real personal challenge, only for about 10% are they there for the win. I failed to mention that I broke my lovely bright pink and white paddle around Championships - another downer! By the time I got to Syd's I was pretty exhausted with falling off that I didn't give a hoot how I got down - just as well as I hit that bloody rock at the top and came down the whole way on my butt (much to the crowd's delight!) The problem with being by yourself in the valley is no one to talk to - you end up singing really stupid songs to yourself - have no idea where they came from! I haven't completely given up. The idea of going through all the months of training etc isn't really appealing to me for next year (just yet!). I need some more practice with hitting rocks and not falling off - that would help! Now - aren't you glad you asked that question!!!! - sorry for the novel! (but thanks for asking!). Belinda (Chicks with Sticks - No. 477!) |