Earnest Training

Well, it’s been a week of training and trying wetsuits. I want to thank Alain and Tania for paddling along with me while I tried on different wetsuits and got use the cold Lynn Canal water. I am sure paddling next to a swimmer is not an ideal pace for a kayaker, but your support and patience is greatly appreciated.

The Training
At this point, I am still doing most of my training in the pool. I get up at 6am, 4 days per week. And go to the pool 5 days in the afternoon. Each workout is around 5,000 yards with increasing intensity as the week goes by.

The Ocean
I have been in the ocean 3 times, trying wetsuits and just getting use to the water. The first time I went was for 20 minutes (see below entry).

Then I went out with Alain for thirty minutes. This was with a new ProMotion triathlon wetsuit. And boy what a difference - the shoulder movement is 10 times better than the surf suit I first used. I also tried to swim without gloves. This was difficult at first. I couldn’t keep my hands in for more than 20 seconds before I had to pull them out of the water and hold them to the sun. But after 10 minutes, I was swimming right along. Turns out, we put-in right by some creek run off from the mountains - the water must have been 38F. Soon as we were 500 feet from the put-in area the water was significantly warmer. No wonder my hands we hurting.

This will be something to keep in mind as I swim to Juneau. There are plenty of places where runoff from the mountains will be flowing into Lynn Canal. So temperature variation will need to be considered at all times.

I also just went for a swim with Tania. I swam for 40 minutes without any problems. I didn’t use gloves again and as I got use to the water I even took of my neoprene socks. It’s nice to be able to feel the water.

The wetsuit is still working good, keeps me warm and allows good movement. Though I am getting a rash on the back of my neck for the collar. I have a rash guard coming soon. I hope it covers the rubbing area. I also have several more wetsuits coming.

Next week I hope to get in the ocean at least 4 times for an hour each time. Eventually, my ocean workouts will replace my pool training. The more I am in the ocean the better.