MRR Training!

So over winter I have been keeping my training ticking over but not going all out as I haven't competed since Sickline so I like to just stay generally fit (and burn off all the xmas, new year treats!). I've been running a couple of times a week and lifting weights, cycling to work etc.

But with the Moriston River Race only a couple of months away it's time to knuckle down and make sure I'm ready! I am going to take a similar approach to training as I did with Sickline but focus big time on my upper body endurance. The Sickline was approximately a 1 minute to 1:20 sprint where as the Moriston is a little closer to 3-4 minute sprint with a lot of flatter patches on the run. Needless to say if you empty the tank in the 1st minute, your gonna lose!!

So the training plan for the next 2 months is as follows. Hill running minimum of three times a week, free weights and cross training also at least 3 times a week. Kayak sprints and paddling at high intensity for approx 4-5 minutes and cycling.

I've just received the brand new Pro Elite Beet It Bars which are amazing! It's the same dosage of Nitrate in a tasty little flapjack, perfect for topping up energy and giving you that all important dose of nitrate on race day! Again if your serious about sport you need to give these a shot.

I'm really looking forward to this race, it should be a lot of fun and a great way to kick off the racing season. Hopefully I'll get some good results in this year, just down to me again to put in the hard work!

Getting stylish on the Usk!

For two weeks I've had a brand new Palm torrent drysuit, Extrem spraydeck and Gopro 3 sat in my room. So I was desperate to get out on the water no matter what it was. A little rain was forecast for South Wales but this wasn't enough to bring any of the good stuff up! So I rallied together some mates and we headed out for some grade 3 fun on the River Usk.

The sun was shining and it was unseasonably warm! A little too warm for drysuits but was awesome to try it out. The Torrent suit looks fantastic, it has a stylish, flattering fit and is very easy to get in and out of. The back zip has been designed to go further around the shoulders too minimize restriction and this works well. I was very warm and very dry at the end of the run, result!

 
Although it wasn't much of a test for the Extrem spraydeck I can tell it's going to be a deck I can wear with confidence on the big stuff. Although impossible to get on first time and whilst dry, once wet it went on with ease but remained very tight and snug to the cockpit. The Gopro hero3 Silver is awesome, but I knew it would be so I won't blabber on about that ;) the quality photo's are evidence enough!

I wanted to work on a few stylish moves whilst on a lower grade and where there were a few descent features to work with. I wanted to work on my crossbow's and on the Evan Garcia inspired 'EG Lean'. I can happily catch eddys using a crossbow but wanted to try boofing, it didn't really work out so definitely work to be done there! My 'Lean' worked out pretty well though, getting most of my head wet whilst boofing through the falls. I have a attached a link to the clip of this attempt!

It was a great day in the sunshine trying out new kit and new moves with great friends! I feel good about my paddling at the moment and I am getting really fired up for the Moriston Race in May, bring it on!

https://vimeo.com/88467740