Luling to Gonzales

This last Friday, Greg and I paddled from Luling to Gonzales. It was about 39 miles. Now of all the practice runs we have done, this one was the hardest. It took us 10 hours and 54 minutes, averaging 3.6 mph to cover that 39 miles. There was low water, multiple trees acrossthe river, and a couple of major log jams. I don't know how many times we had to get out of the boat. I lost count, maybe 20 times. We went under trees, over trees. Pulled the canoe up the bank, through brush and thorns, weeds, stickers, and most any plant that had thorns. It was a challenge. Now this section of river will seperate the contenders from those that really want it. My philosophy is no matter how bad it is, it will just punish our opponent. The mental part of the race is so important. Because so much of it is willing yourself to go on especially when you are tired, Mentally, I did not have a good day. I really had to push myself. So part of my own personal preparation will be to get myself mentally prepared. I don't really know how to do this, but I have about 3 weeks to find out and put it all together. I love this part of the challenge.

Now, we have at this point paddled over 250 miles. Friday was work, but I know it will be worth it. Now, we are in the final stretch of our preparations. We have food , and equipment lists to prepare. Weight is critical, so every battery, every piece of eqiupment has to be weighed and counted. We need to take only what we need and nothing more. This week Greg and I will be putting our heads together to finalize our lists. I am holding out for trying to figure out a way to have a hot cup of coffee, I need my caffeine. HAHA!

The Real Deal

Saturday, Greg and I took off again to scout and practice paddling again as we continue to prepare for the Texas Water Safari. Today, we paddled from Victoria to Tivoli, on the Guadalupe River. Since we were practicing, we changed position in the boat. I moved to the rear and Greg moved to the front. The man in the front is more of the motor, while the man in the rear paddles and steers the boat and tries to keep it going in a straight line. It was my first time to spend an extended amount of time doing that. I would say I did okay, but not great. I had us going kind of like a snake down the river. It was a new experience for me. I found there is a lot more thinking involved. I enjoyed it, and could do it on some of the easy parts of the river, but on the really tough places with lots of twists and turns, Greg is better.

We got a taste today of what the real deal would be like. Two logjams, one a half a mile long, the other a quarter of a mile long. We had to get out of the boat and pull it up onto the river bank and drag the canoe a half of a mile one time through the woods and a quarter of a mile another time. Mosquitoes were thick, as was poison ivy and poison oak. Deep Woods Off did not even phase them. We sprayed each other twice, but it did no good. My back is covered with bites.
One time when putting the canoe back in the river, we couldn't find a place to put it back in, so we lowered it down a sheer bank on the river which was about 6 feet tall. Greg lowered himself down by hanging on a root. Naturally, the root broke and Greg fell putting a dent in the boat, luckily he was alright, only bruised a little bit. You can see by the pictures that was a fun day, full of challenges. Greg reminded me, that so much of this is a mental game. Like these logjams, we know where they are now, and that is important, because we will be paddling this section of the river at night. Without proper preparation, this section could turn into a nightmare, especially after two days with little or no sleep.

At this point we have paddled just right at 200 miles. We are starting to get into pretty good paddling shape. I am so glad I am making myself workout, run, and run bleachers. I needed all of the endurance I had for this last Saturday. The adventure and preparation continues. I am learning more about myself and about Greg, and what it takes as a team each time we go out. I just hope I don't have poison ivy on me now. Keep praying, the ulimate test awaits.

Paddling Partner

I thought I needed to tell you little bit about the guy I'm paddling with. I would never be doing this of it were not for Greg Wynn. Greg is married and has two beautiful daughters. He works for BP has an engineer. In 1990, Greg has an industrial accident that caused him to lose his right eye and scar his lungs. Now you would not know it watching Greg. He does not let those handicaps slow him down or stop him. He is a very strong Christian and deacon in our church.

I really admire Greg. He doesn't say much, but when he does, I have learned to listen, for what he is about to say is important. Even though Greg is 41, I have found him to be wise beyond his years. I am very fortunate to be able to share this paddling experience with him. He has taught me more than just how to paddle and be in a marathon race, he has shown me a passion for life. We share this common interest in music. We'll be out there on the river just singing away with some song, just enjoying the experience of being in nature, and God's creation. I know some the other canoe and kayaks might give us some kind of look, but I think it's great.

So as you pray for me as I continue to prepare, pray for Greg and his family. Pray for our friendship and attitudes as we continue to train and then participate in this race. Attitude is everything in an event like this, and I know my attitude can get out of hand pretty quick.

Texas River Marathon

On Saturday, May 3, I had a chance to experience my very first taste of marathon paddling. Greg Wynn and I entered the Texas River Marathon. That's our picture on the upper left, right after a grueling 38 miles of gut busting paddling. This race also determined our starting position for the Texas Water Safari, which is 262 miles long, and begins on June 13.

We have been training now for over a month and have put in about 120 miles of paddling. Our boat is an aluminum canoe, which you can see in the pictures on the bottom row. The boats come in all kinds, shapes, and sizes. We are entered in the aluminum class. One of the hardest classes to paddle because of it's weight and size. But it's a tough boat that can handle the beating from the rocks and trees, which we tend to hit, bump, and generally run into.

Now being a rookie, I really did not know what to expect. We were told the starting line would be at the bridge on hi236. We were in the water and making our way towards the bridge when they announced the race would start in 30 seconds. When it started we were at least 150 yards behind most of the canoes and kayaks. We started at a big disadvantage. Now we had been averaging around 4.2 to 4.5 miles an hour in our practice sessions. Some of these boats with 4 and 6 man teams were averaging 6 and 7 miles an hour, and immediately pulled away from us. Now they are not in our class, but we were racing also for a good starting position.

Greg and I paddled hard hitting 6 sometimes 7 miles per hour, and after 1o miles, yes 10 miles, (it takes a long time to catch someone when there is only a one mile an hour difference in speed) , we finally caught up to a group of 3 canoes. Two were aluminum boats we found out later were not in our class, but in the novice class. We talked with them for awhile paddling. They had lots of questions, and were impressed with the fact, we had music playing while we paddled. It helps pass the time, plus we can sing off key at the top of lungs if we want.

Finally we pulled away from them and really didn't see any other canoes or kayaks for the next 5 or 6 miles. At the Thomaston river bridge Greg's dad, who is a great guy and our team captain, told us we were in seventh place in our class with one boat just ten minutes ahead of us just out of sight. I don't know about Greg, but my competitive spirit kicked in big time. I went after it. Poor Greg probably thought I was crazy. I apologized later for kicking the pace way up. we can't do that in the big race in June, or we won't finish. Anyway, we finally caught them after a couple of miles. We passed them, they would pass us back; this went on for awhile, until finally we started to pull away just a little. I think it helped that they decided to pull over and stop. Honestly, I don't think I could have kept the pace up much longer.

For the next 10 miles we did not see another boat at all. I can't vouch for Greg, but for me, it was tough. We had the wind blowing in our faces, and the paddling was hard. We had expended so much energy catching those earlier boats, I knew we didn't have much left. We just needed to finish. So we slowed down a little, not much, to say 4 to 4.5 miles per hour. We both had kind of hit the wall so to speak. Then way up ahead I spotted 2 canoes. I really couldn't tell what kind they were, and there was only about 8 miles left in the race, so catching them would be almost impossible. I remember asking Greg what he had left in his tank, and I loved his reply, "let's mak'em think about it."

Greg found us some paddling music, and we started after them. Now we really didn't have a chance, we knew it. But if they made any mistake, if might maybe could happen. As we got closer, we discovered both canoes were in the unlimited class. They were carbon fiber canoes, a single and a double who should be able to run circles around us. The double made the mistake of pulling over to take a picture. Now we knew we couldn't stay with them, but we made them earn it. As we approached the single canoe, we find out this guy was experiencing some health issues with some b12 mix he had taken. One hundred yards from the finish line, we drew even with him and passed him and gave the double a run but couldn't quite pull it out.

As we pulled into shore I knew we had given all we had that day. It had been a great learning experience for me. I learned alot about the marathon and pacing myself I also learned alot about myself and how I need to adjust my own personal training. Greg makes a great paddling partner. He is such an encourager and positive thinker and a good friend. It doesn't get much better than that-a day on the river, God, great music, and paddling with a good friend.

At first I couldn't stand up. When I finally did, I was kind of woozy and dizzy. I am so glad Greg's dad was there to help move the boat, I had nothing left. I had my wife Becky drive me home. I didn't trust myself. Well, the training continues. The great adventure awaits. I still don't know why I am doing this. But so many people have encouraged me and I know are praying for Greg and me every time we go out. God is teaching me many lessons through this. I hope one day to have a clearer understanding of His plan and purpose.

P.S. We received the official results: We finished 4th place in our class and 38 overall against all classes.