On the Treadmill

I was out recently in 20 knot winds and had a fantastic time. It's not that 20 knot winds are incredibly difficult to paddle in but they aren't easy either. Slow going is a great way to describe it. And at the same time, it's such an incredible workout. Intense would be another great description.

When I step onto the 'treadmill' I know it's going to burn. Intentionally paddling upwind is great for conditioning because, strangely and more often than not, you'll end up paddling upwind in the South Sound. Many times I've paddled upwind with the promise of exciting downwind blown waves, only to make the turn and have the wind drop down to a gently breeze. 

Into the wind, I'll find my upper body more angled, my hand position wider, my legs bent, and my reach modified so that I can take quicker, shorter strokes. When I get stuck paddling on one side and the fire of lactic acid begins to set in, I'll quickly transfer to the other side for two or three 'soft paddle' strokes so that I maintain both direction and ground while resting my fatigued side.

Ultimately, we're all going to have to paddle into the wind. Having experience and conditioning from previous rounds on the treadmill makes it a little easier, or at least more tolerable. Training in the wind forces us to use muscles and body positions we might not otherwise and those challenges present our bodies with the opportunity to adapt. And adaption is what it's all about.

I suppose we all have different speeds we're comfortable with on the treadmill. I like to think I can handle a lot, but I also keep the thought in the back of my mind that the wind can always crank the speed up even higher.