Just a Little Break...

It's been about a year since I started this blog. Over the past month or more, I've found myself increasingly busy - and I've also found it becoming more and more difficult to find the time to blog about paddling. So I've decided to relieve a little of the stress that comes with having a blog and wanting to have regular updates and take an official break. Thanks to all of you (from all over the world!) who have regularly checked in on my blog and updates. Keep my blog bookmarked and hopefully within a month or two, I'll be back at it. Sometimes life just needs a little realignment. I still have so many posts drafted but unfinished and so much content surrounding water conditions, tides, weather, technique, and fitness yet to post. In the five plus years since I started stand up paddling, I've seen the sport explode. I'm almost surprised to not see a stand up paddler in the South Sound these days. It's important to me to make sure I'm always one of them. 

In the meantime, please feel free look back over some of my older posts.

A Beautiful Evening at Boston Harbor

Some of the Olympics with Squaxin Island and Passage in the foreground

The Island Viking Push Tug maneuvering a gravel barge into Dana Passage

The F/V Harvestor, which threw a great wake, on its way from Olympia to Deception
Pass and Samish Bay (I really need a better waterproof camera)

Built in 1939 (the same year as my house!), the Harvestor, thennamed the "Harbor Bull", is purportedly one of two remainingactive vessels that was present during the bombing of Pear Harbor

Ideal Days

We're having some ideal weather - clear, calm, and in the mid-60's F, which is making for a really good great time out on the water. Tonight's sunset was for 8:14 PM. This is a great time to make time to get out on the Sound in the Pacific Northwest.

I also want to mention that there is a new and interesting talk radio program on KIRO radio (97.3FM) on Sundays at 8AM that is dedicated to maritime culture. Last week, I learned that the Bermuda Triangle may really be a series of underwater volcanoes that spew nitrogen, which does not allow a boat to remain buoyant and instead causes it to sink. 

You can also find it on-demand at http://kiroradio.com/shows/onthewater/

The Paul Bunyan is back again. That's a lot of lumber... 

...for this tug

Paul Bunyan in the South Sound

It definitely feels warmer when the sun comes out these days. With the the smell of salt air stirred from a light northerly breeze and sunscreen, I was quickly reminded of summer. It won't be long...

The Paul Bunyan with log broncs (mini tugs) maneuvering logs into place;
I can't believe there are still folks that walk on logs out on the boom

The Paul Bunyan, towed by a tug, was the first maritime vessel I encountered while stand up 

paddling in the Sound, and its wake near Boston Harbor dumped me in the water

Looking north with the sandy cliffs of Gull Harbor and Burfoot Park in the distance on the right

Something to Look Forward To...

I squeezed in a paddle today before the rains return for the remainder of the week. Fortunately, by this time of year they're weaker storm systems with a lot less precipitation. Rounding the log boom I spotted so many seals hauled out that I just couldn't count them all. It made me think that if you had told a ten year old me, or even 20 year old me, that I'd live and play somewhere where I'd literally be able to see harbor seals every single day I doubt I'd have believed you. I'm really happy that I do.

I was also excited to realize that in another month or so it'll be time for some fun night paddles and bioluminescence viewing! Here is a previous post on bioluminescence called Northwest Fireflies.

Looking south at the north end of the the log boom

Moon jellies

Looking toward the port - you can see the STX Gloria in the far distance,
 on its first visit to Olympia, getting loaded with lumber destined for China

Fundamentals of Peak Performance: Base Training and LSD

No, it's probably not what you're thinking, unless you're familiar with endurance training and periodization. LSD stands for Long Slow Distance. It represents the foundation upon which you'll build the rest of your training. Remember the home construction analogy? With Base training, you're pouring concrete and building the framework. Along with your aerobic fitness, it prepares your musculature, tendons, and joints for the work yet to come. Without it, your house could collapse in on itself.

Only, instead of Long Slow Distance, may I suggest  thinking in terms of Long Steady Distance. With paddling, this mindset will help you build base fitness without 'dawdling' too much. I was thinking early today about how paddling can be compared to the spectrum that ranges from walking to running. You can stroll along the waterfront or you can run along the beach. By thinking in terms of Long Steady Distance, you remove the slow stroll and focus instead on consistent, but moderated, effort. 

I'd also suggest this is a great time to work on your technique. Focus on different aspects of your stroke, and then break the details of each of those into their own details. Take the time during your workouts to really concentrate on your paddling technique. After a few thousand repetitions, the conscious will become unconscious. Force yourself to maintain quality paddling all the time and try to avoid getting sloppy just because it's easy and you're tired. Paddle with quality now and it'll be automatic when you start to apply intensity and build strength, power, and muscular endurance.

Before Sunrise

A beautiful early morning before sunrise, heading towards 
the channel markers and Priest Point 

The lights of the port, already at work

The US Corp of Engineers M/V Puget (built in 1944 for the Navy), a debris recovery vessel that travels from Olympia to Bellingham. It functions to "remove wrecks and obstructions" under congressional authority of the River and Harbor Act of 1899.