Thursday, September 15, 2011
Pictures from Empire State Regatta
Actually, there are only a few, and they aren't from the regatta, but rather from "playtime" afterward.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Empire State Regatta
As I mentioned in my previous post, July 30th was the Empire State Regatta. This was an awesome opportunity to race in my hometown of Fairport!
After the Lake Placid Regatta, I decided to take a short break from kayaking. I do this every year after the season; it provides an opportunity to rest, recover, and regain motivation to get out on the water daily.
The 5k at the Empire State Regatta was my first jaunt on the water since World Championships Team Trials in Lake Placid. Although my lower back didn't appreciate the introduction, it was a really fun course and a great summer race! I really look forward to upcoming editions of this regatta, especially since I see the Rochester kayak racing community growing exponentially right now.
After the Lake Placid Regatta, I decided to take a short break from kayaking. I do this every year after the season; it provides an opportunity to rest, recover, and regain motivation to get out on the water daily.
The 5k at the Empire State Regatta was my first jaunt on the water since World Championships Team Trials in Lake Placid. Although my lower back didn't appreciate the introduction, it was a really fun course and a great summer race! I really look forward to upcoming editions of this regatta, especially since I see the Rochester kayak racing community growing exponentially right now.
Fem loves winter. THAT MEANS TRAINING IN IT.
A few weeks ago I raced in the Empire State Regatta, which is an updated version of last year's Erie Canal Regatta. It was held in Fairport, right on the canal by the liftbridge rental shop. It was especially exciting to have an opportunity to speak on Wednesday evening on the opening night! I talked about how important the town of Fairport has been in my development as a kayaker. I also stressed that Fairport is a community that supports events like this regatta, and that this support is integral to the past and future development of paddling in Upstate NY. We certainly have a LOT of kayakers in the area, and many of those kayakers are now becoming kayak racers! (It's so exciting!!)
In many some ways, living in a place that has ice instead of water during the winter is a major disadvantage. In the past, I've spent only December and January at home in Fairport. When I head to San Diego in February, it takes me a long time to catch up to the other warm-weather paddlers who never stopped. It's certainly frustrating. However, I choose to structure my season that way because I truly think it's the best way for me to train. An off-season filled with training off the water has been important to my physical and mental strength. In fact, my most successful paddling seasons have come after a winter of cross-country skiing and lifting. (It's the Euro way!) I stay in touch with paddling with sprint workouts several days a week on on my kayak erg, and I focus on building strength in the weight room and endurance on the cross-country ski trails.
I'm looking forward to starting my junior year at college in 6 days (!!!), but even more looking forward to figuring out a system that includes both high-level school and high--level kayaking. Most of all, I'm looking forward to a fall [and winter] in Rochester, because I truly believe in my winter off-the-water training method. I'm sure it wouldn't work for everyone, but it keeps me my program varied and interested while keeping me injury-free and happy!
In many some ways, living in a place that has ice instead of water during the winter is a major disadvantage. In the past, I've spent only December and January at home in Fairport. When I head to San Diego in February, it takes me a long time to catch up to the other warm-weather paddlers who never stopped. It's certainly frustrating. However, I choose to structure my season that way because I truly think it's the best way for me to train. An off-season filled with training off the water has been important to my physical and mental strength. In fact, my most successful paddling seasons have come after a winter of cross-country skiing and lifting. (It's the Euro way!) I stay in touch with paddling with sprint workouts several days a week on on my kayak erg, and I focus on building strength in the weight room and endurance on the cross-country ski trails.
I'm looking forward to starting my junior year at college in 6 days (!!!), but even more looking forward to figuring out a system that includes both high-level school and high--level kayaking. Most of all, I'm looking forward to a fall [and winter] in Rochester, because I truly believe in my winter off-the-water training method. I'm sure it wouldn't work for everyone, but it keeps me my program varied and interested while keeping me injury-free and happy!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Fall plan: university!
I'm excited to announce that this fall I will be living and training in Rochester, NY (Fairport) as I work toward my bachelor's degree at SUNY Geneseo!!! I will be studying English. I'm really excited to work on getting my degree. Although it's nice to dedicate all my time to training in the kayak, it's impossible to do that while making a living, and I'm 23 now. I'm looking forward to having a degree and being able to make some money while I continue to train for the Olympics.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Crossfit Rochester Games
The CFR games were, to put it succinctly, really fun. The games are basically a mini version of the world-wide Crossfit Games that takes place in 2 weeks in California. One of our own, Bill Pontius, qualified in the masters competition, so this year's CFR games was a fundraiser for him as well. There were 3 individual events: endurance, strength, and "mixer," as well as a team competition. I did the team competition because I thought it would be more fun (although if you're tough like MegN and Stash you just do everything.)
The workouts themselves were posted the morning of the competition. The objective: finish the workout first. Our team (Gang Kelly Green) did some strategizing to figure out the fastest way to get through it.
50% of G.K.G.
Burpee box-scale
Matt jumping over the box. It looks weird but you had to jump over and then do your burpee facing the box, so he's doing his turn in the air.
The 225lb deadlift was more manageable sumo-style, with a partner. As you can see, photo evidence shows that Matt was lifting his share as well as part of mine. Whoops.
There was also a keg-toss event. Here's the winning throw
Teams!
All this is to say, it was a really awesome event. Anyone is invited, and it happens every July! I believe all the Crossfit gyms in Rochester and Western NY were well-represented, as well as non-crossfitting athletes from around the area. You can see more pictures here.
The workouts themselves were posted the morning of the competition. The objective: finish the workout first. Our team (Gang Kelly Green) did some strategizing to figure out the fastest way to get through it.
50% of G.K.G.
Burpee box-scale
Matt jumping over the box. It looks weird but you had to jump over and then do your burpee facing the box, so he's doing his turn in the air.
The 225lb deadlift was more manageable sumo-style, with a partner. As you can see, photo evidence shows that Matt was lifting his share as well as part of mine. Whoops.
There was also a keg-toss event. Here's the winning throw
Teams!All this is to say, it was a really awesome event. Anyone is invited, and it happens every July! I believe all the Crossfit gyms in Rochester and Western NY were well-represented, as well as non-crossfitting athletes from around the area. You can see more pictures here.
Lake Placid International Regatta 2011
On July 4th weekend, I raced the Lake Placid International Regatta, which also served as our World Championships Team Trials. The top 6 girls were named to the team and I am unfortunately lucky number 7: less than one second out of 6th place. So I won't be going to World Championships this year. Disappointing for sure. But I'm admittedly happy with my improvement since my relatively lackluster performance at team trials in April. I still feel positive about my training moving forward. I am also making a few exciting changes, which I'll detail in a later post! For now, some pictures of the regatta.
My club and all its members.
Mickle took this cool shot by the junior tent
The coolest part of the regatta was having my people there. Not only did my whole family make the trip for the weekend, but also Matt, Stash, and Isabel. They did some SUP, biking, and a workout at Crossfit Adirondack. I heard they had a great time. I heard more people should come next year!
This is clearly where the cool kids hang out. I want to be a cool kid. Next race, I'm getting one.
Matt and I pose as we leave the course at the end of the day. I felt like a pack animal with that huge backpack.
The three Emilys giving princess waves to the crowd after our 500m final. From left to right, Emily Vinson, Emily Wright, Emily Mickle
I met this friendly pig at the regatta course. Hello, pig!
My club and all its members.
Mickle took this cool shot by the junior tent
The coolest part of the regatta was having my people there. Not only did my whole family make the trip for the weekend, but also Matt, Stash, and Isabel. They did some SUP, biking, and a workout at Crossfit Adirondack. I heard they had a great time. I heard more people should come next year!
This is clearly where the cool kids hang out. I want to be a cool kid. Next race, I'm getting one.
Matt and I pose as we leave the course at the end of the day. I felt like a pack animal with that huge backpack.
The three Emilys giving princess waves to the crowd after our 500m final. From left to right, Emily Vinson, Emily Wright, Emily Mickle
I met this friendly pig at the regatta course. Hello, pig!
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