Inspiration

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This is Ileana.
Ileana is a paddler.
Ileana is fast.
Ileana is 13 and just became the youngest person to finish the prestigious R2R Paddleboard Race (22.5 miles).  Check out her video — you’ll be inspired too:

http://vimeo.com/69449121

I’m reminded that inspiration and heroes are not always people far removed, but rather, are sometimes the very same people who accomplish amazing things every single day…right next to us.

Ileana is my hero and I’m glad to be able to paddle with her and the MDR team every week.

BT

Hey, Suffering Up Ahead

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Am I doing this thing?  The question is always out there, like the unexpected wave that sweeps you off the board — big enough to keep you thinking.  “Enough hours in the water?; Enough days left to ‘feel’ like you have this?”  But there aren’t ever enough days and being in the water seems a hell of a lot more reasonable then some of the decisions we are compelled to make.  So, after a few clicks, I hit send and wait for the confirmation.  All in.

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It’s All About Support

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A big thanks to Mark Urkov and Urkov Charter Services for agreeing to provide boat support aboard “The Rough House”  for the 2013 Catalina Classic.  Mark’s knowledge of the water and his experience as a skipper will be essential during all 32 miles of the event.  Thanks Mark.

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For more information about charters, dive trips, and paddler support, check out the Urkov Charter Services web site.  Good times.

Rock 2 Rock

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ScreenHunter_20 Jun. 21 13.43

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22.4 Miles; 4:48

I don’t know how I learned about R2R, it’s just one of those distance races that ‘you have to do.’  Some have been doing R2R for a long time and for good reason — the race is a blast and has a totally different feel from other open-water races, like The Classic or Island to Island (Catalina Challenge…etc.).  For starters, there are SUPs, and relay teams, and a ton of prone boards being paddled by really good paddlers.  It’s a race that gives you a good view of who has stepped up their game and who is going fast.  And while racers will race, Saturday’s dinner is a great spread, where everyone is laid back and everyone has a good time.  This year was no exception.

Also, the weather in June is unpredictable — in can be cold and windy, or hot and still — and you just never know what you’re going to get.  We lucked out this Father’s Day — a light breeze, small bumps, and hot sun that was out by 10:00 a.m. kept everyone pushing right up until the end.

My goal for this year’s race was to go under 5 hrs.  Last year, Alan and I, doing a relay, went 5:24 in an uneven performance in chilly, windy conditions.  I’ve been pushing the mileage and a lot more sprint work, so I was relatively confident that I could push through 17 miles at a respectable pace.  It kind of went just as planned, if hitting the wall at mile 17 is “just as planned.”  I pushed through some pain at 17-19, and was back on pace by mile 20.  In the end, I finished the race in 4:48, and was happy with the performance.  Catalina Classic 2013…you’re next.

Special thanks to Alan Buchanan, and the Buchanan family, for the use of Getaway (again), it’s a fantastic chase boat for R2R.  Thanks to Steve Brown, whose knowledge of the boat, the water, and the wind, help make all the right decisions at the right time.  Also, thank a big thanks to Mario Leon for keeping me fed, hydrated, and laughing the entire weekend.  Without you guys…there is no distance paddleboard racing.  Thank you.

Results here and pictures after the jump…

BT

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