On a personal note.
Sunday, October 25, 2009This Saturday I competed in and completed the Hawkesbury Classic. This is a 111km overnight kayak race on Sydney’s Hawkesbury River. This was physically the hardest thing I have ever done, by far. 16hrs of propelling a boat forward by hand. The last 2 hrs was a challenge of the mind as there was nothing left physically to give. I could draw all sorts of business parallels and metaphors but that would be demeaning to the 650 competitors. There is simply nothing quite as satisfying as setting a goal, and then achieving it.
What time of day did the race begin? Is there much of a current in the river; any rapids?
4 pm start Saturday, and finished at 7:43am Sunday. The river has no rapids but is tidal – so we spent at least 6-7 hrs battling against the incoming tide – and then some time with the outgoing tide. The last 2 hours was very much against a demoralising incoming tide.
Am already looking forward to next year and improving my equipment and training for a better result.