Team USA Time Trials

Okay...so the time trials are over. For those of you who didn't know, back in the first week of May the Team USA dragon boat coach, Bob Macnamara, came to Tampa to do time trials with a select few of Florida paddlers. After that time trial he invited 8 paddlers up to Philly to do another time trial to try out for Team USA, which will be competing at the World Championship Dragon Boat Festival in Prague, Czech Republic in August. I was very flattered, and somewhat shocked, when I pulled out the fastest woman time of the day in May and Coach Bob invited me up to Philly. With the help of Dad's frequent flier miles and hotel points it became very feasible for me to make this journey. For the past couple of weeks I have been paddling 3 times a week to prepare for this time trial.

So the day came of the time trial. I traveled to Philly with Shana, another member of my TECO dragon boat team and who would be competing in the same age group as me, and Pam, who I paddled with in Long Beach and who is in the Grand Master division (over 50). Our TECO coach, Joe, also went up that weekend to try out and thanks to him I have these cool pictures to share with you. We had never seen the type of course that we were going to time trial in. It was extremely narrow and very shallow (not to mention...really gross and dirty). But it was fair. The worst thing about the time trials we did in Tampa is that the current would change, the wind can change, and your time can end up being affected by things you could not control. We did not have that in Philly. The weather was eratic, but it did not affect the water at all.

Overall, Shana and I did really well. We had the 3rd and 4th best time of the day (out of about 13 women paddlers). I got a 2:26 on both of my 2 runs. Shana got a 2:26 and a 2:27 on her runs. The fastes woman time that day was 1:53 and 2:17. Clearly much stronger than us. Although we competed really well, we were told that we had to do "significantly" better to knock off one of the Philly girls off of the boat. You can't beat the advantage of living in Philly and being able to practice with the team 3 times a week. We held our own and as the Coach said, we made his team stronger by being there and showing them that thier seats could be overthrown. But....we did not make the team.

It was a great experience and really solidified to me what hard work and concentration can do. If I want to make paddling my life, I do feel I could improve my time to make the team. And I'm thinking about it, but we will see.

On another note, Pam made the Grand Masters team. I am soooo happy for her. Paddling is her life and she made a statement this weekend that she hasn't wanted anything this bad since she was in 5th grade. It was an honor to watch someone's dream come true.

I am heading out tonight to paddle with Pam in the OC's. I have to help her prepare for Prague!!! This is the race course.

Me in the OC1 during my 2nd time trial.

Pam doing her thing. Doesn't she look amazing for being 52! She's my idol!

Shana at the starting line with Coach Bob. I wish you could see Shana up closer. She has the most amazing arms in the world.