Apalachee River to Causeway 2005 LXXX
Thursday, November 3, 2005 brint.adams@us.army.mil
After last Thursday's workout, I mentioned the time change and that we would probably halt weekday afternoon paddles due to the earlier darkness. Roland suggested we paddle anyway, so tonight was our first workout during mostly darkness. We met at the usual time and started out at 5:04 PM with a light southerly breeze, clear skies, 70 degrees, medium pool and a rapidly rising current.
The leg east down Pass Picada was into the current and took 9:05 for a slow speed of 5.1 mph. The return brought us back past the parking area in 15:29 for a lap time of 6:24 and much faster speed of 7.4 mph. On the way back west, we paddled into an impressive and beautiful deep orange sunset over the downtown skyline. The sun quickly dropped, leaving us only glow from the highways to guide us to the turnaround. I couldn't see the watch as I stopped it while we turned and took a drink. It turned out we made the turn in 31:37. The way back was a little dicey as we tried to make it back to the markers along the Causeway. At one point, we paddled a little too close to shore, getting the shallow water effect and slowing us down, until we figured it out and moved away.
We kicked the final half mile and still turned in a good time of 50:03, very respectable for in the dark. I also got a chance to try out my new boat light marker which put out a surprisingly bright light and will come in handy for future nighttime workouts and moonlight paddles.
After last Thursday's workout, I mentioned the time change and that we would probably halt weekday afternoon paddles due to the earlier darkness. Roland suggested we paddle anyway, so tonight was our first workout during mostly darkness. We met at the usual time and started out at 5:04 PM with a light southerly breeze, clear skies, 70 degrees, medium pool and a rapidly rising current.
The leg east down Pass Picada was into the current and took 9:05 for a slow speed of 5.1 mph. The return brought us back past the parking area in 15:29 for a lap time of 6:24 and much faster speed of 7.4 mph. On the way back west, we paddled into an impressive and beautiful deep orange sunset over the downtown skyline. The sun quickly dropped, leaving us only glow from the highways to guide us to the turnaround. I couldn't see the watch as I stopped it while we turned and took a drink. It turned out we made the turn in 31:37. The way back was a little dicey as we tried to make it back to the markers along the Causeway. At one point, we paddled a little too close to shore, getting the shallow water effect and slowing us down, until we figured it out and moved away.
We kicked the final half mile and still turned in a good time of 50:03, very respectable for in the dark. I also got a chance to try out my new boat light marker which put out a surprisingly bright light and will come in handy for future nighttime workouts and moonlight paddles.
posted by brint @ 9:41 PM
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