The deed is done! Today was the day that I paddled my pretty little kayak the length of Canandaigua Lake! And I did it!
As you know, I've been working up to this for the last 5 or 6 weeks, and except for a little stiffness in my hand - and the need for a shower and a nap when I got back home - I came through like a trooper! And have the callouses to prove it! Whoopie!
It was a perfect day for my adventure. Mostly cloudy, cool and comfortable with only the slightest breeze out of the southwest. I put in at Kershaw Park at the north end of the lake about 7:30 AM, and climbed out in Woodville at the south end about 5 hours later and 14-15 miles later.
For the first two hours, I was looking at scenery I'd seen on other paddles. I'd seen the rest of the lake too - but not in my own boat and on my own power - and that made a big difference in the fun quotient!
I could go on - and probably will if you ever exhibit the slightest interest in my dozens of pictures. But what I want to do now is contemplate what I've learned from the experience. Here's what's in my head so far.
1. Setting a goal - any goal - really is an act of power! I never would have accomplished this lake-length paddle if I hadn't decided to do it. Setting the goal - of what I'd do, when I'd do it, and how I'd take it on - that got me halfway there!
2. Putting a deadline on the goal was hugely important too. The deadline helped create my training schedule, kept me motivated, and pushed me to do what I said I'd do. I find that when I'm really clear on what I want, then ordinary logic can tell me what I need to do. "If I want this, then I'd better do this..."
3. Building in a reward helped motivate me too. For me the biggest reward was just a little anticipated bragging - in this venue and to friends and family I'll see in Florida next week. Another big reward was the look on Ray's face as I paddled to meet him at the south end of the lake. He's been bragging on me too, and it feels pretty sweet knowing that he's proud of me. And about 3 hours into the paddle, I started to visualize a fully justified slice of warm rhubarb pie with a generous scoop of ice cream. We drove back from the south end to our favorite diner and the pie was just as yummy as it sounds!
4. It's important to train and get ready for a big goal - but for me, it's also important not to wait until I am entirely and fully convinced that I'm ready. More than once in the last week - especially as I checked this week's weather and today seemed like the only really good day - I've thought about putting off the paddle till into August or even September. After all, that would give me more time to get ready. Except that I'd miss bragging rights with friends and family, and might give myself all kinds of ways to weasel out. And I didn't need to wait. I might not have felt 100% ready, but I was clearly ready enough. I need to remember that taking on any new challenge won't feel easy-chair comfortable - and I don't need it to. I'm tough enough to withstand a little emotional and/or physical discomfort. Ready or not.
5. On the same day I paddled Canandaigua Lake, a bunch of bicyclists pedaled through town on their way from Buffalo to Albany. They reminded me that my experience is not unique. Rising to a physical challenge is something we humans can do - and the physical growth tends to spill over into emotional, intellectual, social, environmental, and spiritual arenas too.
5. And finally, reflecting on what I'd learned adds spice and flavor to an already rich experience. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share - and brag! But what will really excite me is to hear about the challenges you're taking on! Let me know by responding to my blog!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Monday Moment - Against the Wind or With the Flow?
It's been quite windy in my part of the world lately. One day it might be a cool breeze from the north. Another it's a hard hot wind out of the sourth. And still another it's one of our prevailing westerlies.
I've been more aware of the wind as it's become a major factor in training for my long kayak paddle. I confess that I prefer the gentlest of breezes - just enough to make a light ripple over the water and cool me down. But that's not been the kind of weather pattern we've been having.
No the breezes we've been getting are better described as stiff - the kind that raise considerable waves! And like it or not, if I'm going to get in the kind of training I need before I set out on my 15 mile paddle the length of Canandaigua Lake, I've had to train in stiff wind.
Since there are limited places where I can put my boat in and take my boat out on our lake, that means that my training runs are always a round-trip paddle. So regardless of the wind's direction, I'm going to paddle part of the way against it and part of the way with the wiind.
Ah those metaphors for life abound - and leap into my head when I'm alone with wind and water.
What's become clear to me is that when I'm fresh, I like paddling against the wind. It's invigorating! I like the challenge, I appreciate the feel of the wind in my face and the sound of my boat slapping down into a trough of waves makes me laugh. I like the look of a wave crashing over the bow of my pretty little boat, and I imagine what it must have been like for a colonist sailing across the rough Atlantic on their way to the new world. That's all when I'm feeling fresh.
On my return leg, paddling against the wind is a tedious imposition. When I'm tired, I can really appreciate going with the wind. That's when kayaking takes on a slight resemblance to surfing. It's easier and you get further faster when you go with the flow. And last week, I also discovered that if I paddle just a little faster, it's more fun, and I get more distance from a wave that's going in my same direction.
All this wind play has reminded me that sometimes it's good to take on challenges head on - and sometimes you can get further faster just going with the flow. Neither approach works all the time, neither is inhearantly better or worse than the other - the trick is to assess the situation and my own readiness for challenge or flow. And of course to notice what hwppens when I take either approach - and be ready to change my direction accordingly.
I've been more aware of the wind as it's become a major factor in training for my long kayak paddle. I confess that I prefer the gentlest of breezes - just enough to make a light ripple over the water and cool me down. But that's not been the kind of weather pattern we've been having.
No the breezes we've been getting are better described as stiff - the kind that raise considerable waves! And like it or not, if I'm going to get in the kind of training I need before I set out on my 15 mile paddle the length of Canandaigua Lake, I've had to train in stiff wind.
Since there are limited places where I can put my boat in and take my boat out on our lake, that means that my training runs are always a round-trip paddle. So regardless of the wind's direction, I'm going to paddle part of the way against it and part of the way with the wiind.
Ah those metaphors for life abound - and leap into my head when I'm alone with wind and water.
What's become clear to me is that when I'm fresh, I like paddling against the wind. It's invigorating! I like the challenge, I appreciate the feel of the wind in my face and the sound of my boat slapping down into a trough of waves makes me laugh. I like the look of a wave crashing over the bow of my pretty little boat, and I imagine what it must have been like for a colonist sailing across the rough Atlantic on their way to the new world. That's all when I'm feeling fresh.
On my return leg, paddling against the wind is a tedious imposition. When I'm tired, I can really appreciate going with the wind. That's when kayaking takes on a slight resemblance to surfing. It's easier and you get further faster when you go with the flow. And last week, I also discovered that if I paddle just a little faster, it's more fun, and I get more distance from a wave that's going in my same direction.
All this wind play has reminded me that sometimes it's good to take on challenges head on - and sometimes you can get further faster just going with the flow. Neither approach works all the time, neither is inhearantly better or worse than the other - the trick is to assess the situation and my own readiness for challenge or flow. And of course to notice what hwppens when I take either approach - and be ready to change my direction accordingly.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Monday Moment - Declare Our Causes!
"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and wqual station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
I have always found this opening paragraph to the Declaration of Independence compelling. Yes, as a kid I was steeped in 4th of July traditions, Johnny Tremain, the film version of 1776, and all the romance of the American Revolutionary War. And as an adult, I'm still susceptible to the nationalistic trappings that often get confused with patriotism. I like marching bands, picnics, and fireworks.
But beyond the hoopla of this week's holiday, I do try to remember just what was in the minds of my country's brilliant, and imperfect founding fathers and mothers. Separating from England to form what could only be imagined at the time as a grand experiment was a big deal to the privileged men who met in Philadelphia in 1776. And I must say, I like that they felt responsible to show "a decent respect to the opinions of mankind" and that they felt compelled to "declare the causes which impel[led] them."
I think more of us should feel so compelled - to declare ourselves, our purpose, our intent, our carefully considered values, beliefs, and reasons for what we do. I'd like to see more of the "decent respect to the opinions of [hu]mankind" in myself - and I'd like to see more of it in the elected public servants to this land I call home.
I'd like to see less swagger and more substance, less posturing and more politeness, less reasoning to defend a position and more reasoning with to develop an understanding. I'd like to see less anxiety about the current poll and more genuine concern about how the next generation will view today's actions. I'd like to see less officiousness and more service, less blaming and more personal responsibility.
And I'd like to see this at all levels - in our elected and appointed public servants, our citizens, and in myself.
When in the course of my own human events, I here now so solemly pledge - "my Life, my Fortune, and my sacred Honor."
I have always found this opening paragraph to the Declaration of Independence compelling. Yes, as a kid I was steeped in 4th of July traditions, Johnny Tremain, the film version of 1776, and all the romance of the American Revolutionary War. And as an adult, I'm still susceptible to the nationalistic trappings that often get confused with patriotism. I like marching bands, picnics, and fireworks.
But beyond the hoopla of this week's holiday, I do try to remember just what was in the minds of my country's brilliant, and imperfect founding fathers and mothers. Separating from England to form what could only be imagined at the time as a grand experiment was a big deal to the privileged men who met in Philadelphia in 1776. And I must say, I like that they felt responsible to show "a decent respect to the opinions of mankind" and that they felt compelled to "declare the causes which impel[led] them."
I think more of us should feel so compelled - to declare ourselves, our purpose, our intent, our carefully considered values, beliefs, and reasons for what we do. I'd like to see more of the "decent respect to the opinions of [hu]mankind" in myself - and I'd like to see more of it in the elected public servants to this land I call home.
I'd like to see less swagger and more substance, less posturing and more politeness, less reasoning to defend a position and more reasoning with to develop an understanding. I'd like to see less anxiety about the current poll and more genuine concern about how the next generation will view today's actions. I'd like to see less officiousness and more service, less blaming and more personal responsibility.
And I'd like to see this at all levels - in our elected and appointed public servants, our citizens, and in myself.
When in the course of my own human events, I here now so solemly pledge - "my Life, my Fortune, and my sacred Honor."
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