Flying out of San Francisco at 8am to arrive in Tampa at 5pm. 5 days of training camp. Initially my time trial was going to be Saturday, but due to high winds it will be moved to Monday. It is messing with my head a little bit, as I was hoping to get it out of the way first. Regardless, I will refocus and remember to have a good time and learn. Excited to be a paddler and grow this week. Hopefully will be able to stand out and secure a spot for Germany in July! Who else is in Florida? I know some folks are in Chase Suites Rocky Point and others in Sarasota. Give a shoutout and take some photos together and share here! 🙌🙌🙌

I have been in love with the water since I was a little girl! As an adult, I started paddling outrigger canoes when I lived on Maui as part of Hawaiian Canoe Club and Kailua Canoe Club when I lived on Oahu. I've raced all the Hawaiian big ocean races (and some in California) on OC6, OC2, OC1. When my husband and I had twins we moved to Colorado... In Colorado, I first took up triathlon, then mountain climbing, then ultramarathon running, until I found my way back to the water in river SUP and flatwater SUP racing. I showed up to a SUP race two summers ago to find two OC1s on top of a car in the parking lot. It was the first time I had seen OCs in Colorado! Long story short, I left my board on my car and raced on one of those boats that day. I fell in with the dragonboat coaches that owned the OCs and began meeting them at the reservoir for early morning paddles. I eventually started paddling with their dragonboat team (RPT) and now try to be on the water whenever I can on whatever craft I can. My favorite being my own new OC1. I've recently raced ADR and Hanohano and attended a couple of camps. My goal is to get faster and develop better technique for time trials.

I broke the biggest rule of race prep, which is to not do anything new for race day. Today, I took my brand new Vela Oc1 on her maiden voyage and also decided to wear my Shokz to listen to music during my race. Both ended up paying off. Conditions were rough today. Strong storm winds the whole time. Against current with wind going out. With current but against headwind coming home. I had a great start, behind Gapuz, Daven, and Dylan (top NorCal guys). I ended up falling back a bit and battling with Dylan for a while. By the time we got to the 2 pin (about 4 miles in), Daven and Gapuz turned. I stopped them and said that the course was further down. We sat there for a while debating what to do. We ended up continuing with the course and so waiting for everyone to get back on course. The downwind leg was fun! At the 12pin turn, I was behind again at 4th. I chased and pushed the entire leg back to the channel. I came ALIVE in the upwind, wanted to see what the Vela could do. Was able to claw back up to the pack. Inside the channel, I decided that it was time to go! Was able to stay just a hair ahead of Daven and Chauncey. Kept it close all the way in. Very hard earned win. Very memorable for me! Thank you all for the push! My 3W1H reflection: What went well? - Got my land warmup, band activation, and water warmup completed and was waiting at the front of the start line What didn't go as planned? - During the leg out, we got some GOOD surf. I needed to surf better toward the marker instead of following the way away from the marker What surprised you? - Had a strong headwind on the return and I was able to make up about 200m to catch back up to front pack over 2 miles How will you improve? - I want to improve to get a higher cruising speed Thank you Al for the wonderful photos! Scores are here: https://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=383485&did=506264

Wasn't my best still... slight breeze, some weird current, but I pushed my hardest for this. One more month until time trial in Tampa! Let's go! I focused on not overreaching, going straight to my catch with rotation, and pushing out through my exit. Anyone else got footage of their time trials?

Join us for the next Tek Talk about Race Day Prep on Thursday at 6:30pm PST. Here is 2025.3.1 WOW If pErg - damper 6 If rower - damper 9 If OC - add bungee 10' WU (with bungee) 10' at 70% (with bungee) 1(10'/3) at 85%/rest (with bungee) 1(10'/3) at 85%/rest (NO bungee) 10' CD (NO bungee) This workout is designed to add resistance to your warmup and first set. The goal is to get you to push through your whole stroke and find the heavy. When you remove your bungee/resistance in the last set, your goal is to keep finding the same heavy. Stroke rate and breathing rate may increase, but you want to continue focusing on deep heavy strokes. Good luck! Top 30-day contributors will be winning prizes or $$$. (to be announced at 5PM PST on 3/31!) 1st - 1:1 on-water session with me ($400 value) 2nd - 2 weeks of Personalized Training Program ($170 value) 3rd - 1 gift of a month to a friend for to join TLC Skool Community ($50 value) Note: must be redeemed within the following month. What did Tek do this past week?: This past week was dragon boat blade training and a time trial with a right rigged draco, as you can see in the photo collage. What will Tek do this upcoming week?: This upcoming week will be a strong push week with lots of sprint pieces and lots of dragon boat work. At the end of the week, I'll be flying to Phoenix for a 1-day dragon boat clinic. Excited! Have a fantastic week! What is something you're looking forward to this week?