Post-Euro unwind
DeAnne Hemmens
June 18
Back from Europe for ten days and some Active Rest.
It is fantastic to arrive home and see my husband and dogs. We spent a whole week going out to dinner, working in the yard, swimming at the beach -- and of course a few paddles, weight sessions, and running.
This week starts the final preparation for Atlanta. Lia graduated today from Newport Harbor High School. It was a hard couple of months for her with studying and finals and all the K2 switching. As it turns out, she will be in the K2 with me and so we can focus and continue to work hard.
We should be able to stay here in Newport as this week is all K2 and K1 workouts; but as it turns out, to promote team unity we are forced to spend two days with the team in San Diego -- even if we end up training alone. It sometimes seems odd to me that the best interest of the "team" is more important than my best interest, especially when what we had on the schedule this
week does not directly affect any of our team.
June 20
Today we woke up at 4:30 a.m. to drive to the training center and be on the water at 6:45 a.m.
We had a good workout of broken 500s and as I guessed -- all by ourselves. What a waste of gas!
After breakfast Lia and I decided to have a fun day and so we drove to Coronado and spent the afternoon on the beach. Then we did our 30-minute run on the sand and had a great swim in the ocean. Afterward, we had a coffee at Starbucks and then drove into town and ate a small salad at a pizza place. What a great day away from the training center.
June 21
A great sunny morning! Today we had a K1 paddle of wash riding and of course we didn't end up doing it together. I don't really care -- I just find it funny.
Never mind -- we wasted the day sleeping and then it seems as if Lia came down with a bit of the flu. So for the afternoon work Traci Phillips (the singles paddler) and I went K2 just so I could get in the double and she could have a mental break.
We had a great speed and speed endurance paddle and clicked well after almost a year apart.
Then Lia and I hit the road back up to Newport and our beloved homes -- away from the craziness and stress of everyone else.
June 22
Today was a 10K paddle on Newport Bay. Lia is feeling better and we paddled a good pace. We missed weight training yesterday so we spent a good hour lifting weights right after the paddle.
My husband Patrick competed in the local outrigger race with Newport Beach's IMVA club. He won the one-man outrigger and their six-man finished second behind King's Harbor-Lanakela.
All in all, a great day at home for me and Patrick -- Lia too.
The afternoon was spent watching the U.S. Trials for track and field -- also starting to pack for the trip to Atlanta. I'm getting excited to go -- more and more as the days approach.
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