When I write waiting it doesn’t mean, that I am sitting around somewhere lost with no idea what to do. In my situation it is another meaning. It is thinking, hoping and imagine all the time for the first competition of the upcoming season. Especially when I am training, every stroke has some connection to the first race. This year it will be again the international race in Mantova (ITA). After my little injury last year where I missed this competition, I can start again at this nice and historical place. The race will be held on the 11th/12th April.
This intense waiting, wondering and being excited just started some days ago. Last weekend I had a good performance test in Rapperswil, where I showed my progress over the Winter. I think especially the last training camp in Kineret (ISR) helped a lot to push some new limits. The last two weeks in Israel went over very fast and we guys were able to do some even faster training than the days before. Finally there was no slow training, every session had some high quality and that is very new for me.
In this last camp there was already some small race, but it was not over the olympic 1000m. It was 10 times longer „ouch“. The Jordan Valley Kayak race was held on the 6th of March and was hard as expected. There was a strong wind and the organizers changed the course because of this. Finally it was more various and a little more difficult because we had some narrow turns in the Jordan River. After the start I managed to hold the speed from Ilya Medwedev from Russia. We were able to make some distance between the rest of the field. I also helped to hold the speed high which was probably not the best tactic if I want to beat him. But I was able to go on my personal limits and get some experience. After the first half of the race I was suffering quite a bit and there was nothing in my arms to put the speed up, when Ilya attacked. I lost him there and defended my second place. I was quite happy with this test, I knew before that his endurance is much better than mine. But I learned a lot from him and made some progress in my endurance.
Me, Ilya Medwedev (RUS) and Miika Dietrich (FIN)
I hope to transform this progress in longer endurance quickly to some higher speed. For this task we drive to Pusiano (ITA) next Saturday. I am looking forward for one of my favourite places to paddle. Not far away from Mantova which makes the waiting a little easier.
If you want to read some interesting stuff about the camp in Israel check out this article, written by Orit Arfa. http://oritarfa.net/kayaking-for-gold-on-the-kinneret/
