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Rut Buster | Kayak
Monday, July 23, 2012 - Valerie McTavish
Lost Lake Confidential
rut. noun /ret/: a habit or pattern of behavior that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change.
In our column, Rut Buster, we challenge writer Valerie McTavish to climb out of the all-too-common health ruts we find ourselves in from time to time. From the running rut to the gym rut, and even the couch potato rut, join us as Valerie tosses aside the usual and takes on a variety of get-your-sweat-on activities.
I have a confession. I live just a few blocks from the lake and I never go.
In my defense, I’m not a sunbather and I find the weeds that drag along my legs as I swim somewhat off putting. Not much of a defence.
I decided it was time to commune with this large body of water by paddling over it.
I picked up an inexpensive kayak (although I could have just rented one) and convinced my husband to fashion a sort of dolly so I could roll it the three blocks to the lake.
Little did I know that my workout would start with that walk. I never felt so far away from the lake as I did pulling my kayak on wheels. Look out Popeye, my forearms will be tough to beat if I keep this up.
Once at the lake, I discovered that the trolley was not all-terrain. Luckily, my little plastic craft is not too heavy and I was able to drag-carry it down to the water.
The wind had picked up and the waves were actually crashing on the shore. I settled my boat down and slipped in as nimbly as I could. Before I got my spray skirt on, the waves had pushed me sideways and I was taking on water. Oh well, they don’t call it a water sport for nothing.
I managed to get the skirt on, the boat facing in the right direction and launched. I was blissfully bobbing on the waves. Once the drama of getting out onto the water was over, I felt a deep level of serenity creep up. There’s something about floating that is so soothing. I smiled and considered just letting the waves take me where they wanted to go.
But, I was also there for a workout – and the brisk wind and insistent waves were going to help with that. I faced into the wind and pushed the boat hard into the gusts. I focused on pushing the top of the paddle, fully extending my scapula, rotating my torso each stroke and digging deep on the return. It was invigorating. Swinging the boat around, with the wind at my back, I decided to do zigzag sprints.
By the time I made it back to my launch point, not only did my arms feel the workout but my abs, back and legs (that had been busy bracing against the gunnels instinctively) screamed from exertion. It was just what I needed.
There’s little chance the lake will be ignored this summer. In fact, I expect I’ll be trotting my kayak (and husband-made dolly) down there quite a bit.
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Valerie needs your help. Email your stories about how you busted out of a rut (fitness or otherwise). Share your successes or suggest an activity for her to try. Stay motivated together.
