Ben Fouhy World Champion K1 1000m Kayaking New Zealand

Thanks to the team at 2XU I now have a fresh supply of compression gear. Its always a nice treat to have some nice new gear to throw on when you are training hard.

Over the weekend we had our National Sprint Championships. We were blessed with some very nice weather and a stunning venue – The Blue Lake in Rotorua, a place where I have fond memories of family holidays when I was a kid. The first time I ever tried a kayak was actually on the Blue Lake when I was about five or six years old. Even then I had the feeling that kayaking was special. The next time I paddled was when I was 13.

Back to the racing… I was very pleased to win the K1 1000, Steven Ferguson was 2nd and Troy Burbidge was 3rd. In the K1 500 I was 2nd with Steve first and Troy 3rd again.

The K2 1000 was a good race with Scott Bicnill and myself taking on Steve and Troy. In the end they took line honors but we definitely put in a solid race.

Overall the regatta was exceptionally well run so many thanks to all the people who made it happen and gave their time. The officials were very friendly and professional which was very much appreciated. One of the many positives was to see was that the numbers are continuing to grow with the fields also far closer together than I have ever seen in New Zealand with some tight battles for the finals berths.

Below a view from the finish line looking up the course and the Podium from the K1 1000. Steven Ferguson to the left and Troy Burbidge bronze medal winner to the right of the screen.

On the way out to the lake early in the morning for my pre warm up there was stunning view of a table top mountain through a valley, with the sun coming up at the same time it made for a spectacular sight.

On the whole a worthwhile trip to Aussie. It was nice to get on the race course and blow some cobwebs out.

Some good lessons came out of the trip. Theres nothing like a regatta to find out where you are at. Some aspects were about where I would expect and other parts of the equation will need more work.

After a good few months training I am now packing my bags for my first real kayak regatta since the Beijing Olympics. Its hard to believe it was 18 months ago..!

Tomorrow we fly out to compete in the Aussie Grand Prix 2 regatta at the Sydney Olympic regatta centre in Penrith. The Grand Prix 2 makes up a part of the Australian domestic season.

Training has been fairly decent at times but a little on and off as I work to regain my fitness base after having a year out.

I am very happy and grateful to receive the continued support of the team at 2XU. I was one of the first athletes to sign on with this rapidly growing company, which has now become an industry leader, especially in the compression-wear market.

I hope to post some updates while away. Racing starts on Friday and you can follow the results here:

Australian Canoeing

It was nice to get back to my home town of Taumarunui and paddle on the Whanganui and Ongarue rivers over the weekend. I have always found paddling up the rapids a great way to get some good up tempo training done while really working on the feel and timing of the catch.

Training has been progressing well and I am looking forward to racing my first proper regatta for nearly 18 months in Australia in two weeks time. We will race the annual GP2 regatta at the Penrith international regatta course. The blue lakes regatta didnt happen for me as I had some tendon niggles and decided it was best pull out of the racing for the sake of the bigger picture.

It’s great to be back in the boat. I am now up to week 5 and starting to feel a little more comfortable.

The picture is a screen grab from a video session earlier in the week. Definitely  need to keep focused on getting the technique tidied up early. We have a good group going at the moment which is fun and also really enjoying paddling my new boat thanks to the team at Nelo.

This weekend we are racing a domestic regatta at the Blue Lakes in Rotorua so if you’re in the area come and check it out Saturday or Sunday. There is some good depth forming which means close racing!

After a very nice time in Kona I am back home and enjoying a few recovery weeks before the kayak training ramps up. I had a great time in Kona and found it to be a fantastic place to visit with the people being very friendly. This combined with the relaxed atmosphere and lots of fresh fruit and good training I would only be too happy to stay longer.

I had a really good day in the Ironman so here is the report..

Firstly a BIG thanks to the sponsors that helped me get over to Kona and supported me with all the right gear to have a great day. Energy NZ for getting me there, 2XU for the awesome race gear and swim suit, Pinarello for the really cool bike, Reynolds for the fast wheels, Asics for the shoes and Oakley of course for the eyewear.

Also a big thanks to the people that helped me with advice in training. In particular Rick Wells, Ally Boggs, Paul Hamblyn, Dene Coleman(physio) for fixing the inevitable niggles you get when you train for an Ironman in less than an a 8 week buildup. Mark Watson training partner, Wifey – chef and also training partner for those rainy days in the last two weeks when I felt training for Kona was not what I wanted to be doing in my year off, Steve from Kiwivelo for tuning the bike. Also Janette and the team at the Ironman NZ office. There were quite a few and I apologise if I have left anyone out but thank you all. My advice to anyone thinking they may want to do the Ironman.. do it! It is an real eye opening experience in to what you can achieve unless of course you have already swum the channel or rowed the Atlantic. If you do though my only other advice is get the very best advice you can get your hands on. There is no point making something that is incredibly challenging even more difficult and there are no shortage of opportunities to make life harder for yourself!!

Back to the race – I had a very comfortable day, well as comfortable as you can have doing the mother of all Ironmans in Kona Hawaii. Overall I was happy with my split times in all my legs. The swim I got smoked off the start and once the dust was settled got stuck behind a lot of people that I was quicker than, with 1500m to go I decided that I would swim out to the side and get some clean water and spent the next 20mins passing people which was a good move but a little late. The swim was the one leg that I was not so enthusiastic about leading up to Kona but it turned out to be a real highlight for me. Training on the course in the week leading up the water was very clear and pleasant. One of the practice swims we even had the company of a pod of dolphins at the turn around marker which was an amazing experience. One of them had a young calf with it and from my experience with swans with young babys on the lake I decided to keep my distance!! Still a surreal experience.

The bike ride was conservative for me and I am not sure I passed anyone as I was very aware that this was a long a day that was only going to get tougher. It felt like a headwind for 70 percent of the ride although the 15mins in the 53×11 after the turn around was a nice respite before the home tail wind turned head late morning! Most of my day was spent in the 39! unlike Taupo.

The run was comfortable to begin with, doing my best to stay within my self but still went past the six mile marker in 43mins, I walked every drink stop (every mile)and I am glad that I did. The heat was as hot as I have ever had to deal with and never for such a prolonged time. I found I was more concerned about keeping my body temperature down rather than conquering the distance and being concerned too much with pace.

For many the hottest part of the race was Ali’i Drive and in particular the right turn “Hot corner” up Palani where to me it felt 5 degrees warmer than any other part of the course, all I could think about was ice from the next aid station. From there the next thing was the fact you still had 25km to go after already having run 17!

Ali’i Drive

Overall I am stoked I made the decision go to Kona. Once again I feel I have grown as an athlete in the way I did the first time I attempted the Taupo Ironman back in 2000 which led to me lifting my goals and beliefs in what I could do in sport. After 2012 I would like to have another go at Ironman and really put a good year or two into doing a better time but for now at least if I dont get back there I am very satisfied with my experience on the big island.

A few more easy weeks getting familiar with the K1 again and it will be full on again in the kayak for 2010. It looks like the competition is getting stronger and I am excited about competing again at an elite level.

I’ll post a more detailed account soon.