Dammed-up water

I spent Monday lying around my sister's house like an absolute slug.  It was just what I needed after all the drama of getting out of town and competing in a race and driving and visiting friends.

Yesterday and today I sampled a couple more of the reservoir offerings in the Catawba River basin.  Yesterday I went out to Mountain Island Lake, a smallish reservoir off North Carolina 16.  When I got there around 10 AM there was no motorized traffic at all and the water was as placid as could be. I went out for a 60-minute paddle, during which I did eight 12-stroke sprints at two-minute intervals. Like I've said before, there are days when these sprints feel fluid and effortless, but yesterday they felt sort of sloppy.  But then when I settled back into my normal cruising pace for the last 20 minutes, my form felt good.  I think simply trying to do all the right things at a high intensity level helps them come more naturally at a normal intensity level.

Today I went to Lake Norman, the next reservoir upriver from Mountain Island Lake.  Lake Norman is a much bigger, more industrial-strength kind of place.  At the public access where I put in there was a sign posted explaining the lake evacuation protocol in the event of an emergency at the nearby McGuire Nuclear Station.  Another sign gave a phone number to call and report suspicious persons.  Out on the lake the motorized traffic wasn't too bad, but it was heavy enough for a Tuesday afternoon that I imagine it's ridiculous on summer weekends.  The shorelines were teeming with shiny McMansions.  It's The Great Outdoors, 21st-century style.  I think I'll stick to the harbor at home.

I did another 60-minute paddle with six 12-strokers in the middle.  For some reason I felt tired in the boat; I'm not sure why because I've been sleeping well and generally having a restful time these last several days.  I hope I'll have more pep in my step by Saturday.

Lake Norman's water is quite warm, possibly because both the nuclear station and the Marshall Steam Station use it for cooling.  When I finished paddling I hopped in the water and enjoyed a therapeutic soak for a few minutes.

I plan to head back west tomorrow ahead of Saturday's race on Fontana Reservoir near Bryson City.  I'll be camping in that area and might not be online to post here for several days.  The race information page is here, and I hope results will be posted by Saturday evening.