Its whats under the hood that counts......

Another pretty solid week but again a few disappointments along the way. I know that eventually over time the consistency will return and I need to be patient. Sometimes this is easier said than done. Maybe by looking at the old girl and considering what I have done with her could provide me with some easy lessons.

I bought this old girl back in 1988, back then she was sleek but simple. her lines were a bit rough but she really flew. Tend to do that when your light and drive by a 350 Chev. Over the years she took a few bumps and knocks a

nd eventually we gave her a break. With the young wombats coming on the scene it was time to dust off the cob webs and give her a bit of a birthday.

Like me she still had the basic structure and lines. The foundations we

re there to build on. The same can be said for this old battle hardened wombat. The basic bones are still there and I just need to do the work to get back into shape. With the old girl I took out the 350 and did some work before having the major sections stripped and refitted at Chev power. Then me and a few mates remounted the motor and finished up the insides. The end result was an old girl with a new lease of life. While her shell is still a little tattered and maybe some of the shine has gone from her gel coat its whats under the hood that counts. When I put my foot down after dropping in the dog clutch the prop bits the water and she lifts. While she may not be the fastest girl off the start once she winds up she chews up the distance slowly eating into the fastest boat.

After a couple of sessions now with groups I have noticed the same thing. I may not be the fastest individual off the start but slowly and surely I can close the gap between myself and the rear of the field. Like the old girl I may have gained a few founds and created a few more wrinkles over the time but at the end of the day I still have a motor that needs to be used. If I can clean the rust off and get all the valves firing there may still be some life in the old boy yet.

Thursday night I did some work with Raf's group at Yokine. Trying to keep the group honest while skipping between the various packs. Next Thursday will be a solid fartlek style session with the aim of working around speed adjustments during the run.

Friday this week was a lazy 5 miles and then I just crashed at home. I think the heat and the week of work and training has taken its toll. I know that I really had a coffee run on Monday around Guildford with the heat and humidity almost being debilitating.

Hoping that today and Sunday will be considerably better. Hope to see you out there.

Barrel on wombats...