ASKR 2001 was my first ASKR experience. I learned a great deal and will do a number of things differently next time. Here's a quick rundown of some of the lessons I learned.

• I didn't realize that most of the racing would be in 20 km legs (other than the marathon and the 37 km first day). I trained for long 30 to 40 km legs when I would have been better served by training to do back to back 20 km legs. You can see the effects of this in my race results. My best relative times were on the first day and last days when we did all the racing in one stretch. With each successive leg of racing, my relative performance dropped.
• I need to get a coach to help me with my forward stroke. I am not planting far enough forward and I need rotate forward more before the plant. I need to bring my hips more into the stroke. Jim Morrissey (the winner) did so much hip rotation that he wore open sores into hips. I was impressed.
• I was supposed to bring a towel, sleeping bag, spare paddle, sponge and pump. The instructions the ASKR organizers sent me never said this and since I needed to pack light, I didn't bring any of these things. I will next time.
• Fly more -- use trains and bus less.
• Bring much more "vitamin I".
• I pretty much got it right in terms of the clothing for my on the water time. Here is what I'll bring next time I do the race:
  • 2 rash guard shirts.
  • 2 hydroskin vests.
  • 2 hydroskin pants (I brought one pants and one shorts for ASKR'2001)
  • 1 long sleeved and quick drying paddle jacket.
  • 1 short sleeved and quick drying paddle jacket (didn't bring for ASKR'2001).
  • 2 pair polypro socks and my 5-tenny paddling shoes.
• Bring a drytop and fleece for playing on day 4. Also I need to bring warmer cloths to slip into for the breaks between legs.
• Dump the platypus hydration system. It was awful and leaked into my cockpit twice.
• Bring my own neoprene spray skirt.
• Bring 2 rolls of duct tape.
• Tell the organizers ahead of time to please have XXL T-shirts for me. I'll pay any extra fees.
• Have a couple waterproof disposable cameras to keep on my front deck.
• Get the sports-Gel system that comes with a reusable bottle. The foil wrappers were a pain.
• Train without gloves so I can avoid blisters should my hands swell and gloves become impossible. Also, I need to bring first aid supplies to deal with serious blistering.

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