I almost turned around snarled in Boston traffic on my way up to the Charles River Training Race held on Wednesday nights across from Charles River Canoe and Kayak.   I am glad I did not, because it was a heart pounding shoot out from the time Dave Vandorpe said GO!!!!!  You never know who might show for the race. Typically the  regulars are Ted Van Dusen, Bill Baker, Dave Vandorpe, Chris Chappell, Mark Jacobson, Pam Browning, Paul Cordella, Andrius Zinkevichus,  Rob Flannagan, Darius Klim, Aims Coney, Josh Ormsby and the canoe racers of Emma Ross Carina Peritore and many more.   So on any given race you could have five paddlers or 20, all different boats.  This evening at 630 pm it was RACE ON with Chris leading the way as he has done in every race this year in his Mohican.  Ben Lawry was in town and paddled his teaching boat, a Stellar SR and dropped me(Uno) at mile two. My gosh is Ben fast. I was amazed he could push that boat like he did. Yes, he has a turbocharged engine, full speed ahead, with a stroke as smooth as butter.  Ted Van Dusen was waiting for the optimal time to pounce, always one boat length or two behind. I could feel Ted waiting, waiting. By the time we got to the turn around bridge, Chris lost a few boat lengths on the turn, but it did not matter.  Chris was gone shortly afterwards and  was no where in sight at times, he was so far ahead.  I caught back up to Ben at mile 3 only to be dropped by Ted and Ben once we hit suck water.  My waiting on Ted to make his move was over! I was already maxed out on my HR monitor.  Ted passed Ben, however Ben felt some relief riding what little side wash Ted was kicking up in his Mohican.   Dave Vandorpe(K1) passed me just before the island where I stayed within three feet of him while Ted and Ben were not too far ahead.  Atleast we could see them in the turns because Chris had a one minute gap on them, and two minute gap on Dave and I.  That is how we finished,  Chris, Ted,Ben, Dave, me.  We all rafted up afterwards, gleeful that we were sweating it up on a 65 degree day over the course of 4.96 miles. Competition only makes you better. I had a great time pushing myself harder than any race I have done this year.  It is nice that we have the huge benefit of having flatwater and ocean in our backyards.  I know I could never do too much flatwater because I would get bored, but to be able to mix it up and get a huge aerobic workout, only can make my ocean paddling better!  Next ocean race; Sakonnet River Race, June 4th.   See most of you here!!