Just sitting here looking out over the lake and reflecting on last Saturday's Makai Cup. Reflecting on how some ski races can have a positive effect on you, as well as those you train with on a regular basis. Makai Cup 2018 was absolutely one of those races. Race prep started for myself, and in turn others in our Gong Paddlers group, months before. It also signaled the start of a strict personal nutrition and strength training regime. An amazing change starts to take place in training group dynamics when one paddler sets a line in the sand, and takes aim at a certain goal/race/session. Others start noticing, conversations are had during post training coffee. Social media chatter ramps up a bit...