HG Training 9 NOV 09

Well, not everything is Skittles and Beer as the Brits would say.   Sometimes we don't make progress we move backwards.   This trip was one of those experiences.

A big part of making this whole hang gliding thing work is that you have to trust that the glider wants to fly, and will do it if you let it.  I just couldn't do that this trip, I was gripping the tubes with a death grip, as a result I'd run down the hill, dive into the ground, bounce, generally look like anything BUT a hang glider.

Poor Gordon tried everything he could to try and get me to keep a lighter grip on the down tubes, but I just wasn't getting it that day.   Here's the post

Hey Gang,

Well, I'm back from LMFP this weekend, only was able to get out on Sunday for the training hills, and had a bit of regression in my training.

A couple of weeks ago when I took my first lessons I was doing "OK" on not gripping too tight as I ran, and would feel the wing lift, and then that feeling of a big hand just lifting me up into the air. I was getting pretty good consistent launches and felt pretty confident with what my progress.

This weekend was a total disaster. I simply COULDN'T make myself keep a light grip, stay upright, look forward. (I know, FORCING a light grip is counter productive). I'd start to run, grip so hard that I'd put finger grooves into the down tubes, start to pull in. That of course would pull me forward and off balance, I'd look down and you know the rest. I had 1 launch that was even close to being acceptable for me. The rest were a true horror show, Launch Downward with a lurch, bounce the wheels off the hill, and then then glide on down. Sorry I don't have any video, I should have somebody shoot some so I could post it, but I was doing so bad that I didn't want anybody to see it. (I know, counter-productive)

Poor Gordon (who is a hell of a good instructor) was trying every trick he knew to get me out of the habit. Finally I 'rolled' my ankle and was grateful for a reason to simply watch and learn from the others out there that day. (it wasn't really hurt, but it was just twingy enough that I didn't want to push it).

I know that my training will be a progress marked with some starts and fits,but it was a bit of a downer to do so poorly. I am confident that I will do better in the future, but I just needed to vent a bit, I have the typical "trainer complex", that is that since I teach for a lving, I should be able to learn anything easily.

On the other hand, I had one of the best dinners I've had in years at Chattannoga Saturday night. My mouth still smiles when I think about it 'cuz it's so happy.

See ya on the boards and slopes,

Steve

  As for that dinner, it was a beautiful rack of lamb with an olive crust at at place called 212 Market. in Chattanooga.  A FULL rack of ribs, spinach and mushroom risotto, a nice appetizer, and a cup of espresso to wash it down, all for under 40 bucks.   My mouth still gets happy thinking about it, wants to know when we are going back.  Always something good.

Steve