Trent 100 - Why it's a challenge and not a race?

The Trent 100 is set in the amazing English countryside and is now in its 5th year. A 100k challenge along the rivers of the Midlands it’s a real attraction for many keen paddlers. In years gone by the event has attracted many paddlers, and this year after a break during the pandemic we can expect even more people to take part. One of the best things about the Trent 100 is that it’s a team challenge, so there is strength in numbers. The challenge is not complete until the last team member crosses that line. So, what is it about a challenge that we like?

When we change the title of something from a race to a challenge, we shift the focus slightly of what it’s all about.  A race means competition, beating your competitors and trying to get the best place you can or beating your previous times. Its about going as quickly as you are able, to finish as soon as you can.  A challenge however seems to broaden that concept.  If we apply that idea to the Trent 100 then we are still ‘competing’ as there are other teams involved and everyone wants to cross that finish line first. The difference here is that just doing the event is a great achievement. A 100k paddle over 2 days is no easy feat, so crossing that line in either first or last place doesn’t matter. I’m not saying that a challenge is any better or worse than a race, but personally I love the idea of being challenged to do something. It brings me a real sense of achievement if I manage to complete it.

So, we could say its about mindset, and that is a very important part, if not the most important part to remember. The mind is a powerful tool and with enough will the human race has achieved a lot with the right mind set. Our bodies will actually go a lot further than we expect them too but normally the mind kicks in and tells us to stop in case we get injured or cause ourselves some damage. Of course, we don’t want to get to that stage but normally there is just a bit more in the tank before we need to stop.  Sports scientists and universities will know a lot more about this than I do but I know that going the extra mile is what is sometimes needed.

In the very first Rocky movie, Rocky Balboa an unknown boxer is given the opportunity to fight the heavyweight champion of the world Apollo Creed. When Rocky is asked if he thinks he will win Rocky just says that ‘I just want to go the distance’. Not for a moment does he think he could possibly win fighting Creed but to just get in there and still be standing at the end is enough. In the movie Rocky does this as the fight is declared a draw and we all know the rest. What has this got to with a paddle boarding challenge I hear you say? The point is that the challenge is different for everyone. For the beginner it may well be going the distance and completing a 100k paddle, or for the elite paddler it may be trying to do it even quicker than last time. They will both have a similar mindset but with different outcomes. Depending upon how strong that mindset is will dictate if they succeed in their goal or not.

Through discomfort comes growth, and normally the harder something is the bigger the reward is afterwards. It’s important to push our boundaries in whatever capacity that may be.  As I said earlier what’s good for one may not be good for another.  So, whether you are aiming to paddle your first 5K or take on the mighty 100k Trent I hope that you get something positive from this article. See you on the water…….

The Trent 100 takes place between July 21 to July 24, 2022 and is truly an event not to be missed!

For further information head over to the official website right here.

Photos: Courtesy of Trent 100