Re:[Paddlewise] Trip Report: The 1998 Willamette Insomnia Paddle

At 08:49 PM 9/26/98 -0700, Mattson, Timothy G wrote:
(in part)
>I'd appreciate any advice or comments you might have to offer. Have you
>heard of anyone doing anything like this before? In particular, is there an
>official world record for paddling on the Willamette river from Eugene to
>Portland? Anyone interested in joining me next year so we can make it a real
>race?

Take a change of clothes, wear a paddling jacket if you weren't, etc--all
the stuff the safety police will/would tell you

As a former cycling coach and general cycling fanatic (still former),  I
have read a good bit about sleep-deprived performance, and have experience
with endurance vs sprint training.  Your wife sounds like an obvious source
for the latter as well.

You're right about the need to do long paddles as preparation.  Build up to
fast 12 hour paddles--faster pace than you would run the whole length of
your course.  

Mix in some anaerobic "sprint" sessions on some of your long paddles.
Paddle with similarly strong friends and have races to the next bend or
bridge or whatever.

Yes, you'll paddle more safely and more confidently if you paddle the river
in sections first.  For some, that ruins the adventure, but if you are
racing, it's called preparation.

People who have competed in ultra-endurance/sleep deprived events suggest a
few short naps, especially one right before the sun comes up--go to sleep
in the dark, wake up, it's morning!  What's so different about today?

What/when did you eat?  Did you stop to eat or much while you paddled?

Find the studies that were done on Race Across America (RAAM) cyclists.
Many studies on sleep deprivation during sports performance came out of
this race.  There are similar races in other sports, ultra marathon running
might be a good starting point.

Having someone meet you at various pre-established points to feed
you/supply dry clothes/give a reality reading might be a good idea.  The
cell phone helps, but a person on the spot is more valuable.  Having
multiple people in the race--if you really intend that-- will neccessitate
this eventually

You've got a year to prepare;  lots of time.  Keep us posted.

Wynne
Americus, GA

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