Re: [Paddlewise] Race Training.

You already got some great tips on technique so you will have to check them 
out.  Strategy?
This is a short race.  Lets face it, 1 mile will be a full speed sprint.  It 
sounds like you are training for the lung capacity but be sure to train your 
paddling muscles too.    Otherwise the water jugs want to carry will feel 
like a piano.
I am finding that a lot of sprint races are decided at the start.  Someone 
will be out of the box first and this has a psyche factor (important in a 
short race) as well as just a shorter time for catchup-from-behind chances..  
Go out in the boat and do some strong starts during every session.  Really 
strong starts are all out and will feel like you have the boat on top of the 
water rather than in it (on plane).  From a standstill just dig with 
efficient, strong, short strokes until you get up to and over your race 
speed.  It should take about 100 yards.  Then settle into your race rythem 
for the duration.  At race day with luck you will be ahead immediately and 
the big guy will be in a panic, loose his technique and get sloppy.  If he's 
ahead, settle into his track and draft him.  I find it incredibly annoying 
when someone is drafting me he probably will too.  While there, say something 
like "wow, did you see that fish" or "what a nice day" . One drafter once 
said "nice pace".  I was at full steam, got psyched out and he was ahead of 
me within 1/4 mile.  For safety, avoid references to his sister and things 
like that. Drafting puts you in a bit of a vulnerable position; If he slows 
abruptly you will be on his back deck in no time and it will probably be you 
that goes over.  Suck plenty of air first so it sounds like your fresh and 
just coasting.  He will again be aggrivated to the point where he puts on the 
brakes and you fly on by.  So there are my junior strategist ideas.  Now, 
where is this lake?? 
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