Brian and Goose taking on the Chattajack31

Local paddlers Brian Meyer and Chris "Goose" Norman are about to head down to Chattanooga ,TN for the Chattajack 31 mile race! These two are two of the fastest paddlers in Maryland and have been putting in the time for this event. It will be cool to see all their hard work pay off. If your down there for this race keep an eye out for the MD colors. Go get it boys


 Here is what Brian has to say ~

Training for the Chattajack31

For the past 9 weeks Chris “Goose”Norman and I have been training for the Chattajack31. For those who unaware of what the Chattajack31 is, it’s a 31 mile race down the Tennessee River Gorge. For more details on the race, go to chattajack.com or visit their Facebook page. With less than a week to go before we compete, this week will consist of light training, plenty of stretching, and time to reflect on our training. Chris and I decided to partake in this race because we wanted a new challenge. We wanted to push ourselves physically and mentally. I’ve had the opportunity to compete in a long distance race previously. In 2011, I competed in the 38+ mile Molokai Hoe paddling an outrigger canoe. From that experience I learned the dedication needed to succeed.

Our training these past 9 weeks has been challenging and rigorous. Chris designed our entire workout routine in the gym. For those who don’t know Chris, he’s currently getting his Masters Degree in Strength and Conditioning from Salisbury University. He’s extremely knowledgeable when it comes to designing workout programs. Our program was three days a week and consisted of high intensity, high volume training.

Experienced long distance paddler Doug Ellis was nice enough to design our paddling program. Even though it’s hard to prepare for a 31 mile race in 9 weeks, Doug’s program was perfectly designed to elevate our paddling endurance. His program was three days a week consisting of a sprint work-out, medium distance paddle, and a long-distance paddle. In 9 weeks, Chris and I have seen a remarkable improvement in our paddling. Combing our strength/conditioning program with our paddling program, we have been training 6 days a week for the past 9 weeks.

The benefits we have gained and learned from training for the Chattajack will go beyond the race itself. One of the major benefits I have gained and I know Chris has as well, is the improvement in our stroke. Not that we had a bad stroke to begin with, but paddling long distances with someone can turn into paddling lesson. While training we often critiqued each other, so we could really focus on a proper consistent stroke.

Another benefit is our improved paddling endurance. Before we started training for the Chattajack, we never had a real plan while training. Most paddles turned into fast paced leisure paddle. This worked to an extent but we were eventually going to hit a plateau. Instead of paddling 8-12 miles a week with no real plan, we now paddle 25-30 miles a week with goals every paddle. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a plan and goals if you would like to improve your paddling.

The last benefit and greatest component of our training is teamwork. Chris and I are both pretty intense people when it comes to physical training. We consistently pushed ourselves to be better every time we worked out or paddled together. During our long paddles we switched off every mile drafting each other all the while encouraging pushing harder every time. We signed up for this race with the intentions of winning. Our motto is #traintowin and we take that persona into our training every day. If anyone would like a copy of our strength/conditioning program and/or paddling program please let me know. Now get out on the water, set goals, train hard, and most of all enjoy paddling! Paddlebro1 out! "