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Ask the Paddlers…

Q: Why do you like to paddle? What magic does it hold for you?

Linda: Paddling is such a great conditioning sport. Some people think it's for the arms, but after a tough practice it's my legs that feel it the most. I love the camaraderie and I feel good about being part of a team. I've accomplished a lot with the paddling. I'm stronger, have better endurance, and have so much more confidence. Paddling did not come easy to me. In the early stages I thought I would never get the technique right, and I considered quitting many times. I had to work hard for a very long time in order to become a decent paddler. I am proud of myself and consider myself to be a competitor, and that, my friends, is pure magic!

Q: How do you mentally prepare for competition?

Linda: I was in only two races last year and I was extremely anxious during both of them. I tried to concentrate on my breathing, stay focused on my objectives, and blocked out what was happening with the other competitive teams. I feel more confident going into this year's racing season because I know we've trained hard during our practices.

Q: What do you eat before a workout or to refuel afterward?

Linda: It's taken me a while to know what, when, and how much my body needs before a practice. I try to eat a small meal about two hours before practice that consists of a protein and complex carbohydrate like a fruit. Nothing heavy or greasy or with sugar in it. For me, what I eat the day before and the day of a practice shows up in how well I perform. So I try to eat a well-balanced diet all the time. Of course, this has it's own challenges.

Q: What do you eat before and after competition?

Linda: This is a little harder since the competitions last almost all day. As I said earlier, I get pretty anxious at the races and I'm a nervous eater. I have to work a lot harder at supplying my body with the proper fuel it needs. I drink a lot of water during the day, fruit, and nothing spicy or greasy. I eat little bits more frequently. After a race I'll drink fruit juice, water, and a sports drink of some type.

Q: How do you control your weight without compromising your nutrition?

Linda: This is very tough. The reason I started paddling was to lose weight. I've not lost as much as I would have liked, but I have really developed a lot more muscle. I believe that muscle burns more calories than fat so in the long run this will serve me very well. It's important to maintain strength for paddling, and by cutting calories too low I know I will lose valuable muscle, which I can't afford to do. I'm working at finding a level of calories and exercising that will let me lose weight slowly, permanently, and still maintain muscle. Losing weight for me can be very hard, slow, and discouraging at times, but I'm confident that patience and persistence will help me repair the damage that I've done from years of yo-yo dieting. My only regret is that I didn't discover paddling when I was younger. 

Q: What kind of training do you do in the off season that helps your paddling?

Linda: My off-season training took a back seat this year due to a couple of minor injuries and family crisis. My endurance, strength, and weight loss were not where I needed them to be for the start of this racing season. I've been in the catch-up mode. Next year I plan to do more aerobic exercises, weight lifting, and swimming. I have learned first hand just how important training is all year around.

Q: How to you balance an over-demanding schedule?

Linda: Even though I don't have kids, I still have a lot of responsibilities. I'm fortunate to have a very supportive husband who appreciates how important exercising, commitments, and self-fulfillment are. I just have had to let some things slide and re-evaluate priorities. For instance, my house isn't as clean as I'd like it to be, but I decided that it isn't as important as good physical and mental health are.

Q: What contributions have you made to the association?

Linda: I get so much out of being part of this paddling team that I want to share it with everyone, so I have become involved in putting a novice/ non-racing team together. This is designed to let people who don't want to race experience the fun of paddling without the intensity and commitment of racing events. What makes paddling such an exceptional sport is that you don't have to be an athlete to do it. You can do this regardless of age, sex, and physical fitness level. There's a place in the boat for everyone!

Q: Do you have any advice for new paddlers?

Linda: Be patient, persistent, and don't quit. The paddling technique takes a long time to perfect. Listen and take care of your body. Support and accept support from your fellow teammates. Work hard and have fun doing it. Enjoy your achievements, regardless of how small or big. After a while, you'll be as obsessed with paddling as the rest of us!

This page was last updated on 02/20/08.

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