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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[warbird]

Hi,
I started dragon boating about 2 months ago, and whilst my technique isn't totally there yet i am still able to compete in races.
However, for the past few sessions i have felt myself losing stamina and when i get tired i start to think "I can't be bothered - why am i putting myself through this?" then i just slow down and my technique goes out the window.

I know its bad psychology, but i reckon i'm ok fitness wise as i run about 2-3 times a week and weight training once a week.

Does anyone have any tips on how i can over come this mental block and how i can improve my stamina in general?

Thanks!

[Illuminate]

I like to focus on breathing, inhale on recoveries, exhale on drive, inhale on recovery, exhale on drive.....this way your mind doesn't wander and you keep paddling.
Good breathing gives you more stamina as well and shouldn't be underestimated

[kryssee]

When I get tired, I try to win small battles in the war to finish! Simple as counting to 10 in my head..once I make 10, I start counting again..before you know it..you hear the coveted words "Let 'er ride!" 

[threesea]

"I can't be bothered - why am i putting myself through this?"

...cause you suck it up, you do it for love of paddling, for respect for your team and to kick the other boats' collective butts!

But seriously, one of the biggest challenges for newbies is gelling as a team; nothing worse than to engage in a new sport and trying to fit in with a bunch of strangers. This takes time.  The best approach is to try and connect to a smaller portion of the team, such as the leads, the power core or even your bench mate.  Feed off of the energy from the group and use it to inspire you to "suck it up" and put it all out there.

Just as an aside, I found that around the two thirds mark in a 500 M race, I catch a second wind... if that's any consolation.

Remember, there’s an end to every race and the harder you paddle, the sooner you get there.

Good luck and enjoy.

[paddler21]

@ 2 months, your body isn't sufficiently trained to withstand the workload.... you're like a hockey player coming back from injury, you don't have your legs yet.. and unless your running 2/3 times a week consists mainly of sprint training, your body isn't going to adapt until much later.  it's probably best to work at shorter intervals until you build up your resistance to fatigue.

Good luck.