Chattajack Lessons Learned

If you found yourself logging onto your computer with half-open eyes on May 1st to register for Chattajack, congratulations on securing a spot in one of the largest paddleboard races! If you missed the cutoff, keep reading—this blog is all about the lessons I learned from my first Chattajack, including the fact that, yes, it does sell out overnight.

I remember signing up for the 2023 Chattajack at midnight on May 1st along with 700 others and then not really thinking about it for a few months, as I had another race on my mind: Last Paddler Standing. When the air temperatures started to cool in South Florida, I began to worry—was my current training sufficient for Chattajack? Several Chattajack veterans had warned me that it was “harder than doing the solo 80 miles in the Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis” and that I should “prepare to sprint for 32 miles straight.” Overwhelmed and unsure of how to train, I bought a training plan from a veteran paddler, which only left me with more questions. If you’ve felt the same way, you’re in the right place! Immediately after racing in Chattajack, where I placed 13th among female stand-up paddlers, I wrote down a bunch of notes and lessons learned. Despite my lack of dedicated preparation and focus on longer, slower paddling for Last Paddler, I was somewhat proud of my result. I hope my mistakes and lessons learned can guide you to success in Chattajack, whether it’s your first race or you’re aiming for the belt buckle year. 

An inside look into my journal and lessons learned from chattajack:

1. Train well past 20 miles

Having a previous background in long distance running I should have known that my body would respond better to longer distance paddling leading up to Chattajack. The majority of training plans you will see for a half marathon (13.1) miles will have you do at least one 10 mile run and double that for a marathon. This theory equates to about 75% of your race distance as your longest training. If you follow this logic training for a 32 mile race your longest training paddle would be 25 miles. It should be noted that this theory stops being true for ultra endurance racing where more emphasis is placed on multi day or back to back training. For my Chattajack training my longest training paddle was 20 miles, which just like miles 10-13 on my first half marathon I really felt the last 12 miles. After my first half marathon I told myself I would never follow a half plan that peaked at 10 miles. The same is true for Chattajack. For my personal 2024 training plan I plan to paddle 25-30 miles as my long paddle depending on the conditions. 

2. Longer Duration Sprints

Depending on your goals, you might find yourself feeling like you are sprinting for all 32 miles. One of the Chattajack race rules is that you can only draft your class and gender. This means you might have to do a handful of longer sprints to catch the next draft. Last year there were 700+ paddlers but only 52 women on a 14 foot standup board, which means they were pretty spread out along the 32 miles. There were a few times where I found myself having to decide to slow myself down to stay in a consistent draft train or go for a long sprint to catch the next group. I wish I had incorporated longer duration sprints into my training to better prepare myself for this. 

3. Balance Zone 2 base paddles with tempo paddles

Zone-based training involves varying your effort based on percentages of your maximum heart rate. There are five heart rate zones that can help guide the intensity and effectiveness of your workout. Zone 2 is for moderate, aerobic training. While preparing for Chattajack, I received mixed advice: some suggested sticking to Zone 2 paddling, while others recommended pushing hard on all paddles. A balanced training plan should include a mix of Zone 2 endurance paddles, intervals, and moderate tempo paddles to build endurance and speed.

4.  Preparation is key

Don’t wait to think about your training for the race. Racing 32 miles (if no one told you yet, the race despite being called Chattajack 31 is actually 32 miles) is no small task. Whether you are going for completion, a personal best, or to place, it’s not an easy undertaking. You should not just drop into Chattajack like you might be able to for a 5 or 10k race. You should start to strategize your training early on. If you are unsure how to train or are looking for a structured plan, Aloha Athletics has you covered with a comprehensive plan or individualized coaching. Next to planning and logging your paddles and workouts, make sure you strategize hydration, nutrition, and backup plans for both. I waited until the last minute to figure out how to carry additional water on me so I could avoid stopping at the aid stations. This left me with a less than ideal solution of carrying a second hydration pack on my board and taking a quick stop to change packs. If I found a better solution earlier, I could have cut a minute or two off my time, which could have been the difference of catching a draft or moving up a place.

By incorporating these lessons into your training, you can enhance your performance and experience at Chattajack. For a detailed and structured training plan, check out Aloha Athletics and get ready to conquer the race!

Chattajack is a grueling yet rewarding challenge, demanding physical endurance and strategic planning. By learning from my experiences and avoiding the mistakes I made, you can enhance your performance and enjoy the race even more! Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a newcomer, having a well-rounded training plan is crucial for success at Chattajack. Aloha Athletics offers a comprehensive training plan and individualized coaching that covers all aspects of preparation, from endurance and speed to nutrition and hydration strategies.

See you on the river!