Elite endurance athlete Chris Issendorf discusses the sport of ultra marathon canoe racing. Chris is among the best in the world when it comes to canoe racing.  In this episode, he dives into his mindset as an endurance athlete before and during a race.  He digs into how he carves up the 35 hour Missouri River 340 into little races to keep his edge.

About Ultra Marathon Canoe Racing

When it comes to canoe racing, endurance is everything. Chris explains that ultra marathon racing is a sport that lasts a  minimum of eight to ten hours with some races lasting as many as hundred hours.  A lot of training goes into building the mindset to keep going despite the pain and fatigue the body goes through. Chris gives Barton  a description of what a typical canoe race looks like. Canoe racing can be anything from a single person to a six-man rig, using kayak paddles or double-blade canoe paddles. Some races start with the canoe on hand a quarter-mile away from the river and involve running, getting on the boat, and paddling. Some start on the water aboard the canoe. On average, a race can go for 35 to 40 hours nonstop for top teams, and the cutoff is at the 100th hour. Most people do not know that participants pack their food with them, and it takes strategy of when to take breaks in between. The sport is of the rigorous type that is not for the faint-hearted, but Chris is motivated despite the arduous work.

About Chris Issendorf:
Born in New Jersey, Chris has always sought out tough challenges.  As a young man, he worked on a fishing boat and learning the grueling skill of deep sea fishing, working long hours and pushing through days without sleep.  He now lives in Dripping Springs, TX with his wife Shannon and his two children.  His wife and oldest son Kyle both compete in ultra marathon canoe racing and Chris has a goal to race with his son in the Texas Water Safari in 2022.  Chris runs a smal business installing brick pavers and chooses to live in the hill country outside of Austin).  In his off-season, he runs trail races and recently in 2020 Chris won the Cactus Rose 50 mile Ultra Marathon with a time of 8:24:00, more than 30 min fast than the next competitor.  He is not on social media by choice (sorry listeners!)

Outline of the Episode:

[01:47] A background of ultra marathon canoe racing

[06:45] The race that earned Chris first place and a record time

[13:16] How to stay focused and win a race that spans for hours and even days

[19:52] Take the lead, trust the preparation, and not make a mistake that will derail the finish

[24:15] Developed mind game to keep the body at the right spot

[29:00] Bathroom breaks in the middle of a race

[32:44] Preparation for the AuSable River Canoe Marathon amidst COVID-19

[36:52] Why Chris puts himself into a rigorous sport such as canoe racing

[45:09] Chris’ feeling when he and his partner crossed the finished line of the MR340 race

Resources:

AuSable River Marathon 2021: https://youtu.be/CwIl4IJss4s

AuSable River Marathon Website: https://www.ausablecanoemarathon.org/marathon/

Austin Rowing Club Event: https://bit.ly/3zRVklo

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