After much deliberation and near-chickening-out before I even started, I've decided to compete in the Peninsula Indoor Rowing Chamionship on February 12. *Gulp*
I competed last year and did pretty well. But before this afternoon, I hadn't been on a rowing machine since, I don't know, October some time. Now I have six weeks to get my body ready for a 2,000 meter "race." Today, I did three 12-minute pieces with five-minute breaks in between and I was pretty pooped at the end of the last one. I have my work cut out for me.
My goal is to improve on last year's time (8:10) -- which, by the way, would have been good enough for a first place had I entered as lightweight. If I can break eight minutes, I'll be thrilled.
Now that I've announced my intentions to all of you, I will have to stick to my training schedule. So here's the plan -- I'll post the erg workouts I complete as I do them, with editorial commentary, of course.
Thanks in advance for keeping me honest about this.
Originally posted by susanrows: Finally! I have training progress to report! After many false starts, I got myself to the boat house this morning to meet five friends for an erg workout. (It's much easier and more pleasant to do this kind of workout with someone else!)
Anyway, after a 15-minute warm-up, we did a 10-minute piece, followed by 8-minutes, 6-minutes, 4-minutes, and 2-minutes, with rests in between. We varied the stroke rate from 26 to 30 spm. That may not sound like much, but I was sweating and exhausted!
I also realized how much work I have to do before February 12. To accomplish my goal of breaking eight minutes for 2,000 meters, I have to hold a 2:00 split for the whole race. Today I was struggling to hold a 2:15 for the longer pieces. ("Split" refers to the time it would take to cover 500 meters at the pressure and stroke rate you're currently applying. It can change with every stroke you take -- the idea is to keep it as constant as possible.)
The plan is to get back on the erg tomorrow.
Good for you Susan! Happy rowing again tomorrow : )
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Finally! I have training progress to report! After many false starts, I got myself to the boat house this morning to meet five friends for an erg workout. (It's much easier and more pleasant to do this kind of workout with someone else!)
Anyway, after a 15-minute warm-up, we did a 10-minute piece, followed by 8-minutes, 6-minutes, 4-minutes, and 2-minutes, with rests in between. We varied the stroke rate from 26 to 30 spm. That may not sound like much, but I was sweating and exhausted!
I also realized how much work I have to do before February 12. To accomplish my goal of breaking eight minutes for 2,000 meters, I have to hold a 2:00 split for the whole race. Today I was struggling to hold a 2:15 for the longer pieces. ("Split" refers to the time it would take to cover 500 meters at the pressure and stroke rate you're currently applying. It can change with every stroke you take -- the idea is to keep it as constant as possible.)
Originally posted by mountaingirl: So what is indoor rowing? I can't picture that!
Lynne
Indoor rowing involves a rowing machine, also known as an ergometer, or erg for short. Basically, you sit down on it, set it for 2,000 meters, and when they say go, you go full tilt until you've covered the 2k. Really elite Olympic caliber rowers can do it in under six minutes. Mere mortal females like me usually consider 8:30 a pretty respectable time. That's why I'd be pretty excited to break eight minutes.
In an indoor rowing race, there are several ergs lined up side by side. I'll be competing against other women in my age category.
