Birc Results.

[[old] Jef]

Looking forward to seeing mine as I paused in the row to put on a big cheesy grin.

[[old] Niall]

I wanted to tell the photographer to shove off as he seemed to be enjoying my looks of pain and anguish; couldn't get rid of him!

[[old] tjod]

<!--QuoteBegin-Matt Newman+Nov 20 2005, 10:43 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Matt Newman @ Nov 20 2005, 10:43 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-tjod+Nov 21 2005, 03:00 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(tjod @ Nov 21 2005, 03:00 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Could someone explain to a newcomer   to IR why the odd numbers along the base of the chart? I assume it's a 2000 meter race, but why the "1229" "1860" etc. ? It seems to vary between rowers.  Thank you. </td></tr></table><br /><br />My guess is that its just a quirk of the software that has to deal with a whole variety of different finising times and adjust the graphs to all be the same size - the software struggles to automatically choose round numbers for the x axis.<br /><br />The software also has to deal witha wide varirty of different paces (see below):<br /><img src='http://mattn.uuhost.uk.uu.net/b5_emmao.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /> <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi Matt;<br /><br />Thanks for the explanation. Still seems odd that they use different scales - and definitely not round numbers. One more thing to learn about, I guess. 8-)<br />

[[old] neilb]

Bad day at the office for me.<br /><br />Training suggested around 6:40 but only managed 6:49.5. This was slightly lower than my one and only previous 2k attempt. <br /><br />Despite well rehearsed plan I started too fast, both split and spm, and for too long so after first 500m it was really about hanging in for a finish. I had not allowed for the transition from rowing in a gym with perhaps 2 people around me to such an arena with a very vocal crowd and so many other competitors. (I was on A20 so right alongside the crowd.) The "row long, smooth and your own race" got left in the locker!<br /><br />Stll, a great day. I enjoyed the experience, learnt a lot and am looking forward to next chance to race.<br /><br />Am I disappointed; yes. Am I downhearted; no. I am taking a planned week off training but am already keen to get back to the gym and start working for next time. <br /><br />It was a very valuable learning experience at the end of my first 12 months and as a first step towards 2008 when I will be 50 and will have 3 years training/experience under my belt (or should that be under my butt).<br /><br />Well done to all those that took part.<br /><br />Performance of the day? The guy I watched complete the row in the 90+ lwt category. <br /><br />Neil B<br /><br />

[[old] Niall]

There were so many great performances yesterday and not only from those on the front row. Everyone has personal goals to make, adversities to overcome and battles win. We all know of competitiors who raced with 110% and deserve the accolades of their peers. Unfortunately we wont get to hear of all the tales but it wont let us forget the ones we know of.<br /><br />Personal "well dones" to:<br /><br />- all the paraplegic athletes - you guys epitomise determination and overcoming massive adversity<br />- Kelly Sapsford (bronze medal despite recent illness)<br />- Kev Peebles (Nutter! Rowing to the point of passing out! ) - )<br />- Brian Garner (Well fought PB after so much dedicated training and recent family illnesses)<br />- Martyn Low (Gold medal after long standing injury)<br /><br />...to name but a few.

[[old] c2bill]

<!--QuoteBegin-neilb+Nov 21 2005, 09:03 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(neilb @ Nov 21 2005, 09:03 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><br />Performance of the day?  The guy I watched complete the row in the 90+ lwt category. <br /><br />Neil B <br /> </td></tr></table><br />neil - would that be the incomparable Mr. John Hodgson? He is an inspiration and a tremendous athlete - I hope to see him again in Denmark.<br /><br />bp

[[old] CAROLE MAC]

gives Niall Paddington bear stare ....... and what about the biggest sexist and loudest cheer leader who has also now lost her voice ......

[[old] Niall]

<!--QuoteBegin-CAROLE MAC+Nov 21 2005, 09:34 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(CAROLE MAC @ Nov 21 2005, 09:34 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->gives Niall Paddington bear stare ....... and what about the biggest sexist and loudest cheer leader who has also now lost her voice ...... <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />You may have lost your voice (ah, there <b>is </b> a God!!) but I've lost all hearing in my one ear. I'm sure it's just coincidence that it was the ear nearest to you Carole!! <br /><br />Cheerleader troupes are normally upwards of 20 girls blasting out encouragement but when you're on the team, no more applicants required!!! <br />

[[old] Godfried]

<!--QuoteBegin-CAROLE MAC+Nov 21 2005, 04:34 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(CAROLE MAC @ Nov 21 2005, 04:34 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->. . . and what about the biggest sexist . . . [right] </td></tr></table>typo ?

[[old] Niall]

<!--QuoteBegin-Godfried+Nov 21 2005, 11:44 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Godfried @ Nov 21 2005, 11:44 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-CAROLE MAC+Nov 21 2005, 04:34 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(CAROLE MAC @ Nov 21 2005, 04:34 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->. . . and what about the biggest sexist . . . [right] </td></tr></table>typo ? <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Nah, think Carole got that right first time round!!!

[[old] PaulS]

<!--QuoteBegin-Stretch+Nov 20 2005, 05:40 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Stretch @ Nov 20 2005, 05:40 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->That is surely the graph of someone who could row even faster if he needed to? In total control all the way through. One more thing, how does any human being pull a 1:10 <b>first pull</b> from a dead fan? (On reflection, maybe that was the second stroke and the first was "only" 1:18. But I think the question stands.) <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />By having a Stroke rate for the first strokes of 97, 47, 47, 47, 47, then averaging an SR of about 60 (10 strokes in 10.4sec) for the first 10 strokes, and pulling very hard. <br /><br />Perhaps GB should have thought just a bit more, JamieS will now have the "Championship Record", but GB missed his by a couple seconds. What is the difference between the "Open" categories anyway, isn't "Open", Open?<br /><br />Rowing the majority of the Race at SR=29 and 1:27 is majorly impressive.

[[old] chickenlegs]

graham benton's row is simply exceptional.<br />considering his numbers (pace and rate) for the whole 2000 m, it seems likely that he will soon go even faster (maybe he is aiming for pinsent's british record of 6'42").<br /><br />at this point the question to me seems this:<br />why doesn't he get in a boat?<br /><br />maybe he already has.<br />hopefully he won't get discouraged by not being able to apply the power he has on an oar.<br />that may take time and effort.<br />even if he has to learn rowing technique relatively late, he still has a serious chance of getting in a national team boat, in my opinion.<br /><br />i think there is an american woman with an exceptional erg score who started rowing competitevely in her thirties and eventually rowed in the olympics.<br />is it a lisa schenkler?

[[old] Janice]

<!--QuoteBegin-chickenlegs+Nov 22 2005, 08:13 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(chickenlegs @ Nov 22 2005, 08:13 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->why doesn't he get in a boat?<br /> <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I believe Graham is currently learning to scull under a special programme of the ARA. I think he has won a couple of races as well.

[[old] Graham Benton]

Paul, the race was fairly comfortable and if I had been more switched on I could have been more aggressive in the second half of the race but, to be honest, I was rowing to a pre-determined plan (which i didn't stick to 100% but close to it) which took 4.5 seconds off my PB and was in my little bubble just focusing on 1 stroke at a time and what was happening in the race behind me. I could have gone quicker but that will have to wait for another day but I'm still pretty happy to be within 0.2 seconds of the fastest time of the greatest Olympian ever, and I think it was the fastest time ever by a Brit at the British Champs.<br /><br />The first year I competed at the British Champs one month after taking up the sport, Schroeder was on the row in front of me and won with something like a 5:47 I think. 3 years later, I'm realistically being mentioned in the same breath as a guy who I see as a bit of a legend. That puts a smile on my face as much as a Championship record would.<br /><br />As for the water stuff - I have been training on the water since Easter. It's been going pretty well - 30th in the first GB sculling trial (the top guys were not there though), and have won 2 out of 2 races in my single and won one out of 3 in a quad. It's going to be tough for me to break into the GB squad but that is the target and my coaches are doing everything they can to give me the best shot.<br />

[[old] SkipD]

[quote=Graham Benton,Nov 22 2005, 04:54 AM]<br />Paul, the race was fairly comfortable and if I had been more switched on I could have been more aggressive in the second half of the race but, to be honest, I was rowing to a pre-determined plan (which i didn't stick to 100% but close to it) which took 4.5 seconds off my PB and was in my little bubble just focusing on 1 stroke at a time and what was happening in the race behind me. I could have gone quicker but that will have to wait for another day but I'm still pretty happy to be within 0.2 seconds of the fastest time of the greatest Olympian ever, and I think it was the fastest time ever by a Brit at the British Champs.<br /><br />The first year I competed at the British Champs one month after taking up the sport, Schroeder was on the row in front of me and won with something like a 5:47 I think. 3 years later, I'm realistically being mentioned in the same breath as a guy who I see as a bit of a legend. That puts a smile on my face as much as a Championship record would.<br /><br />As for the water stuff - I have been training on the water since Easter. It's been going pretty well - 30th in the first GB sculling trial (the top guys were not there though), and have won 2 out of 2 races in my single and won one out of 3 in a quad. It's going to be tough for me to break into the GB squad but that is the target and my coaches are doing everything they can to give me the best shot. <br />[/quote<br /><br />Congratulations Graham!<br /><br />Outstanding effot! Coming from a relatively new person to the erg, I was wondering what type of volume and intensity you have put in over the last 3 years to reach this world class level of performance? Also, I would assume weight training is a factor in your ability to create enormous power? Or do you do relatively short maximal efforts in your training with a high damper setting to improve your power? Was wondering if you would be willing to share that? Thanks, Skip Donnelly U.S.<br />