Concept2 Forum

I'm finding it very difficult to get back into distance rowing, and I'm not sure why. I'm just wondering if anyone had any tips. Have you taken a break from training before, or eased back on the volume a bit, and found it hard to start rowing long again?<br /><br />It's not the pace that's causing a problem, just the boredom of the duration. I didn't used to have any problems pushing myself to the absolute limit over 60min+ rows, but at the moment I've done one 10k row in the past couple of weeks, and nothing longer for months. I have good pb's for long distances, from a 1:53 paced marathon, down through a 1:46 half, 1:45 hour, and 1:43 for 10k. At the moment I'd just settle for having the patience to start rowing hours at 1:48's again though!! As I say, the pace isn't a problem, but if I set a long distance I just have an overwhelming urge to stop after about 5k!<br /><br />Any help appreciated. Off to the gym in a minute with a planned 15k at 1:50 to try to force some distance back in. Hopefully I'll post in a couple of hours that I completed it.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Pete<br /><br />Ps I find that fast longer distance rowing (at least 10k) really helps with my 2k times, and stopping me getting fat from eating the great food my lovely wife makes for me.

Pete,<br /><br />If you can row with someone it could help, someone to pace yourself against/race against. Rowing on your own can get boring so... I often row in front of the TV, put on a sports video - something which I don't really need sound for. Basically I find that my mind can wander and if I'm not careful my stroke rate dips and them I'm tempted to really rack it up to try hit the target time/distance, so the training becomes a bit of a farce for me. I have the tv set at a level where the PM3 is in focus (figures on large) so that a quick glance is all that is needed to check on my progress.<br /><br />Alternatively, a pair of (cordless) headphones playing music can really help - I am going through my music collection and trying to find songs to row to e.g. faster songs for a quick 500 split, a slower song for a slower one (obv.) and a midpaced one for longer distance rows. I have to stop singing along though !<br /><br />Hope this helps<br /><br />e

Pete<br /><br />I can understand how you feel. I am in a similar position - I used to do workouts > 18km in a session, but am now exhausted after a couple of 5ks (or rather, just cannot be arsed doing any more).<br /><br />I suppose we need to look at other life experiences/factors that might be at play. I do not know your circumstances, but let me have a guess at some of the things that might be at play (based on my experience):<br /><br />- changing priorities<br />- new job or job issues<br />- new relationship or relationship issues<br />- change in work/life balance<br />- recovering after illness/injury<br />- discovering new pleasures and realising that there is more to life than erging<br />- not following a structured training regime (e.g. deciding immediately before sitting down what session you feel like doing, rather than doing that 10k the 'Pete Plan' suggests you to do).<br /><br />The list goes on...but the loser sees the above examples as excuses and problems rather than obstacles and challenges to be overcome. Then again, it all depends on what your objectives are and whether a fast 2k score is what really makes you happy.<br /><br />Let's face it erging can be extremely boring. I try listening to music, watching dvds, tv ...anything to relieve the boredom. To be honest, my ways of distracting myself while rowing actually do nothing for my PBs - they work wonders for me being able to do the metres but do nothing for my motivation to break PBs. <br /><br />We know why we do it though - no other exercise makes me feel as accomplished, as satisfied after a workout....the weight control.....the muscle toning....the cardio benefit...the competition.....<br /><br />My main advice would be not to get into a rut and end up hating erging. Do at least one 10k a week and slowly build up the distance stuff if you feel you are lacking that aerobic element of training. <br /><br />Presumably you are doing a lot of shorter sharpening work in preparation for BIRC?<br /><br />Cheers<br />RichardT<br /><br /><br />

<!--QuoteBegin-R S T+Nov 10 2005, 11:54 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(R S T @ Nov 10 2005, 11:54 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Presumably you are doing a lot of shorter sharpening work in preparation for BIRC?<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Pete hasn't entered BIRC this year. He's been too busy breaking his thumb and getting married to Janice.<br /><br />I must be odd, I've never found long distance rows boring - well not yet anyway. Perhaps it's the incentive prizes that help.<br /><img src='http://static.flickr.com/25/58464194_44d8c8cf78_m.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

<!--QuoteBegin-Citroen+Nov 10 2005, 12:01 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Citroen @ Nov 10 2005, 12:01 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><br />Pete hasn't entered BIRC this year. He's been too busy breaking his thumb and getting married to Janice.<br /><br /><br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Ah....so THAT'S why the longer distance stuff is flagging........<br /><br /> <br /><br />RichardT

<!--QuoteBegin-Pete Marston+Nov 10 2005, 07:18 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Pete Marston @ Nov 10 2005, 07:18 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I'm finding it very difficult to get back into distance rowing, and I'm not sure why. I'm just wondering if anyone had any tips. Have you taken a break from training before, or eased back on the volume a bit, and found it hard to start rowing long again?<br /><br />It's not the pace that's causing a problem, just the boredom of the duration. I didn't used to have any problems pushing myself to the absolute limit over 60min+ rows, but at the moment I've done one 10k row in the past couple of weeks, and nothing longer for months. I have good pb's for long distances, from a 1:53 paced marathon, down through a 1:46 half, 1:45 hour, and 1:43 for 10k. At the moment I'd just settle for having the patience to start rowing hours at 1:48's again though!! As I say, the pace isn't a problem, but if I set a long distance I just have an overwhelming urge to stop after about 5k!<br /><br />Any help appreciated. Off to the gym in a minute with a planned 15k at 1:50 to try to force some distance back in. Hopefully I'll post in a couple of hours that I completed it.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Pete<br /><br />Ps I find that fast longer distance rowing (at least 10k) really helps with my 2k times, and stopping me getting fat from eating the great food my lovely wife makes for me.  <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Pete:<br /><br />Thank goodness someone finally said it!<br /><br /> <br /><br />A recommendation of sorts ...<br /><br />Unlike you, I am a *real* beginner (May 2005). I found long rows to be super boring, even with every distraction and gadget known to man. It was no problem doing them physically, but mentally I was a loser.<br /><br />To battle this, I decided that I was going to get in the distance, at the pace (and possibly stroke rate) I planned, come h*** or high water. I just rowed until I felt like I was going to go mad, took a break, and got back on and finished the piece. Most days, this meant no more than one break in anything longer than 6K - 7.5K. It seems I could knock off 6K to 7.5K without a break at any time. On "good" days, I would knock out the entire piece without a break. I started to have more "good" days over time. So, this did have a positive effect. Not perfect, but better.<br /><br />Then, I changed my training to follow the Wolverine Plan (of which I'm certain you are already aware). <br /><br />Much of the long distance rows are L4 rows where there are strict guidelines on pace and rate, which change every 2 minutes. These changes are a HUGE distraction for me. My mind focuses on the PM, rate, and pressure, and a 40' to 70' continuous piece seems to fly by.<br /><br />Maybe you don't want to do the whole plan, but maybe incorporating the L4 pieces and strategy now and again will help you get in those long rows without needing a straightjacket.<br /><br />I'll be honest. I still have problems with the L3 rows which are targetted at 12K total meters in distance at even pace. Yesterday, because of a tight back, I broke it into 6K/3K/3K with 7-8 min. and 3-4 minute breaks. I just could not block the tightness out of my mind, even though it would not have caused injury, just discomfort.<br /><br />It's not perfect, but it's a work-around.<br /><br />-- Mark<br /><br />PS - And you'll see from my PBs Pete, that I *NEED* the distance work because my shorter distance PBs are not in line with my 5K+ PBs. So, I feel your pain, but lust for your 2K time mate!

<!--QuoteBegin-Citroen+Nov 10 2005, 08:01 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Citroen @ Nov 10 2005, 08:01 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-R S T+Nov 10 2005, 11:54 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(R S T @ Nov 10 2005, 11:54 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Presumably you are doing a lot of shorter sharpening work in preparation for BIRC?<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Pete hasn't entered BIRC this year. He's been too busy breaking his thumb and getting married to Janice.<br /><br />I must be odd, I've never found long distance rows boring - well not yet anyway. Perhaps it's the incentive prizes that help.<br /><img src='http://static.flickr.com/25/58464194_44d8c8cf78_m.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /> <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Don't listen to him ... Dougie's a freak of nature!!!<br /><br />

Thanks for the replies, very much appreciated. I managed to row a bit longer today:<br /><br />45mins = 12331m / 1:49.7 / 22spm<br /><br />Herein perhaps lies the problem. Even though I'm not doing long enough distance at the moment, my rowing has got better. I'm rowing the same splits at much lower rates than I was before. My power per stroke is higher, and so over long distance it's just more tiring! I could have carried on longer at this pace and rate had the gym not been so hot today, but I decided I'd sweated enough by this point.<br /><br />TV, dvds, cordless headphones etc aren't an option as I row in a gym at work. Once I get back into the distance rowing I don't like the distractions anyway. Generally if I'm getting bored it really means I'm not rowing hard enough I find.<br /><br />As others have said, I have had a lot on the last few months - a broken thumb, a wedding, a honeymoon, a second wedding reception, etc, etc. All more fun than erging. Well, apart from the broken thumb.<br /><br />Pete

I got into longer distance rowing after a nearly 10 year break by doing 2k intervals with 10 seconds rest time and I tried to go one or two further until I did 6x2k then I started doing 8, 10, 12, then 15k in one go.<br /><br />This allowed me not to stop just when I did not feel like going any further; instead I forced myself to finish the current 2k.<br /><br />I think even after a shorter break it takes a few weeks to get back to past performances. The first few rows do not need to be at any fantastic pace!!<br /><br />Good luck and welcome to the club (of married rowers!!)<br /><br />Holm

Pete,<br /><br />I tend to do 60 min sessions and at a gym so no access to TV etc.<br /><br />I often break the session down.<br /><br />1. I use negative splits. Target is say 1:52 for steady 60 min workout so I will start at say 1:56 for 6 min then down to 1:55 for 6 min etc <br /><br />2. Same thing with stroke rate either negativ splits or pyramid<br /><br />3. Watts per stroke; for me only 11 so do say 5 min at 20 spm and 220 watts, then 22 spm at 242 watts then 24, 22,20, 22 and so on.<br /><br />If I pick the right average still a good workout but a bit of variety that helps the time pass. Also by changing only every say 5 minutes it helps concentrate on smooth efficient stroke as well. Sometimes though I just get on and do a steady 1:52 for 60 min but that does require focus.<br /><br />Neil B.<br /><br />

Good suggestions from Neil, Holm and Mark.<br /><br />You could also try a variety of intervals. For instance:<br /><br />2 x 3000m even, moderate effort<br />3 x 2000m negative split;<br />3 x 1500m, with second 500m faster;<br />3 x 1000m, descending 1 to 3 (i.e each progressively faster)<br />3 x 500m, descending 1 to 3 (last one hard!).<br /><br />Total: 21K. Rest: 30 seconds between each interval.<br />To help with the boredom of longer even pace intervals, use a HR monitor and try to achieve the lowest HR for a given pace, or try to go as fast as possible without exceeding a predetermined target HR.<br />This is just an example, the possibilities are limitless. Some of those intervals could be L4, or done at different stroke rates, etc.<br />The 30 seconds rest is long enough for staying hydrated and to partially recover from some of the faster intervals, but short enough to keep the benefits of a distance workout.

Well I must be different from most because I am with Dougie, I don't get bored with them as I like to remain focused and work hard. Equally I have to pull the same pace all the time, once I start fartleking or negative splitting I lose concentration and interest.<br /><br />I honestly think that that you are just not concentating enough Pete. You have to be focused on what you want to get out of the session before you start in my opinion.<br /><br />PS Try the Pete Plan, it is supposed to be good

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->My power per stroke is higher, and so over long distance it's just more tiring! </td></tr></table><br /><br />Indeed!<br /><br />1:50 @ 22 spm is just not the same as 1:50 @ 28 spm (or whatever).<br /><br />I would just keep it up, and not at 1:50 @ 22 spm but, given what you would like to shoot for for 2K, knowing your ability, at about 1:46 @ 22 spm.<br /><br />It takes a lot of time to get used to carrying a big stroke over a long distance.<br /><br />I would just carry the stroke across the distance (15K, whatever)--in whatever way you can. <br /><br />Take a small (15 seconds or so) whenever the rowing gets too hard and your HR gets out of hand.<br /><br />Then as the days go by, try to reduce the number of breaks until the row is continuous.<br /><br />ranger

<!--QuoteBegin-Pete Marston+Nov 10 2005, 03:18 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Pete Marston @ Nov 10 2005, 03:18 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I'm finding it very difficult to get back into distance rowing, and I'm not sure why.[right] </td></tr></table><br /><br />That is normal when you've been away from doing distance for awhile.<br /><br />Especially the first session or two seems to take forever but after that you get in the groove and everything gets easier.<br /><br />My suggestion is to back way off the pace, lighten your stroke and take your time until you get used to the distance again.<br /><br />Then your times will keep automatically coming down to where you were or faster than before.<br />

Pete, <br /><br />When I do the hour it's like a magic barrier to pass 35 min. It <i>may</i> be that it takes that long to find "second breath" or "the groove" or whatever. Or that long to get some serious endorphines. <br /><br />Another reason <i>might</i> be that I by then have rowed at a higher intensity for say 5 minutes and seen that I actually could do that, even though it was feeling mentaly tough after 20min and I thought I really strained myself to get to 30 min. Seeing that may stimulate endorphines making it much more exciting. <br /><br />It <i>may</i> also just be the higher intensity that led to endorphines. Not the increase. <br /><br />So perhaps you should try, when you are about to quit, adding 20w for a couple of minutes. See the average wattage increase, feel you can do the higher intensity, and maybe it will feel less boring. <br /><br />Being comfortable and at ease is also important for performing well at long rows and since it is a stressful situation I think only being used to it will give the body this extra comfort needed, so that it does not signal to get off all the time. (Hm...there must have been some shorter way to express that )