Concept2 Forum

Okay, gang,<br /><br />which among the plethora of variables is the "best" to monitor and use as the dependent variable of choice when it comes to assessing the efficacy of a training program with respect to the event in question? Which variable(s) is(are) best for 2k; for half marathon; for marathon, etc.?<br /><br />I ask this question because I just installed ErgMonitor and there are more cotton pickin' dependent measures on that screen than even the Pope could imagine So, if I want to do a PB at 2k at my age of 67, which measure(s) should I pay most attention to?<br /><br />tony

I use the ratios Watts/rating, Watts/kg, litres of sweat/h, Karvonen HRR bands and the relationships between these. Also the time it takes for HR to drop after w/o, perceived effort, flexibility and how quick I can get back into sculling, kayak, bike and freestyle after the winter break.<br /><br />If any of these could be considered a measure of good technique, it would be the one to watch.<br /><br />Shape in the mirror is useful and is adequately narcissistic, as also PBs themselves. Doing PBs of course could be evidence of some far worse form of mental disturbance, so very useful to our shrink too. To use these, unfortunately the only way is to pull them, and to keep records.<br /><br />However I shouldn't worry, all forms of exercise are effective; and that on the erg very much so, at least CV-wise, because it uses most muscle groups and so fully loads our systems. Luckily for me it seems to be addictive, no doubt via the endorphines produced, so has some chance of getting done.<br />

<!--QuoteBegin-jamesg+Jan 3 2006, 10:09 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(jamesg @ Jan 3 2006, 10:09 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Shape in the mirror is useful </td></tr></table><br />Would it be useful to have a long one to the side, or would other arrangements be more effective?

<!--QuoteBegin-John Rupp+Jan 6 2006, 08:53 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(John Rupp @ Jan 6 2006, 08:53 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-jamesg+Jan 3 2006, 10:09 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(jamesg @ Jan 3 2006, 10:09 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Shape in the mirror is useful </td></tr></table><br />Would it be useful to have a long one to the side, or would other arrangements be more effective? <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Both I guess. A mirror in front of me helped me realize that I did not always strech my arms during the stroke.

Tony,<br /><br />The most important figure is watts. Ultimately you are using the erg to measure the watts you produce and then converts them into other figures such as meters rowed. The problem is figuring how to produce the maximum average watts with the least amount of effort.<br /><br />When I first started using ErgMonitor (EM) I had the same kind of questions. That is when I came up with the idea of using EM in the background to record my races and time trials. I would try different SRs in the race and especially when I found something that felt like it worked really well I would save the output and study it further. Then I would watch EM during my workouts and try to replicate that force curve. It was also useful to wear my HRM and use that as a guide trying to get the maximum wattage with the lowest HR. Using this technique I found that a wide low force curve was the most efficient for me during my longer races. <br /><br />For the 2K the right leaning haystack seems to be the best for me. Unfourtunately just knowing how it should look doesn't make it any easier to do. Where EM is useful in an event like the 2K is that you can see what happens to your stroke when you start to get tired. Also when you are trying to pick up your SR for the final kick do you let your stroke change in some detrimental way. <br /><br />My suggestion is that you spend some time observing your stroke then work on one area at a time measuring the result. It takes a long time to learn a stroke and can take quite a while to change a part of it. <br /><br />Frank

"ErgMonitor" sounds interesting. Where can I get it?

[quote=jfo,Jan 6 2006, 09:12 AM]<br />"ErgMonitor" sounds interesting. Where can I get it? <br />[/quote<br /><br />Paul S's site: <br /><br /> <a href='http://www.ps-sport.net' target='_blank'>http://www.ps-sport.net</a><br /><br />(also home to C-Breeze - a cool idea)<br />

<!--QuoteBegin-FrankJ+Jan 6 2006, 09:53 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(FrankJ @ Jan 6 2006, 09:53 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Tony,<br /><br /><snip?<br /><br />My suggestion is that you spend some time observing your stroke then work on one area at a time measuring the result. It takes a long time to learn a stroke and can take quite a while to change a part of it. <br /><br />Frank <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Frank,<br /><br />thank so much. very, very helpful. <br /><br />tony

The shape of the Ergmonitor curve is what helps me the most. I tend to favor the weak points in my body (ankles and elbows) and rush the recovery. If I don't apply force evenly with both feet (nerve damage in one foot messes up my internal feedback) I get a dip in the curve. Same with rushing the recovery.<br /><br />grams