Forum Flyers

[jackarabit]

All happening on the 6km leaderboard over the past couple of days. Every time I go in to check there are another couple of names to shuffle between boats. I like the smugness of the 1st boat boys with their "just chucked a casual time in" or "held myself under a heart rate cape".

We've managed to float our 2nd boat today, and currently occupying 26th and 65th positions on the leaderboard.

I started mine with a target pace that was consistent with my recent 5km and 10km pieces, but something went a bit wobbly a couple of kms in. Well, a picture is worth a thousand words...



In the end I only managed to shave 0.9 seconds off my 40+ PB, but I'll take that. Not quite the 20-30 seconds that my predictor was suggesting, but I guess it just wasn't right on the day.

Good to see you getting back into the mix, Andrew. I've been working back through old forum posts and annual team metre lists, and it's interesting to spot the names that have stuck it out, and also how many revolving door people we have each year. As long as we have that core group putting metres into challenges, and posting occasionally, I suppose we at least have something to offer the in-and-out group too.

BikeErg race on Zwift tonight - round 2 of their Classics series. At least got me off the couch and I ended up pushing harder than originally planned. CTC is pencilled in tomorrow, but might also take a quick first sighter at the 500m.

Dave

Can’t say you didn’t second wind it and kick it over the line on pure power! A pb is a pb no matter how you dice the effort. It looks even better considering you didn't make up some lame excuse about your ear buds cutting out.

[lindsayh]

C2 V8C
C2 SDC
C2 SAH-8
Song modded for our current predicament: “In My Zoom”
RA is Radio Australia, right?

I like V8C I think Jack.
sorry about the acronym - RA = Rowing Australia - Kathleen is on their staff as their Indoor Rowing coordinator

[AndrewCrystal]

Good job on the 40+ PB Dave, looks like on the right day you can take a big chunk off that one as well

Will have a go at a 500m piece in the next couple of days, long long time since I did one of those! lol

[Johnny S]

Trying to build a base at the moment so did a 4 x 2500m, 90s rest. Working on keeping a low stroke rate and maintaining a heart rate of 125bpm. Unfortunately, the battery went flat on my chest sensor so had to guess most of it. Still kept at 19 spm so was happy with that.

[Marty ECU]

Hello everyone, I recently joined the team to compete in the spring challenge. I bought my Concept 2 this past January to help get back into shape. I’m looking forward to competing in challenges with the team to help me stay motivated.

-Marty
Pittsburgh, PA

[graycyn]

Checking in!

Been rowing to contribute meters to the World Erg challenge. Trying to increase my time on the machine, very slowly, in hopes of being able to do more CTC in the future, but that'll depend on just what the challenges are.

I managed 22 minutes total today and 3K meters! A LOT of low stroke rate. I did have some nerve pain after, but not bad, so I'll back down a bit, not try something like that every day. I want to improve, not aggravate! I haven't forgotten how rowing 2700m three days straight during the Valentine's Day challenge caused a back flare-up. So mostly I've been doing shorter sessions, but adding slightly longer ones on days I feel up to it.

Don't have time to catch up and read tonight, early AM senior shopping tomorrow! Stay safe, everyone!

And hi to the new members!

[Slothful1]

Trying to build a base at the moment so did a 4 x 2500m, 90s rest. Working on keeping a low stroke rate and maintaining a heart rate of 125bpm. Unfortunately, the battery went flat on my chest sensor so had to guess most of it. Still kept at 19 spm so was happy with that.

Looks like a good solid session there. Good way to start building back up again, and you should be ready for a good benchmarking 2000m session in early May for the Spring VIIIs .

Dave

[Slothful1]

Hello everyone, I recently joined the team to compete in the spring challenge. I bought my Concept 2 this past January to help get back into shape. I’m looking forward to competing in challenges with the team to help me stay motivated.

-Marty
Pittsburgh, PA

Welcome on board, Marty, and thanks for the contribution which got you into the second boat. As mentioned in the logbook mail, there are some other challenges to look out for where extra contributions always welcome.

The first round for the Spring VIII series is closed, although some small changes to the boats might happen for any late logbook entries (deadline to finalise from my side is 17:00 GMT today). So far Boat 1 is sitting in 43rd and Boat 2 in 104th out of 152, so a good effort with some fast times coming through. The 500 metre round is open, so looking forward to seeing what we can do with the shorter stuff.

Dave

[Slothful1]

Checking in!

Been rowing to contribute meters to the World Erg challenge. Trying to increase my time on the machine, very slowly, in hopes of being able to do more CTC in the future, but that'll depend on just what the challenges are.

I managed 22 minutes total today and 3K meters! A LOT of low stroke rate. I did have some nerve pain after, but not bad, so I'll back down a bit, not try something like that every day. I want to improve, not aggravate! I haven't forgotten how rowing 2700m three days straight during the Valentine's Day challenge caused a back flare-up. So mostly I've been doing shorter sessions, but adding slightly longer ones on days I feel up to it.

Don't have time to catch up and read tonight, early AM senior shopping tomorrow! Stay safe, everyone!

And hi to the new members!

Good to see you haven't been put off by your abrupt blocking on the weightloss thread you started . I'm still thinking through my response to the debate that has started about that - I think it would be good to clarify the unwritten rules for the benefit of everyone. I suspect that a thread that is set up for everyone on a similar journey to contribute to, might go down better, and would still achieve the same motivation benefit. And obviously this little corner of the forum is always available for sharing.

I started rowing at the gym in my late 20s when I realised that the sedentary work and study life couldn't go on forever. I have a regular rollercoaster on my weight graph, but know what I need to do when things are climbing too much. So far I'm still maintaining 15kg below my peak weight around 20 years ago, but still want to knock another 10 off, and that's where the roller coaster has been running since the first kid arrived 11 years ago. I'm just under 10 up on where I was back then, so keep trying to chip back down slowly.

Dave

[meerkats]

Did a 10k easy last night, then thought i'd put a 500m in as might not get the chance the rest of the week. Completely different animal and reminded me what trying to extend this and row the 2k at the same speed might be...........

Fitting in as much as I can in April, with planned trial 2k at the beginning of May and all training based on that time. All plans will lead me and bro for a Boston return next year with Welsh Champs in November as the tester.

Had the cartilage removed or at least most of it a year back and so far no further issues, hoping the rest of the body holds up

Lovely to see lots of activity and new names about.

If you didn't know I'm a former captain who led the flyers into battle, until work and actually running got completely in the way. My run on the CTC is second to only one, so i've completely abandoned rowing. Like any sport you drift in and out and i feel a bit of an in phase coming up. Lie I said before don't pressure yourself too much and try short term targets. Just respect that the C2 is one of the best machines for aerobic fitness. Stick with it, do 3-4 sessions a week, eat everything in moderation and you will see results. If you want to do the times, you'll need to do specific training pieces, so read up and stick to a plan, again, hard work will reap the riches. If you are in the HWT bracket and stand next to a monster like Mat Pinsent, you'll soon realise that you were not destined to beat him on the C2, the C2 is unique, it is ultimately a battle with yourself and that can be the hardest bit.

[AndrewCrystal]

Hi Chris, nice work on the early 500m. I did pretty much the same yesterday aft as well, did mine after a 30R20 session and so weird to try and get the pace down and the stroke rate up - think I still only managed an S/R of 32 over the 500m! lol As you said, totally different beast!

Pretty sure I saw you were hoping to get lwt status before the next race, how's that coming along? Against all expectations I'm only around 3lb off getting to that myself - would certainly feel like a more level playing field that rowing against Graham Benton!

Was actually wondering how people do it for the CTC - not too bad if you're several pounds below the limit but what about if you hover around the limit - do people weigh themselves before rowing or is it not taken that strictly for the CTC? Hoping to get down to a few pounds under in the long run but just wondered at what point to ask Dougie to change me over... will have a look around here / facebook when I get there

[rtbrouwer]

I am thinking about posting a 500m time this week for the spring challange but must say I am not looking forward to it
Did one last week for the FMMC and was nauseous for at least a full hour afterwards.....

Anybody have any tips?

[AndrewCrystal]

I am thinking about posting a 500m time this week for the spring challange but must say I am not looking forward to it
Did one last week for the FMMC and was nauseous for at least a full hour afterwards.....

Anybody have any tips?

I don't think that there are any magic tips to take away the pain but you must have really gone for it to feel that bad for so long afterwards - what time did you do, what was your stroke rate and how did the splits look?

People normally rate very high for it as it's just a really short (though very painful!) sprint but I think most people do around 35 - 40 SPM plus on a really flat out attempt probably a little slower over the last 100m pace wise but SPM can go up even higher as nothing left in the muscles to create as much force - commonly know as trading rate for pace. Personally I much prefer the slower build up of pain over a 5K or longer, really don't like the lactic burn of the 500m and 1000m. It's definitely something you can train for though and get used to to some extent if you are that way inclined with stuff like 10 x 1min on/off, 6 x 250m / 2.30 rest etc.

I tend to find it doesn't get too bad for the first 250m and then gets a lot worse really fast from there. The only 'trick' I use is to count the strokes down to try and distract myself and keep going - 25 strokes to go doesn't seem too bad somehow... Only other thing to say is make sure you warm up really well first including a few bursts at the target pace.

[meerkats]

As Andrew said, warm up is the key and dont rush it. I normally look at 10 fast strokes every 1-1.30mins for at least 10 mins.

then get up, walk around stretch, you should have a bit of a sweat before a proper sprint. Gird your loins, protect you back by engaging the core for the first few strokes and then wallop.....

Andrew, yes, currently 6lbs off, so will take it down gradually. Lets go as LWTS to Cardiff in Nov?? NOt sure about the CTC as I dont think I have ever done it, I have a different login for doing the ski erg, , but yes ask Dougie

[rtbrouwer]

I am thinking about posting a 500m time this week for the spring challange but must say I am not looking forward to it
Did one last week for the FMMC and was nauseous for at least a full hour afterwards.....

Anybody have any tips?

I don't think that there are any magic tips to take away the pain but you must have really gone for it to feel that bad for so long afterwards - what time did you do, what was your stroke rate and how did the splits look?

Meters - time - split - rate
100 - 17.2 - 1:26.0 - 38
200 - 16.8 - 1:24.0 - 39
300 - 17.1 - 1:25.5 - 35
400 - 17.2 - 1:26.0 - 38
500 - 17.5 - 1:27.5 - 41

So total time was 1:25.7 at R38

don't know if I am able to go as deep as I did last week but I can pull a time under 1:30 any day of the week

The 500m sprint by it's own is no problem. I used to be a cyclist and timetrials and races I am used to being in the paincave, love it there. The only problem is the nausea afterwards, never really had that problem with cycling. Think I could do better on the warming up.