TimbukTOO Team Room

[Quatroux]

I developed a mild hip flexor strain during the Skeleton Crew Challenge. There was pain in my right side during the recovery movement. The severity and duration of the pain was in direct relation to the amount of effort exerted, but never bad enough to keep me off the rower. I knew that I was the problem (as opposed to rowing itself) when rest, stretching, and a muscle roller didn't have any impact. An Internet search revealed that my form was off. Xeno put it best with this:

"Make sure that you get your forward body angle at the hip joint. If the lift of the knees is the primary movement that makes you roll back to the catch, then you are overusing the hip flexor. When you hinge at the hip joint and wait to feel the tension in the hamstring, you can use the contraction of the hamstring to roll into the catch, that keeps the pressure off the hip flexors which is a much smaller muscle."

No pain today. I've only been rowing 6 months, but I feel like I am learning this all over again.

[BoB/335]

I rowed wrong for a long time (on and off) at the gym I go to before I ever discovered this site. I still think I probably have some things wrong that could possibly get me some better times.

"Bob G - 20,000 Hit the ground running!" That was 2 days!

[Quatroux]

"Bob G - 20,000 Hit the ground running!"

In one day!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[Izzzmeister]

I rowed wrong for a long time (on and off) at the gym I go to before I ever discovered this site. I still think I probably have some things wrong that could possibly get me some better times.

"Bob G - 20,000 Hit the ground running!" That was 2 days!

Yes, I know. My comment was about being on the team for 3 days & doing 10K each day (after averaging about 1,500m a day for the season until now).
It's good to row regularly, but don't forget the value of rest. Rest helps keep aches from becoming injuries, and tiredness from turning into overtraining. Some people do this by doing hard day/easy day, others by taking days off. Personally, I take one day off during the week, 2 over the weekend. (Okay, then I get stupid, & try for a personal best at some distance on Sunday after 60 hours of rest, so I end up tired anyway the whole week.) I also don't do 2 very hard days in a row, except within 3 weeks of racing season, when I'm working on my anaerobic threshhold.

[Izzzmeister]

Xeno: "Make sure that you get your forward body angle at the hip joint. If the lift of the knees is the primary movement that makes you roll back to the catch, then you are overusing the hip flexor. When you hinge at the hip joint and wait to feel the tension in the hamstring, you can use the contraction of the hamstring to roll into the catch, that keeps the pressure off the hip flexors which is a much smaller muscle."

The other 2 big reasons I make sure to bend at the hip joint are that 1) I get to take full breaths as I row, because my body is straight and not slumped, and 2) my body is the connection between my legs & arms, so I want that to be solid and not wobbly. Using my hip joint as the hinge helps keep my body firm (not tight) and my breathing regular.

[garygOP]

The only teaching or tutoring I have had has come from watching on-line videos- at C-2, XFit or U-tube.
I think my form is good- my back is fine- I kepp it between 11 and 1 o'clock, my knees dont hurt any more than normal, and I could not describe accurately even where my hip flexors are located.
I would surely benefit from coaching- from a competent and experienced source.
But I row more than anyone who uses the ergs at my gym ( at least at the times that I am there ).
There is no help close at hand.
So I just bang away.
Someday, I'll meet someone who can critique my form and point out what I am doing wrong.
What doesn't kill me, makes me stronger- or is that stranger?

[BoB/335]

The only teaching or tutoring I have had has come from watching on-line videos- at C-2, XFit or U-tube.
I think my form is good- my back is fine- I kepp it between 11 and 1 o'clock, my knees dont hurt any more than normal, and I could not describe accurately even where my hip flexors are located.
I would surely benefit from coaching- from a competent and experienced source.
But I row more than anyone who uses the ergs at my gym ( at least at the times that I am there ).
There is no help close at hand.
So I just bang away.
Someday, I'll meet someone who can critique my form and point out what I am doing wrong.
What doesn't kill me, makes me stronger- or is that stranger?

Don't hold your breath if you're waiting for someone at the gym to come along with any help. EVERYONE I see rows wrong and half of them are accompanied by a personal trainer who obviously knows nothing about rowing. I have read people here suggest that you have someone videotape you and send a link here for some to review. ( I never did this)

I did 5000 meters everyday for the Fall Challenge and have done 5000-10000 here and there since then. I felt I needed a break today and only did 2000 meters and then a circuit workout. Felt good to hit the weights again since I haven't done them since starting the Challenge. I would really like to hit the 200,000 mark for this one but I have been happier with the balance I have been doing since the last challenge so I don't know what to do right now but 10,000 everyday seems like it might not be a good idea right now.

[damselfly]

Yeah, probably 10k a day for 30 days would be too much...

Hope to hit the trail tomorrow. I've done 3 days at 11k, and it's time for a break. Don't know why, I just like 11s. Maybe it's the influence of Nigel Tufnel.

(Actually it's what I can row in an hour.)

[Kathy B]

Hi All,

I try to row min of 5,000 meters a day at the gym. I row in the morning before work, so if I have a few extra minutes I try to get in an extra 1,000. For the challenges I do try to push myself a little more.

I also was rowing wrong for a while till someone told me about this site. Since I started in 2008-9, I still plug away when I can, but I did row in the Crash B's in 2009. My goal was not to be last for my age group! I did pretty well, considering I had only rowed since Oct 2008 and that was in Jan or Feb 2009.

Izz, there is no before pic. I have not lost weight rowing. I row because my back won't let me play tennis at the level I used to play. So I picked up rowing.

I love football and tailgating, food and socializing to much to ever lose weight rowing. It's all good. I think I am in pretty good shape for my age and just trying to keep my muscles strong!

I enjoy reading everyone's posts and comments and it really keeps me going!

I am thinking of doing the Crash B's again this year. If anyone is going, let me know, maybe we call all meet face to face!

Thanks All and Row Strong!

Kathy

[BoB/335]

Yeah, probably 10k a day for 30 days would be too much...

I read a lot of numbers on this site that has made me think that this is very do-able. Did 6200 this morning.

5000 meters at a time has been my usual when I get on the erg. 5000 per day has been a good goal for me during the Fall Challenge and even though I stopped every day since, I continue doing a minimum of 5000 when I get on it and occassionally 6200-10000. When I don't erg I do some other form of cardio. Either stationary bike (while using 6lb dumbells for upper body at the same time. Love this workout) or the elliptical and every other day circuit training at a good pace. I am a diabetic and exercise has become my medication so I try hard not to miss my meds.

[Izzzmeister]

All hands on deck, working off the leftovers! 16 of 49 members (33%) logged 161,097 total meters Tuesday, keeping us from being offered a seasonal job to put on a red suit!

Milestones: Jeff S hit 700K, Andy I reached 600K, Daiva S made it to 150K while Deb J hit 15K!
Approaching milestones: Jamie (-6,241m) nearer 700K, Fred (-7,889m) close to 600K, Cindy (-17,200m) challenging 500K, Kathy picturing 400K (-22,078m), Bob G (-12,222m), Marius (-4,500m), Bob (-10,222m) & Glenn (-12,835m) race towards 350K, Bernie nearing 100K (-9,928m) while Deb is now working on 25K (-8,108m)!

Posted Meters:
John S - 23,686 Thanksgiving races now behind us…
David W - 21,354 #40 among all rowers!
Heather R - 20,000 Wow!
Adam M - 13,000 In serious training…
Jamie B - 11,333 Five big rows in 5 days…

Lisa H - 11,104 Yes, 11 is high volume!
Jeff S - 11,000 I guess elevening is contagious…
Marius S - 10,000 Good distance!
Andy I - 8,437 A regular guy!
Andrew A - 7,343 Great consistency…

James C - 6,512 Getting the stamina to keep up with his toddler…
Daiva S - 5,000 Nice to see back-to-back rows from you!
Kevin K - 4,047 On the summit…
Deb J - 3,281 Making this a habit…
Bernie J - 3,000 …with the whole family involved!
Bob G - 2,000 Keeping it real!

I’m glad to say that this should be the last post in which our total raised will be at $0.00! Looks like Heather will be the first to pry open C2’s wallet…

[cindyreck]

Hi all! I finally took the time to post my meters from the last week or so. I should be able to get the 100K for the challenge. I look forward to it every year. It keeps me honest during this season of intense food consumption. Looks like many TimbukToo-ians are off to a strong start! I'm so impressed!

I was reading the posts about form and hip flexors...I think I could use some help with my form, too. I feel like my quads should be doing more work than they do. My shin muscles are large and always sore and overworked. I'm thinking maybe I need to adjust the foot pedal thingys, but when I do, it doesn't feel right (not that I would expect it to after years of rowing the way I do). But a HUGE problem for me is that my butt gets so sore I can hardly stand it! It's downright painful and that's after only about 15 min. I spend the last 15 min. of my workout trying to shift myself around on the seat so it doesn't hurt so badly. I got one of those foam seat cushions from C2. Eh. It helped a little, but now it doesn't help at all. I've tried putting a folded towel on the seat- feels good at first, but then not so much after awhile. Anybody else have this problem? I am so amazed that people can stay on the rower long enough to row a half-marathon or even crazier- a full marathon.

Well, I'm off to have a great day!! I hope you all do the same!
Row strong!
Cindy

[damselfly]

... keeping us from being offered a seasonal job to put on a red suit!

Good one! Though even Santas need an erg break during the holidays!!

[damselfly]

But a HUGE problem for me is that my butt gets so sore I can hardly stand it! It's downright painful and that's after only about 15 min. I spend the last 15 min. of my workout trying to shift myself around on the seat so it doesn't hurt so badly. I got one of those foam seat cushions from C2. Eh. It helped a little, but now it doesn't help at all. I've tried putting a folded towel on the seat- feels good at first, but then not so much after awhile. Anybody else have this problem? I am so amazed that people can stay on the rower long enough to row a half-marathon or even crazier- a full marathon.

Cindy

I use one of those kneeling pads that are intended for use when gardening. I put that on the seat and then a folded towel over that, since it's a sort-of plastic surface and sweating on it isn't fun. Pretty comfy. Others use bubble wrap, but I haven't tried that...

This is the thing I'm talking about...



Or if you're a child of the sixties...

[brick1101]

cindyreck wrote: But a HUGE problem for me is that my butt gets so sore I can hardly stand it! It's downright painful and that's after only about 15 min.

I can so relate. When I get wrapped up in these challenges my butt is in agony developing rashes from the increased time on that hard seat. I row on bubble-wrap which helps some. Not to gross anyone out: I make up bandages by folding over toilet paper and then attach that to duct tape. The duct tape/toilet paper goes over the sore spots which stops the friction and abrasion. After my workout and shower I put Balmex on the sore spots. It helps... one of the rowing coaches I erg with recommended the cushions Concept 2 sells....I'm seriously going to check into them.
ROW TEAM!!!