Looking for advice to help improve my times

[Stuminator]

I am new to this Forum and new to rowing. I purchased a "Brand X" rower back in July and started rowing regularly. I have rowed around 430K meters since July. I quickly became disillusioned by my rower, however, and decided to purchase a C2, mostly because of the PM3 monitor, after becoming a regular reader of this Forum.
I am a 50 yr old male, 6'3", 195 lbs and posted times this morning of 2.35/500m and overall 7290m/30 minutes with the damper set at 3.5. I feel like I've kind of hit a wall, at this pace, and need some advice. My question is; should I just keep rowing or do I need to add some weight training to my regimen to help get my 500m times under 2 minutes? I've been impressed with the overall quality of discussion on this Forum and will value any advice given.

[johnlvs2run]

Keep rowing, and your times will come down as you get used to the exercise.

[Citroen]

posted times this morning of 2.35/500m and overall 7290m/30 minutes

What stroke rate was that done at?

with the damper set at 3.5.

What drag factor is that giving you?

I think you simply need to work harder. Rowing intervals can help. Instead of 30mins try a warm-up, 8*500m 3:00rest then a cool down.

Take a look at some of the training plans; Wolverine (search on here), Pete Plan (http://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/), C2 Interactive (on http://concept2.co.uk) or C2 weight loss (also on the C2 UK site)

[BrianStaff]

I am a 50 yr old male, 6'3", 195 lbs and posted times this morning of 2.35/500m and overall 7290m/30 minutes

Maybe I am mis-reading something here, but your times do not seem right.

If you pull a 500m at 2:35 pace, then you cannot do 7290m in 30 mins. I do see that if you did do 7290 in 30 mins then that is at a pace of 2:03.5

Is that what you meant?

Brian

[Stuminator]

I appreciate your thoughts. Yes you're correct, my time this morning was 2:03.5. I lowered my tamper from 5 to 3.5, based on some Forum chat, in an effort to see what works best for me. My drag factor went from around 125-30 to 115 or so. I have trouble keeping my pace steady at this point as it ranges widely. I like the idea of doing a series of shorter challenges and will try that.
On another note, I can see some positive changes in my physique already, which is quite motivating. While I'm a quite active 50 year old (bicycling and rock climbing) I wanted to "kick it up a notch" which is why I got interested in the rower. Now that I'm hooked, I plan to work out hard this winter and then see if I can join our local rowing club next spring.