Greg,
I'm no expert, but just getting some other type of cross training should help (it will definitely help). I have run many miles along with many pull-ups in the U.S. Marine Corps and these other forms of training helped me while I transitioned to erging. I used to run 10 miles a day doing pull-ups(anywhere from 50 to 100 in total) every few days. Some days to keep the wife happy I went to the gym with her instead of running and hopped on the erg machine. Same type of workout on the C2 as running which meant about an hour of erging at a good pace. So, during that time frame I combined both forms of training and did fairly well on the erg. I was about 15 seconds slower on the 2k performance when I was cross training. Now, I am just erging and I am a lot faster, so for me there is a lot of give and take. Just keep doing some form of training, however, if you really what to have a top performance win the lottery, stay home, and just erg all day long.
On your second question. Write bigger and wear bifocals like me. Seriously I write large enough so I can see. I write my planned out workout in advanced, for example:
180 67 meaning 2467 meters
178 57
184 84
178 57
180 67
178 57
I already know in my head that a 180 is 4,3,2,1 and I know the pace already. So writing down the pace is not needed. But if you need a cheat sheet then write down the info you need to help remember those sequences or paces. I have done this in the past when I am just learning a new sequence.
My L4 sessions are normally just 6 different sequences so only an handful of numbers are required.
Some of the other members here have been using the WP for years and may have even better ideas.
Best of luck from a former cross town rival (Clocker)
Bill
61 - 5'7" 154 lbs. 5 time lwt 50 to 59 age group American record holder.