using running marathon training for the erg.

[fnow]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the erg. I've been a runner and have ran a few full marathons and a few half marathons. Because of an accident I now have a lacerated ACL and torn meniscus in my knee. No more high impact running for me. The erg will be great for me now. My question is training plans. I know all about training plans for running ie: long runs, tempo runs, intervals and pacing. But how does that apply to rowing. I'm interested in racing short races but I also want to train for the marathon on the C2. My first attempt at a 2000m race was 7:18:00. I'm using a C2 model E with RowPro software. OK to the question. Can I just do my training for a running marathon but do it on the erg. Any feed back is welcome especially on pacing. Frank

[Citroen]

Pick your poison.

http://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/beginner-training/

http://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/the-pete-plan/

http://www.concept2.com/forums/wolverine_plan.htm

[Citroen]

http://concept2.co.uk/training/interactive

http://concept2.co.uk/training/fast_track

http://concept2.co.uk/training/cross_tr ... n/download

[Citroen]

The training for the ergo is exercising a much greater range of muscles than running, so you're probably better off trying one the the rowing plans.

The basics are going to be the same as any general fitness plan but the specifics will be more suited to rowing.

[bobkwan2007]

I'm not going offer any training advice, but perhaps a warning. Long runs, tempos, and intervals are easy compared to the similar efforts on the erg. It is a challenge more so mentally than physically. Whereas you are watching the scenery go by as you run, you watch the seconds or meters tick down as you erg, and it's boring as watching paint dry. For me the perceived elapsed time for running to rowing is about 3:1.

Even if you find something to occupy your mind like music or TV, it still a challenge after a few months. I envy you guys who can get out OTW on a regular basis.

But good luck in any case.

[joe80]

Following thirty years of largely trouble-free competitive running, I developed repeated calf injuries and plantar fasciitis which stopped me in my tracks seven years ago. Since then, I spent four years exclusively training on the erg but gradually and tentatively have started running again. I still cover an average of 15k+ each day on the machine but have built up to >50km running each week. This has been hard going as, I believe, aerobic fitness is best transferable when you keep training to some minimum degree at the activity you are trying to support.

One of the best benefits of training on the erg is that my flexibility has dramatically improved; I can now touch my toes easily, something that had been impossible since I was twelve years old. This may be part of the key to the return to running. My performance in weekly 5km races has improved markedly over the past few months and, I feel, still has some way to go. It's also pleasing to see that erg performance has not declined and, in fact, I have recorded HM & FM best performances recently.

On the basis of my experience, I don't think you can train exclusively on the C2 and expect to run well in races.

Regards,

Joe