Lightweight Rower

General discussion on Training. How to get better on your erg, how to use your erg to get better at another sport, or anything else about improving your abilities.
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The_Giant0
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Lightweight Rower

Post by The_Giant0 » February 12th, 2012, 7:59 pm

Hi, I am a freshman at University and walked on to the lightweight team. I weight 157 (preworkout) and am 6 ft 1.5in. I had never rowed before but had some success on the team. I got my 6K down to 21:06. Recently, I upped my training to 90-95 miles per week. For a couple weeks this was ok, but recently we started doing more 2k prep and stopped doing as much AT during our main practice, and I have become way more tired most of the time. Would it be a good idea to lower my mileage (stop doing as many doubles) and focus on having 100% energy for the fast workouts, or keep the mileage for another 4 weeks until right before racing season starts. Any advice would be appreciated as well as any wisdom on how I can improve my 2K time.

Thanks
6' 1" 182 lb. 2k: 6.08, 30': 8902

Bob S.
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Re: Lightweight Rower

Post by Bob S. » February 12th, 2012, 8:25 pm

The_Giant0 wrote:Hi, I am a freshman at University and walked on to the lightweight team. I weight 157 (preworkout) and am 6 ft 1.5in. I had never rowed before but had some success on the team. I got my 6K down to 21:06. Recently, I upped my training to 90-95 miles per week. For a couple weeks this was ok, but recently we started doing more 2k prep and stopped doing as much AT during our main practice, and I have become way more tired most of the time. Would it be a good idea to lower my mileage (stop doing as many doubles) and focus on having 100% energy for the fast workouts, or keep the mileage for another 4 weeks until right before racing season starts. Any advice would be appreciated as well as any wisdom on how I can improve my 2K time.

Thanks
What does your coach say about it? Doesn't the coach determine the training schedule?

Bob S.

The_Giant0
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Re: Lightweight Rower

Post by The_Giant0 » February 12th, 2012, 8:42 pm

we have official practice once a day, but many of the rowers to individual practices in addition a few times a week. I have been doing an additional 45-60K in practice per week. I do this at steady state pace (for me that is 1:58 @19-21 spm)
6' 1" 182 lb. 2k: 6.08, 30': 8902

Bob S.
Marathon Poster
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Joined: March 16th, 2006, 12:00 pm

Re: Lightweight Rower

Post by Bob S. » February 12th, 2012, 8:54 pm

The_Giant0 wrote:we have official practice once a day, but many of the rowers to individual practices in addition a few times a week. I have been doing an additional 45-60K in practice per week. I do this at steady state pace (for me that is 1:58 @19-21 spm)
Frankly, I feel that a lot of indoor rowing in middle of the OTW season is counterproductive. Extra time on the water is fine, if you feel that you need to build up endurance. In case the weather prevents going out in boat on a particular day, an indoor training session is in order for keeping in condition, but it is not all that great for maintaining your technique, especially if it is on a grounded machine.

Bob S.

The_Giant0
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Re: Lightweight Rower

Post by The_Giant0 » February 12th, 2012, 9:13 pm

we only go on the water twice a week so erging does not really interfere with that
6' 1" 182 lb. 2k: 6.08, 30': 8902

Bob S.
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Joined: March 16th, 2006, 12:00 pm

Re: Lightweight Rower

Post by Bob S. » February 13th, 2012, 12:06 am

The_Giant0 wrote:we only go on the water twice a week so erging does not really interfere with that
That's surprising to me. Most Uni programs have the rowers on the water 6 days a week.

Bob S.

ThatMoos3Guy
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Re: Lightweight Rower

Post by ThatMoos3Guy » February 14th, 2012, 12:19 am

If you're feeling tired and beat up then take a little time off from the double-sessions. Hard interval training takes a lot to recover from. It might feel weird, but I bet if you take a step back you'll start to pick up speed.

jcage218
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Re: Lightweight Rower

Post by jcage218 » February 15th, 2012, 12:37 pm

Bob S. wrote:
The_Giant0 wrote:we only go on the water twice a week so erging does not really interfere with that
That's surprising to me. Most Uni programs have the rowers on the water 6 days a week.

Bob S.
you do realize it is february.................. you know that time where it is really cold and in most places the water is frozen?

Bob S.
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Re: Lightweight Rower

Post by Bob S. » February 15th, 2012, 2:05 pm

jcage218 wrote:
Bob S. wrote:
The_Giant0 wrote:we only go on the water twice a week so erging does not really interfere with that
That's surprising to me. Most Uni programs have the rowers on the water 6 days a week.

Bob S.
you do realize it is february.................. you know that time where it is really cold and in most places the water is frozen?
Of course, but The-Giant0 said that his coach had them on the water twice a week, so in their situation OTW practice is available at this time of year. My statement applies to those schools that have that availability. I suppose that I should have qualified it with that, but I didn't think that it was necessary. The Uni programs that I am familiar with are on the west coast of the U.S. and most of those, from the three in San Diego, all the way to the U. of Washington in Seattle, have year round rowing available. At this time of year, UW might well be getting sleet, but the water is open and I can well believe that they are out on it.

Bob S.

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