It was serious question, its interesting getting other peoples views.
The 'Grudge Match', very staged event, good cop bad cop, or in this case good erger, bad erger!! I can't watch it myself as it makes me cringe.
Mental toughness is a huge part of rowing a 2k, also belief in your own ability, also numbers, the numbers you see in training guide you to your race pace.
The ability to know your limits, when I was racing I could on most occasions predict to the second my 2k time. There wernt many races I finished feeling I could have gone faster, maybe a few of the earlier ones but not many.
If your interested, my WIRC Hammer when I was 39, I wen't out after 5.52 (1.28's), my w/up and splits were
Race w/up 5.5k 19.32
15minute break.
5.53.4 New PB and Hammer, Nice!
Splits :-
500 - 87.7 - 36 - 0
1000 - 88.6 - 33 - 0
1500 - 88.7 - 33 - 0
2000 - 88.3 - 37 - 0
My days of sub 6 rowing are long gone but racing again, you never know! This winter will tell me if 'I have it' still
cheers for now.
Big Bird