Indoor rowing novice - 2k advice

[tbowles]

I'm sorry for not curbing my newby-enthusiasm a bit more ... but I do have yet another question for the group.

I am just not sure how to think about the log.concept2 rankings ... does those represent most of the best times posted, or are there other great times that don't get posted? I just don't know how widespread/consistent people and events are in posting their times. Also, could anyone explain a 'verified' vs 'unverified' time to me?

I just don't want to kid myself into thinking that if I can row a 6:40 at 48 yr old lightweight (clearly wildly unproven at this point!!), that I am a good rower ... I'm so new to this and untrained (As a rower, that is), that I would prefer to 'get checked' ("not as good as you think you are, mate!") as early as possible.

Being a smidge uninformed, I seem to see big blokes rowing 6:20's all day long, and good ones under 6:00 ... so as a somewhat older guy and lightweight (comfortably), is it really correct to see rather large time differences and still be competitive?

I know I'm getting way ahead of myself ... but I'm just wondering if it's appropriate to get my competitive juices flowing ... (fueled only with 'hope' and expectation at this point!)

[hjs]

The rankings are far from complete, most otw rowers do not rank, certainly the open classes are far from complete. Looking at the wr makes more sence, those are more or less complete.

Re rankings, we over here have big race, 1300/1400 people racing at our nationals, of those times 95% does not get ranked.

Veterans, the number if veterans racing is, over here, very limited over 2k, people either row otw or fir fitness reasons, very few want to race indoors. We over here have a longer race, 20 min TT, this is part of a otw series, veteran level here is a good bit higher.

You first need to get training, and worry about rankings later

[lindsayh]

I am just not sure how to think about the log.concept2 rankings ... does those represent most of the best times posted, or are there other great times that don't get posted? I just don't know how widespread/consistent people and events are in posting their times. Also, could anyone explain a 'verified' vs 'unverified' time to me?
I just don't want to kid myself into thinking that if I can row a 6:40 at 48 yr old lightweight (clearly wildly unproven at this point!!), that I am a good rower ... I'm so new to this and untrained (As a rower, that is), that I would prefer to 'get checked' ("not as good as you think you are, mate!") as early as possible. Being a smidge uninformed, I seem to see big blokes rowing 6:20's all day long, and good ones under 6:00 ... so as a somewhat older guy and lightweight (comfortably), is it really correct to see rather large time differences and still be competitive?I know I'm getting way ahead of myself ... but I'm just wondering if it's appropriate to get my competitive juices flowing ... (fueled only with 'hope' and expectation at this point!)

Henry is right - don't second guess the times too much too early. There are certainly a lot of unranked and amazing times in the under 40s but I reckon later the rankings are a much more accurate benchmark although there would still be many unranked but probably the top 20% is a good indicator of what people can do. In many parts of the world there are good opportunities to satisfy your competitive juices and 6:40 is a serious goal and if you get to that in the next few years you will be doing really well (and a 50+ by then even more competitive). You can race well though even without be ranked in the top ten in the world of course. The erg is a real truth machine -- you can't hide or manipulate it.
The big blokes will in general always be faster than the little guys but remember there are very few 48+yo at sub 6:20 (a handful) - the top end of the rankings are accurate.
Verified times are achieved by gaining a code from the monitor - simple to do just have a look on the C2 site. It provides a 16 digit code which matches the performance piece by date, distance and time. Good idea to get into the habit for ranking pieces. You can also verify by race result or by transferring directly from a C2 log card or from Ergdata.

http://www.concept2.com/service/monitor ... ation-code

[tbowles]

I would be a disaster OTW but would love to venture there and learn once I am conditioned properly. I can't imagine a better way to stay fit and connected in retirement. The comrade rid and friendly (but serious) competition in Masters running is fantastic ... it'd be wonderful to have another sport with similar dynamics.

Thanks for a realistic assessment of the rankings and an understanding of "verified". I do like the motivation to know what I am working toward.

So now .... well-said!: "You first need to get training, and worry about rankings later"
Agreed!

[tbowles]

"comraderie"
... my phone 'corrected me' to."comrade rid"... apologies

[tbowles]

6:55.1 tonight. Stroke was inconsistent, I could not get my breathing right, and I did not have a Sprint at the end. But I gutted it out, and a nice Improvement. I've still got a long way to go but a very encouragingood row tonight. Thank you guys so much for the helpful tips, links to rankings, all the helpful videos. I know I'm just getting started, but I'm excited.