Motivation to Erg

[hjs]

I like the sport and erging is the best way to get better at rowing... Pretty much everyone I know hates it because its so difficult. We hate it in a good way.

To me its not thst difficult, it simply is working, for some strange reason otw people always complain about that part. To improve yo have to push your body at least a bit, only the real 100% sessions are very tough, but that goes for every sport. No way around that.

[Cyclingman1]

I hate to say it, but 16 is mighty young to have a lot of perspective on what one wants to do or why do something, etc. Older C2 ergers do it for a number of reasons and make it work. If they don't like it, they quit. Being in a school, coached situation can bring unnecessary pressure to bear and make things not fun. If that is the case, that is unfortunate. You'll have to weigh the pluses and minuses of your various options.

[Edward4492]

Not to be too critical, but when the OP says he's extremely motivated but hates erging, sounds like a bit of internal conflict. This may sound a little nuts....but I can't wait to get on the erg! I've learned to keep the coma-inducing hard core sessions to a minimum, usually at the end of a long training block and maybe once a week.I really enjoy a nice hour long pull at a moderate pace where a rythm is established and I'm just cruisin'.I guess for OTW rowers the erg is viewed as a necessary evil. And of course perhaps the coach is pushing the guys too hard and making things miserable. But to be honest (2) x15m at 2:00m pace sounds pretty pedestrian. I went through this with bicycle time trials. Burned out real fast, in less than a year and sold all of my (expensive!) stuff. A steady diet of high intensity efforts left me fried. It's one of the things I like about erging, the competitive season is relatively short. Easy to stay motivated.

So. to the kid. keep the end goal in mind and go into your session using the techniques already mentioned here. Have targets, splits, numbers and maintain focus. Learn to love the erg!

[gregsmith01748]

I just did some quick math and I now understand one reason why you might hate your erg sessions.

Your 2K split is a 1:48 and you are targeting 2:00 for your steady state pieces. This is a 2K - 12 pace. In general, the pace for useful steady state is a fair bit slower that that. In another thread, the pace for long erg sessions is around 2K-20 to 2K-25.

Cruising for an hour at 2K-20 is a much more pleasurable experience than grinding out an hour at 2K-12.

Having said all that, if your coach is inflexible about steady state pace, then I guess you just have to suck it up and do your best. But, if you have the flexibility to slow down in these sessions, you'll probably be happier and will likely make more rapid improvements in your 2K scores.

[grahamcawood]

Why erg? To safely keep fit without wasting time, and to alert me if there are health(heart) issues. To look good in my bathroom mirror, And be proud that I'm not like the many obese types seen round town.
After many years single sculling I decided to do daily 30 minute ergs to a sweaty but comfortable level.
After a year of 2.03 ergs I started getting monthly jumps to about 2.10 for similar exertion levels.These would gradually drop again over about 3 weeks. I plotted these on a graph and showed my doctor. This led to 5x bypass surgery. After 3 weeks I was back on the erg, starting at 3.05. This has gradually dropped over a year to 2.05.
I'm 70,erg at 25spm, 1:1 in:out, 2 breaths per stroke. Also layback at the catch, heels on 20mm blocks, relaxed curved back. arms never forced straight.
Thank you - Erg! ( C2

[Steve Bainbridge]

Great question
I personally believe that's it's all about having a target.
A committed goal and a clear ,measurable path to that goal.
If it's a time or completion,visualise and tag something associated with that objective.
For example ,trying to beats someone's time:
If you can get a picture of that person,memorise it,then when you are on the hard bit 50 secs into a 500 m piece or last two reps on your heavy deadlift bring up their picture.
Feel how success,achieving your committed goal,will feel.
Follow the as if principle;
Put your mind in a position as if you had achieved,how did you feel,what were the steps to achieve etc.
Make sure that if it's a long term goal,you break it into shorter measurable chunks.
I know that without a committed goal,as is my challenge at the moment,I get on the erg and just do what feels comfortable.
Unfortunately that will not bring improvement and the erg is not about comfort
If you just want to enjoy ,ignore my ramblings
Cheers
Steve

[Dangerscouse]

Great answer Steve and it mirrors what I would I have said.

I'm a bit unsure bit are you saying you're training for a challenge? If you what is it?

[Gammmmo]

While I have specific performance goals in mind (and I feel I have room for improvement) erging is easy for me. I am one of those endurance junkies (have tried running, cycling, weights, swimming etc) and have since my mid teens had a fascination for what sort of numbers I could do and how that compares to others. It's built into me and at 46, it's still there...with the erg at the moment. That said I love racquet sports too. I also erg sometimes to clear my head and I love that feeling of being tired after a hard session. The only danger with this is eventually I won't physically be able to produce improvements...generally I try a different sport or maybe go for age-related positioning (that's already started really as I don't directly compare myself to good LWT ergers in their 20s) but eventually even that won't be enough. It's important to therefore always have something in mind as to what you can move onto and which will capture your attention. Hopefully this will keep you fit. I know I will for example do alot more fell-walking when I get older.

[H2O]

The split seems about right for a fully focused effort.
My 2K is currently at 1:43. On a somewhat hard effort for 2 x 20 mins I would consider 1:53 ( I am better at longer pieces than 2K). 2K+12 would not be very hard (with say 7 mins break) but would be a fully focused effort.
Your mind cannot really wander in a fully focused effort. You may not be able to deliver the splits but I cannot see how you could be "bored" or be "unmotivated".

Unfocused erging does you no good. I am fairly focused even on one hour rows (mostly on maintaining correct technique). That focus is then the lion share of the effort.

My advice is: increase the pace to 2k+10, the boredom and questioning may then go away.

[JerekKruger]

I wouldn't focus too much on answering the original question as it's four years old and the poster has probably found his answer or moved onto another sport

I'm lucky I guess, I find I have a fairly natural motivation to erg as I enjoy it for its own sake. Beyond that targets are what motivates me to push hard (or not when the situation demands it).

[Edward4492]

Well, it's four years later; and I still love to erg! In the meantime I've gotten competent OTW; that's gone to the number one spot of favorite things to do. But I look forward to a nice block of focused training over the winter. And twice a week running our group ( Cooper Rowing) indoor program has been fun. There's a certain synergy that happens when you have a room full of ergs all pulling in sync (that's my only rule, we all row together). And of course the erg comps are a nice challenge.

[Steve Bainbridge]

Hi Dangerscouse
No I don't have a specific challenge at the moment
A year ago it was to try and break some sprint records
It's the easy option for be as I cannot get the motivation and the mental strength to train for 2k
Perhaps with age comes weakness
Cheers
Steve

[Dangerscouse]

@ Steve, looking at your WR times 99.9% of rowers would love to be as 'weak' as you!!!

[cannondalerugby5]

Hi Dangerscouse - Weak in mind when looking at the longer distances.
Interesting point ,in my opinion sorry,just broken my own age group 1 min World Record this morning having not followed a specific training program for around 8 months.
Just been getting on the machine 2 or 3 times per week and doing comfortable sessions!
I set a benchmark 1 min on Saturday rowing at 165 drag and achieved 361 meters.
This morning set the drag at 210 and was surprised that at 40 secs I was showing projected 380 plus meters.
Panicked a bit and let off,luckily as the last 10 were lactate filled
This has now given me the motivation to start sprint training again.
Just need to find and stick to a specific training plan.
Question to the forum on the subject of weight loss;
I am carrying an extra stone(14 lbs) around my belly,any thoughts out there on weight loss v power production?

[lindsayh]

HiJust need to find and stick to a specific training plan. Question to the forum on the subject of weight loss; I am carrying an extra stone(14 lbs) around my belly,any thoughts out there on weight loss v power production?

huge numbers Steve and well done indeed especially with little specific training. I reckon that the extra stone will almost certainly slow you down - it makes sense too of course as you are using power to haul the extra weight up and down the rail without it contributing to the power. A good example Paul "Beowulf" Buchanan only made his major progress after losing about 15kg.
My understanding is that specific power based anerobic programs can make a difference - I am testing it at the moment and have a minute to do before the end of the month which will tell a story. I definitely lost a fair bit at the top end by concentrating on the 2k for more that a year so trying to get a bit back although more modest goals than previously.
There is also a definite loss of power as we age which is well documented but can be held at bay by training for power and pushing really hard on sprint intervals and the weights. Best of luck