Serious student rower looking to become better

[Studentrower]

I went for the 8x500m workout for the first time in my life. It was quite intense, but never felt too hard. I averaged 1:45.3 at 34 strokes per minute. Last 500m I got 1:43.9 felt like a really great workout! I was tired all over my body in the same amount. I like this workout (it wasn't all that fun doing it though!)

[Studentrower]

Happy days indeed. When did the rot start? I remember dozens of Uni eights on the canals in Delft, and no ergs. There was some beer tho'.

We got 19 ergs! No it's really hard to fill a boat for my crew most people join for the parties and they rarely train. If I could I'd be in the boat much more often. I can't row therefore I erg!

Only been the eight once. I'm a first year unexperienced rower. We basically only row in c4+

[jackarabit]

Not so hard to fill a single or double scull or a sweep pair boat and clearly no queue for the ergs. Define your goals as you’re doing. Learn the ropes in the 4 and look around to find others who may think like you do about sport but are going along to get along.

[kini62]

Given your height and age a good bit below 7 min seems not asking to much.

This is what I thought, and, that given the age and build of the OP, it just goes to show how blase experienced ergers get as to just how hard getting under 7mins for 2K is. I'm not saying that mark isn't respected but how it's fairly casually banded around by folk who on paper (including me) ought to be less suited to the erg than the OP.

Mwa Paul, some 70 year old go sub 7.... Its not hard, its modern people are often lazy, weak and very unfit. Not saying everybody can easily pull those numbers, but don,t make it look harder than it is. A healthy average man who is not just sitting at his desk and trains a while will pull it. If not, you are unlucky and have poor genes or b you are ....... Lazy

Hmmm, it is hard. You're way off track. 2018 70-79 rankings have ONE under 7 minute 2K, 2019- NONE.

60-69- 48 out over 1200 rankings for 2018. 2019- 31 out of over 1000 rankings.

I can't do it. Maybe 10 years ago I would've had a shot but not now. I've got over 3 million combined meters since last February, so it's not like I'm LAZY.

[hjs]

Hmmm, it is hard. You're way off track. 2018 70-79 rankings have ONE under 7 minute 2K, 2019- NONE.

60-69- 48 out over 1200 rankings for 2018. 2019- 31 out of over 1000 rankings.

I can't do it. Maybe 10 years ago I would've had a shot but not now. I've got over 3 million combined meters since last February, so it's not like I'm LAZY.

I said 70 years do it, not EVERY 70 year old. Wr is 6.52.1 so even with a margin. Never called you lazy did I? I called modern humans in general lazy/unfit. Modern lifestyle is so comfortable that you need too actively do something to not half fall apart.

And certainly no 5.6... Rowing is a tall mans sport.

Ps 5.6 180lbs... Thats very "modern" Be honoust bmi close too 28. Thats not lean.

[Ombrax]

That explains the chick in the gogo boots outside the recruiting office back in ‘68.

Twenty-year olds are easy pickings for women like that, but guys have to learn somehow to beware of hot chicks.

I saw "Full Metal Jacket," so I know how much full all that was... "Me love you long time."

[JMac]

I called modern humans in general lazy/unfit. Modern lifestyle is so comfortable that you need too actively do something to not half fall apart.

Just got an email from Google "timeline" telling me I've spent 47 hours in my car this month, in addition to around 7 hours a day sitting down at my deskjob

I would consider myself above average in terms of activity (basketball once a week, erg 2/3 times a week, weights 2/3 times a week) and I'm still out of shape (around 20% bf). Would definitely agree that the "average" lifestyle of someone in a "developed" country is very sedentary/lazy. Generally poor food/horrible diets don't help

[Studentrower]

It will be greatly to your advantage going forward to have one of your coaches (or an experienced rower from your club) look over your erging technique from time to time. Fitness on the machine is all well and good, but you don't want to pick up bad habits in pursuit of erg speed that won't work well on the water.

I have six female coaches who help me with my technique.

Once or twice a week they give me pointers on what I can do better.

[jackarabit]

Studentrower writes:

I have six female coaches who help me with my technique.

Why am I getting that old feeling that the other shoe is about to drop?

[Studentrower]

Why am I getting that old feeling that the other shoe is about to drop?

Well, you're going to have to wait a long time, that shoe ain't droppin' =)

They are excellent coaches. Three of them were competitive rowers (every day boattraining, not allowed a drop of alcohol).