Pete Plan modifications?

[JoeMoho]

Greetings,

I purchased my C2 in June and spent a lot of time on the forum. I appreciate all the information shared. I considered myself pretty fit for my age, as I play some old man lacrosse and mix up training with HIIT, Crossfit, and some hard runs. I found the Beginner Pete Plan on this forum and started it about 12 weeks ago. I had no problem going right to the 5K row on week 1 and 5 workouts per week, and found the program quite helpful so far. I'm in better shape than before and like the structure of the program.

As the program is now transitioning into more intervals and less distance training, I'm starting to consider some modifications. It seems the goal of the program is to train me for a 2K race. My goals are not to race, but to be more fit, improve my health, and look good naked.

So I'm thinking about swapping out one of the interval days for a single distance day (8-10K perhaps?). Thoughts? I would appreciate feedback on these modifications, as I'm not knowledgeable enough yet to match a program with my goals.

[mitchel674]

Welcome.

Are you only rowing the three mandatory sessions in the BPP? If so, it is true that Pete does transition away from two longer ows each week at week 12. Would you consider doing the fourth row which he considers optional? These are typically 30 minutes or some prescribed distance 10-12km. If you can only swing three rows each week, I don't see any reason why you couldn't switch rows 3 and 4 which would give you your desired longer rows.

[JoeMoho]

Thanks for the reply - I've been rowing all 5 sessions since week 1.

I guess a better question to ask is - if my training is geared more for general health and higher levels of fitness, and not to race, is the Pete Plan the best course for a beginner?

[mitchel674]

Thanks for the reply - I've been rowing all 5 sessions since week 1.

I guess a better question to ask is - if my training is geared more for general health and higher levels of fitness, and not to race, is the Pete Plan the best course for a beginner?

I don't necessarily think the BPP is geared towards a specific racing distance. Certainly not like the regular PP. I've always viewed the BPP as a great beginner plan which introduces new rowers to different interval sessions while simultaneously building up rowing stamina with increasingly longer steady state rows. This combination is really the basis for many plans.

If your only goal is to row for general health and fitness and you are rowing 5 days/week, perhaps you could just row 4 long steady state pieces and pick one day of intervals just to keep your speed up and keep it interesting. This is what I currently do. I have no immediate plans for time trials at any distance.

[mict450]

If your only goal is to row for general health and fitness and you are rowing 5 days/week, perhaps you could just row 4 long steady state pieces and pick one day of intervals just to keep your speed up and keep it interesting. This is what I currently do. I have no immediate plans for time trials at any distance.

I like this modification and will incorporate this into my training regimen. Thanks.

[mitchel674]

If your only goal is to row for general health and fitness and you are rowing 5 days/week, perhaps you could just row 4 long steady state pieces and pick one day of intervals just to keep your speed up and keep it interesting. This is what I currently do. I have no immediate plans for time trials at any distance.

I like this modification and will incorporate this into my training regimen. Thanks.

Eric, I wasn't talking to you!

In all seriousness, I neglected the interval work even one day a week for about 6 months while training for a marathon row. This was a mistake for me which left me slower and weaker. Sure, I could row for 3 hours straight, but I had trained myself into a weaker stroke. I've started doing the one day/week interval work recently and have already noticed my stroke becoming significantly stronger. This mix seems to work well for me.

[mict450]

Eric, I wasn't talking to you!

Ha, ha...I know, but OP's goals are so similar to mine, mebbe it's about time I cautiously reintroduce intervals to my workouts. Additional goal of staying injury free.

Currently I erg 6 days/week, all long, long LISS, with spaced breaks to provide relief to my bony arse. Ocassionally if I'm off my feed, I'll go shorter, eg: 45 mins minimum. Currently taking a break since Tues...feeling kind of stale mentally with a niggling hitch in my hip & elbow. I'll get back in the saddle on Monday.

[ampire]

There is also this 5K Pete Plan
https://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/5k-training/