Pete Plan Group - Startup Aug 20th thru 22nd

[jackarabit]

Piers, you are allowed to know quite a lot and still fit in.

[mdpfirrman]

Being a complete beginner I know nothing, but personally I'd like to keep it simple so vanilla PP. However as I say I know nothing so will fit in.

I still have to decide on my initial targets...

I personally agree. I think that adding in a fourth week doesn't do much for you. Most of the plan is based on training different aspects of your ability to improve. It's my understanding that all three elements are important. Doing something different doesn't do much for you training wise, it's just to "see" the progress. You should see the progress in the 5K times and on the average of the intervals. I'd like to stick to the true plan. I would say if someone wants to really test their 2K, do it on the 5K day instead of the 5K (with a vigorous warmup). That would stick to the intent of the plan more than just completely inventing another week.

What Jack suggests is more palatable, but I'd still (because we have great interest with so many new rowers to PP - which is fantastic!) keep to the letter of the plan just so people can first experience it as it's written (it's a pretty damn good plan). Guys like Greg (and I'm guilty of this too because I did a version of PP all year long this year) start playing around with it out of boredom. Most here haven't done the plan yet, so it's not boring to them. For me, because I played around with it so much (I've been doing the true plan nearly 3 weeks now), I'm finding it refreshing getting back to it as it's written (and pretty damn challenging).

Just my 2 cents.

Welcome Eliot!

[G-dub]

I think the 4th week allows for a de-load week, which could offset busy lives and also allow for some recovery. I think it also might extend the number of cycles. I support it, especially at this advanced age.

I do confess that it does disrupt the flow however, so can understand the reason to keep rolling. And frankly, I am "de-loading" this week and actually feel more tired! So I am up for what the leader wants.

[jackarabit]

Yeh, Marston supports the hard, medium, easy week alternation IIRC. Nothing wrong with planned pace dialback or derating when improvement plateaus; principle of mesocycle training. That will shake out as 'twill. Adjusting total volume another regulator of weekly load. So nothing is really static or boring in the plan despite the prima facie repetition. I'm content to stick with the plan as a fair test of how we respond to a limited set of training principles and plan-prescribed training content.

[G-dub]

Sorry boys, I didn't want to sleep on the first session. Did UT2 this morning and thought that was it. But got antsy thinking about session #1.

[bisqeet]

Looks very tasty

[mdpfirrman]

Very nice Glenn. Was cracking up - the guy that was going to "sit out" gets us all officially started! Nice times.

[G-dub]

I'm a little embarrassed to have jumped ahead. I could feel the tension building yesterday and figured I might as well do something about it. 8 is a lot of intervals! One at a time, one at a time,....good luck today everyone! Nice and smooth.

[Bloodbuzz Corio]

PP Cycle 1, Week 1, Day 1 - 8x500m/3:30r

Average 1:43.8 (doing the maths myself - the 1:43.7 in the photo of the monitor benefits from some wonky rounding imo).

So 0.2 seconds faster in total time over the 8 intervals compared to last time I did this workout (Aug 9), and the final interval that time was 1:41.8 - so almost 2 seconds quicker than today - but I was very happy to get under 1:44 for all 8 intervals today, and I certainly didn't leave much in the tank here.

Fairly balanced from an HR perspective - got to >= 180 in all 8 intervals and topped out at 187 in the 7th and 8th.

2k WU, 1k CD



Also - I seem to have lost edit rights to the spreadhseet Dean created - has someone with edit rights accidentally changed others' access?

[jackarabit]

Speed intervals: Wk 1

Fletcher WP: 19' 45" ref. pace 2:04 (40008M)
8x500m/3:30R
Pace target: 2:04.4 - 3"
df 115
CD: final 3:30 rest period

[Bloodbuzz Corio]

Nice downward progression on those intervals Jack - and especially snappy on the last one! You'd defo be justified nudging the sprint targets down on the basis of this effort.

[G-dub]

Nice work Jack and Blood!

[mdpfirrman]

Nice work Rohan / Jack! Both of you very well done!!

[jackarabit]

Thanks Rohan. The conservative start will give me a little bit of elbow room. Had a complete rest day yesterday (first since 30 July). May not be quite so "rested" next week. I agree completely that I need to tighten up the group with a harder initial target. Your .4" spread commendably exemplary I think.

Hey Dub, solid and sensible early bird workout. How many miles of trail bombing today? I think the rest of these guys went to the beach?

[G-dub]

Did 40' UT work this morning plus 40' walking. Figured I wouldn't clog up the thread with it, especially since I was sticking out like a sore thumb.