Concept2 Forum

Hi all, I sort of convinced myself to go for a pre-Xmas full marathon on the RowErg.
I've done 2 in the past, last one was last June, 3h11 at 2:16 avg pace (incl ~2min for a necessary visit to the restroom).

Today, I tried an HM at a constant 2:07.3 pace (here), just to see if a 3h marathon is in the ballpark. HR never exceeded 160 (which is 80% of my HRR or 85% of my maxHR), slowly creeping up. But yeah, I know, in a FM the funky stuff starts after the 30K mark ...

Question: do you think a full marathon (this friday) @ 2:08 trying to squeeze under 3h is somehow possible? Yes ? Maybe ? No way, forget it ?
In case it helps, my HM PB is 1:27:19 at 2:04.2 pace.

I would say give it a go. Noone can say what will be the outcome, but for me it's like I could go forever at 85% of my HR max (which is quite similar to yours).

If it helps at all, during my recent century, I was able to ride for much longer than expected in the HR zones you're showing here. I had tape over the monitor because I felt like I would want the data later but that it may get in my head in a bad way if I knew what it said in the moment.

I think it's within reach if you want it enough. Only one way to find out.

I think that you should be OK. When I rowed my last marathon with a 2:06-2:07 pace I reached 85% of max HR at HM distance and managed to complete it without slowing down too much. Maybe plan to have a little bit of a buffer, as I slowed down a little bit, but not much.
Good luck!

Give it a go!

Stay well hydrated, have an energy gel or two handy - for 3 hours, you will need some fuel. Try to get a little ahead of your target pace (slowly), so that when you take a break for fuel or water, you won't lose your intended average pace.

Good luck!

Cyclist2 wrote: ↑

December 17th, 2023, 2:26 pm

Stay well hydrated, have an energy gel or two handy - for 3 hours, you will need some fuel.

This was different for me. No calorie intake at all during the FM and I wasn't too slow. First half at steady pace 2:05 (which is ~75% HR max for me) and then decided to go faster for the second half with ~2:00 and 85% HR max effort to see how this feels. I could manage a "sprint" at the end getting to 1:48 splits without the feel of losing power at all.
That could have been different, when I already started with 85% effort, I will check in my next attempt.

I think a 4 sec per 500 a good range. Might be nip and tuck. I look at some half vs full events ive done in the past (Ironman or marathons) the difference between the two would be comparable to that difference. I say Go For It……but then I’ve never done more than 21097 on the erg I don’t think

So, uh, why wouldn't you try?
There isn't anything to lose, and if it doesn't work out this time then you'll know where you stand for a future attempt.

Go for it! I think you'll do great, and have fun doing it.

Do it, and don't overthink it.

Go for it!

Elizabeth wrote: ↑

December 17th, 2023, 1:32 pm

I had tape over the monitor because I felt like I would want the data later but that it may get in my head in a bad way if I knew what it said in the moment.

This is a great idea. I row without HRM on longer TTs because of this very thing.

RayOfSunshine wrote: ↑

December 17th, 2023, 5:39 pm

Elizabeth wrote: ↑

December 17th, 2023, 1:32 pm

I had tape over the monitor because I felt like I would want the data later but that it may get in my head in a bad way if I knew what it said in the moment.

This is a great idea. I row without HRM on longer TTs because of this very thing.

I always wear the HRM, but I'm not interested in any of the measured values and go only by feel. This applies to any TT, but mostly also for my steadies. I only want to have the data to see progression/improvement over time.

Can't hurt to try - even if you don't hit target, or HD, you'll learn for the next time - or decide it's not for you.

Either way it's good info.

Definitely give it a go! While you did a HM and a FM is a much different animal because there is so much time for things to go well or not, you'll never know if you don't give it a shot. Your data seems to indicate that a sub-3 FM is within reach, esp with the HM PB, so I would go in with and try to settle into target pace within the first 15:00 to 20:00 or so and really try to make that feel smooth, steady, and easy. Kind of like some others, I use a HRM for a lot of things but will ditch it when I have a certain pace/power I want to hit so I have one less thing distracting me. With the FM/50k I am going to do here soon, I will be wearing the HRM but following the lead of others and putting a small piece of tape on the monitor so I don't see it - want the data after the fact but want to focus on the main goal.

Elizabeth wrote: ↑

December 17th, 2023, 1:32 pm

If it helps at all, during my recent century, I was able to ride for much longer than expected in the HR zones you're showing here. I had tape over the monitor because I felt like I would want the data later but that it may get in my head in a bad way if I knew what it said in the moment.

I think it's within reach if you want it enough. Only one way to find out.

Interesting i have changed the emphasis on my training signfciantly, one of the things i no longer do is watch my HR at all. I now mostly erg with my eyes shut and erg by RPE.

I have found i am much more tolerant of the discomfort at higher paces/spm than i have even been before, i don't think there is a physical component to this, purely the mental aspect of not 'worrying' that i am at my threshold and therefore wont be able to go on for much longer.