tiredness and fatigue

[Jamleach]

Hey, I am a 14 year old beginner(have only rowed 3 times). My problem is however that I don't get the "burn" as I do from weightlifting or anarobic excercises, yet I am not panting or breathing hard as I would from running or aerobic excercise. I just feel exhausted and fatigued...is this a good sign? Or am I doing something wrong? I take plenty of rest between my rowing days and only do 1 set of 10mins-2k.

Also(I will probably post this aswell on the medical section of this forum), but last time I rowed I pushed myself the last 200meters for a 30second improvement on my time. However, once I stopped and stretched out, I started hearing a fizzing sound in my left ear which grew and grew, until I felt almost like a blockage in my ear, and finally had to sit down cause I got so dizzy. After I lay down for 15mins or so and took my shower, I was back to normal.

Thanks to anyone with any insight to my questions

[sheehc]

Two things. First the issue is in your technique. I've spent many years working with HS and college novices and most say the same thing in the first couple weeks. Until you really learn how to apply power, you won't actually tax your aerobic system well enough to get the same feeling as in other sports. Focus on learning how to push right now (that's right I said push, this is a leg pushing sport not a pulling sport) and it will get substantially tougher.

Second, you won't always find yourself gasping for air. Some workouts will just plain leave you flat without ever having been at the point of gasping (20' repeats leave me sleepy and sick, but not gasping). This is normal. There isn't much need for rest days in rowing. Although I would recommend you start with maybe 3x a week, you can build towards 6x a week very easily and very quickly. 10 minutes is also nice place to start, though you will want to start building towards 30-40 minutes (build over a couple weeks, no need to get there tomorrow). At your age though I wouldn't go beyond 40' on an erg. Occasionally throw in something shorter and more fun.

[Tinus]

Also, try to see if a lower damper setting helps. At a lower drag the applied force is less which makes the stress on the body tissue smaller (but you'd have too move faster in order to be able to apply the same power).

Especially for teens I believe that the setting should not be too high. You can expect to become twice as strong in a about a decade.

[iain]

Please see the link below. Ignore the patronising title "children" this is about 11-14 year olds - you would be "Year 10", just remember that most IR are foggies (hence the WRC is the "Crash-B's or Charles River all star has-beens"). This does not recommend long distances for your age group unlike for adult training. I do not know the logic for this.

http://www.fletchersportscience.co.uk/u ... cf6521.pdf

Regards

- Iain