Rowing your running miles

[adsimpson999]

Seeking information on anyone who has ever tried to row their run miles. I am a marathoner and hurt my foot. I own a C2 and am attempting to row my run miles while it heals. I have a marathon scheduled for April 28th.

I wondered if anyone has tried this and what their experience/results were.

Thanks, Andrew

[ArmandoChavezUNC]

There's been some discussion about this before.

I think the consensus is that you'll keep a certain level of fitness but your performance is so sport-specific in running and erging that you'll probably lose a lot of speed in running while getting a lot better at erging.

In any case that's what i have observed with myself and past teammates

[Quatroux]

Specificity Principle. athlete must perform the greatest portion of his training doing the actual activity in which she competes – in this case, rowing.
I think this definition is from Mike Caviston

[adsimpson999]

Ah yes to be expected. Sounds like as decent of a plan as any given that I can't run!

I have to confess to enjoying the rowing quite a bit and it doesn't beat me up half as bad as the running.

I might be convert!

Thanks for the input.

[Quatroux]

Rowing should be pretty easy on your body if your form is right. Bad form might manifest itself in something as mild as hip flexor or glute tightness. Arm numbness and back pain would worry me. Muscle soreness is great, but anything beyond that should be addressed. Being here is a great start. Your running background will serve you well. Watch the concept2 and waterrower technique videos on YouTube. A mirror will help or you can post video of yourself for critique. Never take rowing advice from someone at a gym, FYI.

[adsimpson999]

Thanks again for the tips. So far so good.

Question where is the video upload site? In this forum?

[Quatroux]

You would need to use something like YouTube and post a link to it in a new new forum thread asking for input on your form. I've seen some good responses from the smart guys on this forum.

[adsimpson999]

Awesome, thanks!

[Bob S.]

Thanks again for the tips. So far so good.

Question where is the video upload site? In this forum?

This is one of the best:

The Thames Rowing Club technique video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqVmMd7FdAA

There is no one place to find this sort of thing, but other members of this forum will likely pitch in with their own favorites. The best bet, however, is to post a video of yourself - taken from the side - for critique - on the UK forum as well as this one, since it gets a lot more traffic. The main reason for this is that it is quite difficult to spot your own technique flaws, even with a mirror.

Bob S.

P.S. Here is another. It has the advantage of frame by frame viewing:

the Xeno clip:

http://www.invernessrowingclub.org.uk/p ... o_erg.html

[adsimpson999]

Interestingly enough I have been rowing for a few weeks and just did a 7:27 2000K which puts my VO2 max right where I would expect it if I had tested it running.

Not scientific but maybe interesting

[stubabs]

I've run many marathons and now use rowing as my winter activity since I can't handle running on a treadmill.

You didn't mention if you were trying for a specific time goal in your marathon or just wanting to finish. The reason I ask is that I think that you can row for the same length of time that you would spend running and not lose very much cardio efficiency. This should allow you to pick up your training at a very high level once you can run again.

Best of luck to you.

Stuart

[adsimpson999]

Thanks Stuart. Just an injured marathoner trying to maintain fitness while recovering. I am finding that my pace per mile is similar on rowing machine and on the road so I'm actually doing what you mention and it seems to be working. I am considering alternating between running and rowing even once I am healed. I am enjoying the rowing and it does not seem to cause as much "damage" on my frame which is nice.

[Catchowder2]

Thanks Stuart. Just an injured marathoner trying to maintain fitness while recovering. I am finding that my pace per mile is similar on rowing machine and on the road so I'm actually doing what you mention and it seems to be working. I am considering alternating between running and rowing even once I am healed. I am enjoying the rowing and it does not seem to cause as much "damage" on my frame which is nice.

I'm a recovering runner too. Something must be in our water system hahaha

[Carl Watts]

It depends on your athletic background however I find it far easier to row any distance compared to running, in fact I can row far faster for any given distance than I can row it by miles.

Averaging just over 6K a day this season on the Erg and there is no way I could even run this every day.

[adsimpson999]

I'm just starting to run again post injury. My fitness seems to be pretty good. I'll give you guys an update to let you know how it translates. I rowed a marathon in 3:09 last weekend which I would be very happy to run in a couple of months at my goal marathon on the road