HM, FM, 30k, Century...Election Anxiety

[Dangerscouse]

My god...12 hours. I can't imagine the mental battle to get back on there after hour 9, but I respect the desire to line up your personal bests. I love the idea of continuous improvement like that. Doubly so doing it for charity. I am sorry about your friend however. Diabetes is an ugly disease.
As far as my stroke rate:
<10k - 26-29 spm
FM - 22
100k - 21
HM - 20

Thanks mate, doing it for charity was a great boost to make sure I didn't give up. Diabetes runs in my family too, so it's a constant consideration for me.

Your stroke rates are good, and when you get used to the lower drag, your speed out of the catch will improve.

I have used the force curve once, just to check on technique, as I don't see much benefit to use it regularly.

[Dino]

Hard to say why you would get tired on a low DF. Its probably just getting the technique sorted.
A couple of good Concept2 videos on technique, drag and intensity:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiQ0Mqlk_Lo
https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... -intensity

Thank you I really appreciate the encouragement. These videos are great, especially the YouTube link with Peter. I'm going to give the ramping intensity at 1 damper setting a try at lunch time. I definitely feel like I'm slow out of the catch, and the force curve backs that up. Quick question do you pay a lot of attention to the force curve on the monitor usually or just when you're learning?

I revisit the force curve from time to time but that's all. If I feel my stroke is getting lazy which it is prone to do on long sessions, not that its prob that great anyway(!) then I might cycle through the display and spend a few strokes looking at the shape. Rightly or wrongly I find applying the power in a more efficient way more valuable on shorter distances... although thinking about it prob equally as valid on long distance stuff as when taking 1000+ strokes then if you add a watt or two each stroke due to better technique that's a lot of cumulative watts!!

[xam217]

I revisit the force curve from time to time but that's all. If I feel my stroke is getting lazy which it is prone to do on long sessions, not that its prob that great anyway(!) then I might cycle through the display and spend a few strokes looking at the shape. Rightly or wrongly I find applying the power in a more efficient way more valuable on shorter distances... although thinking about it prob equally as valid on long distance stuff as when taking 1000+ strokes then if you add a watt or two each stroke due to better technique that's a lot of cumulative watts!!

Thanks Dino - I can't seem to get it right and maintain my endurance. It's just too quick right now. I'm hoping it's something I can come back to and get a better handle on. My theory is that I'm rowing with my back and arms still, but we'll see.

I did try my first 2k though. That is an absolutely miserable distance. It's just a long ugly almost-sprint. I had your 7:18 number in mind and I was able to beat it (7:14). I can't imagine training that very often though It's extremely unfun. That being said - I'd love to figure out how to get sub 7 before the season is over.

[Dino]

I revisit the force curve from time to time but that's all. If I feel my stroke is getting lazy which it is prone to do on long sessions, not that its prob that great anyway(!) then I might cycle through the display and spend a few strokes looking at the shape. Rightly or wrongly I find applying the power in a more efficient way more valuable on shorter distances... although thinking about it prob equally as valid on long distance stuff as when taking 1000+ strokes then if you add a watt or two each stroke due to better technique that's a lot of cumulative watts!!

Thanks Dino - I can't seem to get it right and maintain my endurance. It's just too quick right now. I'm hoping it's something I can come back to and get a better handle on. My theory is that I'm rowing with my back and arms still, but we'll see.

I did try my first 2k though. That is an absolutely miserable distance. It's just a long ugly almost-sprint. I had your 7:18 number in mind and I was able to beat it (7:14). I can't imagine training that very often though It's extremely unfun. That being said - I'd love to figure out how to get sub 7 before the season is over.

Well done on the 7:14 as you haven't been targeting it that's an extremely good first go! There will be more to come without even doing any more training as it was your first go.
I don't try 2k flat out very often - maybe 3x in the last 18 months? In fact I rarely do anything under 5k. If I have done a few big meters months in a row then I cash in and try some PBs on a whim just out of interest. I never train for anything specific. The only distance I have ever trained for properly and followed a plan was for the FM when wanted to hit sub-3.

You could always post a video link on here for some constructive help on technique. Get a side on shot at different rates and pace if you can or just do as you have been doing and looking at videos online. I quite like the "Training Tall" ones. Austin from Training Tall can also do a stroke assessment. I haven't used it but just mentioning it.

[xam217]

Well done on the 7:14 as you haven't been targeting it that's an extremely good first go! There will be more to come without even doing any more training as it was your first go.
I don't try 2k flat out very often - maybe 3x in the last 18 months? In fact I rarely do anything under 5k. If I have done a few big meters months in a row then I cash in and try some PBs on a whim just out of interest. I never train for anything specific. The only distance I have ever trained for properly and followed a plan was for the FM when wanted to hit sub-3.

You could always post a video link on here for some constructive help on technique. Get a side on shot at different rates and pace if you can or just do as you have been doing and looking at videos online. I quite like the "Training Tall" ones. Austin from Training Tall can also do a stroke assessment. I haven't used it but just mentioning it.

This is exactly the attitude I want to have. General training on longer distances. Short sprints if I'm feeling spicy that day. I'm really glad its not just all ex-college sprinters on this board. I'm checking out Training Tall now over lunch. Thanks again!