My freshman year in college, I could row a time that would have been respectable in the CRASH Bs.So now here I am, 20 years older, diabetic, and trying to get back in shape. I lost 80 pounds a few years ago when I found out I was sick but the gym I belonged to didn't have an erg.
I joined a better gym when I realized I still look six months pregnant, a year and a half after having my son. No one here uses the ergs. No one knows about form, training, or what you're working toward on them. I get really weird looks by all the elliptical trainer girls/guys, and people usually cut a wide path around the ergs.
I don't have a training partner and don't know where to start---I started an online log, but I am so discouraged with my progress that I don't know where to go from here. I can't remember how strong I should be, how fast I should be able to go. I'm 5'9" and 165 . . .
Today, for instance, after two weeks of rowing every day (SLOWLY getting back into it), I am fighting the blisters on my tail (I read the thread about that problem, I never experienced it in the shell when I rowed on the water, but I was younger, and stronger then, too), just starting to get the callouses I need, and my times are discouraging. The only good thing is the first day I rowed, I pulled 2000m @ 2:26/500m and almost threw up when I was done, but now 2000m @ 2:15 is okay; hard, but I can still breathe. My cardio fitness level is way below my muscle conditioning. It always has been; I have exercise-induced asthma.
Now, my 500m split is hovering around 2:20 for a 5000m piece. I did incremental stroke rates two days ago and the average 500m split for the 5000m was 2:23.
What should I read? Where should I lurk? I need a goal . . . the personal challenge on Halloween is an impossible goal, I can't build that kind of stamina before then. The 1,000,000m goal is just too far away . . . any tips? Ideas?
Also, I've been reading about drag factor . . . I'm not familiar with that term. The ergs at my gym have the PM2 monitors (discontinued). Should I be able to do more with the monitor than I know about?
Thanks!
Sarah
Monroe, Louisiana
