War at the Shore Erg-a-thon

[Edward4492]

2nd place Open Masters 7:25.7

First 2k of the season. Typical local erg event, a handful of women's masters and a half dozen men to go with the 300-400 high school kids. No classes or age groups for the masters, got beat by a 40 something gym owner/rowing coach; real nice guy. I had a very unusual experience with the race start which I'll detail in a moment. It's pretty amazing how fragile our psyche's are leading up to an event; or perhaps I'm just speaking for myself. Last Saturday I had a pretty solid (8) s 500m/ 3min rest all at 1:47. Led to believe that a target pace of 1:49-50 was very realistic with a shot to go under 7:20. then I had a bit of a rough test piece on Monday night and I was feeling pretty spooked by it; this type of thing affects me around the clock. At work, at home....the only cure is a better test result. Wednesday night I had decided I would do a 1250m piece at my 2k target pace, no sprint at the end. I finished at 1 :49.4.....right on track. It was the first time this season where I felt like I was feeling the 2k pain and dealing with it. Confidence back, mood improved!

Our heat was mixed in with the high school JV kids. They seemed to be having a bit of trouble with the cable on my erg and several others. What happened at the start really rattled me, never had this happen before. Attention, Ready, ROW!! And nothing. The main screen is blank, the header and erg id, my name etc. is all there. Four strokes, five strokes, the screen pops up and my 500m average pace shows 6:30+. I'm pulling a steady stream of 1:45's, way faster than planned, and it's coming down painfully slow. At 1750m I'm just getting under 2:00; by 1500m I'm down to 1:50....and I'm totally gassed. I try and hold 1:49, back off a bit, and finally settle in at 1:51. I'm seeing the occasional 1:52, but I'm able to hold the 1:51, see the odd 1:50. I get through 1000m, down to 750. I'm okay now, but my 500m average is holding around 1:51.8, it starts to drift up to 1:52.0. Getting past 500m, I'm able to pull it down a hair. At 150m to go I get a minor sprint and finish with 1:51.4 average. Not what I was targeting; but I'm thinking either something unusual happened at the start or I somehow completely mis-timed it. I've done (21) erg events, never had my split be that wildly off (high). There's some time lost at a race venue. In retrospect, I probably hurt myself over-reacting, but I'm not sure I would have gotten it down with-out chasing it the whole way. And I didn't explode, just 1s-2s off target. I'll have another chance in three weeks at my next event.

We also did a 500m, again an open event. There were seven men in this one including one guy, John Kelly, 51, a total stud who pulled 1:24; everybody else was 30 and 40 year olds. I ended up 5th of 7 with a slow 1:41.4. I was totally gassed and was holding a 1:37 until the final 100m when the wheels came off. Total fly and die.

So the first one is in the books. Not real pleased with it; but it is what it is. I'll be back!

[Cyclist2]

We all know what can happen at the start (just ask Wiggo). Still, no blowing up, no HD, so good job!

I did a 2K test earlier this week and failed, so turned it into a hard TR interval workout, with the resolve to do a bunch of 2K workouts near race pace (but no HD, even if I have to slow some) over the next couple weeks to 1) get stronger, and hopefully peak at the right time, and 2) get over the mental stress and anxiety - "it's just another workout". We'll see that that plays out. My first race is Jan 27th at Ergomania, Seattle.

[Edward4492]

Good luck Mark! Wiggo actually stopped rowing for a second or two. All I can think of is I horribly mis-timed it. I'm generally on target pace 200-250m in. Probably should have just watched my splits and sat on 1:49 even it took the first 1k to get it down. Who knows? Anyway, I saw another 2k prep piece I'm going to start, (4) x 500m/ 1min rest. May be a good way to hit 2k race splits with out doing a full 2k. Gonna do some hard 4000m pieces also and see how it goes. You should nail your qualifier.

[Cyclingman1]

ED, I'm not 100% sure I'm getting what happened. I think you are saying that the readout was just wrong. If so, I would be pissed. You've got to just blow this one off.

I want to distinguish between training for 2K and doing something that will be equivalent to a 2K in terms of feel and prediction. I put 4-5 x 1K and 8-10 x 500m in the first category. They are just plain good old training and tough to do. Not what you want 7 days before a race. On the other hand 1 x 1250 and 4x 500m at race pace are going to give one that feel without being overly tiring. These are confidence rows, not training, per se. Also, three days before the event is too close. Only short little pick-me-ups are allowed the last 3-4 days before the event. There is no substitute for rest.

[lindsayh]

ED, I'm not 100% sure I'm getting what happened. I think you are saying that the readout was just wrong. If so, I would be pissed. You've got to just blow this one off.
I want to distinguish between training for 2K and doing something that will be equivalent to a 2K in terms of feel and prediction. I put 4-5 x 1K and 8-10 x 500m in the first category. They are just plain good old training and tough to do. Not what you want 7 days before a race. On the other hand 1 x 1250 and 4x 500m at race pace are going to give one that feel without being overly tiring. These are confidence rows, not training, per se. Also, three days before the event is too close. Only short little pick-me-ups are allowed the last 3-4 days before the event. There is no substitute for rest.

That is a bit frustrating Ed and hard to know but sounds like a malfunction but that very high first stroke is like what happens when you miss the start of an interval session and have to chase it down.
I agree with Jim about rest and what to do in the week before - if you read the Interactive Programs they start the taper about ten days out and are firmly of the view that you can't get any fitter in a week but you can limit your performance on the day by overdoing it in the lead up.
The problem is preparing for the "minor" races before the main event - don't want to sacrifice too much if you have 2 or 3 weeks to go. I wouldn't taper so much then.

[Rod]

Well done Ed, that was a good effort from you despite the start problem.

It's helped get you more into 'racing mode' anyway so good luck with the next one!

My wife and I have booked up our flights and hotel and will be doing our race entries today so see you in Alexandria!

[hjs]

Clearly something went wrong, should have been a restart, costed you double, time at the start and time due to messed up pacing.

[Edward4492]

There were a couple of issues that day. Sounds like an excuse (bad monitor, really?) Or it could be like Lindsay said. I've done that on intervals were I just missed it and had to chase it down; but never that dramatic. Looking back on it, not too concerned about my fitness or mentality. I was able to "re-boot" and get back close to where I wanted to be. One thing I've learned over the years with bike racing and recently OTW. When things go wrong (self-inflicted or other wise) you need to blow it off quick and get back on it. OTW there's all,kinds of stupid stuff happening. I was in a head race and saw to very experienced local masters somehow get their blades tangled up and had to come to a stop. Mark, you're dead on. The (8) x500, (4) x 1000 are solid, good old-fashioned training pieces that we all use, they give you an idea of where you're at. A 1250m is in the category of a confidence builder (using your words); 100% correct. Not really training. I like to think of it as a pacer; let's me know if I can carry my number out to 2k.

In any event, I have two races coming up on 2/4 and 2/11, the Haddon Hammers and Center City Slam. I'll train hard right into the first one and then a minor taper for Center city; they have a 60+ category; it's a pretty big event. I'm still thinking my current fitness will get me under 7:20; I'll find out soon enough.

And, no complaints about the promoter and the event. This was a small local high school and it was very well run, nice people. All volunteers. I've seen racers, particularly bike racers, complaining and screaming at local races. These people are doing this for the love of the sport (at the small, local events). It got to a point our local shop quit promoting road races this year. Hats off to all of the hard working people who keep events alive for the love of the sport.

[Cyclist2]

A 1250m is in the category of a confidence builder (using your words); 100% correct. Not really training. I like to think of it as a pacer; let's me know if I can carry my number out to 2k.

Right, Ed and Jim. That's mental training. We've all been working hard and are all fit, but who has the strength between the ears to push through the pain? That's what I'm working on last week and next, before a week of tapering for the race. There are no tune up races, just me, so my second workout of the day a few times is 2x2K on 5' rest. Yesterday, I did the first one at my fastest of the season! (The second one was a lot slower, just for the mental aspect of NO HD!) At this stage of the game, it's about getting psyched up, not getting stronger.

And, no complaints about the promoter and the event. This was a small local high school and it was very well run, nice people. All volunteers. I've seen racers, particularly bike racers, complaining and screaming at local races. These people are doing this for the love of the sport (at the small, local events).

I agree. I thank all the flaggers and volunteers at the bike rides, and even at the races if it isn't too crazy at the time. I have volunteered at events as well.

Post how your races go, and good luck!

[Edward4492]

Whoops! Looks like I got confused between Mark and Jim. Like you said Jim, there's a difference between training pieces and test pieces.

Anyway, great conversation. Jim, whatever was going on I was seeing extremely high 500m splits (6:30, 5:00) and I had to bury myself pulling 1:43-45 for the first 500m to get my average down to 1:50. Who knows? I'll wrap it up before it starts to sound like whining (past that point perhaps?). I'll know after my next couple of events where my fitness is.

Jim, how is your health? Any ability to get back on it? Hoping for the best for ya.

[Cyclingman1]

Whoops! Looks like I got confused between Mark and Jim. Like you said Jim, there's a difference between training pieces and test pieces.

Yeah, Ed, you need to make sure that I get the blame/credit for kicking dirt in the training gears. You know me, my claim to infamy is less is better. I do agree with Lindsey that little taper is required for an unimportant TT. Just remember that a TT can constitute the hard workout for the week.

Jim, how is your health? Any ability to get back on it? Hoping for the best for ya.

Unfortunately, things took a not so good turn. I had terrible sciatic pain from the middle of Nov. Never had a decent night of sleep. Saw a bunch of "professionals;" finally a pretty substantial disc herniation at L5-S1 was discovered. Had microdiscectomy this past Wed. A lot of the worst sciatica is gone, but I think that residual nerve damage is still getting me. I'm not allowed to do much for 6 weeks to permit the disc to heal somewhat. Although, I am already on the treadmill and spin bike. After that, based on how things progress, I'll start working in my usual stuff. I doubt if I'll be on a rower before May and then using slides to limit back movement. I have to stand back and watch others do well at the various races over the next few weeks. And of course offer irrelevant comments on C2 forums.

If anyone has had lumbar microdiscectomy, I would be interested in how the recovery went over time.

[Edward4492]

Sorry to hear Jim. Knowing you, you'll fight back as best you can. Good Luck!

[Cyclingman1]

Ed, I've been on these forums for six years now. I've frequently seen where folks have experienced far worse medical issues than me. I plan on returning to previous levels if at all possible. Good luck over the next few weeks leading to WIRC. As we were saying 60 LWt at WIRC should be a good event - at least for spectators. JimG