Concept2 Forum

Again, a request for some latitude as I post from my latest exploits OTW. Still erging to supplement my OTW meters and build volume for the fall races. Kings Head on the upper Schuykill river is a longish head race of 4600m. These races have boats starting down river on 10s intervals with a flying start. Much less frenetic than the 1000m sprints. You basically get yourself sorted out based on your bow number and you get called up, enter the chute, and build to race pace over about 100m. I ran into LWT Guy Bill Risko who went on to earn a very nice 2nd place in his 1x. We talked a bit on the way up. My race looked pretty predictable. I wasn't going to catch anybody that left in front of me. Joe Oliver of Carnegie Lake was my 10s man, I wasn't catching him. The starter behind me looked to be a bit slower, but Steve Sepe 20s back was very strong. I was hoping to hold him off. 60s back was Mike Smith; probably the fastest guy in the area and one of the best in the world. He'd be coming by leaving me in his wake at some point.

I was hoping to hold a 2:20 pace the whole way. Figured I'd sit on that and every 1000m see how I feel. Probably got more help from the current than I had allowed for as I was solidly under 2:20 at 1000m; feeling okay. My 10s guy was fading and I could see Steve coming up. Joe was solidly out in front of me and the stage was set. At around the 2500m mark it got a little crowded. Steve had caught me but I was able to keep him a length or two in front of me. Another rower had caught us and Mike Smith was coming through. Everyone gave Mike plenty of room as he got through us cleanly; I let the other rower pass and continued to keep Steve out there as kind of a reverse carrot. I was having my share of navigational issues. The course bends around to starboard. I would settle in, get in a nice groove, and find myself way off to the port side. So, something I'll need to work on. By the time we got down to the final 1000m, I was in a steady position and was pushing my splits down, maintaining my gap on Steve. There's two bridges, one right at the finish that require that you commit to your line. I figured I would follow the guy that passed me earlier. He either slowed or I was pushing a good deal faster as I caught up to him and had to slow way down prior to the finish. I managed to come across a length in front of Steve, but he had already made up the difference from his start; so he got me by a bit.

When it was all said and done it was my best race to date by far. I finished 9th of 16 in the 55-70 mens class, 21:23 @ 2:18 pace. There were a couple of us LWTs who decided to do the HWT event due to the registration. Only two guys in the LWT. I would have beaten one guy and finished 2nd, but 2nd in a three boat race isn't really too impressive. Glad I entered the bigger field as it was a lot more fun racing the whole event with several other boats.Much better learning experience also. Felt like a big effort; I was on the edge all the way down and was pretty well spent at the end. Next up is the Navy Day Regatta in a mixed double with Marianne.

Well done, Ed!

I raced that one years ago in a double and a single (on the same day). We took 2nd in the double by fractions of a second. That was the hardest I remember racing, I was toast as we came under that last bridge.

Virginia is a little ways away, but you should consider the Head of the Occoquan (November 4-5). Beautiful reservoir, great facilities. There are two pretty sharp curves, so your navigational skills really get tested. It looks like you'd be able to race both single and mixed double on different days.

I really like your posts on your races; I'm re-living my fun racing days vicariously through you. Keep 'em coming, and keep having fun!

Ed, that whole damn course was one big turn... I didn't realize it either and had a lot of trouble staying on the inside of the turn. If I hugged to buoy line like I was supposed to I probably would have won... I almost was on the opposite shoreline at one point...

I'd recommend the Occoquan too if you get the chance. It's a great course and a lot of fun with some sharp turns. The event staff sucks at running a regatta but the race itself is a lot of fun. I raced it a few times in college.

Nice job Bill, you nailed a real nice time. Glad I wasn't the only one who was "navigationally challenged".

Hey Ed.
Good seeing you on Sunday. Nice write up and great row. You're making some seriously good progress in your first year on the water. I love head race season and that race is a good place to kick it off. It's not too technical (except for the 2 bridges in the last 500m!) and a good stretch of water to test out your fitness. Sounds like yours is coming along pretty well. Keep up the good work!
I was was having a great piece right up until that last 500m! My splits were right where I wanted them, I was staying out of the bouys, and getting through traffic with out incident. So I was feeling pretty good down the final stretch and then: oh crap! The railroad bridge! Managed to scrape my port blade right along it. Every year I seem to screw up something on that course right around there. I blame it on lactic acid and hypoxia! I was hoping to break 18:00, ended up at 18:05. Stupid bridge!

Keep training hard. See you at Navy Day.

Thanks for the kind words Mike, good seeing you today. To be honest, I feel like I've made some decent progress. This sport is demanding, unforgiving and totally additive. I've received a lot of help; in particular Joe Oliver at Carnegie Lake Rowing has been like a mentor to me at the events gently telling me what to do and what not to do. That type of thing goes a long way towards moving me along the learning curve. I really like the head races. It feels good to drive yourself right to the edge and just hang there. I'll be doing a mixed double at Navy Day and a 1x at the HOS. I also have a fantastic club that's very supportive. The two ladies that were with me gave up their day of rowing to come up and help out, carry my boat,cheer me on, and take care of all the little stuff.

Bottom line....I'm hooked!

Hey Mark, thanks for checking in. I keep forgetting that you have some OTW experience in your DNA. Won't make Va this year, but I do have a trip planned with my Cooper Rowing entourage down to Calm Waters in the spring for a pre-season tune up. Probably going to skip CB's this year. Kind of losing my urge to go 2k hard on the erg; but we'll see. The OTW races are certainly hard, I can barely get out of the boat when I'm done. But there's enough distraction to where the pain doesn't dominate like it does on the erg. But who knows? Hope you're having fun on the tandem.

Ed, if you have the chance try to do a practice on the Schuylkill ahead of time. Knowing where and when to take the turns can go a long way during a head race!

Funny you should mention that Bill. I'm planning on going out early Saturday morning to run the course. There's a pretty detailed Youtube vid narrated by a coach with a lot of detail about where you should be and how to take the turns. Definitely will help!

Edward4492 wrote:Funny you should mention that Bill. I'm planning on going out early Saturday morning to run the course. There's a pretty detailed Youtube vid narrated by a coach with a lot of detail about where you should be and how to take the turns. Definitely will help!

If I had a map of the course I can show you the ideal path to take. It's a combination of hugging the buoy line and completely cutting across the race course at the right spot.

Thanks Bill, that would be a huge help (if you have it in digital format, you could email it to edwardpeterson@hotmail.com). Got out on the Schuylkill this morning. lots of crews out but pretty organized. Easy to follow the patterns. Looks like the section after Columbia Ave Bridge is key; looks like you have to swing pretty hard to port so you don't get way out in the middle of the river. Then kind of straighten up for the RR bridge , hard back to starboard under the Griard ave bridge and down the middle to the finish.

Or something like that!