Longest Continual Row Record attempt

[ErgAddict]

!! Tips on what not to do when attempting a 24hour row !!

The things that doomed my attempt and caused me to quit on hour 10 for fear of my health in the upcoming racing season.
I modeled my attempt after the longest continual row requirements. Because that's my end goal.

Don't try to keep a light pace unless you've been training for this type of session. For the first 50k your body can hold that pace without too much effort if you're decently trained. The goal for my next prep session is to do 15 from 5am to 8pm and try to not row as many meters as possible, just enough to keep the fan moving and screen on. I also plan on using sliders for this session to see if it is any better on my back, as well as experimenting with a back brace.

Forget all your knowledge about proper technique and just try not to use your back and keep it as straight as possible. Unless you have some crazy back endurance your back will be the first to go. Your legs can go for days at a light enough pace but your back definitely cannot. Experiment on drag factors, I started off the challenge at my regular DF (115) but as I moved through the hours I could feel the wear and tear is was forcing on my body so I gradually moved it down to around 90. That was the move, rather than r15 DF115, I was at r18 DF 90. After a certain amount of time your hamstrings will just naturally bring you up to the catch or so. Make sure you're sitting up and getting as much oxygen in your body as possible, but scrap compression, length, body angle and

Don't over hydrate, find the balance your body can handle. You don't want to have to need the restroom while you're on the restroom.

Don't sacrifice your buns to the erg seat. Although on my attempt I felt the most pain in hour four, every time I got back on the erg I felt the pain but it quickly went numb. Even if you don't think you need a cushion, I recommend getting one for purely comfort so you have to worry about one less thing that might be a dull ache/pain throughout. Also don't try to roll on your sit bones, this will irritate them over the 15k+ strokes you take in the 24 hours.

Don't make the timing on your circadian rhythm harder than it has to be. If you have to start the challenge after 8am make sure you either have someone who will visit you in the dark hours or be sure you can pull an all nighter while being isolated and nothing to occupy your brain. I started my challenge at 3pm and didn't plan on having anyone visit me between the hours of 11pm and 7am, those hours are by far the hardest in the challenge if you're isolated. I wasn't necessarily tired when I quit, just extremely drained from the 100k I pulled during the challenge and the high stress testing week I had just finished in training. Also make sure you're getting enough sleep in general the couple weeks before and make sure you're hydrated and eating well the couple weeks before.

Cheers

It was very interesting to see how my body reacted to the meterage and the stages of discomfort it went through. It also teaches you a lot about compartmentalizing the pain so you don't have to think about it. Fun bit of work, 10/10 recommend.