My first 100K

[gliderguy]

After a few posts here and a few trials on a nearby Model C, I received my Model D/PM3 on 10/27. After a couple of 500m pieces I went wild and had hoped to finish my first 100k in 2 weeks.

Sudden sharp pain behind my right knee put an end to that plan at 90K. I laid off for a couple of days and am back on the erg but going a little slower.

I think my problem was at the end of the slide where I was allowing my toes to come off the footrests (no straps) and over extending my legs just a bit. I've since nailed my feet down and have been OK for a couple of days.

My initial goals are built around 2:00/500m. The first thing was to get a few strokes below 2:00. Then progress to 500m, 2000m, 5000m and 10000m. So far, I've done 2000m in 7:40 and 5000m just under 20:30. My best 10K is 42:00. So I think I'm in shouting distance of those initial goals.

I'm rowing with a drag factor of about 100. I'm not very good at pacing and tend to always go faster than my initial plan. I tend to burn out early, die in the middle, and then finish close to my initial pace. I'm hoping my patience will improve with time.

I came into this with concern for my back in general and low back in particular. So far so good. My upper back and neck actually feel better than they have in years.

I had a treadmill for about 4-5 years but destroyed it. I'm confident the C2 will last longer.

I'm thinking of a half marathon in a couple of weeks. I'm not sure it's realistic. I did 12.5K this evening and the butt pain was tough. It must go away with time...?

Doug
44 yrs, 5'8", 175 lbs

[Citroen]

I'm thinking of a half marathon in a couple of weeks.

http://www.fletchersportscience.co.uk/a ... b47138c55f gives some advice for distance/endurance.

[RowtheRockies]

Doug,

Boy you really had me confused. The first time I read this I thought you attempted a 100K row after only two weeks of rowing and made it all the way to 90K before stopping.

Anyways, it looks like you are well on your way to reaching your initial goal of 2:00/500 for a 10K. It sounds like you could really use a structured plan. Not sure how you are going about your training but it sounds like every session is a hard session if your pace is slowing over the course of the row. This is not optimal training and as you found out after 90K can lead to injury.

Do some searching on The Pete Plan, The wolverine Plan or the Interactive Plan. All are good plans and will help you reach your goals faster.

By the way, what is your Athletic Background? Your times for 2k - 10K are quite good for someone who has only been erging for a couple of weeks. I think if you follow a structured plan, you will see some really fast improvement.

Rich

[gliderguy]

Rich,

I can see how my post might have been confusing.

Do people acually row 100k in a single session? That is inconceivable to me.

I'll look into training plans. I know there are lots of options.

I have no special athletic background. I've always been active, mostly running but never any serious distance.

I like the erg because of the low impact.

So much to learn, it's certainly nice to have this forum as a resource.

Doug

[Bob S.]

I can see how my post might have been confusing.
Do people acually row 100k in a single session? That is inconceivable to me.

Doug

http://www.archive.org/details/EricHagb ... orldRecord

You certainly had me confused. With seat pain at only 12.5k and considering a HM after going for 90k of a 100k attempt — at least that is the way I read it.

As you can see, it has not only been done, but it has been done competitively. The ladies have gotten into it too.

Bob S.

[Nosmo]

Do people acually row 100k in a single session? That is inconceivable to me.
Doug

They also run 100 miles in one stretch, ride their bikes across the country in under 8 days, Race bike 100 miles a day at over 25 mph even over the alps, do double and triple iron man triathlon distances, etc

A 100K on the erg is the only one of the above I could conceive of doing!