Online ranking question....

[fishbust]

47 year old here, always into a lot of things, decent shape lifelong but steady cardio work is pretty new to new.

Started rowing last summer and started erging this past fall, seriously the past month or so, 6 days a week. I rowed an 8:54 2k today, lately a 23 and change 5k. These are my best times as I do not go nuts because I row almost every day and have to think about being able to do it tomorrow along with lifting weights, although I feel I am generally rowing within my present capacity with daily repeatability.

Anyway..........I noticed I rank pretty horribly, somewhere around 1600 out of 1800. Also notice a lot of people type in their own time, so I don't know how accurate some of the ranking is.

Anyway AGAIN..........I am trying to use numbers to see what kind of shape I am in and to set goals for myself, and I suppose my question is how reasonable does everything think it is for people to rank their times with others who could be an entire decade older or younger?

When I am 49, what sense would it make to try to compare numbers with a 40 year old? Or at 50, with someone who is 59?

Does this all make sense to everyone with such a wide spread at 10 years? Looking at ages, the other numbers do not have a lot of meaning to me at this time.

I am trying to figure out where I should be as each month passes and whether I am on track with it, a little ahead or a little behind.

Any input on this subject that could help clear things up?

[Citroen]

Age, weight, height, gender and fitness all have an effect on what you can do on the ergo.

8:54 for 2K at your age, unless you're a girl tends to point to some technique issues. You're probably doing too much upper body and arms and not enough driving with your legs.

Take a look at: http://www.concept2.com/us/training/technique.asp and the excellent video at http://www.concept2.co.uk/training/technique_video.php

My 2K at the CRASH-Bs was 7:20.9 so I'm a little way off my best times.

[tjf0]

When I started rowing last year I found it very useful to compare my times with other people and my first goal was to try to reach the 50% level for my age group and break 20 minutes for the 5k. I then found out that weight also made a big difference but again that is accounted for in the rankings.
The rankings are very useful for me since I can see how I am doing compared to other people. I do think that one needs to review the information on how to erg on the concept 2 site to make sure that you are using a proper technique. I know I still have a lot of work to do on my form.
I turned 60 last yr and have managed the following times:
1:37.9 500m, 3:29.9 1000m, 7:17.2 2000m, and a 19.26.4 5000m the 2k was done in a erg race which I would highly recommend to others. I also can now really appreciate the rankings since I understand how hard it is to get the times that are posted when I watch the CRASH-B replays it is interesting to see what tactics people use to get the times are posted on the site. It also appears that everyone has different motivating factors on this site. Some people like to row full marathons while others work on shorter distance. Some people I know just row to loss wt and do not even look at the rankings. I guess it all depends on what motivates you.

[fishbust]

I am a solo type when it comes to working out, so comparing to others usually is a problem. I spoke to my son today about his erging, who races and runs in the 6's for his 2 k's and we found my problem with the erg, my overall form is very good...my stroke rate is just too darn fast and I am not kicking hard enough. I need to slow way down and kick harder. Dougie called it right, my upper body is doing most of the work. I usually do the 5k's for endurance because I take the boat out for hours at a time in the summer and was looking to an occasional 10k before I decided to go back for a while and see if the 2k's would go any faster. Tomorrow I will kick harder and take 5 strokes off a minute and make use of the rest time after the drive and will rank a much better number.

Thanks!

[Bob S.]

Tomorrow I will kick harder and take 5 strokes off a minute and make use of the rest time after the drive and will rank a much better number.

Thanks!

fishbust,

Good luck on the improvements and let us know how it works out.

Bob S.

[Citroen]

I usually do the 5k's for endurance because I take the boat out for hours at a time in the summer ...

Does that boat have a fixed seat?

I had a friend who'd rowed fixed seats for many years and he was arms/upper body only - he had lots of power for a 70+ and pulled a quick 2500m, but could have gone harder by driving more with his legs.

[fishbust]

I usually do the 5k's for endurance because I take the boat out for hours at a time in the summer ...

Does that boat have a fixed seat?

I had a friend who'd rowed fixed seats for many years and he was arms/upper body only - he had lots of power for a 70+ and pulled a quick 2500m, but could have gone harder by driving more with his legs.

No, I have a sliding seat. Was an 18 foot Small Craft, sometimes rowed a 24 Peinert Dolphin but sold the Small Craft and just ordered a new Wintech.

My recreational and exercising/cardio method of rowing has been different from a racer in that I have not been bursting with my legs on the drive, my rowing has been a continuous and never ending fluid movement, not 'proper' for erg distances but good for my endurance, I enjoy taking the shell or the kayak out for 2 to 5 hours (most times around 3) and not return home shot and exhausted. My previous erg and the electronics were very different from the Concept 2. I am now working on altering my form to what is considered proper for racers and see which way I like better after a couple/few weeks.

[fishbust]

fishbust,

Good luck on the improvements and let us know how it works out.

Bob S.

Ok Bob.....2nd day of "doing it right"...kicking harder and slowing the stroke rate down from 35 to 29/30 made a big difference, knocked a half minute off already, clocked a 8:31.5 2k today, yesterday was around 8:36. Not great but it will take a little time, shaving a few seconds off each day. At least now I know what I was doing wrong.

Will work it this way for a few weeks with a goal in mind to hit high 7's by April. I will be happy with high 7's and will then mix it back and forth with 5k's and of course the boat will be being used by then on weekends!

Thanks for the help. It is much appreciated. - Joe