just27 wrote: Do you find your stroke gets a bit ragged when you're pushing for a PB (the time, not the sandwich) or do you just power through?
I've signed up for a 3 hour dusk-to-moonlight paddle (kayak, not canoe ... but close enough in my mind) on the July full moon, so look forward to being the person in Jan's image!
Chris, if I'm going to give it everything I've got for a row, I have to prepare myself mentally in advance for at least an hour, and then stay focused on heart rate and cadence for the whole row. I also wait until there is a high pressure area controlling our weather before I attempt a strenuous row - more available oxygen should keep heart rate lower. From a cold start I work up to HR=135 for the first 5 min; then stay at HR=145 until min 20 when I am fully warmed up. Then I hold HR between 148 and 152 until min 45. Then I allow HR to rise to no more than 155 between min 45 and 55. If I have any more to give I will go up to HR=160 for the last five minutes, but do not go any higher. My output starts to go down as the heart rate goes up somewhere around minute 35, so thats why I control my HR in stages. I have to watch the PM3 frequently for HR and to keep my cadence constant at 26 or 27. If I don't stay focused I will drift to lower output usually within 45 seconds from sloppy form like allowing my legs to bow out rather than keep them driving straight back or not reaching as far forward as possible on the catch. I did watch one of my paddling videos on the PB row this morning, but it had little relevance to the outcome.
I hope you have the clearest of skies for your full moon paddle! Try to be on the water before the moon comes up to enjoy the whole show. It's very special paddling along with that shaft of moonlight reflecting and sparkling on the water. And some of the best views of a rising moon over water will be from paddling on the west shore.
Thanks for the Congrats Everyone! Much appreciated!
Full moon = greater than 42,195 m in a 24 hr period
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