6:28 2K

[KevJGK]

I am always amused when the newbies show up and defend ranger.

I had a big flash-back when I read that.

Looking back I can see that in August 2006 as a newbie myself I wrote:

I am sure ranger knows this, but when you are continually kicked and criticized it is often done because it gives the kicker a feeling of importance. It often means that you are accomplishing something and are worthy of attention. Many people actually get a sense of savage satisfaction out of denouncing others. Many others however will criticize simply because they do not understand you. That you accept so much negativity in apparent good humour is to your credit.

http://concept2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 16#p251116

I followed that poor judgement up a few weeks later with a stupid challenge to the whole forum:

I have £1,000 that says Ranger will beat 6:30 at BIRC. Fancy a bet?

http://concept2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 56#p262156

Fortunately for me, Henry didn't spot my post and take me up on the bet.

That offer has now been retracted by the way.

[mikvan52]

A sample list of what bugs ranger the most

50-59 open weight 2k performances for any given year.
This example is last year's.
Cureton's name does jump out on this one.
It shows why he's willing to endure such drastic weight reduction measures in his quest for fame.
It also shows why his "long term goal" for 2k is faster than 6:26.3....
Maybe this year he can move up to 41st place
How much does he weigh before he gets on the machine each and every day?

Source: Concept 2 rankings

2000m | Men's | All Weight Classes | Ages 50-59 | 2009 Season

1 Richard Cashin 55 USA 6:18.6(WR) RACE
2 Stan Vegar 53 USA 6:19.8 RACE
3 Steve Krum 54 USA 6:22.4 RACE
4 Nick Rockliff 51 GBR 6:24.3 RACE
5 Skip Donnelly 50 USA 6:24.7 IND
6 George Tintor 51 CHE 6:25.1 RACE
7 Paul Siebach 50 lwt USA 6:26.3(WR) RACE
8 Robert Dean 50 GBR 6:27.6 RACE
9 Jonathan Bone 53 USA 6:27.8 RACE
10 Walter Updegrave 56 USA 6:28.2 RACE
11 George Perrin 56 GBR 6:29.0 RACE
12 Richard Steventon 56 GBR 6:29.6 C2Log
13 Paul Hunt 51 AUS 6:30.5 RACE
13 Joe Greco 56 USA 6:30.5 IND
15 Keith Thomasson 50 GBR 6:31.5 IND
16 Jerry Ash 52 Plano USA 6:31.6 IND
17 George Perrin 56 GBR 6:31.8 RACE
18 Paul Turner 50 GBR 6:33.0 RACE
19 Tony Green 51 GBR 6:33.2 IND
20 Gaetano Durso 50 GBR 6:33.7 RACE
20 Richard Cheeseman 51 GBR 6:33.7 IND
22 Tore Foss 57 Oslo NOR 6:34.0 RACE
23 Alex Pond 50 CAN 6:34.9 IND
24 Torben Kristiansen 53 GBR 6:35.0 RACE
25 Larry O'Toole 58 USA 6:36.4 RACE
26 Gaetano D'Urso 50 IRL 6:36.5 RACE
27 John Spieker 55 USA 6:37.1 IND
28 Philip Dyer 50 Preston GBR 6:37.3 RACE
29 Phillip Dyer 50 GBR 6:37.6 RACE
29 John Ryan 50 USA 6:37.6 RACE
31 Henry Magnuson 52 USA 6:37.7 RACE
32 Curt Kaufmann 58 USA 6:38.3 IND
33 Philip Dyer 50 6:38.5 RACE
34 Hammachi Mouss 50 GBR 6:38.6 RACE
35 Forrest Shuster 54 USA 6:39.1 RACE
35 Ragnar Bråten 51 NOR 6:39.1 IND
37 Frederik(derik) Mare 50 GBR 6:39.5 RACE
38 Steve Giles 50 GBR 6:40.3 RACE
39 Knud Skadborg 54 DEN 6:40.6 RACE
40 Bernhard Kohler 50 DEU 6:40.7 RACE
41 Paul Winton 52 GBR 6:40.9 RACE
42 Rich Cureton 58 USA 6:41.0 RACE

[chgoss]

How much does he weigh before he gets on the machine each and every day?

I'm sure he's getting that information as we speak, after all he did promise to do exactly that every day this week...

After next Monday, before each of my morning erg sessions for the next six weeks, I will weigh in when I get up.

[chgoss]

Here's a list of his achievements:

6:37 in recent years as a heavyweight

.........

My foundational rowing is now complete.

For six months or so, I have just been doing distance rowing (25-30 spm).

I will be sharpening (31-36 spm) for the next six weeks.

As far as I can tell, I never have to do any more foundational training.

I now row well (i.e., at full slide, I pull 13 SPI).

ranger

QFT

[hjs]

I am always amused when the newbies show up and defend ranger.

I had a big flash-back when I read that.

Looking back I can see that in August 2006 as a newbie myself I wrote:

I am sure ranger knows this, but when you are continually kicked and criticized it is often done because it gives the kicker a feeling of importance. It often means that you are accomplishing something and are worthy of attention. Many people actually get a sense of savage satisfaction out of denouncing others. Many others however will criticize simply because they do not understand you. That you accept so much negativity in apparent good humour is to your credit.

http://concept2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 16#p251116

I followed that poor judgement up a few weeks later with a stupid challenge to the whole forum:

I have £1,000 that says Ranger will beat 6:30 at BIRC. Fancy a bet?

http://concept2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 56#p262156

Fortunately for me, Henry didn't spot my post and take me up on the bet.

That offer has now been retracted by the way.

You where lucky there Kev, If I had spotted that one I would have taken the bet in a second

[mikvan52]

All ribbing aside, Rich: I respect your times at 2k. They are superior.

I have also learned a lot by listening to your ideas. There are elements of good training hidden within.

It is good to be aware that all training bands must be included in one's regular routines. I try to do that just like he seems to.

To respond to several things you've posted:

I will be happy to share my TR and AN workouts with you when I get there in February.

I look forward to that!

What kind of base did you begin with?

This is my base: 2/3 OTW 1/3 on the erg

Weekly meters: 2010 C2 logbook (season begins May 1, 2009)
Week Total Meters Total Time
18 26550m 2:45:58.5 (99% OTW meters until week#48)
19 90371m 6:55:44.1
20 46312m 4:00:46.6
21 77603m 6:08:48.5
22 40706m 3:03:22.0
23 35898m 2:59:55.0
24 76510m 6:25:46.8
25 67970m 6:00:41.4
26 64999m 5:08:47.4
27 66777m 5:03:00.0
28 49114m 4:51:00.0
29 77923m 6:47:48.0
30 74000m 6:21:16.0
31 54800m 4:33:02.0
32 78449m 6:35:34.2
33 47500m 5:08:44.9
34 46000m 3:52:00.0
35 65700m 4:49:59.4
36 41880m 3:23:17.0
37 34000m 2:54:00.0
38 56000m 4:01:00.0
39 53500m 4:15:16.0
40 39709m 3:12:51.6
41 35500m 3:00:00.0
43 46000m 3:35:00.0
44 51000m 3:55:00.0
45 7235m 30:00.0 (swine flu)
46 21000m 1:31:00.0 (swine flu)
47 39123m 2:36:00.0 (off season begins)
48 38944m 2:36:06.7
49 29270m 1:58:42.0 (off season ends)
50 46671m 3:05:04.4
51 77690m 5:23:07.8
52 62258m 4:08:13.1
53 57374m 3:56:32.0
1 9381m 35:44.4 (not a 7 day week)
2 76474m 5:20:57.5
3 33015m 2:13:00.0

are you happy with the sharpening you are doing now?

Yes. I usually reach warp speed after a parsec of training at UT^∑(n(n+1))
I am now astronomically fit. Happy with that.

[Citroen]

Yes. I usually reach warp speed after a parsec of training at UT^∑(n(n+1))
I am now astronomically fit ...

... but still falling into the common mistake that a parsec is a measure of time. It isn't, it's a measure of distance and one that will take a very long time to row.

a unit of astronomical length based on the distance from Earth at which stellar parallax is 1 second of arc; equivalent to 3.262 light years

A light year is 9,460,730,472,580,800m

[ranger]

Yea, here are the guys my age and weight (or older) from last year, and that was without distance rowing or sharpening.

I get about a dozen seconds each over 2K from distance rowing and sharpening, so it will indeed be interesting to see what I can pull for 2K this year.

I have been doing distance rowing for aboout six months now.

I will be sharpening for the next six weeks.

Brian Bailey is the lwt 60s WR holder.

RANKING RESULTS 2009
Indoor Rower | Individual and Race Results | 2000m | Men's | Lightweight | Custom Age Range (58–80) | 2009 Season

You are number 1 of 248

1 Rich Cureton 58 Ann Arbor MI USA 6:41.0 RACE
2 Brian Bailey 62 Cheltenham GBR 6:51.8 RACE
3 Brian Leonard Phipps 59 Rongotea Manawatu NZL 6:56.9 RACE
3 Rolf Meek 58 Oslo NOR 6:56.9 IND
5 Tor Arne Simonsen 58 NOR 6:57.3 RACE
6 Robert Lakin 60 USA 7:00.6 RACE
7 gregory brock 61 santa cruz ca USA 7:02.2 RACE
8 Leif Pedersen 63 DNK 7:02.3 RACE
9 Leif Pedersen 63 DEN 7:02.6 RACE
10 Michael Brownjohn 60 Upminster Essex GBR 7:05.2 IND

[mikvan52]

Yes. I usually reach warp speed after a parsec of training at UT^∑(n(n+1))
I am now astronomically fit ...

... but still falling into the common mistake that a parsec is a measure of time.

Just this once, you are wrong.
I was treating it as the stated distance:
1 second of the arc subtended &c, &c, &c

Radii and degrees of arc have always instilled warmth in my heart

As Yoda would query? "Self-deprecation allowed, aren't I ?"

[chgoss]

That predicts that Paul will pull 6:42 when he is 60.

That will make him 20 seconds faster than you then


Say ranger, how did 16K @ 1:52/22 spm warmup go this morning? Where's the screenshot? If you can pull that one off then the 6:16 may not be pie in the sky.

Where's the daily weigh-in screenshot showing poundage and %age bodyfat?

I have come to understand that when ranger fails to respond to a question, that should be interpreted as the highest possible complement. i.e. You were able to phrase the question in such a way that he was unable to avoid it.

[aharmer]

As a non-WR holder I know my advice is not welcome here, but Rich, why not provide the board with what they seek? Nobody is asking you to race your training. All they want to see is a screenshot of your training sessions, whatever those might be. The simple action of snapping a photo and uploading it would show everybody exactly what you are able to do...why endure all of the abuse??

Still confused (yet intrigued) by this whole drama.

[chgoss]

As a non-WR holder I know my advice is not welcome here, but Rich, why not provide the board with what they seek? Nobody is asking you to race your training. All they want to see is a screenshot of your training sessions, whatever those might be. The simple action of snapping a photo and uploading it would show everybody exactly what you are able to do...why endure all of the abuse??

Still confused (yet intrigued) by this whole drama.

that one's easy.. he has been

[mikvan52]

As a non-WR holder I know my advice is not welcome here, but Rich, why not provide the board with what they seek? Nobody is asking you to race your training. All they want to see is a screenshot of your training sessions(....)

You've got a point.

Do understand our maestro though:

The following quote is brought to you from the archives of the concept2.co.uk forum..

It is not doctored in any way.

Responding to a similar question,

Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:04 pm

How can you share workouts or post any results if you're not using the monitor?

Work on general fitness, technique, stroking power, and endurance doesn't have much to do with the monitor at all.

The focus of the sharing is qualitative, not quantitative.

Rich has never attempted to be lucid...or is the right word "cogent"?
Where is my six-pack word-builder when I need it?....

So we have it: (something like)
"The key is not to focus on the monitor much at all." I admit, there is value to this approach. But remember, an egomaniac does not value requests enough to simply comply with any of them.

As for monitors: One of my favorite monitor stories is this one:

Our lightweight crew in college had a rower named Conal Groom. His senior year, Conal rowed for the United States in the Pan Am Games; five years after he graduated, he rowed in the lightweight double in Sydney. He rowed every 2K and 6K erg test with the whole monitor, except the meters, covered. Then, with a certain amount left, he would have one of us remove the cover.



Conal said that he didn't want his body to know how much it should hurt. He explained that he understood that a 1:29 split would hurt more than a 1:30 split. So he didn't want his subconscious to prevent him from holding (or beating) the 1:29 split.



In January or February 1995, Conal pulled a 2K at Potomac Boat Club with about 5-10 of us watching from a safe distance (one didn't miss Conal's erg tests, but one didn't get too close either). With 700 meters to go, his brother, Shaun, removed the tape. Gazing helplessly back at us -- like a fish flopping on a boat's deck -- were the numbers "1:29." Those numbers hadn't been called upon before, having always been resting peacefully behind the middle digit 3, or more often 4, or even5. The numbers simply weren't used to the fury that dragged them from their slumber.



As we gazed in terrified, fascinated horror, Conal then began to abuse the 1 and the 2 and the 9. With each violent explosion of his legs and back, he squeezed and squeezed until the 1:29 couldn't resist anymore. Defeated, the digits crawled from the screen to be replaced by the even more well-rested 1:28, and perhaps even the virginal (to us at least)1:27. And when he finished with them, the erg begged for mercy. Godzilla let the machine live that winter morning, but not until it had offered a 5:52 in supplication for its life.



After the test (test for whom, though?), we shuffled silently from the old boat club. What was one to say? Somehow, "good job" didn't seem the right praise for a tornado.



Best,

Jamie

[Byron Drachman]

It is good to be aware that all training bands must be included in one's regular routines. I try to do that just like seem to.

Hi Mike,

So true. There are a couple of twists to Ranger's training methods. One is his rowing with breaks. At first glance one might think that he is doing intervals. However, as we all know, intervals involve predetermined work and rest periods. During the work period one gets used to the pain or suffering of being stressed and in a sick way sometimes the pain is enjoyable. Rowing with breaks is closer to PhD (putting handle down, a variation of prefers handle down), the art of which Ranger is a seasoned practicioner.

Also, Ranger has stated several times that, unlike the rest of us, he does not suffer from cardiac drift during a long workout. So the little bit of information he hints at in his reports of which training band he is using during his vague, fuzzy reports is suspect.

Byron

[mikvan52]

General advice to all new erger and/or those who'd like to understand ranger:

All of us understand speed:

Miles per hour

meters per second

But to understand ranger you have to fully comprehend
(drum roll)

watts per stroke per minute
the only true measure (selon rangé) of stroking power

It is a magnitude that defies proportionality w/speed.
It is expressed most elegantly in the following:

joule minutes per stroke second

... stay tuned for an update from the professor himself!