The Pete Plan and working motherhood, is it possible?

[genagoodrow]

I'm in the honeymoon phase with my C-2. Nearly all my rows have been fun, and my body feels great. Better on the days I row than the ones I don't. Totally in love!

I've been at it seriously for about 3 weeks, 4 x 40 min and 2 x 70 min every week. Some intervals, but mainly steady rowing. I'd like to start seeing some improvement with speed, so I'm considering starting the Pete Plan. Looks good, but I'm a touch intimidated by the time commitment. I've got 2 year old twins, and it's a struggle to fit in life and sleep. Every minute on the erg is precious. In a way, I need my erg time to be gentle - I'm on it for fun and fitness. The rest of life is so fast paced it's hard to pour energy into rowing too. But I do want to improve, so I was going to give Pete a try.

Any other working moms do the Pete Plan? How do you find it? When do you do it?

I'd like to row mornings, but am sometimes tired. Which usually means 10PM rows, which are too late to do 60+ minutes. Just trying to figure this all out.

Please share your inspiration and hope!

[gregsmith01748]

Hi,

I used the Pete Plan for a few months and I highly recommend it. I think the structure was really useful to keep me motivated and it definitely helped me include more interval work in my training, which I had trouble planning for myself.

I can totally understand your time limitations. If I might make a suggestion. I would keep the schedule of what kind of workout you do on which day, but just adjust the workout length to fit what you can do.

If you don't have time for 8x500m intervals, then shorten it to 6x500m, but keep the same ratio of work and rest.

For the longer intervals, pick interval distances that give you the desired workout time.

For distance rowing, just do what you can afford for time.

You might make slower progress, but I bet it will keep your affair with your erg in full bloom, instead of making it a chore.

Greg

[genagoodrow]

Thanks Greg, those are good suggestions! Intervals are a kind of training I need structure and help with. Like the looks of the PP. And if I stick to it, dropping the number of intervals if need be, I'll be golden. You're right, it's not really so much more time. Just a little intimidating to me. But I got to remember, every other day is a steady row, so I get my gentle rewards in there, with some improvement hopefully.

Here's a question about interval training. I have a hard time regulating my pace. For the hard intervals I tend to be all or nothing and burnout too fast. Like last night. I put everything into the first 2 500 m pieces, then had nothing left for the last 6. At least I was fast by my standards, 1:56 and 1:52!

So, do you stay manageable at first and push faster and faster for each rep? I think I read that somewhere. Seems smart.

[gregsmith01748]

Hi.
The key for me was in the notes to the Pete plan where he reluctantly gives target paces for intervals based on your 2K times. Here is what's in there:

8 x 500m = 3seconds faster than 2k pb pace (2k – 3)
Speed pyramid = 2k pb pace (2k)
4 x 1000m = 1second slower than 2k pb pace (2k + 1)
5 x 1500m = 5k pb pace (5k)
4 x 2000m = Half a second slower than 5k pb pace (5k + 0.5)
3k, 2.5k, 2k = 1second slower than 5k pb pace (5k + 1)

It was exactly what I was looking for, because I used to do what you are doing, push myself so hard that i always pooped out. Now, I know that I can complete the interval, I certainly get my heart rate up, and as my 2k times improve, I adjust the interval objectives. By the way, when I do the 2k intervals, I actually try to push my pace to beat my previous PB on the first segment, so I can get a read on how I'm doing, then I do the rest of the intervals at the planned rate.

Greg

[El Caballo]

Here's a question about interval training. I have a hard time regulating my pace. For the hard intervals I tend to be all or nothing and burnout too fast. Like last night. I put everything into the first 2 500 m pieces, then had nothing left for the last 6. At least I was fast by my standards, 1:56 and 1:52!

So, do you stay manageable at first and push faster and faster for each rep? I think I read that somewhere. Seems smart.

Yes, stay manageable at first, and maintain the same pace for each rep until the last two or three when you go slightly faster (if you can). Once you have completed a good set, find your average pace for the complete set. Use this as your starting pace the next time you do this workout.

[genagoodrow]

Yes, that's exactly what I needed to hear to give me something to work with. Now if I can get over this cold I'll be more willing to really push myself. Keep reminding me that intervals are the way to speed and a better VO2 max!

How often do you test your current 2K PB?

[gregsmith01748]

I end up doing a 2K test about once every month or two. I really hate them.