Training Program for the chronilogically challenged?

[Myopic Squirrel]

Old guy (68) just bought a used Model E and started sculling lessons (ex-sweep rower from Masters competition 18 years ago) trying to get back into shape with erg & on the water workouts. Major concern - tend to be a Type A that will hurt myself in my enthusiasm, and at this stage of my life not enough time left on the clock to waste rehabbing. With the advances in exercise physiology, are there current training workouts that safely & efficiently get old guys into shape in an optimum time frame? Because of present volunteer commitments, the majority of time will be spent on the erg. Thank you in advance! jon

[Bob S.]

Old guy (68) just bought a used Model E and started sculling lessons (ex-sweep rower from Masters competition 18 years ago) trying to get back into shape with erg & on the water workouts. Major concern - tend to be a Type A that will hurt myself in my enthusiasm, and at this stage of my life not enough time left on the clock to waste rehabbing. With the advances in exercise physiology, are there current training workouts that safely & efficiently get old guys into shape in an optimum time frame? Because of present volunteer commitments, the majority of time will be spent on the erg. Thank you in advance! jon

I'd recommend the UK Interactive Programme (sic):

http://concept2.co.uk/training/interactive

Bob

[Ralph Earle]

Make haste slowly: do not work out more than two consecutive days.
Always ask yourself, "Would I rather wish I had done one more rep/kilometer, or one fewer?"

- Ralph Earle, age 70.

[Myopic Squirrel]

Bob S - thank you for the link. This programme (sic *S*) looks very interesting.

Ralph - thank you, and excellent question. Had I asked myself that Q with some previous activities, I would not have lost a lot of exercise time. Ironically, my most recent injury has led me to the C2.

[Gettingold]

I fully relate to the "safety first" motto and appreciate it more as the years pass by. But the younger years always saw me seeking achievement and "one more rep" seemed pretty appealing at the time. I had my own motto....."The greatest achievements are found outside the comfort zone"
Now, on the wrong side of 50, I don't have the time to take things slowly. I'll deal with the injuries as they come....if they come.
Tahe it easy at first then do what feels right and leaves you with the biggest grin on your dial....you know your body and its signs.
Not preaching.....just the other side of the coin.

[lindsayh]

Yep - I think go as hard as you can/want. As long as your technique is good and training plan is smart it is hard to overdo it IMO. As we age we back off rather than push too hard and it is actually hard to hurt yourself OTE. (and I have seen sub7 at 73y and 8:20 at 82y)

[Ralph Earle]

Perhaps you two will be exceptions, but somewhere between the ages of 6o and 70, most suffer a sharp decrease in muscle mass and a sharp increase in time to heal.

Retirement brings the opportunity and desire to exercise longer and/or harder to stave off this decline, which perforce increases the frequency of
injury from overuse.

And there's the insidious change in DOMS, from the day after a hard workout to two days after -- giving one 24 symptom-free hours to compound the injury.

Not to mention debilitation from ancillary ailments such as arthritis, rheumatism and atrial fibrillation.

Face it, Gentlemen: The calendar always wins.

[Ole Granny]

Hi Ralph,
Good to find you still here and to read your words of wisdom. Thinking of returning after long break, and certainly now chronically challenged...must see if PM3 monitor still works and oil the trusty steed...then see if two torn cartilages and two loose posterior cruciate ligaments will stand the strain! Your cooler is still on the erg.....
Cheers,
Hilary