Ranger - News To Shock

[old] mpukita · Post by **[old] mpukita** » February 8th, 2006, 11:04 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Cant Climb @ Feb 8 2006, 09:56 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Sounds like a very poorly organized event. Ranger could have very well been mad and just got the H*ll out of there. Here's a guy who spent hour upon hour training and the event organizers cant even orchestrate a properly run race.....it would p*ss me off too..... <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Don't wish to start an argument here ... but I had exactly the opposite experience in Cincinnati. And, I'd hate to leave a comment like this, which is understandable based on what's been posted, go unexplained and allow readers to believe this was a race with shoddy preparations ... it was not.<br /><br />The drag factor was displayed by the venue racing software on each PM3 display, lower right hand corner, prior to every race. They called us for our heats with 5 to 10 minutes to spare before race time. Drag was simple to set (Model D - move damper and pull). I will admit, it was in a very tiny font, but it was there.<br /><br />The race start sequence was plastered on every wall, and taped on the cox chairs behind every erg. If one missed it, one must have been very hyped about the race and not at all conscious about anything else going on. To say it was posted in over 50 locations would probably be conservative, as it was posted behind all 24 ergs plus all over the gym walls and the walls of the entrance hall area.<br /><br />They did use the display to start the race, no verbal commands, but I did not hear any other complaints about the start sequence.<br /><br />My opinion is that is was a very well run race ... with a schedule that was bang on in terms of timing.

[old] Cant Climb · Post by **[old] Cant Climb** » February 8th, 2006, 11:22 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mpukita @ Feb 8 2006, 10:04 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Don't wish to start an argument here ... but I had exactly the opposite experience in Cincinnati. And, I'd hate to leave a comment like this, which is understandable based on what's been posted, go unexplained and allow readers to believe this was a race with shoddy preparations ... it was not.<br /><br />The drag factor was displayed by the venue racing software on each PM3 display, lower right hand corner, prior to every race. They called us for our heats with 5 to 10 minutes to spare before race time. Drag was simple to set (Model D - move damper and pull). I will admit, it was in a very tiny font, but it was there.<br /><br />The race start sequence was plastered on every wall, and taped on the cox chairs behind every erg. If one missed it, one must have been very hyped about the race and not at all conscious about anything else going on. To say it was posted in over 50 locations would probably be conservative, as it was posted behind all 24 ergs plus all over the gym walls and the walls of the entrance hall area.<br /><br />They did use the display to start the race, no verbal commands, but I did not hear any other complaints about the start sequence.<br /><br />My opinion is that is was a very well run race ... with a schedule that was bang on in terms of timing. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />OK.......sounds like it was well run.<br /><br />We can now take that excuse off the board.

[old] John Rupp · Post by **[old] John Rupp** » February 8th, 2006, 12:53 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(nicholashkip @ Feb 7 2006, 04:55 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>There was no verbal warning that the race was about to begin such as..."sit ready". I was still adjusting my foot stretchers, when a fiend of mine yelled to me...."nick they have started the race".By the time I grabbed my handle the screen was well past the row command and my competiton had at least two strokes on me. </td></tr></table><br /><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Cant Climb @ Feb 8 2006, 05:56 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Sounds like a very poorly organized event. Ranger could have very well been mad and just got the H*ll out of there. Here's a guy who spent hour upon hour training and the event organizers cant even orchestrate a properly run race.....it would p*ss me off too..... </td></tr></table><br /><br />Oh yeah big time.<br /><br />That was totally inconsiderate, of all the participants.<br />

[old] John Rupp · Post by **[old] John Rupp** » February 8th, 2006, 12:57 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mpukita @ Feb 8 2006, 07:04 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>The race start sequence was plastered on every wall, and taped on the cox chairs behind every erg. </td></tr></table><br /><br /> <br />

[old] ancho · Post by **[old] ancho** » February 8th, 2006, 1:27 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(John Rupp @ Feb 8 2006, 05:53 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>...<br /><br />That was totally inconsiderate, of all the participants. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Yep, should be sanctioned! <br />

[old] Citroen · Post by **[old] Citroen** » February 8th, 2006, 2:24 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mpukita @ Feb 8 2006, 03:04 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><br />The race start sequence was plastered on every wall, and taped on the cox chairs behind every erg. If one missed it, one must have been very hyped about the race and not at all conscious about anything else going on. To say it was posted in over 50 locations would probably be conservative, as it was posted behind all 24 ergs plus all over the gym walls and the walls of the entrance hall area. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Mark <br />was it the same instructions as: <a href='http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/servic ... estart.doc' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/servic ... doc</a><br />and: <a href='http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/servic ... isplay.doc' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/servic ... doc</a><br /><br /><br />

[old] mpukita · Post by **[old] mpukita** » February 8th, 2006, 2:54 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Citroen @ Feb 8 2006, 02:24 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mpukita @ Feb 8 2006, 03:04 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><br />The race start sequence was plastered on every wall, and taped on the cox chairs behind every erg. If one missed it, one must have been very hyped about the race and not at all conscious about anything else going on. To say it was posted in over 50 locations would probably be conservative, as it was posted behind all 24 ergs plus all over the gym walls and the walls of the entrance hall area. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Mark <br />was it the same instructions as: <a href='http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/servic ... estart.doc' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/servic ... doc</a><br />and: <a href='http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/servic ... isplay.doc' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/servic ... lay.doc</a> <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Dougie:<br /><br />Doing this from memory, but that's pretty much it. However, prior to the start sequence, there was a display that had drag in the lower right hand corner.<br /><br />Interesting that I never even noticed the bottom of the screen (other racers) during the race, as I was so blasted focused on "repairing" the slipping split (versus my race plan) ... but I now understand how my daughter was able to keep telling me where I was in relation to the other rowers, and how far ahead/behind I was.<br /><br />-- Mark

[old] Citroen · Post by **[old] Citroen** » February 8th, 2006, 3:03 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mpukita @ Feb 8 2006, 06:54 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Doing this from memory, but that's pretty much it. However, prior to the start sequence, there was a display that had drag in the lower right hand corner.<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Oh yes, that's there all through the race. I think Scott H needs to update his docs on the C2 website to include that part of the display. (He should also make them into PDFs for the Linux/Mac users.)<br />

[old] nicholashkip · Post by **[old] nicholashkip** » February 8th, 2006, 4:07 pm

Mark-you were in a different bay or row of C2's then ours. Both Rich and I were seated well before the race and contesting the fact that we could not check nor set our drags. Adjustments had been made at the control station and when I asked If I could check my drag the response was "we will have to reset everything". Next <br />thing I know the race had started.<br />Nick<br />

[old] mpukita · Post by **[old] mpukita** » February 8th, 2006, 4:40 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(nicholashkip @ Feb 8 2006, 04:07 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Mark-you were in a different bay or row of C2's then ours. Both Rich and I were seated well before the race and contesting the fact that we could not check nor set our drags. Adjustments had been made at the control station and when I asked If I could check my drag the response was "we will have to reset everything". Next <br />thing I know the race had started.<br />Nick <br /> </td></tr></table><br />True, I was in the other row.<br /><br />It's unacceptable to not be able to set drag ... I'm surprised everyone else didn't pitch a fit.

[old] ranger · Post by **[old] ranger** » February 9th, 2006, 8:50 am

Not talking much now, but I will offer a few comments here about Cincinnati.<br /><br />Yes, that's me rowing in the clip. I have indeed found the foundtain of youth. It is in my basement! I take some sips each morning. Helps the rowing.<br /><br /> <br /><br />I made weight, but with great difficulty--after about six hours of exercise that morning. I had an hour to eat and drink before the race, though, so I thought I could still pull it off. Appears I couldn't. Enough is enough, I guess. The body wouldn't cooperate.<br /><br />At the start of the race, we couldn't set our drags. Our screens were locked. I kept asking one of the guys running the equipment right in front of me, but he didn't know what to do about it. So, what the heck. I just put the drag in the middle somewhere. Who knows what it was. <br /><br />Race sequence was fine, though. I knew when to start.<br /><br />Thanks for the video clip, whoever filmed it, although the first ten stroke of _this_ race (or perhaps _any_ race, tells no tale about rowing form. My right leg was cramping severely and repeatedly during the starting sequence. Then a couple of strokes into the race, my entire mid-section started to seize up. I had other things on my mind! Given this, I think I look remarkably normal in the clip.<br /><br />I was rowing at 30 spm at the start of this row because I had only intended to row 6:40 or so, that is, just an AT row. At that time, I hadn't done much AN work and therefore wasn't ready for anything much faster. At WIRC, I will race at 34-36 spm. I have been doing AN work daily for the last two weeks.<br /><br />I have decided to forget about the weight thing for this racing season. One thing at a time, I guess. I'll just row as a heavyweight. Lord knows, I tried to make weight at these recent races--twice--and the results were not pretty. I'll have to work on this weight business in the off-season, looking toward next fall. I suspect that some good bouts of running will bring my weight down again. I also might have to give up my "rowing with breaks" and just do frothting. <br /><br />I leave for Baltimore tomorrow. I race Saturday, around noon.<br />I race in Chicago on the 18th, about 9 a.m.<br />I race in Boston on the 25th.<br /><br />I'll probably drive out to Boston, as I am doing for these regional regattas. My 19-year-old daughter will come out with me to Boston to keep me company and cheer me on. She will be on spring break from her freshman year here at the University of Michigan. I also have a nephew finishing up a Ph.D. in microbiology at Harvard who will probably come out for the races. He came out to see me row in 2003, when I set the 50s lwt WR. <br /><br />The 55-59 hwts race for WIRC 2006 is stacking up nicely. Should be close. I am not sure that there is a clear favorite. Martyn Low, who is capable of sub-6:30, appears to be coming. Spousta, who won last year, is still rowing sub-6:30 and has just qualified for a plane ride with a nice row at the Mid-Atlantic Sprints. The gentle Giant is rowing just over 6:30. I don't know where I am yet, but I should be in this mix, give or take. Should be fun. <br /><br />I rowed WIRC as a heavyweight in 2002 and got 7th, tieing with Martyn Low at 6:27.5. Many of the folks that finished ahead of us then will not be racing this year in the 55-59 hwts, though. They are no longer doing these races (Andrew Hall, Mark Heller, Roger Uttley), have slowed down considerably (Peter Dreissigacker), or are in a lower (Tore Foss) or higher (Paul Hendershott) age division. <br /><br />In 1999, when he was 55, Paul Hendershott won the 50-59 hwt race at WIRC with a time of 6:24.5. That's right around what I have been shooting for during this training season. <br /><br />See you all there! <br /><br />ranger

[old] cbrock · Post by **[old] cbrock** » February 9th, 2006, 9:10 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(ranger @ Feb 9 2006, 08:50 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Not talking much now, but I will offer a few comments here about Cincinnati.<br /><br />Yes, that's me rowing in the clip. I have indeed found the foundtain of youth. It is in my basement! I take some sips each morning. Helps the rowing.<br /><br /> <br /><br />I made weight, but with great difficulty--after about six hours of exercise that morning. I had an hour to eat and drink before the race, though, so I thought I could still pull it off. Appears I couldn't. Enough is enough, I guess. The body wouldn't cooperate.<br /><br />At the start of the race, we couldn't set our drags. Our screens were locked. I kept asking one of the guys running the equipment right in front of me, but he didn't know what to do about it. So, what the heck. I just put the drag in the middle somewhere. Who knows what it was. <br /><br />Race sequence was fine, though. I knew when to start.<br /><br />Thanks for the video clip, whoever filmed it, although the first ten stroke of _this_ race (or perhaps _any_ race, tells no tale about rowing form. My right leg was cramping severely and repeatedly during the starting sequence. Then a couple of strokes into the race, my entire mid-section started to seize up. I had other things on my mind! Given this, I think I look remarkably normal in the clip.<br /><br />I was rowing at 30 spm at the start of this row because I had only intended to row 6:40 or so, that is, just an AT row. At that time, I hadn't done much AN work and therefore wasn't ready for anything much faster. At WIRC, I will race at 34-36 spm. I have been doing AN work daily for the last two weeks.<br /><br />I have decided to forget about the weight thing for this racing season. One thing at a time, I guess. I'll just row as a heavyweight. Lord knows, I tried to make weight at these recent races--twice--and the results were not pretty. I'll have to work on this weight business in the off-season, looking toward next fall. I suspect that some good bouts of running will bring my weight down again. I also might have to give up my "rowing with breaks" and just do frothting. <br /><br />I leave for Baltimore tomorrow. I race Saturday, around noon.<br />I race in Chicago on the 18th, about 9 a.m.<br />I race in Boston on the 25th.<br /><br />I'll probably drive out to Boston, as I am doing for these regional regattas. My 19-year-old daughter will come out with me to Boston to keep me company and cheer me on. She will be on spring break from her freshman year here at the University of Michigan. I also have a nephew finishing up a Ph.D. in microbiology at Harvard who will probably come out for the races. He came out to see me row in 2003, when I set the 50s lwt WR. <br /><br />The 55-59 hwts race for WIRC 2006 is stacking up nicely. Should be close. I am not sure that there is a clear favorite. Martyn Low, who is capable of sub-6:30, appears to be coming. Spousta, who won last year, is still rowing sub-6:30 and has just qualified for a plane ride with a nice row at the Mid-Atlantic Sprints. The gentle Giant is rowing just over 6:30. I don't know where I am yet, but I should be in this mix, give or take. Should be fun. <br /><br />I rowed WIRC as a heavyweight in 2002 and got 7th, tieing with Martyn Low at 6:27.5. Many of the folks that finished ahead of us then will not be racing this year in the 55-59 hwts, though. They are no longer doing these races (Andrew Hall, Mark Heller, Roger Uttley), have slowed down considerably (Peter Dreissigacker), or are in a lower (Tore Foss) or higher (Paul Hendershott) age division. <br /><br />In 1999, when he was 55, Paul Hendershott won the 50-59 hwt race at WIRC with a time of 6:24.5. That's right around what I have been shooting for during this training season. <br /><br />See you all there! <br /><br />ranger <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Rich,<br />Good to hear that all is OK.<br /><br />I am sure that your body will welcome the opportunity to race properly next time when it is well fuelled and hydrated<br /><br />Again all the best for your lead up races.<br /><br />Having your family with you will make your return to the WIRC something quite special.<br /><br />I and many others will also look forward to a resumption of your contributions to this forum.<br /><br />Chris<br />

[old] FrancoisA · Post by **[old] FrancoisA** » February 9th, 2006, 5:53 pm

Hi Rich,<br /><br />Glad to know that you are still alive and well!

<br /><br />Regarding the cramps you had in Cincinnati, I think you were dehydrated and short on electrolytes when you raced. Also, pace decreases by about 2 percent for each percent of body weight lost in dehydration, so I doubt you would have performed at your potential after six hours to make weight. It takes more than an hour to rehydrate, especially if you eat at the same time.<br /><br />You made the right decision, IMO, to forget about the weight issue for this season. You will still have four more years to set the WR in the lightweight division.<br /><br />Don't put undue pressure on yourself, even though you have raised a lot of expectations with your posts in the past two years! Even if your performance is suboptimal, I am sure it will still be a very good time for a 55 years old "light heavyweight". This is just a hobby after all, not a matter of life or death!

<br /><br />All the best!<br /><br />Francois

[old] nkoffler · Post by **[old] nkoffler** » February 9th, 2006, 5:59 pm

Hey Rich-<br /><br />Sorry you had issues making weight this time. Your previously stated regiment always made me a bit concerned. I'm glad to hear you are just going to race as a heavyweight. At some level, you are still competing against yourself and the extra few pounds aren't really meaningful in that context. It's just an arbitratry line. <br /><br />I know if I trained half as hard as you, I'd be struggling with the same issue.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Neil

[old] ranger · Post by **[old] ranger** » February 10th, 2006, 8:16 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(nkoffler @ Feb 9 2006, 04:59 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Hey Rich-<br /><br />Sorry you had issues making weight this time. Your previously stated regiment always made me a bit concerned. I'm glad to hear you are just going to race as a heavyweight. At some level, you are still competing against yourself and the extra few pounds aren't really meaningful in that context. It's just an arbitratry line. <br /><br />I know if I trained half as hard as you, I'd be struggling with the same issue.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Neil<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Neil--<br /><br />Thanks for the encouragement.<br /><br />Yea, the weight thing, especially in race preparation at race venues, was starting to undermine the whole experience for me. It is indeed a pretty tough regimen that I go through to make weight, and then the racing itself is always done on very little food and water and very little time to reach a good physiological balance. <br /><br />Because I am more interested in rowing OTW now (I now own a 1x), the weight issue is moot. I will race as a heavyweight OTW anyway.<br /><br />Given my increased stroking power, the happier issue is that, even in erging, I am entirely competitive now rowing as a 55-59 heavyweight, perhaps to WR levels (although this is still to be seen). This wasn't the case at all five years ago, but it seems that everyone else is slowing down, while I am still getting faster. It is kind of all of the 55-59 hwt behemoths to be so generous in this way! I hope their much appreciated charity in this matter continues over the next five years! <br /><br />

<br /><br />Undoutedly, if a big hwt 55-59 rower with a lot of experience with endurance training had the umph and determination to do what I have done in my foundational fitness work for the last five years, they could row around 6:00. <br /><br />Maybe when Dwayne is 55...<br /><br />ranger<br />

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