Serious student rower looking to become better

[hjs]

OK, Mr Hard-ass, be that way.

You probably consider yourself superior because you think you're so honest you play it as you see it, but remember that being polite, especially to someone who's just joined the forum and may not yet be familiar with your personality is also a beneficial character trait.

I always wonder how people like you react when life really throws you a curveball. You seem to be made of sugar.

[hjs]

Hey, thanks for the Pete plan Ombrax it seems very simple and I like it a lot. I don't mind being called not supertalented, because frankly I'm not, I'm just trying to be better everyday and everything I can learn that will help me towards that is awesome. I haven't asked for a trophy though.
You guys have been very helpful! what would be a good rate for a 2k for me? is 36 ok or is that still too high?

I'm thinking of increasing aerobic volume every week, hopefully that will propel me forward.

36 or even higher is not to much for a 2k, its the combination of your rate, pace and height. For your pace rate 30/32 would ne high enough, the stroke would be longer than your current stroke.
Toprowers do rate pretty high, but this in combination with a strong stroke. In your case, your stroke is not so strong, which means slower, so your recovery needs to be very rushed. Otw that gets you nowhere.
Over time, you should work towards a 7 min 2k rate 20, talking strenghtwise.

Really go for building a stronger stroke, that will help you a lot.

[Gammmmo]

I haven't asked for a trophy though.

I was talking more generally in a metaphorical sense i.e. people need to tell it like it is.

Now, specifically about you, I would agree your endurance is holding you back. Of the numbers you've quoted, relatively speaking, I'd say your 250m mark is the best. The 2K is mainly aerobic though so definitely work on rate restricted sessions of 30mins plus and if I were you I'd be doing regular TTs (at or near max) at say 10K to chart your progress. How often you do them will depend on the workload you can handle. Then start sharpening. Some people use 8x500m or 4x1K intervals as prep for the 2K. Loads of people will help on here especially if you keep coming back...

[Dangerscouse]

OK, Mr Hard-ass, be that way.

You probably consider yourself superior because you think you're so honest you play it as you see it, but remember that being polite, especially to someone who's just joined the forum and may not yet be familiar with your personality is also a beneficial character trait.

I prefer it when people don't sit on the fence. We can't give trophies to everyone...

Agreed. I'm not super talented either and I don't see anything wrong with that.

[Dangerscouse]

@Studentrower, you aren't far off from your goal. Take all of the advice given so far and also really believe in yourself.

A 2k PB really needs you to believe it's possible and aware that it's going to hurt. Mental preparation is really important for when it gets really tough, and it will always get really tough in a 2k.

[Ombrax]

I always wonder how people like you react when life really throws you a curveball. You seem to be made of sugar.

Ah, so now you're attacking me? Nice.

What do curve balls in life have to do with a newbie asking for advice on an erging forum?

Someone new to rowing is a joining an online community, IMO being polite and helpful are the more appropriate initial responses, not brutal assessments of their potential. If the situation warrants it, then sure, be as tough as necessary, but that isn't always the case.

[Ombrax]

what would be a good rate for a 2k for me? is 36 ok or is that still too high?

Regarding stroke rate, It depends on the situation. If you're racing, then 36 spm is OK. But very little of our erging is racing, and most is basic training. And for the majority of that, stroke rates of 20-24 spm are much more typical. You still want to be strong and go HARD on the drive, but take your time on the recovery.

[jackarabit]

Best course for you, Mr. Student Rower, is to take JamesG’s advice to first train power in the stroke and subsequently exploit that improved stroke at higher frequency (strokes/minute) in the 2kTT. I have reasonable confidence that you have the genetic gifts and commitment to crank out 300+ watts for 7-‘.

[NavigationHazard]

It will be greatly to your advantage going forward to have one of your coaches (or an experienced rower from your club) look over your erging technique from time to time. Fitness on the machine is all well and good, but you don't want to pick up bad habits in pursuit of erg speed that won't work well on the water.

Just in case, for preventive reasons, it will be worth your while to ask someone who is knowledgeable to check you out from time to time....

Good luck with it. I hope the senses of fun and love for the sport that you seem to have continue forever.

[hjs]

what would be a good rate for a 2k for me? is 36 ok or is that still too high?

Regarding stroke rate, It depends on the situation. If you're racing, then 36 spm is OK. But very little of our erging is racing, and most is basic training. And for the majority of that, stroke rates of 20-24 spm are much more typical. You still want to be strong and go HARD on the drive, but take your time on the recovery.

Given you, in the end, are looking to get better otw, this is poor advice, try to use a solid strong stroke, that translates to getting your boat moving.

You should change your stroke and make it longer and more efficient, during time trials you do not want to go back to your current short/weak stroke.

[jamesg]

what would be a good rate for a 2k for me? is 36 ok or is that still too high?

Suggest you spend some time afloat and erging with with your crews, they will show you the ratings normally used. Summarizing, for the erg:

Training (up to 10k): 18 to 24
Racing (2 and 5k): 28-32
Sprinting (< 500m): 35-40.
At your height and age you'll need to stay at the low ends, since Work is proportional to stroke length x average handle force.

Long Work can be done at 200-250 Watt and low ratings, and this will give you endurance on a monthly timescale, if you do it.

These days higher race ratings are used afloat, and it's not unusual to see even schoolboy crews (Henley RR, Princess Elizabeth, 2018) doing a full course at 40. But only if strictly necessary. In any case it's not you that sets the rating when afloat, its the man in stroke seat.

On the erg, high ratings are associated with high inertial power losses - the machine is fixed to the Earth, so we move ourselves, not the erg. Afloat we are decoupled from the Earth, so high ratings do not lead to high inertial losses. On the erg, such losses will depend on height and weight, so in your case 35 will be a top limit. 2k at about 28 if you learn to row first, for times around 7 minutes.

Training is done at low ratings so that we can use and train a hefty stroke without dying in the first 2-3 minutes. To go fast and get in a good crew, you need a hefty stroke, so best get working on it asap. And forget the beer.

[jackarabit]

OK, Mr Hard-ass, be that way.

You probably consider yourself superior because you think you're so honest you play it as you see it, but remember that being polite, especially to someone who's just joined the forum and may not yet be familiar with your personality is also a beneficial character trait.

Probably shouldn’t get involved with Tuff Love vs. the Welcome Wagon but occurs that Henry and studentrower are either both Nederlanders or ? Well, I’m not certain of that but at least Mr. s.r. Is getting a Dutch education (belch). So maybe Henry has at least a clue how to address the guy. He does damn well communicating with most of us.

[hjs]

OK, Mr Hard-ass, be that way.

You probably consider yourself superior because you think you're so honest you play it as you see it, but remember that being polite, especially to someone who's just joined the forum and may not yet be familiar with your personality is also a beneficial character trait.

Probably shouldn’t get involved with Tuff Love vs. the Welcome Wagon but occurs that Henry and studentrower are either both Nederlanders or ? Well, I’m not certain of that but at least Mr. s.r. Is getting a Dutch education (belch). So maybe Henry has at least a clue how to address the guy. He does damn well communicating with most of us.

Cheers Jack, Think so yes, over we are brought up and taught to speak up and say it like it is, not to be rude or be negative but don,t beat around the bush. This goes for children/parents, children/teachers, public/police, employers/employer etc.
We Don,t like way of being "nice" just for being nice which is often very shallow and only skindeep.
I very much doubt studentrower even for a second had trouble with my remark, cause he knew what it ment. Nothing fake and nothing rude.

[Ombrax]

Probably shouldn’t get involved with Tuff Love vs. the Welcome Wagon

For the record, I have no problems with "Tuff Love," it's just that I think it's more appropriate for the "Welcome Wagon" to get there first. There will be plenty of time later for the hard realities stuff.

[jackarabit]

Probably shouldn’t get involved with Tuff Love vs. the Welcome Wagon

For the record, I have no problems with "Tuff Love," it's just that I think it's more appropriate for the "Welcome Wagon" to get there first. There will be plenty of time later for the hard realities stuff.

That explains the chick in the gogo boots outside the recruiting office back in ‘68.