Age related decline

[Edward4492]

OTW is a matter of circumstance, I happen to work 5min from a literally world class venue, Cooper River in Camden NJ. The Gold Cup Challenge was held here and I was down the club mid week mingling with Robbie Manson, Koetel Borsh, Kara Kohler etc. It's the perfect 2000m course. Our boathouse is stellar; nice locker room with showers, etc. I can be on the water early, shower and get to work in five minutes. Our club consists of about 100 members, our race team about 20 (19 women and me). All sculling, no sweep. Boathouse Row is 15min from here, no shortage of quality racing. I don't think it's possible to get a better situation.

[DavidA]

One more blow against the aging decline story.

Today. 2000m, C2 verified, 7:06.5 @1:46.6, DF/SPM 161/34, W/s: 289/34 = 8.5.

No way was I going to leave my last 2K hanging out there with my interval technique. Tired today after 2K on Thurs. Got some seconds left in these "aging" bones.

Glenn, You been losing weight? Your signature makes it look like you are wasting away to nothing.

Wow! Congratulations!
That an amazing time.

David

[Cyclingman1]

Thanks, David. I know you been watching me during my ups and downs over the yrs. I think I have more in me, but I have to get over this doggone nagging cold I have.

[McMurphy]

Cyclingman, why such a high df? Just curious as I’m thinking of raising mine also. I’m usually around 120 DF. Thanks

[Cyclingman1]

Cyclingman, why such a high df?

I know, all the WR holders, etc, etc use <= 135 or so. But I just feel more connected to machine with higher DFs. I actually vary somewhat, ranging from say 146 to 165. Lower on longer pieces. Maybe someone has an explanation. I'm not an overly powerful rower. I do have a long stroke.

[Mark E]

Since I raised the topic of coronary heart disease that could result from frequent/intense aerobic exercise, I thought I'd post this summary of what to do about it from the American College of Cardiology.

https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiolog ... re-time-or

Basically, if you're worried that you might be at risk you could consider getting some imaging done, and possibly a stress test if the doctors recommend it. Even with an elevated calcium score, which is somewhat common for masters-aged athletes, the recommendation based on these tests may be to carry on with your training. But maybe not ...

[Cyclingman1]

I like posting on this thread because fighting against the past and decline is very real for me. At times it seems like I'm making a little progress, but then the reality of the numbers sets in.

Today: 10K: 38:26 @1:55.3, DF 148, SPM 31. That is about #20 out of over 800 +60, All Wts, posters this yr. Seems not too bad, but then again in Dec, 2012, age 66, 10K: 36:21@1:49, DF 135, SPM 33, #2 in world among +60, All Wts, posters in season 2013. That is losing over 2 min. I guess getting to 38:00 is going to be difficult.

[Eric308]

I like posting on this thread because fighting against the past and decline is very real for me. At times it seems like I'm making a little progress, but then the reality of the numbers sets in.

Today: 10K: 38:26 @1:55.3, DF 148, SPM 31. That is about #20 out of over 800 +60, All Wts, posters this yr. Seems not too bad, but then again in Dec, 2012, age 66, 10K: 36:21@1:49, DF 135, SPM 33, #2 in world among +60, All Wts, posters in season 2013. That is losing over 2 min. I guess getting to 38:00 is going to be difficult.

As my Dad used to say, "ain't no mountain for a climber." Merry Christmas!

[G-dub]

Hey Jim - it looks like ATL erg sprints has a 1K event this year. May see you there now that I know that!

[Cyclingman1]

Don't wimp. !!

[Cyclingman1]

Atl Erg Sprints are moving from Ga Tech to Venture Crossfit, not too far from Tech, after all of those years at Tech. So far no registration info, etc.

[G-dub]

I know. It’s weird that they wait so long for registration. I liked being at tech. A CrossFit box doesn’t seem the same for some reason but maybe it will draw a new crowd.

[mdpfirrman1]

Good to see some familiar people (Glenn, Jim, Mark). I've been locked out a few months. Had to create a new profile. I had some computer issues and cleared the "cookies" and it didn't save my password. When you fill out the Forgot Password part on C2, no one emails you another link, so I just finally created a new username and password.

This year was a huge age decline year for me (just turned 55). With a 9 month rehab from a herniated thoracic disc, I couldn't do anything but easy miles on the Assault Bike. Just got back into rowing gingerly in mid May/June and into July. Back didn't stop hurting till the last two months. I'm easily 9 seconds off my best paces just two years ago. Did my first 2K TT recently and it was like 7:55. Don't know if I'll ever get back to 7:11 but I'll try. I was never that fast or that strong to begin with.

To go back to the original question, I think age decline is dependent, in large part, to the ability to handle training load. There have been times that I've been willing mentally to handle much more training but the body won't allow it. Just observationally, I've noticed that those that have kept themselves in decent cardio and physical shape all their lives can tend to handle more volume. I spent one decade smoking (but thin) and then another fat. I think, though I was a decent athlete in my youth, I can't handle massive training loads. Obviously, I managed to get close to 7:10 with a crap knee, despite being shorter with shorter limbs and not weighing particularly a lot, so I did something right.

Anyway, good to see you all. I'm back at it, though times are crap currently.

Mike P

[Cyclingman1]

Good to see some familiar people (Glenn, Jim, Mark).

I think age decline is dependent, in large part, to the ability to handle training load.

Once the rowing bug really takes hold, one is usually not going to give it up very easily. I'm sure I'll be rowing and posting at age 80 and beyond.

Regarding age decline and training load. Age decline and training load are tightly coupled. Both will happen and nothing can be done about it. I'll add in VO2Max decline and what I call endurance strength decline - what can you lift 100 times.

Guess I'll throw out my latest numbers which are both a decline and an improvement - it is what it is.

Today: 5K: 18:43.4 @ 1:52.3, DF 153, SPM 31, W 248, W/stroke 8.0. Did it in alternating 500m Slower [1:54.3], Faster [1:49.3].
Not too bad. Just the guy from Hawaii is well in front for the season. Some dude from Fl is pretending to be up there, which I'll believe when it snows in Miami.

Hang in Mike. I've managed to claw back part way. It has been tough, but fun too.

[Dangerscouse]

Good to see some familiar people (Glenn, Jim, Mark). I've been locked out a few months. Had to create a new profile. I had some computer issues and cleared the "cookies" and it didn't save my password. When you fill out the Forgot Password part on C2, no one emails you another link, so I just finally created a new username and password.

This year was a huge age decline year for me (just turned 55). With a 9 month rehab from a herniated thoracic disc, I couldn't do anything but easy miles on the Assault Bike. Just got back into rowing gingerly in mid May/June and into July. Back didn't stop hurting till the last two months. I'm easily 9 seconds off my best paces just two years ago. Did my first 2K TT recently and it was like 7:55. Don't know if I'll ever get back to 7:11 but I'll try. I was never that fast or that strong to begin with.

To go back to the original question, I think age decline is dependent, in large part, to the ability to handle training load. There have been times that I've been willing mentally to handle much more training but the body won't allow it. Just observationally, I've noticed that those that have kept themselves in decent cardio and physical shape all their lives can tend to handle more volume. I spent one decade smoking (but thin) and then another fat. I think, though I was a decent athlete in my youth, I can't handle massive training loads. Obviously, I managed to get close to 7:10 with a crap knee, despite being shorter with shorter limbs and not weighing particularly a lot, so I did something right.

Anyway, good to see you all. I'm back at it, though times are crap currently.

Mike P

Good to see you're fighting your way back Mike and back in the forum