LUNA-TICS TEAM ROOM: Year-round "Looney" fun.

[Shabana]

I will probably give the 500 another go every week or two, my son has told me he knows I can get under 1:30 if I train and try hard enough, I just need to believe him.

Time to sign that coaching son up for an attempt of his own?

I did try, but showing perhaps a bit more common sense than his dad, he declined.

In his defense, 7 years ago he rowed for his high school, and competed in the under 18 nationals at one point. The training regime was brutal, I think he has suffered enough!

[just27]

I will probably give the 500 another go every week or two, my son has told me he knows I can get under 1:30 if I train and try hard enough, I just need to believe him.

Time to sign that coaching son up for an attempt of his own?

I did try, but showing perhaps a bit more common sense than his dad, he declined. In his defense, 7 years ago he rowed for his high school, and competed in the under 18 nationals at one point. The training regime was brutal, I think he has suffered enough!

I do understand. My son rowed in college and has the scarred hands to remind him ... but, he joined our Lunatic efforts in this current spring challenge. (And, voila, the entire family got on board, too. Fun times.) He has had more years to forget the pain!

[Shabana]

I saw this on Twitter and thought it would be an inspiration for our team. It was retweeted by Concept2 so some of you may have already seen it. But if not check it out. https://twitter.com/7newssydney/status/ ... 69345?s=21

Thanks for that post, Jodi, I had not seen it. It certainly is motivating to see that someone who only took up the sport at 85 can become a champion!

And talk about how small a world it is, when I followed the link there were only two replies to the tweet, yours and one from Anthony Barton:

"just sit down, shut up and row" - I think I have heard that once or twice

He coached my son. I think he was listening to himself

[Shabana]

I'm positive that you'll go sub 1:30 if that's a long-term goal - the difference between 1:32 and 1:29.x isn't a whole heck of a lot of watts. Squats and even hard seat time should help - at least that's my hope!

Thanks for the encouragement Zach. The round numbers are nice to beat. I'm even more motivated to beat 7 minutes for the 2000m, and think this is achievable given the big improvements I've been making through the current series.

So how are you going to motivate yourself for the 30 mins? I did one tonight, was not planning to go hard, still sore from yesterday, but somehow lost the plot and got hypnotised by the numbers again, and set a PB. I need to rest a day or three before having another crack!

Well, maybe just a few short intervals at 30 min target pace

[canglem]

Intended to get another shot at the 500m this weekend but Saturday woke up with a little soreness in my groin and right hip, decided to alternate some ice and warm on it, let it recover, then give it a go Sunday morning after we finished cleaning out our basement storage room. I then had a bowling ball fall on my big toe while cleaning said storage room. Going to try an easy 5k around lunch today, then maybe another late night 5k after I get the kiddo to bed. Then the rest of the week giving a run at the 30 minute.

[Kona2]

Ding ding ding! It's Round 3 !!

On yer marks, get set......GO LUNIES! 30 minutes....steady as you go! Get the "first" one done and then see if you can s...t...r....e...t...c...h the meters into more. Just get it done, and don't worry about the numbers.

One perspective I want to encourage is use of the filter function when looking at the Spring Series rankings. When you select OPEN teams, another drop down will be available. You should select 40-49 for the MERCURY and EAGLE team (because they are), and 50-59 for APOLLO and DISCOVERY. Much better look at what we are achieving! Nope, not bending the "truth" with statistics...just cutting out the noise.

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

8.6 MM Ed
2.95 MM Steve W
1.55 MM Eric
1.1 MM Baz
900 K Keith F
100 K Michael C

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

Heather 769 m
Tony 1,111 m...a one of a kind palindrome!
David T 2,200 m ...a double double!
Zach 3,417 m
Steve D 4,129 m
Gines 4,573 m
Maria 5,000 m
Patrick Hsr 5,000 m
Sorin 5,000 m
Teresa G 5,000 m
Linda 6,521 m
Andrea 6,748 m
Karin 7,000 m
Eric 7,196 m
david w 7,428 m
Trevor 8,000 m
Ross 8,845 m
Baz 10,000 m
James S 10,000 m
Jessica 10,000 m
Ken P 10,000 m
Rebecca 10,000 m
Robert E 10,000 m
Ryan 10,000 m
Larry 10,014 m
Karyn 10,619 m
Howard 11,471 m
K2 12,000 m
Carol 13,031 m ...a palindrome!
Brett 13,389 m
Andrew 13,911 m
Norma 15,651 m ...a palindrome!
Minnie 16,456 m
Michael C 20,000 m
Cornel 21,097 m ...mooner !!
Ron 21,112 m ...a palindrome and a mooner!
Keith F 23,097 m ...a mooner!
David A 24,054 m ...mooner!
Ed 33,333 m ...a palindrome and a mooner!!




Don't get behind the 8 ball ...not even in yer garage!

[Kona2]

I saw this on Twitter and thought it would be an inspiration for our team. It was retweeted by Concept2 so some of you may have already seen it. But if not check it out. https://twitter.com/7newssydney/status/ ... 69345?s=21

A good one! 70 million meters by that guy in less than 10 years.....incredible!

[TallErgs]

I'm positive that you'll go sub 1:30 if that's a long-term goal - the difference between 1:32 and 1:29.x isn't a whole heck of a lot of watts. Squats and even hard seat time should help - at least that's my hope!

Thanks for the encouragement Zach. The round numbers are nice to beat. I'm even more motivated to beat 7 minutes for the 2000m, and think this is achievable given the big improvements I've been making through the current series.

So how are you going to motivate yourself for the 30 mins? I did one tonight, was not planning to go hard, still sore from yesterday, but somehow lost the plot and got hypnotised by the numbers again, and set a PB. I need to rest a day or three before having another crack!

Well, maybe just a few short intervals at 30 min target pace

I don't think I'm attempting a 30 minute row until Wednesday at the earliest. My lower back is still incredibly sore, so I'm just going to spend some time on the BikeErg and keep the legs moving. "hypnotized by the numbers" sums up some erg sessions for sure I'm going to shamelessly steal that phrase and use it when I ignore a workout plan and just go hard on a session.

[BigBrett58]

I got a little busy over the past few days and took me a long time to get caught up on the board. I'm grateful for the well wishes sent my way. Started lifting the 16th - terrible sore right now. My plan for the 30 minute row is to do one each day this week and try to do a little more each day. Work is stressing me out, so I don't know how much I have to offer right now. This is all pretty tough.

[BigBrett58]

I got after a 30 minute row today (7372 meters). I'm somewhat happy with it. Its at least a good mark to begin with. Anyone else start yet?

[Jodi]

1:28.7. That one made me puke. Stop the ride, I want to get off.

OMG! You made me laugh out loud with that comment!
Good for you on completing it in a good time. As far as I'm concerned any time while doing a stupidly fast row just for the hell of it , or even to advance your boat in the non-existent waters of this crazy challenge should be celebrated as an accomplishment! Other teams will fear us as they wobble in our wake!
We should all get together for a virtual celebratory drink when this is over.

[TallErgs]

I got a little busy over the past few days and took me a long time to get caught up on the board. I'm grateful for the well wishes sent my way. Started lifting the 16th - terrible sore right now. My plan for the 30 minute row is to do one each day this week and try to do a little more each day. Work is stressing me out, so I don't know how much I have to offer right now. This is all pretty tough.

Have you given yourself a rest day? For me at least, they're critical to injury prevention when I'm lifting and rowing. If you need to exercise as a stress-reducer, maybe do what a friend calls "active recovery". Stretch, and then row a lighter effort piece keeping form in mind.

[BAZzy]

I got a little busy over the past few days and took me a long time to get caught up on the board. I'm grateful for the well wishes sent my way. Started lifting the 16th - terrible sore right now. My plan for the 30 minute row is to do one each day this week and try to do a little more each day. Work is stressing me out, so I don't know how much I have to offer right now. This is all pretty tough.

Have you given yourself a rest day? For me at least, they're critical to injury prevention when I'm lifting and rowing. If you need to exercise as a stress-reducer, maybe do what a friend calls "active recovery". Stretch, and then row a lighter effort piece keeping form in mind.

I was starting to feel it the other day as I also lift weights (power lifting), so I took the day off and felt much better. I'm always cautious these days as nothing worse than a muscle spasm that puts you out of everything for a couple of weeks - take care out there...! Cheers, Baz (Blue skies and 25 degrees in the Harbour City )

[Shabana]

I got a little busy over the past few days and took me a long time to get caught up on the board. I'm grateful for the well wishes sent my way. Started lifting the 16th - terrible sore right now. My plan for the 30 minute row is to do one each day this week and try to do a little more each day. Work is stressing me out, so I don't know how much I have to offer right now. This is all pretty tough.

Have you given yourself a rest day? For me at least, they're critical to injury prevention when I'm lifting and rowing. If you need to exercise as a stress-reducer, maybe do what a friend calls "active recovery". Stretch, and then row a lighter effort piece keeping form in mind.

I also think that the plan to do more each day is not so good for a longer distance, it will mean you are too tired to improve. Another suggestion would be to pick the target pace you want to achieve, say 1:59.9 , and do 1 km at this pace, then 1km significantly more slowly (eg 2:30), then repeat until you have done 30 minutes. That way your body will get used to rowing at the target pace and for the target time without actually killing yourself. After a few days of this, take a day off to recover. On race day, go for it at the target pace. When you have 5 or 10 minutes left to go, if you have anything left in the tank, gun it, otherwise just hold on as best you can till you get to the finish line.

[TallErgs]

I got a little busy over the past few days and took me a long time to get caught up on the board. I'm grateful for the well wishes sent my way. Started lifting the 16th - terrible sore right now. My plan for the 30 minute row is to do one each day this week and try to do a little more each day. Work is stressing me out, so I don't know how much I have to offer right now. This is all pretty tough.

Have you given yourself a rest day? For me at least, they're critical to injury prevention when I'm lifting and rowing. If you need to exercise as a stress-reducer, maybe do what a friend calls "active recovery". Stretch, and then row a lighter effort piece keeping form in mind.

I also think that the plan to do more each day is not so good for a longer distance, it will mean you are too tired to improve. Another suggestion would be to pick the target pace you want to achieve, say 1:59.9 , and do 1 km at this pace, then 1km significantly more slowly (eg 2:30), then repeat until you have done 30 minutes. That way your body will get used to rowing at the target pace and for the target time without actually killing yourself. After a few days of this, take a day off to recover. On race day, go for it at the target pace. When you have 5 or 10 minutes left to go, if you have anything left in the tank, gun it, otherwise just hold on as best you can till you get to the finish line.

I've found that to be a good strategy! It helps get you a great feel for the pace, without exhausting you for a real attempt. For a distance piece I like to start a bit slower than my final pace, and then negative split down, with a hard push at the end. It helps me to feel like I'm getting faster as the piece goes on, but that might just me being crazy.