New Personal Best! Brag About That New Pb!

[Tony Cook]

5000m
19:53.4 5,000m 1:59.3 206 1008 26 184

3:59.3 1,000m 1:59.6 204 1003 26 175
3:59.6 2,000m 1:59.8 204 1000 26 181
3:58.2 3,000m 1:59.1 207 1013 26 187
3:57.4 4,000m 1:58.7 209 1020 27 190
3:58.9 5,000m 1:59.4 205 1006 27 190

Previous:
22/03 - 22:04, 2:12.4, 27spm
05/04 - 21:33, 2:09.3, 24spm
21/04 - 21:05, 2:06.5, 25spm, 177 HR
25/05 - 20:43, 2:04.3, 24spm, 182 HR
Today - 19:53, 1:59.3, 26spm, 184 HR

I've been itching to tick the sub 20 5k off the list, so happy to get it done. It wasn't a good day however. This was meant to be a 95% effort, but it was probably the hardest row I've ever done. My max heart rate when rowing has been 191 and I hit 190 with over 4 minutes to go. It was not fun. Based on my 2k time (where I had a bad day as well), my equivalent 5k is 19:34, so it's quite a way off.

The last 3 time trials I've done (2k, 2k, and 5k), I've had a bad day. I've always had no problem giving a little extra on race day (running, crossfit, 1 rep maxes), but 3 times doesn't seem like a coincidence for rowing. I suspect it's something to do with my form. Maybe I just don't relax and start yanking with my arms or something. My HR after 1k today was 175 and after the first interval of my 4x1k last week was 175, but that was at 1:52 pace! I have similar comparisons for all 3 of the time trials where I have underachieved.

The takeaway for next time is to just let my stroke flow naturally and get into a rhythm.

Great stuff. If you can do this on a bad day then potential is huge. When I feel myself tensing on a piece I concentrate on loosening my shoulders, reaching forward by rounding my shoulders and ‘hanging’ on the handle with relaxed, straight arms. Seems to slow the movement down but strangely the SR and pace stays the same but my HR comes down. Difficult to describe but maybe give it a go.

[Tony Cook]

There it is ladies and gents, I can retire from erging now

This felt really good and I possibly could have squeezed more out but a 35 second increase on a PB for a distance that I have tried and failed many many times to beat over about 10 years is one of the sweetest feelings I have ever felt in sports.

Started off thinking I'm a bit fatigued from my 30r20 so take it relatively easy(ish) and see what happens, and this happened....

Majorly impressive. I guess when you start off with no expectation you are relaxed into it and then see what’s possible. Then you had the mental and physical strength to push on to the end.

[MartinSH4321]

There it is ladies and gents, I can retire from erging now

This felt really good and I possibly could have squeezed more out but a 35 second increase on a PB for a distance that I have tried and failed many many times to beat over about 10 years is one of the sweetest feelings I have ever felt in sports.

Started off thinking I'm a bit fatigued from my 30r20 so take it relatively easy(ish) and see what happens, and this happened....

Great effort mate, you really deserve this PB! We all knew you can do it, very happy for you!

[max_ratcliffe]

<>

There it is ladies and gents, I can retire from erging now

This felt really good and I possibly could have squeezed more out but a 35 second increase on a PB for a distance that I have tried and failed many many times to beat over about 10 years is one of the sweetest feelings I have ever felt in sports.

Started off thinking I'm a bit fatigued from my 30r20 so take it relatively easy(ish) and see what happens, and this happened....

Awesome. An outstanding time and a huge chunk off the previous PB. No doubt you are already planning on how you can go even faster, but make sure you really enjoy this moment. Very happy for you Stu.

[max_ratcliffe]

5000m
19:53.4 5,000m 1:59.3 206 1008 26 184

3:59.3 1,000m 1:59.6 204 1003 26 175
3:59.6 2,000m 1:59.8 204 1000 26 181
3:58.2 3,000m 1:59.1 207 1013 26 187
3:57.4 4,000m 1:58.7 209 1020 27 190
3:58.9 5,000m 1:59.4 205 1006 27 190
<>
I've been itching to tick the sub 20 5k off the list, so happy to get it done. It wasn't a good day however. This was meant to be a 95% effort, but it was probably the hardest row I've ever done. My max heart rate when rowing has been 191 and I hit 190 with over 4 minutes to go. It was not fun. Based on my 2k time (where I had a bad day as well), my equivalent 5k is 19:34, so it's quite a way off.

The last 3 time trials I've done (2k, 2k, and 5k), I've had a bad day. I've always had no problem giving a little extra on race day (running, crossfit, 1 rep maxes), but 3 times doesn't seem like a coincidence for rowing. I suspect it's something to do with my form. Maybe I just don't relax and start yanking with my arms or something. My HR after 1k today was 175 and after the first interval of my 4x1k last week was 175, but that was at 1:52 pace! I have similar comparisons for all 3 of the time trials where I have underachieved.

The takeaway for next time is to just let my stroke flow naturally and get into a rhythm.

Tremendous PB, Booming.

I think having the PM sitting there in judgment is quite a drain on mental resources.

Sub-20 is a huge milestone, well done. Enjoy it, and know that you'll go even faster on a good day.

[Montecore]

There it is ladies and gents, I can retire from erging now

This felt really good and I possibly could have squeezed more out but a 35 second increase on a PB for a distance that I have tried and failed many many times to beat over about 10 years is one of the sweetest feelings I have ever felt in sports.

Started off thinking I'm a bit fatigued from my 30r20 so take it relatively easy(ish) and see what happens, and this happened....

Super impressive; congrats on checking that goal off the list!

[boomingaway]

Lovely stuff, and that's a huge chunk off your former PB and a big milestone to break too.

Finding the rhythm and stroke that is right for you is really important otherwise as the general effort is hard enough as it is without it not having a good flow to it.

Thanks and congrats to you too! I'd like a 2k at that pace soon!

Great stuff. If you can do this on a bad day then potential is huge. When I feel myself tensing on a piece I concentrate on loosening my shoulders, reaching forward by rounding my shoulders and ‘hanging’ on the handle with relaxed, straight arms. Seems to slow the movement down but strangely the SR and pace stays the same but my HR comes down. Difficult to describe but maybe give it a go.

Thanks Tony. You put down in words exactly what I was trying to tell myself with 2k to go. My body wouldn't listen to my brain then though. I just need to start with this in my head.

Tremendous PB, Booming.

I think having the PM sitting there in judgment is quite a drain on mental resources.

Sub-20 is a huge milestone, well done. Enjoy it, and know that you'll go even faster on a good day.

Thanks! My next goal is a 7500m/30min row. I'm hoping another month with lots of meters will get me there.

[Montecore]

Booming,

Time to update your signature!

[Dino]

5000m
19:53.4 5,000m 1:59.3 206 1008 26 184

3:59.3 1,000m 1:59.6 204 1003 26 175
3:59.6 2,000m 1:59.8 204 1000 26 181
3:58.2 3,000m 1:59.1 207 1013 26 187
3:57.4 4,000m 1:58.7 209 1020 27 190
3:58.9 5,000m 1:59.4 205 1006 27 190

Previous:
22/03 - 22:04, 2:12.4, 27spm
05/04 - 21:33, 2:09.3, 24spm
21/04 - 21:05, 2:06.5, 25spm, 177 HR
25/05 - 20:43, 2:04.3, 24spm, 182 HR
Today - 19:53, 1:59.3, 26spm, 184 HR

Excellent PB! To drop from 22.x down to sub-20 is very good going. Sometimes I think wearing a HRM is a hindrance. I have only just got one, but for PB attempts I probably wouldn't wear it - it can sow seeds of doubt.

There it is ladies and gents, I can retire from erging now

This felt really good and I possibly could have squeezed more out but a 35 second increase on a PB for a distance that I have tried and failed many many times to beat over about 10 years is one of the sweetest feelings I have ever felt in sports.

Started off thinking I'm a bit fatigued from my 30r20 so take it relatively easy(ish) and see what happens, and this happened....

HUGE PB - congratulations Stu. Looks extremely well controlled and executed, negative splitting all the way. Very nice indeed

[sjors]

There it is ladies and gents, I can retire from erging now

This felt really good and I possibly could have squeezed more out but a 35 second increase on a PB for a distance that I have tried and failed many many times to beat over about 10 years is one of the sweetest feelings I have ever felt in sports.

Started off thinking I'm a bit fatigued from my 30r20 so take it relatively easy(ish) and see what happens, and this happened....

Congrats on this final Pb. Just kidding. Very well done. And nice to read how enthusiastic you are in conquering oneself.

[JMac]

There it is ladies and gents, I can retire from erging now

This felt really good and I possibly could have squeezed more out but a 35 second increase on a PB for a distance that I have tried and failed many many times to beat over about 10 years is one of the sweetest feelings I have ever felt in sports.

Started off thinking I'm a bit fatigued from my 30r20 so take it relatively easy(ish) and see what happens, and this happened....

Well done mate! Massive effort.

[boomingaway]

Booming,

Time to update your signature!

Done, best part about a PB!

Excellent PB! To drop from 22.x down to sub-20 is very good going. Sometimes I think wearing a HRM is a hindrance. I have only just got one, but for PB attempts I probably wouldn't wear it - it can sow seeds of doubt.

Thanks! I just love all the data. I can sense early on if I'm going to have a good day or not. Today, I knew it was bad from the elevated heart rate. I tried not to let it affect me though and prepared for the suffering, which promptly arrived.

[winniewinser]

There it is ladies and gents, I can retire from erging now

This felt really good and I possibly could have squeezed more out but a 35 second increase on a PB for a distance that I have tried and failed many many times to beat over about 10 years is one of the sweetest feelings I have ever felt in sports.

Started off thinking I'm a bit fatigued from my 30r20 so take it relatively easy(ish) and see what happens, and this happened....

Outstanding PB mate....huge congrats....take the accolades as you give so much to everyone else on here and now you deserve it!

[winniewinser]

5000m
19:53.4 5,000m 1:59.3 206 1008 26 184

3:59.3 1,000m 1:59.6 204 1003 26 175
3:59.6 2,000m 1:59.8 204 1000 26 181
3:58.2 3,000m 1:59.1 207 1013 26 187
3:57.4 4,000m 1:58.7 209 1020 27 190
3:58.9 5,000m 1:59.4 205 1006 27 190
...

Congrats on getting under 20mins

[Dangerscouse]

Thanks very much everyone. I contemplated quoting everyone but my head is pounding after too many celebratory beers yesterday so I couldn't do it.

It has been a long time coming but this and the recent 30r20 have set a lot of thoughts and hopes in motion so I'm hopefully going to set another few PBs to add to the other seven I have set since March.

It does feel strange to say that I'm probably in the best fitness of my life, certainly in the past 30 years when I stopped playing basketball every day.