New Personal Best! Brag About That New Pb!

[RDL]

Another small (from my perspective !) milestone for me today.

Started the Concept2 5k 8-12wk plan.

Day 1 is a 5k benchmark piece.

I did a 5k shortly after getting the rower and it wasn’t very impressive to say the least!

Today whilst still equally ‘poor’ saw me take 1:09 off my first attempt of 21:58.6 so I’m happy with that.

The details…

Time Meters Pace Watts S/M H/R
20:49.1. 5,000m 2:04.9 180 24 168

So. Time to see what the next 8 or so weeks bring.

I haven’t really thought about what I want to get out of this beyond going sub 20:00.

We shall see!

[Dangerscouse]

Another small (from my perspective !) milestone for me today.

Started the Concept2 5k 8-12wk plan.

Day 1 is a 5k benchmark piece.

I did a 5k shortly after getting the rower and it wasn’t very impressive to say the least!

Today whilst still equally ‘poor’ saw me take 1:09 off my first attempt of 21:58.6 so I’m happy with that.

The details…

Time Meters Pace Watts S/M H/R
20:49.1. 5,000m 2:04.9 180 24 168

So. Time to see what the next 8 or so weeks bring.

I haven’t really thought about what I want to get out of this beyond going sub 20:00.

We shall see!

Well done, that's a big improvement, and sub 20 won't be too much longer if you keep working hard.

It's not 'poor', it's the beginning. No one is what they will eventually be when they first start. Never forget, Michael Jordan got cut from his high school basketball team

[RDL]

Well done, that's a big improvement, and sub 20 won't be too much longer if you keep working hard.

Thanks.

Feel the sub 20:00 won’t be an issue. How much under will be the fun/hard part!

If I’d have left it all on the floor I’d have probably managed to pull it off today, however today’s pace dictates later sessions so would I feel have been pointless at this point.

It's not 'poor', it's the beginning. No one is what they will eventually be when they first start…

Yes ‘poor’ probably selling myself short and has placed me just below the 50th percentile which I guess is ok after 3 weeks.

I am just hugely self critical and feel I haven’t given it a good enough shot.
Silly head games with myself!

[DavidA]

Another small (from my perspective !) milestone for me today.

Started the Concept2 5k 8-12wk plan.

Day 1 is a 5k benchmark piece.

I did a 5k shortly after getting the rower and it wasn’t very impressive to say the least!

Today whilst still equally ‘poor’ saw me take 1:09 off my first attempt of 21:58.6 so I’m happy with that.

The details…

Time Meters Pace Watts S/M H/R
20:49.1. 5,000m 2:04.9 180 24 168

So. Time to see what the next 8 or so weeks bring.

I haven’t really thought about what I want to get out of this beyond going sub 20:00.

We shall see!

Congratulations!
Nothing poor about it, and that's a big chunk off your PB!
Good luck on the sub-20.

David

[Dangerscouse]

I am just hugely self critical and feel I haven’t given it a good enough shot.
Silly head games with myself!

I'm the same, but the benefit of it is you can create restless satisfaction to keep driving yourself to improve.

Three weeks in is no time at all. Give it six months, at the very least before you even start to really judge yourself.

[aussie nick]

Another small (from my perspective !) milestone for me today.

Started the Concept2 5k 8-12wk plan.

Day 1 is a 5k benchmark piece.

I did a 5k shortly after getting the rower and it wasn’t very impressive to say the least!

Today whilst still equally ‘poor’ saw me take 1:09 off my first attempt of 21:58.6 so I’m happy with that.

The details…

Time Meters Pace Watts S/M H/R
20:49.1. 5,000m 2:04.9 180 24 168

So. Time to see what the next 8 or so weeks bring.

I haven’t really thought about what I want to get out of this beyond going sub 20:00.

We shall see!

congrats man..that's a huge improvement. Getting way closer to 2.00 pace which is very respectable indeed. Keep going bro

[RDL]

Congratulations!
Nothing poor about it, and that's a big chunk off your PB!
Good luck on the sub-20.

David

Thanks. looking forward to the challenge.

I'm the same, but the benefit of it is you can create restless satisfaction to keep driving yourself to improve.

Three weeks in is no time at all. Give it six months, at the very least before you even start to really judge yourself.

Yep. Love completing with myself. Looking forward to seeing where I am at come the end of the year.

congrats man..that's a huge improvement. Getting way closer to 2.00 pace which is very respectable indeed. Keep going bro

Cheers. Doesn't feel huge but my perception of that is skewed at present through lack of experience. I feel the that 2:00 is just around the corner. Soon find out!

[KeithT]

New 1000m pb!
Time Meters Pace Watts Cal/Hr S/M HR
3:27.3 1,000m 1:43.6 314 1381 31 161

Still learning, but following an asensei training program for the last couple of months when time allows to try and give me a bit of structure and learn proper technique. Did the first 1000m couple of months ago with a 3.41, but went out too easy, then way too hard at 750m which left me hanging on for the last 100. This time I went out way too hard and was just hanging on after 600m, I'm pretty sure form went out the window to get that last 200m! At least I should have better idea of pacing next time.... maybe.

I missed this......I love a good 1K effort as I (we) know the pain, especially if too aggressive early. Nice improvement!! That's a ton for a 1K. My favorite pacing strategy for a 1K is to go ahead and do the first 100m fast ( under desired pace) then 300m a second or two above pace, then 300m at pace and then a little below planned place and whatever you have left for the last 300m. I often mess this plan up but it's my favorite plan to try and stay with.

[KeithT]

Another small (from my perspective !) milestone for me today.

Started the Concept2 5k 8-12wk plan.

Day 1 is a 5k benchmark piece.

I did a 5k shortly after getting the rower and it wasn’t very impressive to say the least!

Today whilst still equally ‘poor’ saw me take 1:09 off my first attempt of 21:58.6 so I’m happy with that.

The details…

Time Meters Pace Watts S/M H/R
20:49.1. 5,000m 2:04.9 180 24 168

So. Time to see what the next 8 or so weeks bring.

I haven’t really thought about what I want to get out of this beyond going sub 20:00.

We shall see!

These are great improvements and I like that you have a goal already (sub 20:00) to work towards.

[aussie nick]

New 1000m pb!
Time Meters Pace Watts Cal/Hr S/M HR
3:27.3 1,000m 1:43.6 314 1381 31 161

Still learning, but following an asensei training program for the last couple of months when time allows to try and give me a bit of structure and learn proper technique. Did the first 1000m couple of months ago with a 3.41, but went out too easy, then way too hard at 750m which left me hanging on for the last 100. This time I went out way too hard and was just hanging on after 600m, I'm pretty sure form went out the window to get that last 200m! At least I should have better idea of pacing next time.... maybe.

I missed this......I love a good 1K effort as I (we) know the pain, especially if too aggressive early. Nice improvement!! That's a ton for a 1K. My favorite pacing strategy for a 1K is to go ahead and do the first 100m fast ( under desired pace) then 300m a second or two above pace, then 300m at pace and then a little below planned place and whatever you have left for the last 300m. I often mess this plan up but it's my favorite plan to try and stay with.

this is very similar to my 1k strategy - I've probably time trialled it less than 10 times but start out really fast...settle down so that I'm at my target by half way, maintain til 750 and then see what's left in the tank.

[RDL]

These are great improvements and I like that you have a goal already (sub 20:00) to work towards.

Thanks.

The sub 20:00 goal seems pretty weak now considering its only 49 seconds but I did set that in my head prior to the row.

I guess it would be 'better' to say I want to hit an 18 minute or similar but whilst I figure out fitting the rower into my other training (running/cycling) I don't want to over commit. Wimping out for now lol! After this cycle though ill hopefully have a better understanding of how the loads are stacking up with my training and be better able to set a goal.

[Dangerscouse]

The sub 20:00 goal seems pretty weak now considering its only 49 seconds but I did set that in my head prior to the row.

I guess it would be 'better' to say I want to hit an 18 minute or similar but whilst I figure out fitting the rower into my other training (running/cycling) I don't want to over commit. Wimping out for now lol! After this cycle though ill hopefully have a better understanding of how the loads are stacking up with my training and be better able to set a goal.

Don't be fooled into thinking it's "only" 49 seconds as your progress will hit diminishing returns, and 49 seconds could be a far bigger effort than you realise. It might not be as well, but progress isn't linear and it's a common mistake for people to think that and then become disillusioned with the harder gains.

Learn to enjoy the process and make the results secondary.

[RDL]

Don't be fooled into thinking it's "only" 49 second

Yeah I guess I should have stuck that 49 seconds in "49" really as I meant are that it sounds nothing but reality...we shall see!

Big thing for me I feel is going to be leg freshness with my running and cycling. I will be keeping an eye on this as I rejig my training as/if needed.

[rob70]

New 1000m pb!
Time Meters Pace Watts Cal/Hr S/M HR
3:27.3 1,000m 1:43.6 314 1381 31 161

Still learning, but following an asensei training program for the last couple of months when time allows to try and give me a bit of structure and learn proper technique. Did the first 1000m couple of months ago with a 3.41, but went out too easy, then way too hard at 750m which left me hanging on for the last 100. This time I went out way too hard and was just hanging on after 600m, I'm pretty sure form went out the window to get that last 200m! At least I should have better idea of pacing next time.... maybe.

I missed this......I love a good 1K effort as I (we) know the pain, especially if too aggressive early. Nice improvement!! That's a ton for a 1K. My favorite pacing strategy for a 1K is to go ahead and do the first 100m fast ( under desired pace) then 300m a second or two above pace, then 300m at pace and then a little below planned place and whatever you have left for the last 300m. I often mess this plan up but it's my favorite plan to try and stay with.

I didn't really have a strategy, I thought starting a little faster may help as when I start to fade it's usually a pretty steep cliff! I hope to improve more over the winter as I try to get a few miles on the bike while the weather is good and evenings are still reasonably light. The concept2 now has 80k on it so with a bit more practice I'll have a go at 2k next.

[Rick]

No one’s going to write home on this one, but I started rowing at home in January 2021. In June, I attempted a 2K for time, and rowed a 8:13 using what I later found was called the “fly and die” plan. Still, it was an ok time for a 61 year old, 5’10” 225 pound guy looking for better fitness. I decided to give it 3 months and try again.

I worked on trying to cap my main body stroke rate at 27-30, as several shorter tests showed I could hold that a good distance. Of course, I ended up at 33 and still lost power in the second half. Part of that is mental, and I’m working on beating that down. In the end, I still gained 25 seconds on my old time, finishing at 7:48. My goal is to get sub 7 at some point, and this was a good chunk towards that. I wasn’t totally happy with the execution of the row, but I am happy to see a solid gain in 3 months.

See you in December, 2k!