Pondering the Beginner Pete Plan

[Rowan McSheen]

8000m this morning completes the "compulsory" workouts for week 7. I alternate run and row days and I've noticed over time that if I go for a hard run (as I did yesterday), the following day hr is lower than normal. A bit like rebooting the computer. So today was 2:16.8 pace against 2:17.6 last time, and if I struggled today it was to get the hr up to where it should be.

Frenzen, do not be downhearted. During the earlier weeks it takes a little time to figure out the ideal paces. Some days are good, others are crap. But it's all metres and experience in the bank.

[mitchel674]

On Week 2:
Finished Day 3 and I rowed a few seconds slower than Week 2 Day 1. Day 3 was a total struggle and I was unable to keep it below 2:15 although I attempted to start slower. I was in Zone 5 for 13 mins, 5m in zone 3,6m in zone 1. Abs were burning as hell

Bad days are the price you pay for the good days

So many things could be affecting you it's not worth dwelling on, and next time could very possibly be far better. That's happened to me quite a lot, 24 hours later and it was a world of difference.

So true!!

Perhaps you're going at these steady state pieces too hard. Read Pete's description. These are supposed to be relatively easy where you focus on technique, relaxation and efficiency. They are not supposed to kill you! Put your ego in check and drop your pace on these down to 2:20.

[frenzen]

Thanks guys, yeah maybe I should aim for a slower pace although I do believe that I can maintain 2:15 better but I’m not mentally strong. However, working on efficiency and technique is a better mindset and block as it will help me in the long run (mentally and physically) and the longer distances. I shouldn’t focus too much on the pace but I shouldn’t go too slow either. Need to find a balance!

[mitchel674]

Started week 16 today. After sitting at 10k, the distance starts to increase again to 10,500m. I found an hour long row on Rowpro and decided to hop on for this steady state piece with another rower. Turns out he was some sort of superhuman, alien cyborg who set out at 1:50 and never wavered for the full hour! I ambled along at my steady pace and heart rate and wound up at 12,700m.

[thaloun]

Finished up week 8 yesterday. The instructions mention attempting the 1k intervals at the same pace as the 500m ones from previous weeks. First time I've failed during a workout. Has to happen sooner or later and on reflection I did sleep extremely poorly the night before. Was able to get back going after a breather and finish at a lower pace. Sobering though. I've felt close to hitting a wall a times previously but this was an interesting experience crashing in to one and falling over haha. I'm not discouraged though.

[Rowan McSheen]

Thanks guys, yeah maybe I should aim for a slower pace although I do believe that I can maintain 2:15 better but I’m not mentally strong. However, working on efficiency and technique is a better mindset and block as it will help me in the long run (mentally and physically) and the longer distances. I shouldn’t focus too much on the pace but I shouldn’t go too slow either. Need to find a balance!

There's no mention of heart rate in the Beginners PP but I do the steady rows in the UT1 heart rate band (for me 120-130 bpm). At this intensity I finish feeling that I've had a good workout but not fatigued, especially as they get longer, and able to carry on with my day unaffected. Others use UT2. No matter how I feel or how fast or slow I'm going, the heart rate doesn't lie.

[mitchel674]

Finished up week 8 yesterday. The instructions mention attempting the 1k intervals at the same pace as the 500m ones from previous weeks. First time I've failed during a workout. Has to happen sooner or later and on reflection I did sleep extremely poorly the night before. Was able to get back going after a breather and finish at a lower pace. Sobering though. I've felt close to hitting a wall a times previously but this was an interesting experience crashing in to one and falling over haha. I'm not discouraged though.

That pacing is a pretty tall order and certainly not one to beat yourself up over if you cannot reach that previous 500m pace.

You'll get it next time.

[aegis]

Took 3+ weeks off during summer to go back to my home country and was a little apprehensive getting back on the erg last week. I did lose a couple of seconds off my usual steady state pace initially and suffered during the first interval session after restarting. The nice thing is that in two weeks I have now actually increased my steady state pace at a lower heart rate. I did go for a few easy swims during my time off and I think that helped a little despite being off the erg.

[RayOfSunshine]

Took 3+ weeks off during summer to go back to my home country and was a little apprehensive getting back on the erg last week. I did lose a couple of seconds off my usual steady state pace initially and suffered during the first interval session after restarting. The nice thing is that in two weeks I have now actually increased my steady state pace at a lower heart rate. I did go for a few easy swims during my time off and I think that helped a little despite being off the erg.

Nice! I completely understand the apprehension.

Week 1 complete. Watched a couple videos on form. Feels good to get that first week out of the way.

[Rowan McSheen]

3 x 1500 this morning completes the second optional workout and week 7. All is good, onwards and upwards to week 8.

[frenzen]

Finished Week 3: Day 1



The pace felt nice, I did not feel tired at all. Although my heart was at Zone 1,2,4,5 around 25% each. I am thinking of going back to 2:15 pace and it did not feel challenging except the last 1k, I thought I could sprint it but I did not have it in me. Maybe I need to find a pace between 2:15 and 2:20.

[frenzen]

Week 3 Day 2:



Felt really easy, I even went faster on the 2nd half for the first interval. Goal was to stay below 2:10.

[RayOfSunshine]

BPP 2.2 4x750 on Skierg

ErgData/Online log looks a mess (total and 1st interval are correct). It was correct on ErgData during the workout. Weird.

[mitchel674]

Week 3 Day 2:



Felt really easy, I even went faster on the 2nd half for the first interval. Goal was to stay below 2:10.

These are solid! Remember that your future pacing builds on these early pieces. Resist the temptation to go too fast too early. You will pay for it with disappointment later. We've got 24 weeks.

[mitchel674]

BPP 2.2 4x750 on Skierg

ErgData/Online log looks a mess (total and 1st interval are correct). It was correct on ErgData during the workout. Weird.

Great work on the Skierg, Ray!