The lure of the PM data

[Willy.VdW]

I'm quite new to rowing, my C2 is still in it's break-in period
I find that it is difficult not to be lured by the PM, it stimulates me to do better than the last
time when I start a new workout. Knowing that is not a good idea (and impossible) to break
my PB every workout, I sometimes find the data that the PM displays diffucult to ignore, or to use
them to my advantage without racing to a new PB. Pulling a sock over the PM has come to mind
I wonder if I am the only one to suffer from this syndrome.

[RayOfSunshine]

I kept going for PB when I was fairly new to rowing. I used the force curve for a while to not focus on times. Then, I started a training plan (see below). I needed some structure.

https://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/beginner-training/

[jseymour]

Yeah, I do that, Willy I've been thinking maybe I should back the intensity off and work on increasing time, instead. Or at least mix it up.

Maybe once I figure out where my MHR is. That'll tell me my zones. Then I'll go from there. I'm still working up to my MHR. The calculations suggest somewhere around 161 BPM. That would suggest a MSHR of between 113 and 137 BPM. Initial indications suggest all those numbers may be low, for me.

[p_b82]

Yeah I'm guilty of letting the ego take charge - when going for some steadystate I try and totally ignore the pace and just concentrate on my hr....

Some days I got further others not so far.

Doing a TT however I let the numbers push me.... and I try not to look at how long is left as that just hurts when you've not even got half way

[JaapvanE]

I find that it is difficult not to be lured by the PM, it stimulates me to do better than the last time when I start a new workout. Knowing that is not a good idea (and impossible) to break my PB every workout, I sometimes find the data that the PM displays diffucult to ignore, or to use them to my advantage without racing to a new PB. Pulling a sock over the PM has come to mind

A bit, although due to injury I became aware that there is more than a time on the PM5. HR is on there as well, as is SPM.

I use EXR to row, and for most rows I have a predetermined schedule there in pace and SPM, which has been tweaked during several rows. My aim has become to follow that schedule as close as I can, with minimal HR (I already discovered that holding your breath for a 60 minute row doesn't work ). I notice that when I follow the schedules closely, my row is a lot easier: most have a slight negative split, but don't make sudden jumps in pace. When I feel good, I try to stay at the indicated pace -2 seconds. When I feel less up to it, it is the indicated pace +3 seconds. For me, this is the way to look at the pace and feel good about it, without the urge to push out yet another all out workout.

[Nomath]

... I sometimes find the data that the PM displays diffucult to ignore, or to use them to my advantage without racing to a new PB.

Try to make sense of them by saving the most relevant data and analysing them in a spreadsheet and in graphs.

I bought my own erg in 2013. It had a PM3. I often row a 5K or 10K with a cold start and without pause. I have collected the 1K or 2K splits and the HRs at the end of each split since 2013. Within one season they show a nearly linear relationship : shorter splits at higher HR. This also holds for the total 5K or 10K time vs average HF. In these plots you can compare rows where you push for a PB and light training runs.
The graph compares my 5K results in 2013 and 2021. It clearly shows that after 8 years my performance level at the same average HR has dropped significantly (roughtly 100 sec longer, i.e. about 12 sec/year = 1%/yr !) and also that my HRavg has dropped by roughly 12 bpm. This is what age does. But within the data cloud of each year I can find periods when I was doing relatively better than average, usually in nov-feb. Best period to go for a PB.

[Dangerscouse]

I'm quite new to rowing, my C2 is still in it's break-in period
I find that it is difficult not to be lured by the PM, it stimulates me to do better than the last
time when I start a new workout. Knowing that is not a good idea (and impossible) to break
my PB every workout, I sometimes find the data that the PM displays diffucult to ignore, or to use
them to my advantage without racing to a new PB. Pulling a sock over the PM has come to mind
I wonder if I am the only one to suffer from this syndrome.

It is all too common to let your ego dictate your decisions, but I really enjoy rowing eyes closed. I know it doesn't suit everyone, and it might take a bit of getting used to, but it's ideal for concentrating on your technique and not getting carried away.

[jseymour]

... I really enjoy rowing eyes closed. I know it doesn't suit everyone, and it might take a bit of getting used to, but it's ideal for concentrating on your technique and not getting carried away.

I really enjoy that, too. I haven't done it much, lately, because I've been working on pushing my HR up, but I was thinking of doing a longer, slower session today.

Rowing with your eyes closed, just immersing yourself in the motion, is really nice

[Fly Quietly]

I do the same thing! Likely largely because I don’t like wearing my glasses when indoor rowing and am blind as a bat without them so… may as well!

HOWEVER, while thinking too much during my longer rowing sessions have been contemplating: what would it feel like to do a full hour-long session (I’m an arms-only (old) para rower, so cut me some slack here, an hour is about my limit ) with no music, quiet house, lights off (like - COMPLETELY blacked out pain cave), no data, no NOTHING?

Anyone tried this?

Watched the 24 hour Zwift challenge on GCN, but he had lots of stimuli including Zwift (duh), music, visitors, LIGHT, …. And it still looked like it SUCKED.

No idea why I come up with this stuff. Some sort of “condition” I suppose.

Your posts above may prompt me to actually take a crack at this.

Fly Quietly

[Fly Quietly]

Sorry to go back to rowing with eyes closed (way down below from ~November 9th))... but I do that as well! I SAY it is to avoid getting obsessed with PM5 and get in touch with the movement. However, the real reason is I don't like wearing my glasses while exercising indoors and am blind as a bat without them, so... may as well close my eyes! Plus, can almost trick myself into thinking I'm getting a bit of a nap while rowing.

The discussion below, however, got me going on something related: I've been contemplating (too many hours spent on the erg, I suppose) for quite a while what it would be like to do a 1 hour "Sensory Deprivation Row"? Black out my pain cave, no music, no data, quiet night in the house, or if I want to be super hard-core, ear plugs. Just me and my pain.

Please cut me some slack on 'only an hour?'.. I'm an arms-only para rower (and an old fart to boot). An hour on the erg is about my limit before bad things start happening to my body.

No idea why I come up with ideas like this. Some sort of "condition", I suppose.

Anyone tried this?

Watched the GCN 24 hour Zwift challenge. But he had all kinds of stimuli including Zwift (duh), music, visitors, food, etc. And it still looked like it SUCKED.

Your conversation below may prompt me to get my act together and give this a try this winter!

Fly Quietly.

[Willy.VdW]

I kept going for PB when I was fairly new to rowing. I used the force curve for a while to not focus on times. Then, I started a training plan (see below). I needed some structure.

https://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/beginner-training/

I have taken a look at The Pete Plan, but decided I first need to become familiar with
the machine and get my technique to a higher level before starting this (or any other) plan.
But I do keep it in mind!

[Willy.VdW]

It is all too common to let your ego dictate your decisions, but I really enjoy rowing eyes closed. I know it doesn't suit everyone, and it might take a bit of getting used to, but it's ideal for concentrating on your technique and not getting carried away.

I will definitely try it!
It may learn me something about how I think I did and how it really was.

[jseymour]

Re: Rowing with your eyes closed...

I will definitely try it!
It may learn me something about how I think I did and how it really was.

Just did thirty minutes. Goal was to go for a good, sustainable rate. I figured that would be a heart rate of around 140. I figured I'd probably average a pace of around 2:35. I did close my eyes for a good deal of the time. When I did glance at the display, I more often than not managed to look at just the current pace and HR. I hit 140 BPM in about the last ten minutes--and it stayed around there, ±2 BPM, for that that entire time. Avg. pace ended-up 2:33.

[RayOfSunshine]

I kept going for PB when I was fairly new to rowing. I used the force curve for a while to not focus on times. Then, I started a training plan (see below). I needed some structure.

https://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/beginner-training/

I have taken a look at The Pete Plan, but decided I first need to become familiar with
the machine and get my technique to a higher level before starting this (or any other) plan.
But I do keep it in mind!

Makes total sense. Just note this is the pete plan for BEGINNERS. It builds up to longer steady states and introduces intervals. You just need to be sure you're comfortable doing a 5k with good form.

[Dangerscouse]

I will definitely try it!
It may learn me something about how I think I did and how it really was.

You'll hopefully notice quite a lot of small things. Feeling the drive through your feet, not over gripping the handle, staying loose through the shoulders and maintaining enough tension in the core. I find eyes closed rowing helped / helps me with all of these, as well as keeping HR down too.