New Personal Best! Brag About That New Pb!

[p_b82]

Looks like I’m 2 for 2 on Friday afternoon PB attempts this month — the row gods are smiling kindly upon me for now, so I must take advantage! Stoked to knock off another one of the long-distance time trials I’ve been itching to revisit for some time: the Hour of Power.

My race plan was to break the piece into ten-minute mini-pieces, and stick to r28 come hell or high water. I can usually tell by 20-25% of the way into a test piece if I’m going to have a chance at a good row, and thankfully around the 10-15 minute mark I was feeling half-decent and the first whispers of belief crept in...

The next half hour was touch and go, and there were moments of doubt, to be sure. Much like last week’s half marathon though, I pulled out all the stops as far as mind games go, breaking each 10 minute mini-piece further into 2:30 chunks, focusing on my breathing, and telling myself that seeing an occasional 1:46 pop up on the screen was okay, but to not make a habit of it...

This may be the PB that I’m most proud of, even more so than the 6:09 2k, as it’s my second true lifetime PB in the last few months (along with my 10k in December) — beating my college best by 0.3 splits — and in my humble opinion this was much tougher sledding overall.

Managed to venture where few of the 40+ have been this year and snag the top spot in the C2 40-49 global rankings for this season, a nice cherry on top.

Code: Select all

Time	Meters	Pace	Watts	Cal/Hr	S/M
1:00:00.0	17,201m	1:44.6	305	1351	28
10:00.0	2,873m	1:44.4	307	1357	28
20:00.0	2,863m	1:44.7	304	1346	28
30:00.0	2,863m	1:44.7	304	1346	28
40:00.0	2,862m	1:44.8	304	1345	28
50:00.0	2,866m	1:44.6	305	1350	28
1:00:00.0	2,874m	1:44.3	308	1359	29

If I thought the last was insane to comprehend my mind has been blown again.... Huge congrats!

[MPx]

I'm loving seeing and reading about these Justin. Stunning stuff - always makes me smile.

[Dangerscouse]

I'm loving seeing and reading about these Justin. Stunning stuff - always makes me smile.

Ditto. I love it when I see PB posts. Sometimes they're just the deserved plaudits from the rest of us, but sometimes they're a superb result, either world class or relative. They're all as good to me.

[Jbrown1215]

Breaking 17 is a massive achievement, but getting over 17200m is mind blowing. I'll be surprised if you're knocked off top spot, with such an excellent result like this. Well done doesn't good enough, but well done

Your performances keep getting better and better, mindblowing!

If I thought the last was insane to comprehend my mind has been blown again.... Huge congrats!

I'm loving seeing and reading about these Justin. Stunning stuff - always makes me smile.

Thanks Stu, Sascha, Peter, & Mike.

Funny how the mind works -- I recall during my warm-up doing a 10-15 stroke burst at ~1:44-1:45 r28 and thinking it didn't feel as comfortable as it should have... and then proceeded to do 1690 strokes at that pace. I mentioned in my HM recap last week that I can only summon the mental fortitude for these types of efforts every so often. I didn't plan on doing the HM and HoP in back-to-back weeks, but I trusted my gut on Friday that told me to go for it, and it worked out. It's tough to think about tackling either of those PBs again anytime soon, but I'll need to get a HM done for the Sub7's May intra-team challenge.

Part of my motivation at this point is recognition that at some point in the not-too-distant-future, as is inevitably the case for us all, I just won't physically be able to chase all-time PBs anymore, and will need to switch my focus to age-group PBs or season's bests. Whether that's one year from now or five I've no clue, but I feel compelled, almost obligated, if you will, to make the most of whatever run of good form I'm on right now so that I have no regrets.

Quite proud to now hold the #1 spot in the global C2 season rankings for the 40-49s in both the HoP & Half Marathon. That was never an explicit goal of mine, and I've often stared at the various leaderboards in awe of the absolute monsters on top and what they've accomplished, so I suppose I still have a bit of imposter syndrome seeing my name there

[KeithT]

Looks like I’m 2 for 2 on Friday afternoon PB attempts this month — the row gods are smiling kindly upon me for now, so I must take advantage! Stoked to knock off another one of the long-distance time trials I’ve been itching to revisit for some time: the Hour of Power.

My race plan was to break the piece into ten-minute mini-pieces, and stick to r28 come hell or high water. I can usually tell by 20-25% of the way into a test piece if I’m going to have a chance at a good row, and thankfully around the 10-15 minute mark I was feeling half-decent and the first whispers of belief crept in...

The next half hour was touch and go, and there were moments of doubt, to be sure. Much like last week’s half marathon though, I pulled out all the stops as far as mind games go, breaking each 10 minute mini-piece further into 2:30 chunks, focusing on my breathing, and telling myself that seeing an occasional 1:46 pop up on the screen was okay, but to not make a habit of it...

This may be the PB that I’m most proud of, even more so than the 6:09 2k, as it’s my second true lifetime PB in the last few months (along with my 10k in December) — beating my college best by 0.3 splits — and in my humble opinion this was much tougher sledding overall.

Managed to venture where few of the 40+ have been this year and snag the top spot in the C2 40-49 global rankings for this season, a nice cherry on top.

Code: Select all

Time	Meters	Pace	Watts	Cal/Hr	S/M
1:00:00.0	17,201m	1:44.6	305	1351	28
10:00.0	2,873m	1:44.4	307	1357	28
20:00.0	2,863m	1:44.7	304	1346	28
30:00.0	2,863m	1:44.7	304	1346	28
40:00.0	2,862m	1:44.8	304	1345	28
50:00.0	2,866m	1:44.6	305	1350	28
1:00:00.0	2,874m	1:44.3	308	1359	29

Wow, just wow! I can't even wrap my head around this.

[Dangerscouse]

Part of my motivation at this point is recognition that at some point in the not-too-distant-future, as is inevitably the case for us all, I just won't physically be able to chase all-time PBs anymore, and will need to switch my focus to age-group PBs or season's bests. Whether that's one year from now or five I've no clue, but I feel compelled, almost obligated, if you will, to make the most of whatever run of good form I'm on right now so that I have no regrets.

I had exactly the same compulsion when I was setting PBs in 2021, and I can say with hindsight I'm so glad I did it as it definitely dropped off a cliff and it's starting to get better again, but I can't see it coming close to where I was.

My only regret was the abject lack of control and objective decision making for my 100k, but I've not totally given up on trying it again, albeit with a lot less optimistic target.

[Jbrown1215]

I had exactly the same compulsion when I was setting PBs in 2021, and I can say with hindsight I'm so glad I did it as it definitely dropped off a cliff and it's starting to get better again, but I can't see it coming close to where I was.

My only regret was the abject lack of control and objective decision making for my 100k, but I've not totally given up on trying it again, albeit with a lot less optimistic target.

I'd wager a bet that anyone who's ever attempted a 100k has likely struggled with good decision making during the piece... so hard to know how you'll react physically and mentally once you get deep into it. Arguably it's terrible decision making that leads us to attempt a 100k in the first place... But kudos to you for even considering another one; I am 99.9999% sure I will never attempt it again!

[Jbrown1215]

Continuing my assault on the age-group PBs, today was the 6k's turn...

Code: Select all

Time	Meters	Pace	Watts	Cal/Hr	S/M
20:06.8	6,000m	1:40.5	344	1484	29
3:19.3	1,000m	1:39.6	354	1517	30
3:21.0	2,000m	1:40.5	345	1486	29
3:21.7	3,000m	1:40.8	341	1474	29
3:22.4	4,000m	1:41.2	338	1462	29
3:22.1	5,000m	1:41.0	339	1467	30
3:20.3	6,000m	1:40.1	348	1499	31

Although it was the target, a sub-20 result eluded me today. This was a piece where I could tell ~1500m in that I just didn't quite have the requisite pop, but happy with how I hung tough during the middle ~3k and scraped together a good result. Still some meat on the bone for sure, but will wait at least a couple weeks before attempting again. In the meantime still an age-group PB, and a full split faster than the best 6k I did in 2024, so no complaints there!

[Dangerscouse]

I'd wager a bet that anyone who's ever attempted a 100k has likely struggled with good decision making during the piece... so hard to know how you'll react physically and mentally once you get deep into it. Arguably it's terrible decision making that leads us to attempt a 100k in the first place... But kudos to you for even considering another one; I am 99.9999% sure I will never attempt it again!

Hahaha, it's definitely a very strange place when you get to 65k+ and something you can't predict regardless of convincing yourself that you're prepared for the worst.

As for doing it again, talk is cheap and I need to consider doing a FM and a 50k first before I start blabbering on about doing a 100k.

[alex9026]

30:00.0 8,204m 1:49.7 265 1212 20
5:00.0 1,346m 1:51.4 253 1170 20
10:00.0 1,359m 1:50.3 260 1195 20
15:00.0 1,371m 1:49.4 267 1219 20
20:00.0 1,370m 1:49.4 267 1217 20
25:00.0 1,371m 1:49.4 267 1219 20
30:00.0 1,388m 1:48.0 277 1254 20

Kicked off my first row under the Team Oarsome banner with a 30r20 pb. This felt good. Hard, but always in control.

[Sakly]

30:00.0 8,204m 1:49.7 265 1212 20
5:00.0 1,346m 1:51.4 253 1170 20
10:00.0 1,359m 1:50.3 260 1195 20
15:00.0 1,371m 1:49.4 267 1219 20
20:00.0 1,370m 1:49.4 267 1217 20
25:00.0 1,371m 1:49.4 267 1219 20
30:00.0 1,388m 1:48.0 277 1254 20

Kicked off my first row under the Team Oarsome banner with a 30r20 pb. This felt good. Hard, but always in control.

That's a strong result!
And a warm welcome again

Need to attack this one soon. Last one is ages ago and was far below 8100.

[Dangerscouse]

30:00.0 8,204m 1:49.7 265 1212 20
5:00.0 1,346m 1:51.4 253 1170 20
10:00.0 1,359m 1:50.3 260 1195 20
15:00.0 1,371m 1:49.4 267 1219 20
20:00.0 1,370m 1:49.4 267 1217 20
25:00.0 1,371m 1:49.4 267 1219 20
30:00.0 1,388m 1:48.0 277 1254 20

Kicked off my first row under the Team Oarsome banner with a 30r20 pb. This felt good. Hard, but always in control.

That's a great result mate. I hope you'll understand why I'm saying this, as I need this type of advice, and with the utmost respect you're capable of more than this.

There's no wobble at all. It was always in control. My PB is 8m more, which definitely proves you can go faster as you're stronger than me. I honestly I expect you to reach 8300m, although it will be far from easy.

Just for the avoidance of doubt, I don't want you to not be very pleased with this result, especially given your recent bad sleep. Sub 1:50 pace is a great milestone to break.

[nick rockliff]

30:00.0 8,204m 1:49.7 265 1212 20
5:00.0 1,346m 1:51.4 253 1170 20
10:00.0 1,359m 1:50.3 260 1195 20
15:00.0 1,371m 1:49.4 267 1219 20
20:00.0 1,370m 1:49.4 267 1217 20
25:00.0 1,371m 1:49.4 267 1219 20
30:00.0 1,388m 1:48.0 277 1254 20

Kicked off my first row under the Team Oarsome banner with a 30r20 pb. This felt good. Hard, but always in control.

Nice session and looked in control too. Welcome to TO too

[alex9026]

Thanks gents and absolutely right Stu, 8300 was my first thought once I caught my breath! I set off a little conservatively, it was a "let see how this feels" kind of session to begin with. It's clear where I found my rhythm. But rest assured I'm very pleased with it!

[Jbrown1215]

30:00.0 8,204m 1:49.7 265 1212 20
5:00.0 1,346m 1:51.4 253 1170 20
10:00.0 1,359m 1:50.3 260 1195 20
15:00.0 1,371m 1:49.4 267 1219 20
20:00.0 1,370m 1:49.4 267 1217 20
25:00.0 1,371m 1:49.4 267 1219 20
30:00.0 1,388m 1:48.0 277 1254 20

Kicked off my first row under the Team Oarsome banner with a 30r20 pb. This felt good. Hard, but always in control.

Congrats on the PB and breaking through the 1:50 barrier, Alex. Perhaps, like me, with a few more reps under your belt you’ll come to view this as your favorite erg test as well!

I’d agree with Stu’s comments around your ceiling being quite a bit higher, BUT if this is the first one you’ve done ever or in some time then totally understandable to spend most of it getting a feel for what’s required and some of the technique adjustments to get the most out of it. It’s such a different animal from all the standard time trials.

Glad you’ve found a team to join (although I’m kicking myself not pitching you on Sub7 sooner!). No doubt you’re in great company with Team Oarsome. Looking forward to seeing your name on the CTC boards.